The Austin Police Department (APD) will soon start releasing a monthly report that includes number of arrests, instances of use of force, officer staffing, and overtime use. Currently known only as the APD Open Policing Data Release, the monthly release was requested by Austin City Councilmember Chito Vela, and was approved on Sept. 14. “What we’re doing today is bringing

Veterans in Central Texas have garnered more support thanks to a $130,000 Funds for Veterans Assistance grant from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). The grant is awarded to the Austin Bar Foundation’s Veterans Legal Assistance Program (VLAP), which provides much-needed services to veterans. Doug Lawrence, managing attorney of the program, says the grant will be used to update the program’s

Do you have a plan in place for when it’s time to retire? What if an unexpected emergency comes up and you have to halt practice, either temporarily or permanently? The topic of succession planning and other issues surrounding the cessation of practice was one of the top initiatives of State Bar of Texas Immediate Past President Laura Gibson. “We

Congratulations to Mitchell F. Boomer, who was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in the Litigation – Labor and Employment Category. Boomer is the Austin Office Managing Principal at Jackson Lewis PC. Congratulations to James Matthew Dow, who was recently named a “Texas Super Lawyer” in the area of Business Litigation. Dow has held this distinction since 2006. Dow

On Nov. 2, 2023, the Austin Bar Association will host a talent show, and you’re invited to perform or watch! What: Austin Bar’s Got TalentWhen: Nov. 2, 2023, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Where: East Lawn, Hilgers House, 712 West 16th St.Why: It’s fun! Register here. Whether you’re a musician, comedian, dancer, magician, or have a unique talent to share, you’re invited to perform.

Ah, football season in Austin, Texas—a time when the air gets a little crisper, flannel shirts make their annual appearance, and on weekends sprawling parking lots transform into bustling hubs of camaraderie, grill smoke, and a whole lot of team spirit. But let’s face it: We’re not just here for the sport; we’re here for the age-old American tradition of

Are you looking to expand your network?  Or just looking for lawyer friends to help you celebrate and commiserate?  Make the commitment to attend AYLA’s monthly happy hours, appropriately called “Docket Call.” One of AYLA’s most popular member benefits, Docket Call is a monthly gathering of AYLA members, with free drinks (thanks to our sponsors) and great conversation. Docket Calls

As reported in the Texas Tribune,1 veteran households across the nation have seen an increase of predatory advertisements by companies claiming to be “medical consultants” or “benefits coaches.” These unaccredited companies promise to help veterans with disabilities submit their benefits claims to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) for a fee, but many veterans have reported they were misled into

The Veterans Legal Assistance Program (VLAP) would like to thank the individuals listed below for their assistance at our Sept. 9, 2023, clinic! ATTORNEYSMelanie IbarraMichael JonesEmily FrancoXiangyun LiNicole MartinezTom MehaffyRebecca O’ConnorKaris Anne ParnhamAnn PriceRonald RomeroJustin RosasRodney RuizBrandon ScottCharles SmaistriaAnn TaylorGeoffrey Van OldenCharmaine BackensNadia BettacEmily CollinsKatherine LickteigSusanna MeringolaJim NolanSue Snyder LAW STUDENTSEmil AnayaKatie CarmichaelLucy ElkinsAnna NewellNichole Zhou PARALEGALSCarli CollinsErin CrumpAmber HaneyJennifer

Austin Bar fellow Eric Nichols has been appointed chair of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. Nichols is a partner at Butler Snow LLP, an Austin Bar 100 Club member firm. Nichols has previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas and as deputy attorney general for criminal justice in the Office of the Texas