2026

As the Third Court of Appeals closed in on year-end and Thanksgiving, it had a time of celebration for those employees who have served the court loyally and faithfully for many years. The court began the Day of Celebration of Public Service in 2024 to celebrate employees who have been with the court for five, 10, 15, 20, and, for some, even 25 years.

Each year, the presidents of the Austin Bar Association and the Austin Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) are invited to speak at the Leadership Academy Orientation. This year, I was asked to discuss leading with empathy. As I reflected on my development as a leader and how I incorporate compassion into my professional style, I immediately thought of my friends—many of whom are also my colleagues. Since my undergraduate years, these individuals have been the backbone of my perseverance.

AYLA recently sat down with member Toni Rask to get to know her better. This is another installment in AYLA’s ongoing Member Spotlight series.

If you are interested in running for a position as a director or officer of the Austin Bar Association, please fill out an application by Feb. 27.

The following are remarks from the investiture ceremony for Travis County’s new magistrate judges: Adam Alvarez, Naomi Howard, and Jesse Taylor. The ceremony was held Nov. 19 at the Thurman-Blackwell Criminal Justice Center.

Use these simple steps to reduce anxiety, overwhelm, and mental fatigue by cultivating peace of mind, clarity, and focus in everyday life. The result is increased effectiveness and fulfillment in law, business, and life in general–in just a few minutes a day.

Think about the last time you needed to find a new hair salon, dry cleaner, or wanted to find a restaurant for dinner. For many of you, when you don’t have a personal recommendation to go on, you look at Google reviews. 

Okay, let’s be honest—stress and lawyers go together like briefs and deadlines, pb&j, or better yet, cake and coffee. The National Jurist calls being a lawyer “the most stressful occupation in America.” The American Bar Association explains why: “lawyers are expected to perform at a high level, make critical decisions, and meet tight deadlines—all while juggling demands from clients, colleagues, and the court system.” It’s no wonder burnout, anxiety, and depression are common. 

Three years and 2,000 miles apart, we each reached the same crossroads. Both of us worked as public defenders—Mindy in California, Lindsay in Colorado—where success was measured in jury verdicts, motion wins, and sheer survival in a relentless, high-stakes system.

October was filled with a lineup of fantastic AYLA gatherings.