FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2024
Contact: Rebecca Johnson
Public Affairs Director, State Bar of Texas
512-427-1714, rebecca.johnson@texasbar.com
Texas Young Lawyers Association announces
2024-2025 president-elect candidates
AUSTIN — Texas attorneys new to the practice of law will choose between Michael Hanson of Richmond and Alyson A. Martinez of Laredo for the next president-elect of the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA).
TYLA members will cast ballots from April 1 to April 30, and election results will be announced April 30. The winner will serve as TYLA president from June 2025 until June 2026.
TYLA is the public service arm of the State Bar of Texas. All Texas-licensed attorneys in their first 12 years of practice, regardless of age, are members of TYLA.
Michael Hanson
Michael Hanson is a Texas prosecutor and judge advocate for the Texas Army National Guard. He serves TYLA as vice president and director for District 21. Having practiced criminal law for nine years, Hanson has experience in misdemeanors and felonies. His primary focus now lies in juvenile law, veterans’ treatment court, and felony animal cruelty cases. He has over 60 jury trials.
In 2022, Hanson was deployed overseas as the military justice adviser, supervising the 36th Sustainment Brigade legal team. The team’s efforts ensured 100% accountability of actions and continuous progress supporting the serviced commands, consisting of over 40 commands across 10 countries in the CENTCOM region, including over 100 administrative investigations.
A highlight in Hanson’s career occurred in 2019, when he went to Africa, joining Lawyers Without Borders to support its wildlife crime trial advocacy training. In November, he trekked Nepal’s Mount Everest Base Camp route to raise money for Child Legacy, a nonprofit repairing water wells in rural Malawi. Hanson credits his wife, Jihye, for her unwavering support that has been instrumental in his success. Above all, Hanson says his favorite job is being a father to his two children, Stella and Wyatt.
Alyson A. Martinez
Alyson A. Martinez, a native of Laredo, is the first attorney in her family, graduating from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Commencing her career at the Webb County Public Defender’s Office, she represented justice-involved, indigent individuals. Currently, Martinez serves as the director of the Webb & Zapata County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. In addition, she is the legal adviser for the Probation Advisory Committee of Texas.
In 2020, Martinez served as president of the Laredo-Webb County Bar Association. Her leadership extended to the State Bar of Texas after participating in the 2020 cohort of LeadershipSBOT. Martinez has represented District 19 of TYLA for three years, earning recognition for her contributions including the President’s Award of Merit in 2023.
She dedicates her spare time to community service, having served as a board member for the Laredo Center for the Arts and Voz De Niños. Martinez is an alumna of American University’s WeLead Program, the LBJ Women’s Campaign School, and the New Leaders Council, where she remains actively engaged.
Outside her many commitments, Martinez says she cherishes moments with her family and loved ones.
