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It has been an incredible honor to serve as President of the Austin Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) this past year. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to Debbie Kelly, AYLA Executive Director and truly superhuman in every sense, for her unwavering dedication to AYLA. We are forever grateful for the countless hours she devotes to ensuring that our events are organized, well-attended, and fully supported. I am equally proud of the AYLA executive team, board, and liaisons, who worked collaboratively and tirelessly this year to uplift and represent this exceptional organization.
This year, AYLA intentionally approached programming in new ways. One example was the introduction of a summer Docket Call Happy Hour—recognizing that most young lawyers do not experience a true summer break. Hosted at Hold Out, the event created a space for members to connect during a season when other programming often slows. Summer interns and clerks were encouraged to attend, offering them a valuable opportunity to network with Austin attorneys early in their legal careers.
Another long-standing goal has been to expand opportunities for young lawyers interested in public speaking. These experiences open doors to future leadership and presentation opportunities and help attorneys build professional confidence. The Austin legal community is fortunate to have a deep source of young talented attorneys eager to share their expertise. Our CLE Committee, along with the Freshquires program, hosted and coordinated more than 10 CLE presentations this year. Many of these programs provided tailored educational opportunities focused on professional growth and practical skill development. I am incredibly proud of the AYLA board and its programs for their commitment to supporting young attorneys in the Austin legal community.
Inclusivity and collaboration remained a central focus throughout the year, particularly for attorneys balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities. AYLA hosted and collaborated on multiple events with local affinity bar organizations and non-legal leadership groups. Some of these included the Austin Bar Insurance Law Section, the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association (TCWLA), the Young Men’s Business League of Austin, the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, the Young Women’s Alliance, the Austin Bar Entertainment and Sports Section, and the Mother Attorney Mentor Association of Austin (MAMAs). The annual Diversity Bar Mixer continued to serve as a celebration of the Austin legal community and the many affinity organizations working together to support the local bar. Similarly, AYLA’s Day of Service on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day brought the local bar together in service by inviting and encouraging participation across affinity organizations in volunteer opportunities throughout the community. The AYLA Judicial Reception marked its 25th year at Chateau Bellevue, celebrating and strengthening connections between our judiciary and AYLA members.
AYLA also expanded inclusion by hosting multiple family-friendly events, allowing working law parents to bring their families into the fold. New events such as Austin FC Family Night, along with meetups at kid-friendly venues like Cheeky Monkeys and Meanwhile Brewing, created opportunities for connection beyond the courtroom. Two of our largest and most beloved events—the Tailgate for a Cause Fundraiser and the Crawfish Boil—continued to welcome families and friends. Seeing AYLA members, colleagues, and their families come together reminded us of the importance of building authentic relationships within the legal community.
Introducing young attorneys to accessible pro bono opportunities was another highlight of the year. AYLA members enthusiastically participated in the Summer of Service Pro Bono Competition in support of Texas Free Legal Answers. Through two successful Sip and Serve events, volunteers answered more than 40 legal questions pro bono. This collaboration helped increase confidence among young attorneys who are interested in pro bono work but may feel constrained by time, experience, or practice-area concerns. Texas Free Legal Answers continues to serve as an excellent entry point for meaningful pro bono service, and AYLA looks forward to building on these efforts in the years ahead.
As I reflect on the year, I am profoundly proud of the AYLA board, liaisons, and committees. Each member dedicated time and energy to ensure this year’s success—and it truly was a success. As an “elder” young lawyer, I am comforted knowing that the future of the profession rests with such a talented, thoughtful, and engaged generation of attorneys. I have learned so much from observing how they balance professional obligations with leadership and service. I will always support and champion their efforts, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside them this year. I look forward to continuing my service in support of AYLA President-Elect Gracie Wood Shepherd and am excited to see the incredible work that lies ahead in the coming year.
