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Happy Holidays from eNews—Due to technical difficulties at Santa's workshop, eNews will combine the November and December issues into one holiday edition of eNews. To our loyal readers (both of you), we apologize and promise to put in an extra good word with Santa for you.
Editor's Column
Very Interesting Times
By Rebecca Vela
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Rebecca Vela |
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I have a friend who loves to say, “We are living in very interesting times.”Typically, he is referring to something that one of our friends is doing. He and his phrase came to mind earlier this month when I thought of this historic election that just took place where Barack Obama was elected as our next president. Regardless of your political affiliation, I think you would have to agree that we are indeed living in very interesting times. The country has elected the first African-American to be the president of our great nation. My hope is that you all participated in the voting process, regardless of who you voted for. Given the statistics on who voted, I think you did.(Cont.)
Top Story
Healing the Wounds: A Guide to Navigating the Legal System after Surviving Domestic Abuse
By
Alfonso Cabanas
On October 29, 2008, the family law committee of the TYLA premiered its video Healing the Wounds: A Guide to Navigating the Legal System after Surviving Domestic Abuse. TYLA director Kristy Piazza presented the video to the staff of the Genesis Domestic Violence Shelter located in Dallas, Texas. The next day, the video was showcased by TYLA president Sylvia Cardona along with TYLA directors Alfonso Cabañas, Alyssa Long, and San Antonio lawyer John Zepeda at the San Antonio Battered Women's Shelter. (Cont.)
Feature
TYLA Affiliate
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
By
Jennifer Parks
During the 2008 calendar year the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association ("SAYLA") underwent a technological and social make-over and re-focused many of its efforts on growing its membership, including law student membership and involvement. Although in the past SAYLA has participated in law student organized activities and hosted law student social events, in 2008 SAYLA's efforts have been met by remarkable success. (Cont.)
Please email the TYLA office if there are any changes to your local affiliates contact information.
If your affiliate has an upcoming event that you would like featured in eNews, please forward the information to Bree Trevino or contact eNews Co-Chairs Brad Allen, Ken Riney or Rebecca Vela.
Feature
TYLA Project
Cancer Guide Distributed at Komen Race for the Cure
By David Courreges
The genesis of the Texas Young Lawyers Association's Legal Guide for Cancer Patients stems from the inspiration of Austinite Marlenia Noelke, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in October 2001 while pregnant with her daughter. It was Noelke's husband Jim – now former president of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Austin Affiliate – who strongly urged TYLA to go forward with the project. Now in its third year, the Legal Guide for Cancer Patients has become a premier tool for cancer patients, their families and friends, to confront and identify many of the previously unknown issues and remedies that will arise on a daily basis. (Cont.)
Tips
for Young Lawyers
When Two Bars are Better Than One
By Rabecca Cross
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Rabecca Cross |
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After mastering that grueling beast known as the Texas Bar Exam, few of us want to consider taking another bar examination, or standardized test of any sort. But adding credentials such as admission to another bar can be a practical way to round out a skimpy resume. And in a lean economy, increasing your marketability to employers and potential clients can't hurt. But while practical, test taking isn't necessarily easy, so consider the following factors before you pick up that pencil. (Cont.)
Article of Interest
They Insisted on E- Discovery - Now What?
By
Brooke Ulrickson with special thanks to Chris McLelland, CISSP, CCE of the LDM Group for his contributions
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Brooke Ulrickson |
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After a three month tour of the United States and Canada collecting electronic data, I can tell you that e-discovery is no laughing matter and it shouldn't be taken lightly. The electronic discovery process can be especially frightening for your clients, especially small businesses - think about your reaction if someone wanted to collect all the information on your computer including financials, emails and personal memorandums. However, the reality is that both the Texas and Federal Rules allow for electronic discovery through requests for production or subpoena and it is extremely costly and time consuming to comply. Hopefully, this article will give you some information as to a few technical terms and items to think about, but one great piece of advice I received was, “if you're not a computer ‘geek', hire one!”
ABA YLD Calls Its Members to Action Against Domestic Violence
By Chris Rogers
The ABA YLD has unveiled its Public Service Project for 2008-2009, Voices Against Violence.
Voices Against Violence is a call to action for young lawyers around the country to join forces to end domestic violence. The program is designed to educate young lawyers about the epidemic of domestic violence, particularly among the teen population. Through Voices Against Violence, the ABA YLD hopes engage young lawyers in efforts to respond to and prevent domestic violence in their communities by taking part in legislative advocacy, handling pro bono cases involving domestic violence, providing support to existing domestic violence shelters and programs, delivering presentations to the public about domestic violence or holding local roundtable discussions for domestic violence advocates. (Cont.)
If you have any questions about ABA YLD conferences or projects, please contact: Kirby D. Hopkins, ABA YLD District 25 Representative or Chris Rogers, ABA YLD District 26 Representative through these email links.
Upcoming Events
- Dec 12, 2008
SBOT Holiday Party, Texas Law Center in Austin
- Dec 24, 2008 - Dec 26, 2008
Christmas (Texas Law Center closed)
- Jan 01, 2009
New Year's Day (Texas Law Center closed)
- Jan 05, 2009
TYLA deadline to receive third committee report
Take Note
Hurricane Ike Response Continues
The storm may be gone, but the need for volunteers and donations to provide legal services to victims of Hurricane Ike continues. Please see the State Bar of Texas's 2008 Hurricane Response page for details on hurricane relief efforts and resources, including information on donations and volunteer opportunities. The State Bar of Texas has a disaster hotline, (800) 504-7030, to help assist with basic legal questions following a disaster. Hundreds of attorney volunteers are needed to help answer basic legal questions of those affected. Read more.
Ten Minute Mentor has more than 20 free videos for attorneys about disaster response and recovery. Click "view index by category" and choose "disaster response." Click here for more disaster resources for attorneys . TYLA Annual Report 2007-2008
Want to know how TYLA is serving its members and the community? Then be sure to read the 2007-2008 annual report, which details the activities of TYLA during the 2007-2008 Bar year. Click here for a copy or call 800-204-2222, ext. 1529 and we'll send you a copy.
Get Involved and Sign Up Today!
If you want to be involved as an active volunteer in TYLA, now is the best time. The new Bar year is just getting underway, and you can get in on the ground floor and really help shape the work of our public or member service committees of your choice. Visit our website to find out more about TYLA committees and their focus ... then sign up online!
Please note: if you signed up for a committee prior to June 2008, you will need to sign up for your committees again. Committee memberships are reset each year on June 1.
The Texas Young Lawyer Association is adding new segments to the Ten Minute Mentor library. Ten Minute Mentor is a TYLA project that debuted in 2004 as a means for sharing concise and practical advice that is always accessible online. Since that time, it has proven its enduring appeal as one of TYLA's most successful projects. More than 50,000 people have visited the site, and we continue to average more than 2,000 segments viewed each month. You can visit the site at www.tenminutementor.com.
Support Pro Bono Legal Services and Let Everyone Know It!
The Texas Young Lawyers Association needs your help to support and promote free legal services for indigent Texans by purchasing a specialty license plate. The license plate proudly states that you support "Justice for All" and can be purchased for only $30.00 per year.
$25.00 from the purchase of each plate will be deposited into an account
supporting legal services to the poor. If you would like that plate personalized, you can get your plate for $70.00 per year. To purchase your plate today, simply fill out an application and send your check, payable to the Texas Department of Transportation, to the following address:
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division (SPB)
Texas Department of Transportation
Austin, TX 78779-0001
2008-2009 YouTube Contest: Ideals that Unite Us
What are the ideals that unite us as citizens of this country? That's the theme of the State Bar's new YouTube video contest. To enter the contest, create a video no longer than three minutes that captures your vision of the ideals that unite us as Texans. You must be a Texas resident or an attorney licensed to practice in Texas.
Online entry forms will be available by October 1, 2008. The deadline for entries is March 16, 2009. You can enter the contest as an individual or as part of a group. We encourage local bar associations to submit their own video entry. The call for entries video and additional contest details can be found at www.texasbar.com/texansonjustice.
Make New Connections with Texas Bar Circle
Nearly 5,000 of your peers have joined Texas Bar Circle - our new social and professional network for Texas lawyers. Join today and reconnect with colleagues, find jobs, explore opportunities, and have fun. The power of Texas Bar Circle is in the connections you will make. Visit www.TexasBarCircle.com.
Member Benefits Program
Are you looking for ways to save this fall? Take advantage of exclusive money-saving offers from the State Bar of Texas Member Benefits Program. Bar members are eligible for discounts on products and services including car rental, clothing, computer hardware and software, office supplies, and more. For details on the State Bar Member Benefits Program, visit www.texasbar.com/benefits .
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