Austin Bar Blog

The annual Criminal Law Retreat, co-hosted by the Austin Bar and the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, will take place Nov. 15 and 16 at the Y.O Ranch & Resort in Kerrville, Texas!
 
This retreat has been a source of fun learning and camaraderie for decades now and is the only criminal law seminar that brings together prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys.
 
Click here to register.
  
If you have any questions, contact Austin Bar Criminal Law Section Chair Leslie Boykin.
 

The Austin Bar shines this week's member spotlight on Kara O'Shaughnessy. 

Kara is an associate at Duggins Wren Mann & Romero, where her practice focuses on oil, gas, and mineral law; civil litigation; complex litigation; and civil appeals.

She co-chaired the recent Pro Bono Fall Festival, which raised more than $8,000 to be given to Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas. Thank you for going above and beyond with the festival, Kara. We couldn't have done it without you!

Effective communication in legal practice isn’t just about the words you choose—it’s about how you deliver them. In this CLE, we dive into the science and sounds of the voice, exploring how vocal tone, pitch, and modulation directly impact your ability to convey authority, build trust, and reduce costly miscommunications.

Using principles from vocal acoustics and psychology, this session will reveal how mastering your voice can diffuse tense situations, prevent misunderstandings, and create clarity in high-pressure negotiations.

Register here. THERE ARE ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!

You'll learn how subtle shifts in your voice can:

• Command attention and authority in the courtroom or negotiation table.
• Build rapport with clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel.
• Reduce costly errors in legal communication, saving time and resources.

By understanding the physiological and psychological effects of your voice on others, you can transform the way you communicate, ensuring that your message is received clearly and confidently, even in high-stakes situations.

Date: November 18th

Time: 12:00-1:30pm

Location: Multi- purpose Room, Civil & Family Court Facility

Speaker: Sammi Sadicario, CEO/ Founder, The Voice Experts

-Lunch sponsored by The Tomlinson Firm-

Amini Conant is hosting the first of the LGBTQ Section's Rooftop Happy Hours!

Date: Nov. 8, 2024

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Amini Conant, 1204 San Antonio St., second floor

Register here.

You are cordially invited to the retirement reception from the District Court Bench Judge Karin Crump.

This reception will include a portrait unveiling commemorating Judge Crump's service to the bench.

Judge Karin Crump

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Civil and Family Courts Facility, 1700 Guadalupe, 12th floor, Courtroom 12C

Join AYLA for happy hour at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Sporting Club, 1501 E. 7th St.

The Austin Bar sincerely thanks County Court Judges Todd Wong and Eric Shepperd for taking part in a Mentor Lunch with a group of young lawyers! This event filled up quickly with attendees who were eager to learn from these esteemed judges.

The Mentor Breakfast/Lunch series is an initiative of the Austin Bar's Mentorship Committee. We're in the process of planning additional breakfasts/lunches and will announce them soon!

By popular demand, the Austin Bar is happy to announce we have launched a limited run of merchandise in time for the holidays! We have polos and zip-ups available for men and women in two colors and multiple sizes. We also have a folio and umbrella available.

The deadline for orders has been extended until Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Click here to place orders.

The Austin Bar Association CLE Committee is seeking speakers and presentations for various current and engaging topics for upcoming events. 

Attorneys are invited to submit abstracts of presentations. These presentations can be on case studies, best practices or other topics of interest and can be submitted to caleb@austinbar.org

At this year's Gala, we will honor David Armbrust, Denise Davis, and former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips with the Distinguished Lawyer Award, and Austin Kaplan with the David H. Walter Community Excellence Award!

Don't miss this fantastic annual event that brings together Austin's best legal minds for a night of fun, celebration, and contributing to a common cause.

Click here to purchase tickets and/or a sponsorship!

Additionally, grants funds raised through Fund-A-Need will support suicide prevention as well funds to support local attorneys and their families when facing mental health issues and substance abuse.