Article of Interest
A $700 Billion Bailout, or a $700 Billion Blank Check?
By
Sarah Hodges
Just months after it was signed into law, the $700 billion “Troubled Asset Relief Program” has begun to look more like a blank check than a principled delegation of Congressional authority. In fact, the Act's language is so broad that some scholars have suggested it might violate the nondelegation doctrine, which had its heyday when the Supreme Court relied on the doctrine to strike down New Deal legislation in the mid-1930s. (Cont.)
Get Involved in the ABA YLD – Apply Today!
By Chris Rogers, ABA YLD District 26 Representative
The ABA YLD is Accepting Appointment Applications for the 2009-2010 Bar Year
- Would you like to get more involved?
- Are you looking for a way to connect with and help other members and the public?
- Do you have valuable skills and perspectives that could benefit the ABA YLD and the profession?
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, consider applying for a leadership position on our boards, teams, committees, as liaisons, and more. (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
February 2
TYLA director nomination petitions appear in the Texas Bar Journal and are mailed to the outgoing TYLA Directors and Local Affiliate Presidents
February 2
TYLA notice of Minority At-Large Director Place 1 election mailed to all TYLA Board of Directors, Local Affiliates, Minority Bar Associations and Texas Bar Journal
February 11
TYLA Officer election results are announced
February 13
TYLA Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas Award, Liberty Bell Award and Outstanding Mentor Award rules and criteria are mailed to TYLA Local Affiliate Presidents, Local Bars and Minority Bars
February 16
Holiday - President's Day (Texas Law Center Closed)
Take Note
TYLA Minority Scholarship Program
Annually, a $1,000 scholarship is awarded to one minority student at each Texas law school. The scholarship promotes diversity in the legal profession by assisting members of minority populations within the bar to: (1) enter the legal profession; and (2) participate in the programs and activities of TYLA and the State Bar of Texas. The application deadline is in October. The scholarship awards are distributed prior to the Spring semester. Please click here to view the winners for 2008.
Texas Legislature Convenes
On Tuesday, January 13th, legislators gathered in Austin for the start of the 81st regular session of the Texas Legislature. On Friday, January 16th, the first edition of the State Bar's legislative enewsletter, the Friday Update, was distributed to subscribers. The free service provides summaries of legislation potentially affecting the legal profession and links to relevant bills. The State Bar is prohibited by a U.S. Supreme Court decision and Section 81.034 of the State Bar Act from lobbying on most issues, but works to keep its members informed. If you subscribed to the Friday Update during the last session, you will automatically receive the new Friday Update . If your email address has changed or you haven't subscribed previously, please visit www.texasbar.com/fridayupdate.
Save the Date!
HYLA's 2009 Bench/Bar Conference will take place aboard the Carnival Ecstasy from March 26-30. Don't miss out on your chance to earn almost an entire year of CLE credit while mingling with members of the judiciary. Space is limited to ensure an optimal networking experience, so make your reservation now! This event is open to everyone, not just HYLA members. More information is available on HYLA's website, please click here.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
2009 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting
The 2009 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting will take place at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on June 25-26. This conference offers you the best value and best value when it comes to CLE! Registration for one day is $150 and for two days is $245. Your fee includes all CLE and Annual Meeting-sponsored events, plus all materials on a flash drive. Don't miss speakers such as David Brooks, Dorris Kearns Goodwin, William Sessions, and Morris Dees. Online registration begins February 1 at www.texasbar.com/annualmeeting .
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 video entries 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 .
