9th Annual Diversity Bar Mixer a Success

On Thursday, March 21, attorneys from various local bar associations converged at the Vince Young Steakhouse for AYLA’s ninth annual Diversity Bar Mixer.  Attorneys from AYLA, the Austin Bar LGBTQ+ Section, the Austin Asian American Bar Association, the Austin Black Lawyers Association, the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, the South Asian Bar Association of Austin, the Austin Bar Association, and …

Could You Do Your Job With Your Eyes Closed?

In most cases, “doing your job with your eyes closed” means you have an easy job. In another case, it literally means doing your job with your eyes closed, or blind, every day and doing it very well. From a sighted person’s perspective, a career as an attorney may not seem possible with limited or no sight. Of course, this …

AYLA Honors Award Winners

The AYLA board of directors has recognized members of our community for three prestigious awards. These local winners will be submitted to the Texas Young Lawyers Association as nominees for the corresponding statewide awards. The Mentor Award recognizes an attorney who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring young lawyers in the legal community. This year’s winner is Sam Denton. The …

Briefs May 2024

Congratulations to Matthew “Maff” Caponi, associate at the Kaplan Law Firm, who negotiated a $55,000 settlement for his client, Eli Winkelman, in a federal lawsuit against the City of Austin. Winkelman alleged Austin police used excessive force against her when, during the protest marches of May 2020, she attempted to film police arresting another protester. Congratulations to Frank O. Carroll …

Austin Bar Recognizes Award Winners

The Austin Bar Association has announced the 2024 winners of the Joseph C. Parker Jr. Diversity Award, the Regina Rogoff Award, the Professionalism Award, and the Larry F. York Mentoring Award. The winner of the Joseph C. Parker Jr. Diversity Award is Manuel Escobar, partner at McGinnis Lochridge. The winner of the Professionalism Award is V. Blayre Pena. The winner …

Decriminalizing Mental Health in Travis County: Part 7

This is the final installment in a series of seven articles about the Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project. This series of articles was named the Best Series of Articles – General Interest by the State Bar of Texas‘ Division III Stars of Texas Bars Awards. The Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project delivered its recommendations to the Travis County …

Decriminalizing Mental Health in Travis County: Part 6

This is the sixth in a series of seven articles about the Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project. This series of articles was named the Best Series of Articles – General Interest by the State Bar of Texas‘ Division III Stars of Texas Bars Awards. The Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project delivered its recommendations to the Travis County Commissioners …

Decriminalizing Mental Health in Travis County: Part 5

This is the fifth in a series of seven articles about the Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project. This series of articles was named the Best Series of Articles – General Interest by the State Bar of Texas‘ Division III Stars of Texas Bars Awards. The Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project delivered its recommendations to the Travis County Commissioners …

Decriminalizing Mental Health in Travis County: Part 4

This is the fourth in a series of seven articles about the Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project. This series of articles was named the Best Series of Articles – General Interest by the State Bar of Texas‘ Division III Stars of Texas Bars Awards. The Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project delivered its recommendations to the Travis County Commissioners …