Each year, AYLA presents three awards to honor leaders in the Travis County legal profession: The Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, the Outstanding Mentor Award, and the Liberty Bell Award.
The Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recognizes a young lawyer who has demonstrated professional proficiency, service to the profession, and service to the community. The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes an attorney who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring young lawyers in the legal community. The Liberty Bell Award recognizes one outstanding non-lawyer in Texas who has made the most selfless contribution to his or her community to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice by instilling better understanding and appreciation of the law.
Emily Morris poses with Outstanding Young Lawyer Award winner Samantha McCoy.
Samantha McCoy
Outstanding Young Lawyer
Samantha McCoy is an appellate attorney, activist, and mental health therapist. Samantha is passionate about rights for survivors of violence and educational programs for middle and high school students about civility, law, and rights as a survivor. She has passed five laws in four states and one United Nations Resolution. AYLA honors Samantha for her outstanding contributions to the profession.
AYLA President Emily Morris announces Kennon Wooten as the winner of the 2025 AYLA Mentor Award.
Kennon Wooten
Outstanding Mentor
Kennon is a Partner at Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP focusing on civil and complex commercial litigation. Kennon is a consistent supporter of AYLA and Austin Bar endeavors and specifically contributes her time to community service events. AYLA recognizes Kennon for the guidance she shows younger attorneys and her willingness to provide valuable advice and insight.
Emily Morris poses with Liberty Bell Award winner Debbie Tate.
Debbie Tate
Liberty Bell
Debbie was Chief Development Officer at the Center for Child Protection for 20 years. During that time, Debbie showed an unwavering commitment to the CCP and has been instrumental in advancing the mission of protecting and empowering children and families in Travis County. Debbie is always focused on the true purpose of the work and is now contributing her decades of service and experience as Chief Development and Marketing Officer at the Texas Advocacy Project. AYLA thanks Debbie for her invaluable contributions to the community.
Congratulations to this year’s award winners!