TYLA eNews, October 2007

Welcome to the October issue of eNEWS - your online magazine to help you keep in touch with approximately 23,000 other Texas Young Lawyers. In this issue we tackle the proverbial 800 pound gorilla - the King Kong issue of our day - if you will. Our Top Story by Rabecca Cross discusses the recent associate pay increases at some firms in Texas. (Cont.)

Feature TYLA Affiliate

Dallas Young Lawyers Let Freedom Run
By Ken Riney

The 7th Annual Freedom Run 5K and Bill Carollo One Mile Walk, organized by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and benefiting the Dallas police through the Assist the Officer Foundation, was held on September 11, 2007 in the AT&T Plaza at Victory Park. Over 2,500 runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators helped make this year's Freedom Run one of the most memorable. (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 Brad Allen, Rabecca Cross or Connie Pfeiffer.

Tips for Young Lawyers

Obtaining and Challenging Supersedeas Bonds: New Procedures and Problems
By Kendyl T. Hanks


Kendyl Hanks

In recent years, the Texas legislature has revised the supersedeas rules resulting in a relatively complicated (and not all that clear) procedure that can baffle even the most seasoned litigator. The purpose of this article is to provide a summary of supersedeas practice under the new rules, and to warn you of some traps so that you are not taken entirely by surprise when you find yourself continuing to litigate these issues while your case is on appeal. (Cont.)

Article of Interest

Confrontation Clause
By Judge Roberto Canas, Dallas County Criminal Court No. 10


Judge Rob Canas

The United States Constitution's Sixth Amendment contains the Confrontation Clause, which guarantees a criminal defendant the right to confront witnesses. In 2004, the United States Supreme Court reversed twenty-four years of Confrontation Clause precedent in Crawford v. Washington . For the twenty-four years before Crawford , testimonial hearsay could be introduced into evidence only after a judge balanced a series of factors designed to determine the reliability of the offered evidence. (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 101 Practice Series: Breaking Down the Basics

During the 2006-2007 bar year, the ABA YLD created a member service initiative to provide new lawyers in their first three years of practice with subject-area specific resources, materials, and programming. With a focus on providing basic, substantive training as well as practical guidance, the 101 Practice Series has become a popular resource for young lawyers who want to quickly gain understanding of frequently-discussed issues in a particular field. (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

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Texas Chapter: 7th Annual State Conference - Child custody and mental health professionals - social sciences on the witness stand.
Friday October 5th and Saturday October 6th, 2007 Doubletree Hotel, Austin.
The TYLA Member Services Committee, in conjunction with Texas Bar CLE, will present Success Strategies for Mid-Career Lawyers on Friday, October 26th at the Westin Galleria in Houston. Attorneys and judges from across the state will be on hand to offer practical advice on a variety of topics, including effective client communication, staying on top of your game, making career transitions, time management in your practice, understanding the grievance process, technology, and more. In addition, there will be opportunities for one-on-one discussions regarding financial planning, law practice management, and shortcuts to the next level of success. Attendees can earn up to 5.5 participatory CLE hours and up to 3.25 ethics hours. Visit www.texasbarcle.com for more information, to download a brochure or to register. If you register before October 12th, you'll save $20 off the course price of $215.
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

October 4, 2007: Texas Lawyers Care Silver Anniversary Celebration, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin

October 5-6, 2007: ABA/YLD Fall Conference, Charlotte, NC
October 20, 2007: The El Paso Bar Association's 110th Anniversary Gala & Dinner, Judson Williams Convention Center. For more information, please contact Nancy Gallego, Executive Director, 915.532.7052 or nancy@elpasobar.com.

October 25, 2007: The Criminal Bar Outreach Committee of HYLA
Lunch, 1:00pm, Harris County Criminal Justice Center. For additional information please contact Kimberly Samman or Val Zuniga.
October 26, 2007: Success Strategies for Mid-Career Lawyers, Westin Galleria in Houston, MCLE Credit: 5.50 hrs (includes 3.25 hrs ethics)