TYLA Leadership: Changing of the Guard

June 1st marks the new Bar year, and the new TYLA leadership is poised to hit the ground running. Incoming President Lee Ann Reno will "officially" assume office on June 24, 2005, when she is sworn in at the TYLA annual meeting and banquet. Her committees, however, are in place and are beginning to focus on TYLA's goals for the upcoming year.

In addition to building on the successes of the past year by continuing Ten Minute Mentor, American Juror, and the Just Hang Up! outreach to senior citizens, Reno intends to focus on the needs of the five-to-ten year lawyer and partner with the State Bar on new Access to Justice initiatives and a new program for at-risk and minority youth. Attorneys who want to be involved in one of TYLA's public or member service committees can now sign up online.

Feature TYLA Project
Loyola Law School--Los Angeles
Wins 2005 NTC Championship
By Lisa Richardson -

Congratulations to Brian Ward, Melissa Lyons, and Kathryn McCann from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. These three students won first place in the National Trial Competition (NTC) held in San Antonio, Texas, March 29 - April 2, 2005. This year NTC had a record 135 schools participating, most entering two teams. Twenty-six teams advanced from regionals to the final rounds in Texas.

NTC is one of the pre-eminent mock trial competitions in the country. Co-sponsored by TYLA and the American College of Trial Lawyers, NTC is largely successful because of TYLA's and the ACTL's commitment and dedication to grooming future lawyers...but also because of countless lawyer volunteers who serve as regional competition hosts, judges, and witnesses. We'd like to thank all our volunteers! (more info)

Unsealing the Mystery of Sealing Court Records
By Patrick R. Kelly -

An uneasy litigant may ask counsel, “Can you prevent the whole world from seeing my confidential documents that are filed with the court?” After asking a few attorneys, referencing some practice guides, and reading Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a, the attorney is left scratching his head. The procedural hurdles are outlined in Rule 76a, but what do they mean? The attorney begins to think someone, somehow, sealed-off access to any practical guidance on sealing court records.(continued)

Market Your Law Firm With A Website

More and more, people are turning to the internet to find not only information but also suppliers for items they need. Lawyers and law firms are not excluded from this trend. If your firm does not have a web presence, it is missing out on a critical marketing segment.

Websites are a good way to showcase the lawyers and practice areas of your firm, but before you jump into the vast world wide web have a plan in place. (continued)

TYLA.ORG--Come Visit Us Again!
By Doug D'Arche -

We have spent the last year redesigning our website to make it easier for you to quickly find helpful information. From the top down we have streamlined the website so that information that is beneficial to the people we serve – the public and the profession – can be quickly located and accessed. The website is loaded with links and downloadable material for all sorts of issues.

NOTABLES

State Bar Annual Meeting
June 23-24, 2005 - Dallas, Texas

The State Bar of Texas is holding its annual meeting June 23-24 in Dallas, Texas. The "early bird" registration discount is available for online registration through June 16th. Here are a few things you won't want to miss:

• Free and Low-Cost CLE
  There are plenty of opportunities for free CLE. Additional CLE is available at bargain prices ... choose an event "package" or purchase select items a la carte.
• Have Your Portrait Made (no sitting fee)
  Are you ready for your close-up? At the Annual Meeting you can have a professional-quality portrait made for free, which we'll add to your profile on TexasBar.com. RCL Portrait Studio will be outside the Exhibit Hall both days. Limited appointments are available, so call RCL (800-580-5562) to schedule yours today!
• So You Want To Write a Book? - Panel Discussion
  Author Talmage Boston moderates a panel discussion with authors Kurt Eichenwald, James Hime, and Andrea White, publisher Rue Judd and New York agent Jaques de Spoelberch on the "how to's" of getting published.
• TYLA's Annual Meeting and Banquet
  Keynote speaker Ron Kirk will address attendees; the Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas Award will be presented to Ron Crain (Dallas); the Liberty Bell Award will be presented to Charles Bacarisse (Houston); Lee Ann Reno (Amarillo) will be sworn in as the new TYLA President.
  

TYLA Annual Report 2005

Want to know how TYLA is serving its members and the community? Then be sure to read the 2005 annual report, which details the activities of TYLA during the 2004-2005 Bar year.

2005 Bar Leaders Conference

The annual Bar Leaders Conference is scheduled July 29-30, 2005, at the Mariott Waterway in the Woodlands, Texas. This is a great opportunity for local Bar leaders to meet with other local leaders to discuss common topics of interest, learn about resources available from the State Bar of Texas, share ideas, network, and just have fun. If you are a leader in your local Bar or TYLA affiliate ... you won't want to miss this event!

POKER FOR PLAYGROUNDS
A DAYL Leadership Class Public Service Project

The DAYL 2004 Leadership class and title Sponsor Douglas L. Wilder, Attorney at Law, are hosting The 1st Annual No Limit Texas Hold’em invitational poker tournament to determine the best poker player in the Metroplex.

The event takes place July 9 at Cityplace (4th floor) beginning at 4 pm and lasting until one winner remains. Food, drink, and entertainment will all be provided. A $10,000 prize pool will be available for top finishers, and at the end of the night one person will hold the DAYL Championship bracelet.

While there will only be one Champion, the real winners will be the children of Dallas ISD/ PTA. The Leadership class, the sponsors, and all the participants have gone, “All In!” for this event in order to build or improve an area playground for the kids.

To sponsor a table or make a donation, please contact Cherie Harris at the DAYL office (214-969-7675). You can also contact the DAYL office to request an invitation or to buy tickets to the corresponding Casino Night.