Austin Police Department Data Website Now Live

The Austin Police Department (APD) has launched a new website to publish data related to policing activities in the Austin metropolitan area. APD’s Open Policing Data Release project was ordered by the Austin City Council’s Resolution 20230914-132, which was passed in September 2023.

Remembering Lyndsey Vicknair

Austin Bar member Lyndsey Captain Vicknair passed away on June 15, 2024, during a shooting at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Vicknair was born on Dec. 31, 1990, to Bobby and Lena Captain. She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend. She is survived by her husband of seven years, Kevin Vicknair, and their young children: …

Meet Incoming Austin Bar President Mary-Ellen King

Mary-Ellen King is a partner at Lucosky Brookman LLP, where her practice focuses primarily on complex insurance coverage litigation, commercial litigation, business litigation, general civil litigation, and real estate litigation.  King takes the reins as president of the Austin Bar on July 1, 2024. Austin Lawyer recently interviewed her about her plans for the upcoming bar year. AL:  What are …

Stories of Recovery: You Can Get Better

Editor’s Note: This article was reprinted with permission from the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP). TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call or text TLAP at 1-800-343-TLAP (8527), or find more information at tlaphelps.org. It’s hard to remember a time when I didn’t feel uniquely awful growing up—where I felt …

Briefs July/August 2024

Kudos Congratulations to Melissa Andrews, equity partner at Holland & Knight, on her appointment to the newly created Third Business Court Division in Austin. Andrews previously served as an attorney for Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd and First Court of Appeals Justice Harvey. She is board-certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is …

Meet AYLA’s Incoming President Emily Morris

Emily Morris is corporate counsel at PowerSchool, which develops educational software for school systems. Morris is a graduate of Tulane University Law School and received her bachelor’s in marketing from Louisiana State University. During her time there, she also attended the University of Copenhagen to study international corporate law. Morris is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas …

Night at the Library Gala Supports CCP

Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy Class of 2024 Fundraiser Blends Legal and Literary to Raise Money for Center for Child Protection On May 10, 2024, at the Central Public Library downtown, scores of attorneys, friends, family, and community members gathered for a gala fundraiser in support of the Center for Child Protection (CCP), organized by this year’s Leadership Academy. The Austin …

Federal Civil Update July/August 2024

The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit in May 2024. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. JURISDICTION: Upon removal on the basis of improper joinder, plaintiff may clarify allegations to satisfy federal pleading standards; erroneous finding of improper joinder was not cured prior to judgment, …

Third Court of Appeals Civil Update July/August 2024

The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Third Court of Appeals during May 2024. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions.Subsequent histories are current as of June 11, 2024. MANDAMUS: Court grants relief where trial court denied objection to associate judge referral.  In re Laurie, No. 03-24-00124-CV (Tex. …

Third Court of Appeals Criminal Update July/August 2024

The following is a summary of a selected criminal opinion issued by the Third Court of Appeals in December 2023. The summary is an overview; please review the entire opinion. The subsequent history is current as of June 3, 2024. AGGRAVATED ROBBERY—EVIDENTIARY SUFFICIENCY AND LESSER-INCLUDED OFFENSE: Evidence was sufficient to prove that defendant committed aggravated robbery, and defendant was not …