TYLA eNews, December 2006

“I don't care what you believe in, just believe in it.”
--Shepherd Book, Serenity

As TYLA members, we make up an incredibly diverse group of over 25,000 lawyers. Within our group I have no doubt that every major and minor religious and secular winter holiday will be observed in some way. While each of these holidays is meaningful to people for different reasons, the point of this message is encourage you to decide in what you believe, and make the most of it. (Cont.)

Feature TYLA Affiliate

First Houston-Area Wills for Heroes Project a Success


Working Lunch

On Saturday, November 4, over 60 volunteers came together at Houston Baptist University to host the Wills for Heroes Project. The combined efforts of three TYLA local affiliates provided free wills, powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, designations of guardian, and advance directives (also known as “living wills”) to individuals serving in law enforcement, firefighting, or as EMT technicians. The individuals served spanned three counties in the Houston metropolitan area: Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston. (Cont.)

Meet the Affiliates

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 Kendyl Hanks or Brad Allen.

Feature TYLA Project

TYLA's Free Legal Guide for Cancer Patients Now Available On-Line

Chances are either you or someone you care about is or has been fighting a battle with cancer. It is also likely that in addition to dealing with treatment decisions like radiation versus chemotherapy, numerous doctors' visits, telling family, friends and co-workers, and simply coming to terms with this illness, you or those you care about are overwhelmed by the myriad of issues that one is confronted with when one receives a cancer diagnosis. (Cont.)

Tips for Young Lawyers

Important Points On Client Development


Cordell Parvin

A lawyer whom I coach recently asked me: “Cordell, if you had to choose one thing that separates rainmakers from lawyers who are not, what would that be?” I told him that my answer assumes that both the lawyers who are rainmakers and the ones who are not are highly skilled lawyers. With that caveat, I believe that if I could only choose one thing, it would be the burning desire to be successful. When you really want to be successful, you find ways to build your profile as a “go to” lawyer and you genuinely care about the people you are serving. Client development demands focusing on your client's needs instead of your own and branding yourself as a lawyer who is distinguished from - not merely better than - the competition. (Cont.)

Article of Interest

Overview of the Medicaid Long-Term Nursing Care Program
by Randy Harrell


Randy Harrell

Medicaid is a broad, need-based medical assistance program serving certain individuals who are unable to pay for necessary healthcare. In the State of Texas, Medicaid eligibility is determined by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (“HHSC”). Medicaid consists of two primary components: Community Medicaid and Long - Term Care Medicaid. Community benefits are provided for younger, disabled persons and families receiving public assistance. Medicaid for persons in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and for those needing care at home is called Long-Term Care Medicaid. The distinction is important because the regulations for each program are very different. The discussion of Medicaid in this article will be limited to Long-Term Care Medicaid.(Cont.)

ABA/YLD Update

For more information click here

Save the Date for Upcoming ABA YLD Meetings!

ABA Midyear Meeting

Miami , Florida

February 7-13, 2007

The ABA 's 2007 Midyear Meeting will be held February 7-13, in sunny Miami , Florida. Young lawyers from around the country will be gathering to serve as delegates for their affiliates, to share ideas for public and member service projects that the YLD and other young lawyer affiliates are implementing across the country, and to enjoy the warm Miami weather in February! Don't miss this great opportunity to meet and learn from other young lawyer leaders. (Cont.)

Take Note

Understanding the Grievance Process:
Expert Advice to Navigate the Attorney Discipline Process
Cosponsored by the Texas Young Lawyers Association
2 Hours MCLE Ethics Credit

Live via Webcast
December 13, 2006
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2 hours MCLE credit, all ethics (MCLE# 900012566)
Registration Fee: $125
(Cont.)

Upcoming Events

December 1st, 2007 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m: TYLA/ProBAR Unaccompanied Children's Project Training (co- sponsored by the Houston Association of Young Lawyers) at South Texas College of Law, 1303 San Jacinto St. in Houston. For more information, please contact Wendy Miller.
December 13th, 2007 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m: TYLA/TexasBarCLE's Understanding the Grievance Process Live via Webcast. Click here for more information.
January 11th - 30th, 2007 from 12:00 p.m.-12:50 p.m.: Cordell Parvin's Rainmaking Series. Click here to view the flyer and dates.
January 26-27, 2007: Joint TYLA/State Bar of Texas Board of Directors Meeting at the Camino Real Hotel in El Paso.

TYLA Annual Report 2006

Want to know how TYLA is serving its members and the community? Then be sure to read the 2006 annual report, which details the activities of TYLA during the 2005-2006 Bar year. Click here for a copy or call 800-204-2222 x 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 2006, you will need to sign up for your committees again. Committee memberships are reset
each year on June 1.