AYLA
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The following candidates are running for the AYLA officers and directors positions. The new board will take office on July 1, 2025, along with Jenna Malsbary, who will serve as AYLA’s president. Malsbary has been on AYLA’s board since 2019, and has served as secretary, treasurer, and president-elect.
Voting begins April 11 and concludes on May 1 at 4 p.m.
President-Elect – Gracie Wood Shepherd
Gracie works at Friday Milner Lambert Turner, where she practices family law and appeals. Gracie has served on the AYLA Board since 2021 as a director, executive secretary, and executive treasurer. Gracie was in the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy class in 2019 and previously served as the co-chair in 2023 and 2024.
Treasurer – Lena Proft
Lena Proft been involved in AYLA since 2018. During that time, she has served as the government liaison, a director, co-founded the Health and Wellness Committee, and currently serves as secretary.
Secretary – Ben Evans
Ben Evans is a partner at Cain & Skarnulis, where his practice focuses on resolving complex commercial disputes. He currently serves as a director on AYLA’s Board, a co-chair for AYLA’s Freshquires Program, and a committee member for Bench Bar and AYLA’s Judicial Reception events.
Directors
James Brenner was admitted to practice in April of 2022 and has been an active member of AYLA since his bar admission. He primarily practices in civil litigation with Burns, Anderson, Jury and Brenner. He was a member of the 2024 AYLA Leadership Academy.
Madison Dornak is a litigator at Michael Best and a former clerk for the Southern District of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. She’s practiced civil and criminal law in private and public sectors. Madison has assisted AYLA with CLE planning and presenting.
Jillian French is an Austinite from birth and a board-certified family law attorney. She has been a member of AYLA since law school. She has served as a director for the past two years and is hoping to continue her service for another two years. \
Michelle King is a native Austinite and Texas Tech Law graduate. She is an attorney at McCreary Veselka Bragg and Allen and practices with their Appraisal District Litigation team. She currently serves on the AYLA Board of Directors and graduated from the 2022 Leadership Academy class.
Kaylyn Kirkpatrick is an associate at Walsh Gallegos P.C. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and Baylor Law. Kaylyn is eager to continue growing the impact AYLA has on the Austin legal community.
Samantha McCoy is an appellate attorney, activist, and mental health therapist. Samantha is passionate about rights for survivors of violence and educational programs for middle and high school students about civility, law, and rights as a survivor. She has passed five laws in four states and one United Nations resolution.
Clare Mattione has been practicing family law in Austin since she graduated from Texas A&M School of Law in 2021. She is passionate about serving her community, and she is excited for this leadership opportunity to get more involved and give back to the young lawyer community.
Ryan Pitts has been an active and engaged member of AYLA. As an AYLA Director, he will bring his experience from prior leadership positions in the Houston Bar Association and Houston Young Lawyers’ Association. Ryan is an associate in the appellate section of Haynes Boone, LLP.
Jayne Snyder has been licensed since 2017, although it’s only recently she felt confident enough to call herself an attorney. She appreciates community, opportunities to be encouraged and to encourage others, and she likes building relationships with other young lawyers in the very difficult early years of practice.
Abigail Ventress practices civil litigation and appeals at VBPena Law, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. She has been an AYLA member since 2022 and is a member of the Leadership Academy. She also serves as an assistant editor of Austin Lawyer and is hopeful she will be elected as a director.