The Austin Young Lawyers’ Association and Austin Bar Association are excited to invite AYLA members to apply for the 2025 Leadership Academy, which is entering its 14th year! The goal of the Leadership Academy is to foster leadership skills in the Austin legal community, expand and develop relationship networks, and to assist Austin-area lawyers in making a difference in our community and in service to the bar. A class will be selected from applications submitted by lawyers of all areas of practice (including public and private practice), all firm size, and all levels of experience.
The Leadership Academy consists of an initial retreat with the new class members and committee, followed by a series of monthly presentations during which participants will network with, and enjoy presentations by, leaders in various areas of law practice and the Austin community. Although the speakers vary from year to year, recent classes have been able to hear from members of the judiciary at both the federal and state level, Austin city leaders, current and former leaders of the Austin Bar Association, experts in professional development, and many more!
In addition to hearing from these leaders in the Austin legal community, class members will meet in small groups once per month, at a lunch or happy hour, to network and get to know one another in an informal setting. The program culminates in the coordination of a class project spearheaded and organized entirely by class members. Recent class projects have included Night at the Library Gala (2024), Casino Night (2023), and Lawlapalooza (2022), all of which raised funds for organizations making a difference in the Austin community.
The 2025 Leadership Academy is now accepting applications through Nov. 15, 2024. You can access the application here. If there are any questions about the 2025 Leadership Academy, please contact co-chairs Alan Lin (alin@cornellsmith.com) and Jackie Davis (jdavis@trla.org).