December 2025/January 2026

The following are summaries of selected criminal opinions issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The summaries are overviews; please review the entire opinions. The subsequent histories are current as of November 17, 2025.

October was filled with a lineup of fantastic AYLA gatherings.

In October, I had the honor of sitting on a panel alongside powerhouse attorneys with the Mother Attorney Mentor Association of Austin or the “MAMAs.” The current President of MAMAs, Connie Ditto, strategically recruited myself, Amber Russell, and María Amelia Calaf to speak on a panel moderated by Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch about our unique paths to leadership of initiatives while navigating our careers and motherhood.

No one wants to be the early versions of Ebenezer Scrooge or the Grinch over the holiday season. But there is something else about this time of year that makes it the season of giving. As cold(er) air begins moving in and lights start adorning the trees, we tend to become more generous. There are many meaningful ways that we (as attorneys) can give back throughout the year. This type of giving will involve less fanfare and gift wrap but will not trail in impact. 

David Chamberlain, Judy Kostura, and Richel “Rikky” Rivers have been named the Austin Bar’s 2026 Distinguished Lawyers. The Hon. Rudy Metayer has been named the recipient of the David H. Walter Community Excellence Award by the Austin Bar Association. The Austin Bar Foundation will also honor Travis County Court Administrator Warren Vavra, who will retire from the position soon after the new year, with the Legacy Award.