Getting Involved In Your Local Bar
By State Senator Kirk Watson

Senator Watson

After years of getting in trouble for talking too much in school, my old man said, "Son, we have to figure out a way for you to make a living with that mouth or you're going to get into big trouble."  So I decided to go to law school. While my father's advice was true and insightful, he and I also knew that few professions offer more opportunity to serve people than the practice of law. (Cont.)

Feature TYLA Project

Elder Abuse
By Clint Harbour

Teaching citizens ways they can make a difference is one of TYLA's primary goals. The Community Education Committee is currently producing just such a video focused on preventing the abuse and neglect of Texas's senior citizens.

Aimed at a wide audience - lawyers, clergy, social workers, healthcare providers - the goal of the video is to raise awareness of the problem of elder abuse and how to prevent it. Nationally, over one million elderly people are abused, exploited or neglected each year. Texas reports the highest national rate for confirmed cases - over 70% of abuse reports are substantiated in the Lone Star State. (Cont.)

Tips for Young Lawyers

Our Duty to be “Nice”
By Brandy Wingate

Brandy Wingate

I decided to ask the local trial court judges and court of appeals justices in my area, who shall remain nameless, what they considered to be the worst mistakes made in their presence by counsel practicing in their courts. I was amazed to find that every judge I interviewed said that the most common problem they have is rudeness and disrespect. They all indicated that some attorneys are rude to each other, to the court staff, and even to the court. (Cont.)

Article of Interest

The Law Nun: Sister Grace Walle
By Andria Brannon, St. Mary's University School of Law Class of 2008

Andria Brannon and Sister Grace

What do building houses, jars of peanut butter and jelly, a Halloween carnival, a Red Mass celebration, and law students have in common? The answer: Sister Grace!

As one of only three Marianist Universities in the United States, and the only Catholic law school in Texas , St. Mary's is unique in its own right. (Cont.)

 

If you are interested in submitting an article that you would like featured in eNews, please forward it to the eNews Co-Chairs Brad Allen, Rabecca Cross and Connie Pfeiffer or contact Bree Trevino at the TYLA office.

ABA/YLD Update

The 2007 ABA YLD Fall Conference (Charlotte, NC)

On October 4-7, the ABA YLD held its 2007 Fall Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference featured CLE programming, networking opportunities, and the Young Bar Leaders Summit. CLE topics ranged from “Examining the Tripartite Relationship Connecting the Policyholder, Carrier and Defense Counsel” to “Movie Magic: How the Masters Try Cases.” (Cont.)

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

Don't forget, TYLA also offers over 200 free, ten minute segments on a
range of topics from the state's leading attorneys...

Take Note

• Congratulations to Cori Harbour, who practices in El Paso, for her election as Vice President of TYLA!
  
  
• Justice 101: The Client's Guide to Litigation. Look out for this new video project, which provides a resource for Texas lawyers to help their
  clients better understand the civil justice system. Filming is
  complete, and editing is underway. The Member Services Committee
  expects the final product to be available for distribution by the end of
  November.
  
  
  
• Service Members Civil Relief Act: The Military Affairs Committee has just completed a new TYLA informational brochure on the service members civil relief act. Providing a basic understanding of the law designed to protect military personnel while serving, the pamphlet is a quick and easy guide for military personnel and lawyers alike. Contact the TYLA office for your copy or visit TYLA.org to download your own copy soon.
  
  
  
• Coming soon: You're Hired! Now what? Knowing your legal rights on your first job. The Law Focused Education Committee is working hard on the production of Your Hired! a video targeted towards high school students to educate them about their rights when they take their first job. Contact the TYLA office for your copy or visit TYLA.org for more information.
  
  
  
• 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

• November 9-11, 2007: TYLA's Second Quarterly Board Meeting, Sugar Land Marriott
  
• November 12, 2007: New Lawyers Induction Ceremony, Monday, 10:00 a.m., The Frank Erwin Center, 15th Street and I-35, Austin
  
• November 12, 2007: Houston Young Lawyers' Foundation 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Redstone Golf Club (Members' Course). For more information and to register click here.