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Feature TYLA Project

Attorneys Without Borders
By:  Pricilla Camacho and Victor Villarreal, Project Co-Chairs

          In a historic visit brought by TYLA’s Diversity Committee, the City of Laredo was selected as a host city for oral arguments before the Texas Supreme Court.  The event, Attorneys Without Borders, was held on February 28th and 29th in the border city of Laredo.  This two day event began with a reception the night before oral arguments at the historic La Posada hotel in Laredo. Here, local attorneys, judges and students were able to meet the Texas Supreme Court Justices and converse with them in a relaxed atmosphere.  In all, there were over 140 attendees who heard from our TYLA President, Natalie Cobb Koehler, and Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson on the importance of diversification in the law and encouraging students in the audience to look at the legal profession as a future career option.  Also during the reception, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation presented 12 Laredo attorneys and judges with Pro Bono Star Awards for all of their pro bono efforts in their community.

            The next morning, the Court heard oral arguments on the Texas A & M International University campus. The arguments were open to the public and were attended by local attorneys and judges, as well as by students from the university and local dignitaries.  Once the arguments were completed all members of the audience were able to pose questions to the Justices over a variety of topics. Most topics focused on the Justices progression onto the bench, how a lawsuit makes it to the Supreme Court; and finally, on steps to ensure that the legal profession become more diversified.

            Audience members were appreciative of both the opportunity to witness oral arguments in their hometown of Laredo and to have the ability to converse with members of the Supreme Court on their experiences as lawyers then judges. The Justices further elaborated on what it truly means to practice law.

           The committees’ goal was to spur the interest of students to apply to law school and enter the legal profession. Undoubtedly, TYLA and the Diversity Committee accomplished that goal.  Local media covered the event, both in English and Spanish, and remarked on the importance of this visit to the local community which was echoed by TAMIU President, Ray M. Keck, III.

            On a personal note, it was important for both of us to spread this message on the availability of legal education to residents of our hometown, Laredo. Mistakenly remembered only for the more recent troubles of its sister city across the border, Laredo is a vibrant city filled with professionals motivated to help others and talented students who are seeking to be engaged in bettering their community. There is no better way for these students to accomplish that than by helping others obtain access to our courts and allowing them to be part of the process!