The Texas Young Lawyers Association is composed of uncommon leaders — young lawyers who are outstanding, unstoppable, dedicated. During this bar year, these uncommon leaders from across the state worked tirelessly to provide public service to their fellow Texans. The lawyers of TYLA gave of themselves by representing those in need through pro bono activities, such as volunteering with the FEMA natural disaster hotline, participating in their communities and their schools, and by aiding their fellow attorneys. TYLA's uncommon leaders show that when TYLA decides to take on an issue, nothing is too large.
The Perfect Video Trifecta!
Starting off this year's accomplishments are three top-notch video productions. First is Justice 101: The Client's Guide to Litigation, created by the Member Services & Outreach Committee. Justice 101 helps educate clients about his or her lawsuit by providing an overview of the justice system, the roles of attorneys, and the basics of the legal process. This project recently received an Award of Excellence (1st Place) by the Videographer Awards, an international awards program. It also captured a top level award at the Aegis Awards. The Aegis Awards is noted as “one of the oldest and most respected video/film production contests in the United States .” Second, the Family Law, Children's Rights, and Seniors Outreach Committee developed Safeguarding Our Seniors: Recognizing and Reporting Elder Abuse. This video educates the public about its legal duty to report elder abuse, whether physical, financial, or from self-neglect, and also provides insight on recognizing and reporting abuse. Finally, the Law Focused Education committee produced You're Hired! Now What? Knowing Your Legal Rights on Your First Job. Targeted at teenagers entering the workforce for the first time, the video looks at five employment-related legal issues, ranging from fair pay to sexual harassment. Roll-outs of this project took place at schools located in San Antonio and Southlake near Fort Worth. Similar to past TYLA projects, this production received an Award of Distinction at the Videographer Awards.
Producing Outstanding Information About the Law
While TYLA's video productions may take the Emmy, behind the scenes, TYLA's committees were plugging away at what they do best: providing easy-to-understand information about the law. This year, TYLA produced seven new brochures and pamphlets available to the public:
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
• Committed to Healing: Involuntary Commitment Procedures
• Ending the Violence: How to Obtain a Texas Protective Order
• Protecting the Incapacitated: A Guide to Guardianship in Texas from Application to Oath
• The Employer's Guide to General Employment Law
• Identity Theft
• Special Education Laws and the School Environment:
A Guide to Understanding Your Rights as a Parent
