YLA Snapshot
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Brian Singleterry 2021–2022 TCYLA President
s a new bar year starts and we’ve just paid our dues, we should remind ourselves why we gave the TCBA and TCYLA our money. I believe, as the Texas Lawyer’s Creed states, that lawyers are “entrusted by the State of Texas to preserve and improve our legal system.” Pursuing this calling requires cooperation only possible through local bars like the TCYLA, and it cannot be counted in mere dollars and cents. Because you are reading this in the TCBA Bar Bulletin, you likely agree. But many lawyers—especially young lawyers—view bar membership differently. Bar membership must compete with other demands on their money, like Netflix (which costs $156/year compared to TCYLA’s $50/year). TCYLA must justify itself in these terms too. So what’s membership worth? Just in terms of value, TCYLA membership is a steal. Guided by the calling of improving the legal system, we provide many services: 1. Networking. While pragmatic benefits of networking are clear—friendships, mentors, referrals, and jobs— stronger connections in the bar also create a better place to live and practice law. TCYLA provides multiple networking opportunities: happy hours, the softball league, the charity golf tournament on November 15, and Spring Fiesta. This year, TCYLA will encourage networking with specialized bars and non-lawyers. Better networking and connections foster civility. Practicing law in Tarrant County has traditionally been different than practicing law 30 miles east of here. TCYLA seeks to preserve the Fort Worth Way of practicing law. 2. Community Service. For young lawyers looking for a place to give back to the community, TCYLA provides multiple opportunities. Through TVAS and other legal aid services, we give members opportunities to serve pro bono. We continue to support numerous local charities, including the Tarrant Area Food Bank, the Ronald McDonald House, and Taste Project. We also partner with Texas A&M School of law, providing mentoring through its Professionalism Program. And we are seeking to expand these opportunities. 3. CLE. For the $50 annual dues, we provide ten hours of CLE. This year, thanks to the work of Austin Franklin,
we started providing CLE online. It’s difficult to find cheaper CLE. These services and opportunities are worth as much as a subscription to Netflix. My term as TCYLA president starts with this record of success. TCYLA has been under outstanding leadership. Our outgoing President, Andrea Palmer, steered TCYLA through the worst of COVID and still accomplished her goals of building a more diverse TCYLA board and integrating TCYLA into the Fort Worth community. Thank you, Andrea. This year’s TCYLA leadership comprises dedicated and talented lawyers: Aulstin Gardiner is our President-Elect; Spencer Mainka is our Secretary-Treasurer; our returning Directors are Collin Ashworth, Ola Campbell, John Easter, Austin Franklin, Elizabeth Haslam, Caroline Rodgers, Harrison Smith, and Jeffrey Tillman; and our new Directors are Priscilla Bowens, Serech Kissire, and Ty Stimpson. This year’s accomplishments will be due to their hard work. TCYLA continues to pack value into our members’ dues. I think our members will feel that they got their money’s worth. And I hope our members join me in viewing TCYLA membership as essential to their identity as a lawyer. Leading TCYLA is a great honor. I hope to serve this institution well and leave it in condition to continue serving Tarrant County into the future. g
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Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association @TCYLA If you need an application or meeting information, call 817.338.4092 or email laurensc@tarrantbar.org. OCTOBER 2021
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 3
