TYLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Transcription

1 TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2006

2 TYLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Lee Ann Reno, Amarilllo President Bill Miller, Texarkana Chair Mary Reveles, Richmond Vice-President Bob Stokes, Webster Secretary Tal Hammock, Texas City Treasurer Karin Crump, Austin President-elect Gindi Eckel, Houston Chair-elect David McAtee, Dallas Immediate Past President DIRECTORS Christine Albano, McKinney Kara Berry, Houston Cade Browning, Abilene Cheryl Camin, Dallas Rob Canas, Dallas Sylvia Cardona, San Antonio Angelica Carreon, El Paso Davis Chapman, Fort Worth I-Jung Chiang, Dallas Eraka Childs, Houston Kirsten Barron Cohoon, Houston Stephanie M. Daley, Fort Worth Chad P. Ellis, Richmond Andrew Evans, Amarillo Clint Harbour, Austin Cori Harbour, El Paso Chad Jones, Bryan Brian Lowenberg, Houston Edward Maddox, Laredo Polly McCann, Corpus Christi Jennifer Evans Morris, Dallas David Navarro, San Antonio Heather Perttula, Dallas Daniel Peugh, Denton C.E. Rhodes, Houston Lisa Richardson, Austin Patrick Rodriguez, Brownsville Jamey Secrest, Temple Bob Stokes, Houston Michele Surratt, Odessa Russell Thomasson, Lubbock John West, Beaumont Kristie Wright, Texarkana Frank Wood, Brownsville XX LIAISONS Dale Wainwright, Austin Supreme Court Liaison Jeff Edwards, Austin Access to Justice Liaison Kelly-Ann Clarke, Galveston ABA-YLD District 25 Representative Kendyl Hanks Darby, Dallas ABA-YLD District 26 Representative Jennifer Wright, San Antonio Law Student Liaison Frederick G. Slabach, Fort Worth Law School Liaison STAFF Tracy Brown, Assistant Director Bree Trevino, Administrative Assistant Texas Young Lawyers Association P.O. Box Austin, Texas x6429

3 This year, the Texas Young Lawyers Association has found new and exciting ways to continue its long-standing tradition of serving both the public and its more than 22,000 members. SERVING TEXAS FAMILIES. Kids in the Crossfire: Helping Parents Understand the Impact of Divorce is an exciting new video designed to help families both during and after a divorce. SERVING TEXAS CITIZENS. TYLA expanded its highly successful American Juror: The Decision Is Yours program to include additional Texas counties and created a new community education program to teach the public about the importance of the jury system. SERVING TEXAS SENIORS. TYLA also expanded its Just Hang Up! public service announcements by creating a written guide that helps protect Texas seniors against unscrupulous telemarketers. SERVING LAW STUDENTS. TYLA again hosted the National Trial Competition and the State Moot Court Competition, both of which provide opportunities for law students to develop their advocacy skills. Law students have also been able to participate in public service projects with attorneys in their own communities. SERVING TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS. TYLA doubled the number of video segments on its award-winning Ten Minute Mentor website, an online collection of informative and brief presentations by lawyers and judges offering practice pointers in a variety of areas. TYLA continued to partner with Texas Bar CLE to provide numerous continuing education programs to address the specific needs of attorneys in the beginning years of their practice. By expanding programs that serve Texas young lawyers and the communities in which they live and practice, TYLA has continued its tradition of developing uncommon leaders. LEE ANN RENO President, Texas Young Lawyers Association Serving Texas 1

4 FAMILY LAW Divorce is the end of a relationship for parents... but for children, their entire world is falling apart Kids in the Crossfire has generated acclaim from judges, counselors, and family law practitioners. TYLA s newest public information campaign, this 20-minute video outlines for divorcing parents behaviors to avoid and offers suggestions for communicating better and minimizing the stresses inflicted on children. This project was funded through a generous grant from the Texas Bar Foundation. - Judge Chris Oldner 2 Serving Texas

5 WHAT TO EXPECT IN TEXAS FAMILY LAW COURT 1,789 copies distributed in English (Spanish language version to come) For many people, their first and perhaps only contact with the judicial system is a family law court. TYLA created this easy-to-understand brochure that explains what a person should expect when going through an adoption, divorce, custody, or child support case in Texas family law court. TYLA volunteers goal was to not only help people have an understanding about the process they are going through but to have a better understanding of the legal system. PRO SE DIVORCE HANDBOOK REPRESENTING YOURSELF IN FAMILY COURT 589 copies distributed in English 151 copies distributed in Spanish In some cases, individuals can represent themselves in court. Small-claims court is one example, but another is in an uncontested divorce, especially when a couple has few assets and no children. TYLA developed a handbook that sets out a step-by-step process to help those who choose to represent themselves. The handbook includes information related to court proceedings, court etiquette, deadlines, and when the individual might need to consult an attorney. ADOPTION OPTIONS Once a family makes the decision to adopt a child, questions abound about how the process works, how long it takes, and the legal issues involved. The TYLA brochure, Adoption Options: A Directory of Adoption Agencies in Texas, answers many of the commonly asked questions about adoption and provides information about adoption agencies. TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION Adoption Options A Directory of Adoption Agencies in Texas Families 3

6 LOCAL LEADERS ASSISTANCE: ROADSHOWS 218 young lawyers received free or low cost continuing legal education through the TYLA Roadshow program. The newly formed East Texas Young Lawyers Association s first official member event was a TYLA Roadshow! TYLA knows that for projects and programs to succeed, young lawyers throughout the state must work together, exchange good ideas, and address issues of common concern. To ensure that the statewide TYLA is responsive and supportive of local young lawyer organizations, TYLA developed the Roadshow which takes TYLA leaders and programs to various areas of the state. TYLA also supports local programs and projects through a grants program that provides seed money for new and innovative programs. El Paso YLA Roadshow Texarkana Roadshow East Texas YLA Roadshow Hidalgo County YLA Roadshow 4 Cameron County YLA Roadshow Serving Local

7 Texarkana (Feb. 23, 2006) Lubbock (Nov. 5, 2004) Denton (April 7, 2005) Midland (Nov. 4, 2004) El Paso (April 20, 2006) Waco (Nov. 4, 2005) Temple (Nov. 4, 2005) Lufkin (Feb. 23, 2006) McAllen (April 6, 2006) Brownsville (April 6, 2006) Bars 5

8 6 Serving COMMUNITY EDUCATION AMERICAN JUROR 5,293 unique visitors to AmericanJuror.org between June 2005 and February 2006 A jury of one s peers is a basic tenet of our court system. Each year, thousands of Texans are called to jury service and many of them disregard that notice. Some are too busy, some are scared, and some of them are contemptuous of the system. TYLA challenges Texans to respond to jury service in its American Juror: The Decision is Yours DVD/video. The video is shown to potential jurors prior to their being questioned by attorneys during the voir dire process and is also available online. To ensure that this message is spread throughout our communities, TYLA developed a 20-minute educational presentation that lawyers can use as they speak to civic organization, classrooms, and other organizations. A PowerPoint presentation has been developed that can be personalized to fit the needs of the presenter and the audience for attorneys to use in their own communities as a way to educate the public about the jury system. Texas

9 JUST HANG UP! 215 television stations and 643 radio stations received copies of the PSA. 141 PSAs in Spanish were sent to Spanish radio stations. Each year, thousands of Texas seniors lose money to fraudulent telemarketers using a variety of illegal scams. TYLA has expanded its award-winning and highly effective Just Hang Up! program to include not only the public service announcements but an easy-to-read new pamphlet designed to help Texas seniors protect themselves from unscrupulous telemarketers. Citizens 7

10 8 Serving MEMBER SERVICES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS Texas lawyers enter the profession for a variety of reasons. After five to 10 years, their perspectives sometimes change. Crossroads: Mapping Out the Rest of Your Career provides philosophical and practical discussions for those mid-level lawyers focusing on personal and professional happiness and includes information on practice and finance management, career transitions, and strategies for balancing career and life. Wouldn t it be great if some of the best attorneys in their practice areas shared their secrets and techniques with young lawyers just entering the profession? In TYLA s New Lawyer Course that is what happens. Some of the best lawyers in Texas participate in this program that encourages new lawyers while exemplifying professionalism and collegiality. The Federal Court Practice Seminars are an excellent way for young lawyers to learn about practicing in federal court and satisfy the required training for admission to all federal district courts in Texas. Young

11 MEMBER SERVICES ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS 22,998 young lawyer recipients of the TYLA enews each month 26,819 unique visitors to TenMinuteMentor.org from June 2005 to February ,000-plus video segments viewed on TenMinuteMonitor.org from June 2005 to February ,178 unique visitors to TYLA.org from June 2005 to February 2006 TYLA enews keeps Texas young lawyers informed about state and local activities, upcoming events and opportunities for involvement. enews also includes useful articles on various legal issues, legislative developments, and practice tips for lawyers. TenMinuteMentor.org features short video segments on topics useful to Texas lawyers. The presenters include legal legends, respected jurists, experts in their fields, and young lawyers. This year, TenMinuteMentor was in place and quickly provided disaster response and recovery information. The growing library contains more than 208 educational segments in 30 different topic areas. Lawyers 9

12 10 Serving PUBLIC AND MEMBER SERVICES HURRICANES HIT GULF COAST YOUNG LAWYERS OFFER IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE Texas lawyers and local bar associations responded quickly to the needs of those displaced by first Hurricane Katrina and then Hurricane Rita. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit, a task force was created to coordinate with and offer support to local, state, and national bar associations. TYLA recruited young lawyers from throughout the state to assist in the immediate efforts of assistance with the basic necessities of life and then volunteered their legal expertise to help members of the public whose lives were turned upside down by these disasters. Training sessions, compilations of resources, fundraising, legal aid clinics, and volunteer recruitment were all critical in the response, money, and expertise to help those whose lives have been interrupted by these disasters. GRANT FUNDS As thousands of people displaced by the hurricanes fled to all corners of the state, TYLA established hurricane relief grants to help local young lawyer groups providing needed relief and pro bono assistance to hurricane victims in their areas of the state. ONLINE RESOURCES The most up-to-date accessible information about disaster relief as well as legal and other assistance was on the Internet. TYLA was part of that effort. Attorneys in need of assistance and those willing to offer assistance or office space could connect through TYLA.org. A Resource Guide based on Louisiana law as well as Texas legal information was available through the website to provide needed informaiton to attorneys and the public. Through TenMinuteMentor.org, timely information was presented for those lawyers who either were impacted by the disaster or were counseling survivors. Online segments offered free advice on how lawyers should proceed in recovering from a disaster in their own practices, as well as advice for lawyers offering pro bono legal assistance to others. Neigh

13 LAW FOCUSED EDUCATION 1,023 curriculums distributed Junior Judges, We the Jury, Crossing The Line, and Supreme Team are effective and fun programs created by TYLA to educate children of all ages about their Constitutional and legal rights. TYLA s goal is to inspire future generations of Texans to understand and support our legal system. TYLA programs were introduced to more than 1,000 Texas school administrators at the Winter Conference of the Texas Association of School Administrators Education Expo in Austin. School administrators responded enthusiastically, which challenged TYLA to find new avenues to implement these programs in more schools and communities. bors 11

14 12 Serving Studen LAW FOCUSED EDUCATION (CONTINUED) Feedback from those who benefit from TYLA programs is imperative to ensure that goals are being met and needs are being identified. TYLA recently began surveying teachers online to gather ideas for new programs and to assist educators with implementing school-based curriculums that are already in existance. About 100 Texas Girl Scouts participated in activities from the We the Jury, Junior Judges, and It Could be You, during Girl Law Day Feb. 25 in Austin. Crossing the Line: Your Rights and Responsibilities is designed to educate junior high students about their rights and obligations as they enter the adult world. TYLA recently revised this program to reflect the latest changes in the law.

15 LAW STUDENT OUTREACH TYLA has a vested interest in ensuring that law students know about its outstanding programs and opportunities for service. As law students become lawyers they also automatically become members of the Texas Young Lawyers Association. Professionalism, camaraderie, public service, and practice development are all areas where TYLA excels at helping its members. To help law students enter the practice with greater advocacy skills, TYLA annually works with the American College of Trial Lawyers to host the National Trial Competition. This year, a record 150 teams participated in the competition nationwide. The annual Moot Court Competition brings teams from Texas law schools together during the State Bar Annual Meeting. These programs are planned, coordinated, and staged by Texas young lawyers. ts 13

16 14 Serving COMMUNITY SERVICE This year, law students accepted the Community Challenge, a program in which law students and young lawyers from the same area joined forces to present Junior Judges or We The Jury to school children. Law students from the University of Texas at Austin, along with the Austin Young Lawyers, have led the Challenge through their widespread implementation of Junior Judges in Austin schools. Texas Safe and Affordable Water and Wastewater Services (TSAWW) is a multi-year project TYLA created to help low-income Texans who lack basic amenities. After developing a white paper for lawyers and targeting specific communities in need of assistance, TYLA partnered with the University of Texas School of Law to further implement the program through its Environmental Law Clinic. This year, the school hired a full-time clinic director and students presented their progress to the TSAWW advisory board. Eighteen employers and 200 law students participated in the 20th annual Texas Off Campus Recruitment Program held March 3, 2006, at South Texas College of Law in Houston. The program, a collaborative effort of TYLA and all nine Texas law schools, offers employers the unique opportunity to interview students from all Texas law schools at one location... and allows students the opportunity to interview with employers that might not otherwise conduct on campus interviews at their school. This year s program had the largest number of employer participants in recent years, marking a hopeful sign for Texas economy and the job prospects for new lawyers. Comm

17 PUBLIC SERVICE CONSUMER INFORMATION 40,114 consumer information pamphlets distributed TYLA, with the support of the State Bar of Texas, provides free legal education guides for the public. This year, TYLA updated and implemented the following popular pamphlets: How to Sue in Small Claims Court Provides Texas citizens with information they might need as they decide to take a case to small-claims court from initial decision through the procedures they will encounter. Medicare, Medicaid, and SSI: A General Guide Medicare rules changed dramatically this year. TYLA updated its popular brochure to help senior citizens understand their legal rights under the new laws. unities 15

18 LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR AND JUSTICE FOR ALL LICENSE PLATE An estimated percent of Texans in poverty cannot afford desperately needed legal services. TYLA sponsors the And Justice for All license plate, which costs $30 annually (personalizations extra). Of the $30 annual fee, $25 goes toward supporting civil legal services to Texans who cannot afford such services. The license plate can be purchased at any time, regardless of when a vehicle registration expires. The Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation uses funds from the license plate sales to make grants available for legal aid providers. During a time when funding for legal aid is in decline, the And Justice for All license plate program demonstrates the creativity and dedication of TYLA to make a difference in its community and ensure that justice for all is a reality. 16 Serving Justic

19 In the upcoming year, TYLA will continue to provide uncommon leadership and service to our members and to the general public. We will continue to provide resources and practice tools for young lawyers; educate members of the public about their rights and duties under the law; and teach elementary, middle, and high school students about the law through our award-winning curriculum projects. We will also develop new programs that meet the public demand for information and assistance in the following areas: FINDING A VOICE FOR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN. TYLA will respond to the dire need for legal representation of immigrant children who have been detained along the Texas border. In partnership with the ProBAR office in Harlingen, TYLA will recruit volunteer attorneys to represent the migrant children, most of whom have escaped devastating conditions in Central America and Africa and are awaiting an opportunity to tell their story. EDUCATING TEXAS STUDENTS ABOUT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. To mark the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, TYLA will create a curriculum and video about the Voting Rights Act and the role played by students during the Civil Rights Movement. The project will be designed to inspire high school students to become more involved in politics and to learn more about laws and legal decisions that affect their lives. PROVIDING A LEGAL RESOURCES FOR CANCER PATIENTS TYLA also plans to create a comprehensive legal resource guide to provide information about all of the legal challenges that face those who have been diagnosed with cancer and other potentially terminal illnesses. I hope you will join TYLA in serving the community through one of our projects or programs. Of course, if there is anything TYLA or I can do to assist you or your community, please do not hesitate to call on us. Very truly yours, KARIN CRUMP President-elect, Texas Young Lawyers Association e 17

20 /06 NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION STATE BAR OF TEXAS TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION P.O. Box Austin, Texas U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO AUSTIN, TEXAS