Austin Bar Foundation Chair Amanda Arriaga was the featured guest of a fireside chat on Oct. 16 at Hilgers House. The focus of the chat was Amanda’s initiative as president of the Austin Bar, “Council of Firsts,” which later became the name of her podcast, and her support for diverse “firsts” in the Austin legal community.
I originally came across Amanda’s podcast to support my friend and mentor, Maria Amelia Calaf (MAC). In her episode, MAC spoke about her transition from the New York law scene to Texas and how, after discovering no specific space for Latina lawyers to bond and network, she led the creation of Austin’s chapter of Cafecítos.
The group first aimed to meet every so often to catch up over breakfasts, but it has expanded to include personal development events, such as professional workshops and speed networking with college students. The episode, rich with information and anecdotes from both interviewee and interviewer, was also surprisingly easy, fun, and engaging to listen to—which is a high compliment coming from the perspective of a Gen Z kid like me.
Tackling the usually heavy issue of having to step up to be the diverse “first” in a professional field can be daunting, but Amanda cultivates an inviting atmosphere that encourages speakers to set aside the formality of their “firsts” and speak candidly from their truths.
I found it impossible to listen to just one episode. As a first-generation Latina college graduate from the Rio Grande Valley who is currently applying to law school, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the legal field has been close to my heart. I’ve witnessed the importance of cultivating and growing diversity-prioritized organizations because they are the ones who have guided, informed, and shaped my pre-law journey when other avenues fell short.
And, in the wake of movements and rulings that push for colorblindness, it’s all too easy to feel demotivated and as though the unique barriers we face due to our identities do not exist. So, I get very hyped about supporting any organizations that support diverse pre-laws, such as the undergraduate Austin Minority Women Pursuing Law group at The University of Texas, even past my graduation from college.
I sought to do similar work helping MAC in Cafecítos when I discovered that even seasoned lawyers crave the interconnectedness and community that, for the most part, only diverse organizations can provide. In my efforts to learn more about their needs, I kept listening to Amanda’s podcast.
I was astonished by the numerous “firsts” achieved in recent years in Austin, despite it being arguably the most progressive area in Texas. I was so captivated by these leaders that I tuned in to episodes during my daily commutes, LSAT study sessions, and even while suffering through my laundry loads.
As I delved deeper into the podcast, I not only discovered new individuals but also gained a deeper appreciation for those I already knew, like Judge Dimple Malhotra, with whom I interned one summer ago, or Judge Hilda Tagle, whom I had the pleasure of meeting over a Cafecítos breakfast.
Yet, in the episodes, we only catch hints of the tremendous work that Amanda has been involved in throughout her life. Of course, her focus in the podcast is to speak to her guests about their lives, but I always wondered about her perspective as a “first” and how she evolved from a first-gen Latina from the Valley to being president of the Austin Bar.
So, I was over the moon when MAC and other Cafecítos members embraced my proposal to shift that spotlight and interview Amanda for a special event. With the backing of the Austin Bar Foundation and the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, along with Sandra Ramirez Avila reaching out to graciously volunteer to be the interviewer, the event became a reality.
While I had initial anxieties about co-hosting my first fireside chat, the comforting energy from being around Latinas brought much-needed ease to my worries.
Before the event and the arrival of the entourage, Amanda treated us to an insider tour of Hilgers House. As we explored the old building, we shared a laugh over the realization that Valley folks always manage to find each other in a crowd—Amanda, Sandra, and I all hail from the Rio Grande Valley (McAllen, Weslaco, and Edinburg, respectively). It was surreal to find familiarity among people I’d admired and researched.
In a packed, intimate room that held students, judges, litigators, and more, Amanda spoke to us as if we were old friends. The casual atmosphere of the event allowed us all to inch close to each other, gasp at dramatic details, and laugh at ridiculous situations together. She was very honest about how Austin Bar operations work, what didn’t work, and what needed to be done for the future, but she also wasn’t afraid to get personal and speak about her struggles with identity.
FRONT (L-R): Veronica Valenzuela, Deborah Trejo, Sandra Avila Ramirez, Amanda Arriaga, Sherine Thomas, Caroline Leal.
MIDDLE (L-R): Susana Castillo, April Lucas, Maria Amelia Calaf, Selena Alvarenga, Kimberly Flores.
BACK (L-R): Nadia Bettac, Kimia Chitsazan, Mary Henderson, Dominique McLeggan-Brown, Gisela Triana, Maria Cantu Hexsel.
She mentioned that she didn’t even realize her accomplishment of becoming the first Latina president of the Austin Bar until someone mentioned it to her in passing. She was bewildered that others could be similarly living without recognition of their achievements in overcoming the odds.
Sandra was quick to meet Amanda’s anecdotes with attentiveness and reflection that invited other people in the group to speak up, share their own experiences, and commend Amanda’s efforts. When the conversation turned toward Council of Firsts, Amanda expressed how she wished for the podcast to last beyond her time with the Bar and maybe even be taken to a national scale. She didn’t shy away from sharing her appreciation many times for the women in the room who were featured as podcast guests, of which there were several, and shared how their stories continue to stick with her so prominently. I feel I learned more about Amanda than I would have ever known from the podcast alone, and that the event was a resounding success for all who attended.
After the fray of women parted ways for the evening, I was able to catch Amanda and let her know just how much her words about belonging struck a chord with me. In the inspiring stories and conversations I encountered through her podcast, I found not just a source of knowledge and connection but a reaffirmation of the importance of nurturing diverse and inclusive communities within the legal profession.
As I continue my journey toward law school and beyond, I hope that “firsts” continue to be championed wherever they go, much like the individuals I’ve had the privilege to learn from. It’s a reminder that our unique experiences should be celebrated and leveraged as strengths, not hidden away.
Here’s to a future where the legal landscape continues to be enriched by diversity and the power of unity, one podcast episode at a time.
New episodes of Council of Firsts are released every Tuesday and are available through YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Austin Bar website.