Austin Bar and AYLA Leadership Academy Picklepalooza Raises Over $30,000 for CASA of Travis County

Each year, the Austin Bar and Austin Young Lawyers Association selects approximately twenty lawyers to participate in a Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy includes monthly programming that fosters long-term participation in the Bar and culminates in a capstone class project. Young lawyers under the age of 40 are encouraged to apply.

This year’s class project was a “Picklepalooza” event to benefit CASA of Travis County. On May 10, the Austin legal community gathered for a day of spirited competition and philanthropy to benefit this critical organization. The Picklepalooza event, held at Austin Pickle Ranch—Braker Lane, was a resounding success. The Leadership Academy Class of 2025 reached its goal of raising over $30,000 more than any other class in the history of the Leadership Academy.

The family-friendly event featured both beginner and pro brackets, allowing players of all skill levels to participate and join the fun. In the beginner bracket, the semi-finalists were Marshall and Susanna Meringoli, who brought the whole family, and the championship title went to Eoin Tinney and Jorge Gonzalez. The pro bracket delivered fierce competition, with Mike Gershon and Jeff Edwards reaching the semi-finals, and Conor Byrne and Jed Miracle emerging as the champions after a thrilling final match. Beyond the games, attendees (including their lively children) enjoyed authentic Mexican food, face painting, bracelet making, and raffle prizes—all while benefiting CASA of Travis County’s vital mission.

CASA helps fill a gap in the legal system by appointing trained volunteers to advocate for children’s best interests as they go through the foster care legal system. The funds raised by the Leadership Academy Class of 2025 will support fulfilling CASA’s volunteer recruitment and retention efforts for an entire year. To learn more about CASA’s amazing work, visit https://www.casatravis.org/.

Picklepalooza was funded in large part thanks to the generous donations of our lead sponsors: Baker Botts, Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, and LOAR, who collectively donated $20,000. In-kind sponsors including Merci Studio, High Voltage Music & Merch, Bella + Canvas, and Rainmaker allowed event costs to stay around $5,000. There were several judicial sponsors and attendees, including Chief Justice Darlene Byrne, Justice Karin Crump, Judge Elisabeth Earle, Judge Nick Chu, and Judge Jeff Rose. And additional support came from the generosity of the following donors: Jackson Walker, Sanchez Firm, Weisbert Springer Storm Hatchitt, Pillsbury, Cofer & Connelly, Armbrust & Brown, Cain & Skarnulis, Butler Snow, Michael Roberts, The Law Office of Ilana R. Tanner, Maples Jones, O’Connell & Soifer, Law Offices of Joe Levine, Haynes & Boone, Hardie Alcozer, Germer, Frost Bank, Barnett & Garcia, Maitreya Tomlinson, Kendra Roloson, Jack Klug, and Liane Noble. The class is deeply grateful to all donors and supporters.

The Leadership Academy Class of 2025 is honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with generous donors, tournament participants, Austin Pickle Ranch, and the Austin Bar and AYLA to make this event a reality. Most of all, the class extends heartfelt thanks to CASA of Travis County, whose relentless commitment to advocating for families and children cannot be overstated.

1 The Class of 2025 includes: Daniela Peinado Welsh, Charles E. Maddox, Ryan P. Pitts, Natalia Tsokos, Varun C. Reddy, Toni Marie Rask, Owen C. Parmer, Daniel Smith, Tori Harrison, Allyssa B. Lee, Jean Phillips, Abigail Griffith, Abigail Ventress-Hyde, Tien Hunter, Emma Kate Frances Blackwood, DeVondolyn Arrington, Francesca Wool, Alexandra Leissner, Kimberly Hidrogo, Jun Hee (Matthew) Lee, Nisreen Mahesri, Maria Portella, Mary Margaret Roark, Hannah Caroselli, So Yoon, Arielle Kate Allen.