Texas Young Lawyers Association Election 2024 • April 2024
Texas Young Lawyers Association Election 2024
The Issues
The Texas Bar Journal asked 2024-2025 Texas Young Lawyers Association president-elect candidates Michael Hanson and Alyson A. Martinez to share their perspectives on issues facing young lawyers in the state. For biographical information on the candidates, go to texasbar.com/elections or see p. 226 of the March issue. Vote online or by paper ballot from April 1 to April 30, 2024. The deadline to cast ballots is 5 p.m. CDT April 30, 2024.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION?
HANSON: I fell in love with TYLA because of the people in the organization. Once they had my heart, they truly started to get my effort. I intentionally give this organization my time and effort because the work we accomplish as a group stands for something good. The organization's primary purpose is to serve the public interest, which gives us many options for assisting our communities and our state. The more I became involved with TYLA, the more I learned that this work often helps the downtrodden and less fortunate. The work calls attention to real problems attorneys face and provides a brain trust of attorneys to work toward finding solutions. Ultimately, I found a community of people who bring light to this world; they saw me fit to lead, so why wouldn’t I believe in myself and give it my best effort? Serving is work, and serving is sacrifice. If you look at my history, you will see that those are two things I do very well. My heart is in this work; I want to lead for the people I care about and the honor involved in doing the work that betters the lives of others in our state.
MARTINEZ: Raised with a strong foundation in leading with love and compassion, instilled by my parents, I have always felt compelled to lend a helping hand to those in need. This passion guided me to the field of law, where I have had the privilege of assisting numerous individuals as they navigate the complexities of our legal system.
I am driven to serve as president of the Texas Young Lawyers
Association because of my lifelong commitment to serving others.
Recognizing the noble nature of our profession, I understand the
importance of giving back both to ourselves and to our community. As
TYLA president, I aim to honor and celebrate the dedicated lawyers
who tirelessly advocate for their clients. I am driven by a desire to
further advance the practice of law and contribute to its ongoing
evolution.
Moreover, I am deeply committed to upholding the legacy of TYLA, an organization that has made significant contributions to the public and to the professional development of young lawyers across the state—myself included. Serving as TYLA president would allow me to continue this tradition of service and make a meaningful impact within our legal community.
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING YOUNG LAWYERS IN TEXAS, AND WHAT ROLE SHOULD TYLA PLAY IN ADDRESSING THEM?
HANSON: Wellness, particularly recognizing burnout. The wellness hub was created under President Victor Flores’ year and expanded under President Michael Ritter’s leadership. We must continue to educate lawyers about this topic. We need to ensure that our young lawyers understand the types of trauma and fatigue we experience. Most importantly, rest and seeking help are okay.
Understanding and implementing technological advancement. This is a no- brainer. TYLA comprises young lawyers practicing 12 years or less, and not all of us are up to speed on technological advancements. Understanding the dangers and benefits of AI is essential.
Mentorship. Finding someone you trust who will not judge you and wants to help you to pay it forward is essential. Good mentors provide mentees with the modeling necessary for our practice to thrive. TYLA can help communities start and restart their young lawyers association to promote mentorship opportunities at the local level.
MARTINEZ: Lack of community. The pandemic changed legal routines, reducing in-person interactions through remote work. Community preservation is crucial despite financial challenges hindering local bar associations. Young lawyers feel isolated, limiting mentorship and networking. TYLA aims to empower local affiliates, bridging this gap.
Financial stress. Today’s lawyers face hurdles: student debt, high living expenses, and fierce job competition. The traditional view of financial freedom in law clashes with reality. Attaining stability grows harder as families expand and personal goals emerge. TYLA can work on developing resources to better serve young lawyers and help them achieve financial freedom.
Wellness. The discourse on lawyer wellness continues, highlighting its importance. Despite strides, challenges like addiction, burnout, and compassion fatigue persist. It's crucial to keep addressing these issues for a healthier legal community. TYLA can build upon the projects we have built that address lawyer wellness and continue to explore this issue.
YOU HAVE SERVED THE PROFESSION IN A NUMBER OF CAPACITIES AT A NUMBER OF LEVELS. WHICH OF THESE EXPERIENCES HAS BEST PREPARED YOU TO LEAD TYLA?
HANSON: When I restarted the Fort Bend Young Lawyers
Association, I had to pivot several times to ensure the events offered
suited our particular community. Listening to others is a simple but
critical feature of effective leadership. Action-wise, leading a legal
team in the Army shows my ability to adapt to unique workplace
challenges.
Imagine having a broken AC in 127-degree weather with deadlines on
investigations involving serious allegations of misconduct. Our
computers were overheating due to the
heat! This experience sometimes required me to work odd hours, as some
witnesses had already redeployed and were home. We would interview
witnesses at 12 a.m. or 4 a.m., sometimes 30-plus witnesses. TYLA
president-elect is an elected position but ultimately a volunteer role.
We still work our primary jobs. We still have families. It will
involve sacrificing sleep and time—I am good at both.
MARTINEZ: My tenure as president of the Laredo-Webb County Bar Association in 2020 has uniquely prepared me to lead TYLA. In this position, I gained insight into the needs and challenges faced by lawyers in my hometown. I worked diligently to maintain a close-knit community and enhance public service, even amid the challenges of the pandemic. This experience instilled in me a desire to expand my impact on a larger scale, leading me to transition from local bar service to a statewide role with TYLA. I did my part in my small corner of the state and felt motivated to do more. My dedication and experience at both local and statewide levels have equipped me to lead TYLA effectively and make a positive impact on the legal community.
IF A COLLEGE STUDENT SOUGHT YOUR ADVICE ON WHETHER TO PURSUE A LEGAL CAREER, HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
HANSON: First, I would ask the student why they want to be an attorney. If the student aims to help people, they may be on the right educational quest. I would help the student understand the amount of time, energy, and sacrifice that goes into studying while in law school and ultimately practicing law. I would explain how law school operates regarding grading and the stress that will result. I would ensure the student understands the separate process for admission to practice law in Texas. I would also make sure the student understands that working in an adversarial system can take a toll on a person. I would explain that there is no better feeling than helping someone close out a legal journey, whether a victim or client. I would encourage them to take up the challenge of participating in our esteemed profession.
MARTINEZ: I vividly remember an interaction I had with a practicing attorney who discouraged me from continuing my legal studies. As a law student who had just invested time and effort into my first year, I felt so discouraged. This experience taught me the importance of not letting personal biases interfere—what is true for one may not be true for others. I share this perspective when offering advice, aiming to be encouraging while acknowledging the challenges of a career in law. I emphasize that becoming a lawyer requires significant dedication that becomes more manageable and fulfilling when aligned with their passions and values. It's a noble profession that warrants serious consideration and commitment. Ultimately, I encourage aspiring lawyers to approach their career with love, compassion, and a commitment to giving back to the communities that support and inspire them.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN SHAPING YOUR LIFE AS A LAWYER? WHICH HAS AFFECTED YOU THE MOST?
HANSON: My community activities match my interests. Whether it's ministry, welcoming refugees, raising money for clean water, or engaging in local bar association activities, my community experiences help me gauge what people think about important issues. Being around many people from different ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds allows me to gain valuable insight and perspectives about life for all community members. When rapport is built, walls start breaking down. We begin to see how we are much more alike than we are different. We also realize that we all want our community to be safe. As a prosecutor, these experiences serve as data points in pursuing justice. Personally, my relationship with my house church is what has affected me the most. We share a meal every week. We share how our week went after the meal. We practice our faith together. We are a family, and I love them dearly.
MARTINEZ: Among the various community work I have done, the New Leaders Council, or NLC, has had the most profound impact on me. NLC is a national organization with local chapters across the country, offering free leadership training to local leaders. I completed a fellowship with the South Texas Frontera Chapter in 2020, and in 2021, I became the director. As director, I have continued NLC's mission by providing leadership training to talented individuals in my community. I have extended my involvement by becoming a trainer for the national organization. NLC's fellowship was transformative for me, altering the trajectory of my life and career. It has been an honor to continue this work and engage with brilliant local leaders. Their dedication to their missions and goals inspires me to enhance my own contributions. Through my involvement with NLC and other community activities, I have evolved into a better lawyer and leader.
