View This Month's TYLA President's Opinion

Jennifer Evans Morris
TYLA President 2010-2011

“Justice for All” License Plate Contest
According to the license plate reports we are making a difference in the number of Justice For All plate purchases! However, we don’t know which affiliate is contributing the most. The contest ends December 31st, so be sure to send a receipt, notice or picture of the plates to Brooke Ulrickson Allen. The following affiliates have entered the contest and we appreciate your continues efforts to support pro bono legal services: Austin Young Lawyers Association, Collin County Young Lawyers, Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association and Waco McLennan County Young Lawyers. $25 of the $30 cost of each license plate is deposited into a special account supporting civil legal services to the poor. To join the challenge email Brooke and then copy her on at least two emails to your members promoting the contest and asking for participation. Post the challenge on your website through December 31, 2010. Good luck!

Participate in Legal Education Survey

TYLA Members Asked to Participate

Participate by Clicking Here

All TYLA members are asked to participate in an online survey about law school education. Input is needed from all types of lawyers, from those well established in a law practice to those who have recently finished a Juris Doctor degree, and lawyers at every stage in between. Thank you in advance for your opinions!

Supreme Court Orders Referendum on Disciplinary Rules

The Supreme Court of Texas has ordered a referendum of all Texas lawyers on proposed amendments to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Texas lawyers will vote only on the proposed rules from January 18 to February 17, 2011. For more information, see the December issue of the Texas Bar Journal or visit www.texasbar.com/rulesupdate.

IOLTA Needs Saving
By: Betty Balli Torres and Clint Harbour

The Access to Justice Foundation is asking for Texas lawyers to take quick action to support federal insurance protection for IOLTA accounts. Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA), a large funding source for legal aid in Texas, was inadvertently excluded from full FDIC coverage in the recent Wall Street Reform Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The current unlimited insurance expires on December 31, 2010 and a legislative fix is needed before Congress recesses in early December.

In a quick and tremendous show of support, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas introduced a bill (H.R. 6398) on November 15 to help fix this problem by extending full FDIC protection for IOLTA. Many individual lawyers and groups quickly joined in the efforts by sending letters of support to their local Congress member. As of Nov. 30, this bill has passed the House and will now go before the Senate. Please stay tuned for further action needed by Texas lawyers to help save IOLTA by visiting www.teajf.org and following TAJF on Facebook.

Betty Balli Torres, Executive Director, Texas Access to Justice Foundation
Clint Harbour, TYLA liaison, Texas Access to Justice Commission

Get Involved and Sign Up Today!
If you want to be involved as an active volunteer in TYLA 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 2010, you will need to sign up for your committees again. Committee memberships are reset each year on June 1st.

Support Pro Bono Legal Services and Let Everyone Know It!

The Texas Young Lawyers Association needs your help to support and promote free legal services for indigent Texans by purchasing a specialty license plate. The license plate proudly states that you support "Justice for All" and can be purchased for only $35.00 per year.
$25.00 from the purchase of each plate will be deposited into an account
supporting legal services to the poor. If you would like that plate personalized, you can get your plate for $70.00 per year. To purchase your plate today, simply fill out an application and send your check, payable to the Texas Department of Transportation, to the following address:
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division (SPB)
Texas Department of Transportation
Austin, TX 78779-0001
To pay online click here.

Make New Connections with Texas Bar Circle
More than 12,000 of your peers have joined Texas Bar Circle - our social and professional network for Texas lawyers. Join today and reconnect with colleagues, find jobs, explore opportunities, and have fun. The power of Texas Bar Circle is in the connections you will make. Visit https://texasbar.affinitycircles.com/sbot/auth/login.

Member Benefits Program
Are you looking for ways to save this summer? Take advantage of exclusive money-saving offers from the State Bar of Texas Member Benefits Program. Bar members are eligible for discounts on products and services including car rental, clothing, computer hardware and software, office supplies, and more. For details on the State Bar Member Benefits Program, please click here.