TYLA eNews, June-July 2007

“The further up and further in you go, the bigger everything gets. The inside is larger than the outside.”

--- Mr. Tumnus ( From The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis )

Many of you probably saw the box office hit The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe based on the book by C. S. Lewis. This classic tells the story of four children who magically leave our world through a wardrobe, and enter a world called Narnia full of amazing creatures, spectacular battles – and surprise – a lion and a witch. (This description may have an uncanny resemblance to your legal practice, but this is purely coincidental.) (Cont.)

Feature TYLA Affiliate

AYLA Government Coffee
By David C. Courreges


*David C. Courreges*

Many people think that government resides in city hall, the courthouse, or the Capitol. While it is true that these buildings are where decisions are made, and where government's employees work, they are not the true home of government. In a Democracy, the people are considered the true source of power; while individuals do not directly govern, it is their ideas and problems that elected officials seek to address. Understanding this, it is fair to say that government is comprised of people and their ideas. (Cont.)

Meet the Affiliates

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 Kendyl Hanks or Brad Allen.

Feature TYLA Project

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law Wins TYLA's State Moot Court Competition
By Clint Harbour

TYLA conducted its annual State Moot Court competition last month during the State Bar Annual Meeting. Once again, the competition was a huge success. This year the students argued a criminal problem about online predators who solicit sex with minors.

Seven law schools from around Texas participated in the three day event: Baylor, Houston, St. Mary's, South Texas College of Law, Southern Methodist, Texas Tech, and Texas Wesleyan. Each team competed against every other team during the preliminary rounds with the four highest ranking teams advancing to the semi-finals. (Cont.)

Tips for Young Lawyers

Not Just a Cookie Cutter Career: Balancing the Practice of Law with a Passion for Food

Marie Hejl is a 2003 graduate of University of Texas School of Law, and practices employment litigation at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., in Austin , Texas . But if you've already heard of her, it's probably because of her hugely successful cooking show, Cooking With Marie.

Cooking With Marie is an internationally distributed cooking series hosted by Hejl, which is currently broadcast in more than 80 public access markets (Cont.)

Article of Interest

Expunction vs. Deferred Adjudication Nondisclosure
By Heath C. Poole


*Heath C. Poole*

I receive a large volume of calls from citizens who want to “clean up” or “clear” their respective criminal records. Often it is a young person fresh out of college and entering the job market who now wants to get the DWI off his record that he managed to get after a couple of cold ones at the Dixie Chicken. Other times it is the older person wanting to become an EMT or nurse who wants that conviction for possessing a dimebag of grass off his record (after all, it was his buddy's marijuana anyway). Neither an expunction or nondisclosure will help either of these individuals. (Cont.)

ABA/YLD Update and Upcoming Events

Au Revior, Montréal!

On May 3-5, the ABA-YLD held a historic Spring Conference in Montréal. For the first time in twenty years, the ABA-YLD returned to the beautiful Canadian city – this time, partnering with the l'Association du Jeune Barreau de Montréal (AJBM) to hold a conference that was a major success. Young lawyers from all across North America, Europe, and other parts of the world came together to exchange ideas on how young bar associations – in Canada and the U.S. – can better serve their communities. (Cont.)

If you have any questions about ABA/YLD conferences or projects, please contact: Kimberly Burke, ABA/YLD District 25 Representative or Amy Davis Benavides, ABA /YLD District 26 Representative through these email links.

Take Note

TYLA Ends Year on South Padre Island
The Board of Directors of the Texas Young Lawyers Association traveled to South Padre Island on May 11-12 for their final meeting of the 2006-2007 Bar Year. The event was held at the Sheraton Island Beach Hotel and the Board met on both Friday afternoon and Saturday. Final reports were given by each committee on all of the outstanding projects that were completed since the Board met for the first time last August. (Cont.)
TYLA's Statewide Award of Achievement
Please click here for the complete list of winners.
TYLA Annual Report 2007
Want to know how TYLA is serving its members and the community? Then be sure to read the 2007 annual report, which details the activities of TYLA during the 2006-2007 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 2007, you will need to sign up for your committees again. Committee memberships are reset
each year on June 1.

Upcoming Events

July 27-28, 2007: Bar Leaders Conference, Houston