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We are very excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website! Visit us at www.TCYLA.org.
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TCYLA 2021-2022 Elections
Elections for Officer Positions
The Board is pleased to announce the 2021-2022 President-Elect will be Aulstin Gardiner, Assistant District Attorney - Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office, and the 2021-2022 Secretary-Treasurer will be Spencer Mainka, Associate at Pham Harrison, LLP. They will join current President-Elect Brian Singleterry, Judicial Law Clerk at U.S. District Courts, in September.
Director Elections:
The Nominations Committee will meet in June to propose next year’s elected slate of Directors. If you are interested in serving as a Director, please email Andrea Palmer by May 6. The Nominations Committee will present the slate at the July Board Meeting; after that meeting, the President will appoint two additional Directors. If you are interested in running and are not elected or appointed, the July Newsletter will detail petition information, which is also found in Article 8.4(b) of the TCYLA Bylaws.
All candidates are encouraged to review the TCYLA Bylaws, and keep in mind the prohibition against campaigning: “A candidate for Director of the Corporation shall not, either before or after the placing of said candidate’s name on the ballot, promote himself or herself for said position through the use of social media, mass mailings, mass electronic transmission, or mass facsimile transmissions. Furthermore, no candidate for such office will encourage anyone else to use the foregoing means to promote his or her candidacy.” Article 8.5(b).
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TCYLA Law Day Awards
The TCYLA Awards Committee met to select honorees for the 2021 Law Day Awards. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding members of our community. Their leadership, dedication, and hard work make Tarrant County a better place every day.
Outstanding Young Lawyer Award - Punam Kaji, Assistant General Counsel – Employment & Litigation at Ben E. Keith Company
The Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recognizes one young lawyer who has demonstrated professional proficiency, service to the profession, and service to the community. Ms. Kaji was selected because she has been “a relentless driving force behind the development of the … Conversation Series on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in the Bar”, as well as serving on the State Bar’s Diversity Task Force.
Outstanding Mentor Award - Leon Reed, Jr., of the Law Office of Leon Reed, Jr.
The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes one attorney who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring young lawyers in his or her legal community. Mr. Reed was selected because he has shown young attorneys “to fight what you are passionate for, to selflessly serve our Tarrant County and Texas community, and to keep stepping forward to reach your goals”, as exemplified by his 200-mile walk to Austin to speak on police reform and unity.
Liberty Bell Award - Pamela Young, Lead Criminal Justice Organizer for United Fort Worth
The Liberty Bell Award recognizes one outstanding non-lawyer in Tarrant County who has made the most selfless contribution to his or her community to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of Justice by instilling better understanding and appreciation of the law. Ms. Young was selected for her work with “numerous educational campaigns surrounding both city and county government actions”, including organizing bail funds, spotlighting problems of mass incarceration combined with Covid-19, assisting with voter turnout education campaigns, and working on solutions through community organizing.
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Virtual CLE Lunch
FREE CLE Webinar - April 20, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. CST
Register here today!
Please join us for TCYLA's upcoming webinar: Nirav Patel of Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP presenting "Recent Amendments to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedures."
Nirav N. Patel focuses his practice on oil, gas and energy litigation and transactions. His litigation practice includes claims and disputes related to termination of oil and gas leases, post-production costs, royalty underpayment, and joint operating agreements. Mr. Patel also represents clients in title disputes involving mineral and royalty interests. Mr. Patel has significant experience in oil and gas disputes in the Permian Basin, the Barnett Shale, and the Eagle Ford Shale.
This event will be a Zoom meeting format. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation with the Zoom meeting details and "Join Meeting" link. For questions, please contact laurensc@tarrantbar.org.
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Fall Slow-Pitch Softball League
The TCYLA spring slow-pitch season softball is underway! If you would like to come out and support the team (or play!), the upcoming April games are as follows:
- April 15th – 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm
- April 22nd – 9:30 pm
- April 29th – 8:30 pm
Games are located at 3300 Bryant Irvin Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76109 and adult beverages are permitted on a BYOB basis (please, no glass containers). Games last approximately one hour and all start times are subject to change based upon weather conditions. If you have any questions or would like to play, reach out to John Easter.
TCYLA practices safety protocols in accordance with state and local rules, including the requirement to self-screen for COVID symptoms before playing and maintaining 6-feet distance between players at all times. Masks are encouraged. Players assume all risks of injury or sickness.
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TCBA's Diversity Committee Presents:
Book Club Discussions
on The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
Monday, April 26, 2021 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST
Reading the book is not required, all are welcome.
Co-hosted by: L. Clifford Davis Legal Association and Black Women Lawyers Association
Register here.
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TCBA's Diversity Committee Presents:
SIDE Bar Conversations
"Is Your Diversity & Inclusion Program Falling Short? "
Thursday, April 29, 2021 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST
For years, professionals have turned to Diversity and Inclusion programs to address racism and create more equitable workplaces. This conversation will discuss how we measure the effectiveness and barriers of these programs. We will also explore affirmative action and other minority recruitment and promotion efforts in the profession and in education.
An Open Discussion | FREE Event
Co-hosted by: L. Clifford Davis Legal Association and Black Women Lawyers Association
Register here.
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TCYLA Lawyer Contact List for
TAMU Law Students
What would you go back and tell your 1L self? Were you the first in your family to attend law school? Were you overwhelmed by all the new fields of law you discovered? Did you wish you knew more lawyers you could ask questions to and seek advice from? Help students at Texas A&M University School of Law navigate their first year of law school by participating in the TCYLA Lawyer Contact List. This list will be made available to 1Ls in the coming months as a resource for them to reach out to lawyers to learn more about various fields of law or obtain advice about law school generally.
Enter your information here. If you have any questions, please contact Spencer Mainka.
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TCYLA Volunteer Opportunity -
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County is in need of meal delivery drivers. TCYLA's community involvement committee is organizing a group to volunteer as drivers. If you would like to participate or have any questions, please reach out to John Easter.
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Volunteer Legal Opportunities
Phone Consult for a Veteran: Sign up here.
Volunteer for LegalLine: Most Thursdays from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Sign up here.
Volunteer with TLTV:
- Click here to submit what type of cases you could assist pro bono
- Click here to sign up to do a free phone consultation for a veteran
- Follow TLTV on social media using these links to stay in the know- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Emails
- Email Kayla Dailey for more information about ongoing volunteer opportunities.
Want to know more about volunteering with Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services? Click here.
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Want to be published in this newsletter?
TCYLA is incorporating members’ submissions into our monthly newsletter. This is a great way to get your name out there as well as your article! Please email Elizabeth Haslam to submit your piece and/or make further inquiries. All articles will be subject to review and approval by the TCYLA Board of Directors.
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TCYLA Member Benefits
TCYLA is beginning to offer recorded presentations and free CLEs, including a recent Wellness event featuring anxiety specialist Dr. Kathryn Soule, PhD, LPC, at TCYLA's E-Community.
While you are at the E-Community, take time to check out and update your profile in the TCYLA member directory. TCYLA's E-Community will be continually updated with new content and free CLEs throughout the year.
If you are not a member of TCYLA, you may now apply online here.
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