Austin Bar Blog

Pay your membership dues by January 1, 2022, to remain a part of the Austin Bar Association. Dues unpaid by Jan. 22, 2022, will result in forfeiting membership. Don’t Delay. Contact Carol Tobias if you have any questions.

Get your FREE headshot for next year! Beginning Jan. 4, 2022, through the 14th, the Bar is offering a photography session with JRussell Photography. The photo you choose will be used in our online directory. Call JRussell at 512-266-8921 to schedule or go online at www.goJRussell.com (Select “Scheduling,” then “Austin Bar,” followed by “Guest Account”). You may also choose the email option and JRussell will contact you. If you do not schedule an appointment, JRussell will call to make an appointment with you.

Ethics for Young Attorneys
Presenter: April Lucas
Date: Wednesday, December 15 | Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Donn’s Depot, 1600 W. 5th St. Austin, TX 78703
For more information contact Debbie Kelly.
Open to AYLA/HBAA members only

This presentation will include a 1-hour discussion about a number of questions and ethical issues that may come up in young lawyers’ practice, such as: questions about the identity of client and scope of work, protecting privilege, ethical communications (with clients, opposing counsel, the court, and unrepresented parties), joint representation and potential conflicts; and engagement letter best practices.  Topics will include references to applicable disciplinary rules, ethics opinions, and other authorities.
 

Check out the Dec./Jan. edition of Austin Lawyer. From Travis County Adoption Day to the President’s Column, Your Member Dues, Member Photo, AYLA Day of Service and Judicial Wine Tasting, this edition is packed with what you need to know. This double-issue also has great information about membership week, the courts, and how to “Be Well” right now as we head into a new year. Read the new issue here.

Meeting of the Minds!

The Bar and AYLA are gearing up for the 31st Annual Bench Bar Conference, Friday, January 21, at Austin Country Club. This magnificent event brings our local judges and lawyers together. Your generous and long-standing support makes this rewarding experience happen. We hope your firm will join the Austin Bar Association in sponsoring Bench Bar. Our three levels of support include: Underwriters - $1000, Sponsors - $750, or Contributors - $500. Our three hundred available conference spaces are filled on a “first-come basis,” however, preference is given to attorneys whose firms sponsor the event. Learn more and register here.

SCHEDULE

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration and Vendor Fair

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Welcome and Introduction, Austin Bar President David Courreges and AYLA President Rachael Jones

9:15 – 9:30 a.m. Courthouse Update  Speaker: Judge Andy Hathcock

9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Justice in the Time of COVID Moderator: Judge Kim Williams; Speakers: Judge Robert Pitman, Judge Jan Soifer, Justice Gisela Triana, Judge Elisabeth Earle, Justice Brett Busby, Velva Price, Travis County District Clerk, Warren Vavra, District Court Administrator

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Icebreaker 1

11:00 – 12:00 Virtual Practice Tips/Do’s and Don’ts Moderator: Drew Harris, Attorney General’s Office; Speakers: Judge Susan Hightower, Judge Catherine Mauzy, Judge Karen Sage, Jeff Rose, Rose Resolution Group, Sherrie Wirth, President, The Exhibit Company

12:00 – 12:20 p.m. Vendor Fair

12:20 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Presentation: COVID and Jury Trials (Live and Virtual) Moderator: Greg Sapire, Soltero Saprire Murrell; Speakers: Judge Amy Clark Meachum, Judge Karin Crump, Judge Kim Williams, Tracy McCormack, UT and Rudy Metayer, Chamberlain McHaney

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Reintegrating the Workplace Moderator: Mike Johnson, Thompson Coe; Speakers: Justice Darlene Byrne, Judge Jessica Mangrum, Sherine Thomas, County Attorney’s Office, and Scott Brutocao, Cornell Smith Mierl Brutocao Burton

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Icebreaker 2  

2:45 – 3:30 p.m.  Legal Updates Moderator: Amy Meredith, Attorney General’s Office; Speakers: Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, Judge Brandy Mueller, Leslie Dippel, County Attorney’s Office, and Dan Dworin, Law Office of Dan Dworin

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. Meet DA and County Attorney: New Policies and Procedures Moderator: Judge Brad Urrutia; Speakers: Jose Garza, District Attorney, Delia Garza, County Attorney

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.  Happy Hour and Ethics Jeopardy; Speakers: Justice Chari Kelly, Adam Schramek, Norton Rose

Open to AYLA and HBAA members only
Date: Wednesday, December 15 | Time: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Donn’s Depot, 1600 W. 5th St. Austin, TX 78703
For more information contact Debbie Kelly.
Sponsored by Thompson Law.

AYLA, in partnership with the YMCA, will once again provide toys for 200 children in Travis County. Our goal is to provide holiday cheer to families who might otherwise not have that opportunity. The event is Sunday, December 12 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. We need volunteers to help with setup, breakdown and to wrap gifts. Click here to sign up to volunteer.
 
Click here to purchase a toy from our Amazon wish list.

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Member Appreciation is January 10-14, 2022, at Hilgers House! From Tacos and Tech to Wellness and FriYAY, we’re celebrating you! Stay tuned for more details.

The in-depth research conducted by the Judges' Hill subcommittee of the History & Traditions Committee reveals the rich history of Judges' Hill. One of the oldest neighborhoods in Austin, located at the northwest corner of the original city boundary, came to be known as Judges’ Hill as a result of the many judges and lawyers who have lived in the area since the city’s founding.  The Austin Bar Association headquarters is located at Hilger's House within the boundaries of Judges’ Hill.

See the full research here.

On this Thanksgiving, the Austin Bar Association wishes you and your family a safe and wonderful holiday.