An Austin nonprofit has partnered with a law firm in order to provide reduced-cost legal services to marginalized communities.
Soft Opening: Remembering the Past, Moving into the Future
Typically, as your new President of the Austin Bar Association, my first article would contain my portrait and answers to numerous questions. We run these articles so that you (if you’re so inclined) can get to know the person who will lead the Bar over the next term.
Meet AYLA’s 2025-2026 President: Jenna Malsbary
Jenna is an associate counsel at CapMetro, where the mission is to empower and enhance communities through the delivery of high-quality public transportation in Austin and its surrounding areas. Jenna graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and St. Mary’s University School of Law. Her passion for leadership and bar service dates back to her time at St. Mary’s, where she served as the Student Bar President and held positions as director, Secretary, and Vice President of the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association before moving to Austin in 2016.
May 2025 District & County Court Jury Trial Verdicts
Below are the May jury trial verdicts for the Travis County Courts.
TCWLA Awards $25,000 in Scholarships
The Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association Scholarship Fund (TCWLSF) awarded 10 scholarships totaling $25,000.
Briefs July/August 2025
Congratulations to the following individuals, who have been included in LawDragon’s 2025 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers:
New Episode of Stop the Stigma Podcast
Kurt Metscher is a 36-year-old family law attorney in Austin. His addiction challenges started in high school, first with marijuana, then amphetamines. After an incident in college, he entered treatment. Initially planning to return to his addiction once his probation was over, he gradually found himself enjoying the sober way of life. He wants people, particularly law firms and partners, …
Austin Bar Conference Space Now Open
The Austin Bar Foundation hosted a ribbon-cutting event celebrating the opening of the Austin Bar’s onsite conference space on April 16 at Hilgers House. The Jim & Patty Arnold Conference Room has been a goal since the Bar moved into Hilgers House in 2019. Formerly the garage of the Loewy Family Carriage House, the space has been completely transformed into a sleek conference space that can accommodate up to 30 people.
Happy Work is Everywhere
There’s a great song by Wilco called “Love is Everywhere.”
“Love, love is everywhere; If, if you want it there.”
Whenever I hear it, I find myself doing a gratitude list and thinking about all the people and things in my life that bring me joy, and all the ever-present worries just fade away.
Austin Bar Receives Several Stars of Texas Bars Awards
The Austin Bar is proud to announce we have been honored by the state bar’s Stars of Texas Bars Awards! Austin Lawyer was named Best Overall Newsletter in Division III. This is the second year in a row that we’ve received this honor.