I graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was sworn in to the Texas Bar in 2012. However, there are days when I still feel like I’m a baby lawyer. Especially days when I make mistakes or instantly regret saying, or not saying, something.
One Young Lawyer’s Guide to Seeking Balance
For many of our clients, firms, or agencies, fall is the start of a new fiscal year. Several of us are probably instrumental in the labor required to prepare a new budget. Well, my offering to this month’s Austin Lawyer readers is to reflect on a different kind of budget–the budget for your personal energy.
AYLA Member Spotlight: Melissa Pina
We recently sat down with AYLA member Melissa Pina to feature in our Member Spotlight.
AYLA Earns Awards at Local Bar Leaders Conference
Representatives from AYLA were in attendance at the 2025 Local Bar Leaders Conference to accept Awards of Achievement from the Texas Young Lawyers Association.
2nd Trial Institute a Success
AYLA held its second Trial Institute on June 27 in the ceremonial courtroom at the Travis County Civil & Family Courts Facility.
Serve the Public with AYLA; Join Today!
Joining an AYLA committee is the perfect way to get involved and meet fellow attorneys. AYLA members can join any of the following committees:
AYLA Kicks Off Bar Year with Summer Docket Call
The Austin Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) kicked off its new bar year with a Summer Docket Call event on Thursday, July 17 at Hold Out Brewing.
It’s Time to End Generational Trauma in the Legal Profession
This is my first official article as president of the Austin Young Lawyers Association (AYLA). I have been a member of AYLA since before law school graduation, and I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many young attorneys over the years.
AYLA Receives Awards from TYLA
AYLA is excited to announce that we have been honored with two awards from the Texas Young Lawyers Association!
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.










