Austin Bar Blog

For the month of March, the Austin Young Lawyers Association is volunteering with the Green Corn Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income Central Texans grow and learn about organic food gardens. Join us for a “dig-in” on Saturday, March 25, 2023, where we will assist in the installation of food gardens for individuals or organizations with limited access to nutritious food, at various sites throughout the Austin community. Kids are welcome!

If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here.

Join the AYLA Health & Wellness Committee in the exciting Bike Night with Circuit of the Americas on March 14, 2023 at 6 P.M. Expand your mental health by riding on Cruise COTA's track at sunset and check out beautiful views from the Tower Observation Deck from 251 feet in the air. Afterwards, celebrate your feat with your AYLA comrades over refreshments and tailgate games. Register here.

Steve Ravel passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023. Read his full obituary here.

John Andrew Neal passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023. Read his full obituary here.

The Austin Black Lawyers Association is holding the Andrea Pair Bryant Legacy Luncheon on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. The Legacy Luncheon is named in memory of Mrs. Andrea Pair Bryant, a longtime Austin philanthropist and attorney. This year, ABLA will be honoring Judge Eric Shepperd, Mr. Anthony Nelson and Ms. Robynn Fletcher for their service to ABLA, the Austin Bar and community. Retired Judge Lora Livingston will be the emcee for this event. Read about the recipient's here.

A valuable benefit of your Austin Bar Association membership includes access to a wide range of CLEs to keep you informed and help you maintain your CLE hours each year. Don't miss the slate of CLEs being offered by the Austin Bar Association!

Environmental Law Section: 88th Texas Regular Legislative Session and TCEQ Sunset Update | March 6, 2023

ADR Section: Best Practices to Mediate Environmental Disputes | March 7, 2023

Animal Law Section: The Endangered Species Act — Texas Species Successes, Failures, and Lessons | March 8, 2023

Labor and Employment Section: National Labor Relations Act Update | March 8, 2023

Three awards for outstanding community and professional service and mentoring are presented each year to deserving people in our community. The awards being given are: Liberty Bell (awarded to a non-lawyer), Outstanding Young Lawyer, and AYLA Mentor. They will be announced at this year's Bench Bar Conference being held May 5th.

Thursday, March 23, 2023
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM CT

Wiggle Room | 612 Nueces St.

Legal Writing: Lessons from the Bestsellers List
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT

Join AYLA for a CLE on Legal Writing: Lessons from the Best Sellers List. Chad Baruch will present on tips to improve legal writing in motions and briefs.
Speaker Chad Baruch, Johnston Tobey Baruch PC. Read Chad's bio here.

Register here.

Please join us for our 2023 Austin Criminal Law Retreat! Cosponsored by ACDLA & the Criminal Law Section of the Austin Bar Association.

March 3rd- 4th | YO Ranch Hotel. Register and see the retreat schedule here.

The following awards will be given out at the Annual Bench Bar Conference, May 5, 2023, Norris Conference Center.  

Larry York Mentor Award – This award will honor a Central Texas lawyer or judge who has demonstrated exceptional skill and generosity in mentoring younger members of the bar.  Must have practiced for at least 10 years.

David H. Walter Community Excellence Award – This award honors an Austin Bar member who has recently made a significant impact in the community and, at the same time, raised the profile of the bar.
Joseph C. Parker, Jr. Diversity Award – This award is given annually to a lawyer who demonstrates excellence in promoting the ideals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the legal profession and community.

Professionalism Award – This is a joint award from the Austin Bar Association and the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism – The recipient will be a lawyer who best exemplifies, by conduct and character, truly professional traits, who others in the bar seek to emulate, and who all in the bar admire.  

Regina Rogoff Award – This award from the Austin Bar Association recognizes outstanding public sector service and serves as a lasting tribute to the career achievements of Regina Rogoff, Executive Director of Legal Aid of Central Texas. 

For more information please contact Delaine Ward. Nominations are due by March 22, 2023 and the nomination form can be found here.