2026

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.

On Saturday, March 29, AYLA hosted its 4th Annual Crawfish Boil. This award-winning event has become a staple in the Austin legal community as an opportunity to enjoy the spring weather, connect with friends and colleagues, and raise money to support the Austin Young Lawyers Foundation. 

Being a Taurus, spring has always been my favorite season. As I write this column, the wildflowers are out in full force with bluebonnets leading the charge. It is a season of renewal, growth, and a push to finish projects that need to wrap before summer sets in. AYLA has enjoyed a busy spring full of inspiring CLEs, service projects, and community.

Please join us on Saturday, May 10 at Austin Pickle Ranch for Austin Bar Association and AYLA’s Leadership Academy PICKLEPALOOZA—An All-Ages PickleballTournament Fundraiser Benefiting CASA of Travis County The Austin Bar and AYLA’s Leadership Academy is thrilled to invite you to Picklepalooza, a fun and competitive pickleball tournament in support of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Travis County, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at Austin Pickle Ranch – Braker

The following candidates are running for the AYLA officers and directors positions. The new board will take office on July 1, 2025, along with Jenna Malsbary, who will serve as AYLA’s president. Malsbary has been on AYLA’s board since 2019, and has served as secretary, treasurer, and president-elect. Voting begins April 11 and concludes on May 1 at 4 p.m.

The 15th Annual Austin Young Lawyers Association Day of Service on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day was tremendously successful with the help of volunteers and donors.  This local project is modeled after the national Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service, which is intended to transform Dr. King’s life and teachings into community service that helps solve social problems. There

February is a month when love of all kinds is on the mind – love for our sweetheart, friends, family, maybe even coworkers (but hopefully not like that). One of the primary ways we express love of any kind is through our words. When thinking about how to communicate with loved ones, there are lessons we can also extend to

Attorneys who wish to serve on the 2025-2026 Austin Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) Board of Directors have until March 7, 2025, to formally sign up to run.

Each year we present three awards for outstanding community and professional service, and mentoring. Know a deserving person in the community who should be recognized? Nominate someone today for one of our three awards: Liberty Bell (awarded to a non-lawyer), Outstanding Young Lawyer, and AYLA Mentor. Nomination forms are due Friday, March 1, and can be found online at AYLA.org.

What an incredible start to Leadership Academy 2025! The #LeadershipAcademy2025 orientation on Jan. 10 was an inspiring kickoff to this year’s journey. The 2025 class heard numerous thought-provoking presentations from leaders in the Austin legal community.