Revolutionizing School Safety at SXSW

SXSW is a week-long conference and festival held in Austin each year that celebrates the convergence of film, music, tech, education, and culture. Because Hollywood A-listers tend to be the focus of the news during SXSW, I was surprised, and excited, to be invited to a technology school-safety exhibition.

A Few Tips I’ve Learned as AYLA President

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.

The Healing Power of Sound Baths: A Guide for Attorneys

The term woo-woo is defined as “dubiously or outlandishly mystical, supernatural, or unscientific” and while I like good supernatural fiction, I stick to science and facts otherwise. So, it was with bit of skepticism that I followed fellow committee member Corrine Smith’s suggestion for a wellness event: sound bath.

How I Stay Sober as a Lawyer in Recovery

From Guest Columnist Kurt Metscher: When I got sober on July 26, 2010, I had no intention of staying sober, or even of living past the age of 25. At the time, I was 22 years old, homeless, and very much lost in the chaos of addiction. My story isn’t unique. Millions of people are suffering from substance use disorder in our country right now, and many of them are also practicing law.

Introducing the AYLA “Picklepalooza” – A Day of Fun for the Whole Family!

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 Robert Roberson Case: A Struggle for Justice and the Role of the Texas Attorney General’s Office and Legislature

The death penalty case of Robert Roberson has captivated attention across the nation, not just for the tragic death of his daughter, Nikki, but for the layers of injustice that have been revealed through the legal process and the evolving understanding of medical science. Roberson’s conviction in 2002 was based on the now-discredited medical theory of “Shaken Baby Syndrome” (SBS). …

Recent Austin Bar Systems Improvements

The Austin Bar recently unveiled several systems improvements to give our members more value.  The Austin Bar now features a self-service classified ads platform. Do you have office space to lease? Post a classified ad at austinbarclassifieds.com. This simple but powerful website allows you to create an account in the process of creating a classified ad, pay for that ad, …

Austin Bar’s 2025 Award Winners

The Austin Bar has named this year’s recipients for the Professionalism Award, the Regina Rogoff Pro Bono Award, the Larry F. York Mentoring Award, and the Joseph C. Parker, Jr., Diversity Award. These individuals will be honored with their awards at the annual Bench Bar Conference on April 11. Register now at austinbar.org/benchbar2025. Professionalism Award – Michelle Cheng Michelle Cheng …

Texas Supreme Court Update April 2025

The following are summaries of selected opinions issued by the Texas Supreme Court in March 2025. These summaries are prepared by court staff as a courtesy. They are not a substitute for the actual opinions. The summaries are overviews of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. GEO Grp. v. Hegar, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2025 WL ___ (Tex. Mar. 14, …

Austin Bar Members Appear Before SCOTX to Deliver Oral Arguments

The Supreme Court of Texas convened Feb. 19, 2025, and heard oral arguments from two Austin Bar members. Austin Bar Member Catherine Robb, Haynes and Boone, for Respondent Paxton v. Am. Oversight Administrative Law – Public Information Act At issue is whether trial courts have jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus against the Governor and Attorney General to compel information under the …