The Issues
Texas Young Lawyers Association Election 2019
The Texas
Bar Journal asked 2019-2020 Texas Young Lawyers Association
president-elect candidates Britney Harrison (left) and Tim Newman
(right) to share their perspectives on issues facing young lawyers in
the state. Vote online or by paper ballot from April 1 to April 30,
2019. The deadline to cast ballots is 5 p.m. CDT April 30, 2019. For
biographical information on the candidates, go to texasbar.com/elections.
Why do you want to serve as president of the Texas Young Lawyers
Association?
Harrison: I entered the practice of law for one simple
reason: to serve others. That is who I am at my core. As vice president
of TYLA, I have uplifted, empowered, and encouraged young lawyers to
become experienced, respected professionals while continuing a legacy of
public service. I love this organization, its mission, and what it does
to serve the public. As president-elect, I would continue to serve TYLA
with a commitment to public service, as I have served local affiliates
and other organizations in the community. I am dedicated to the
profession and want to help other young lawyers become our future
leaders in the profession and the community. Given my background working
in large, international law firms, as well as small- and medium-size
firms, I can relate to and understand the issues that many young lawyers
face. I’ve practiced in federal and state court, in commercial
litigation, employment law, and now, family law. It took me a few years
to find the area of practice that I found invigorating and challenging
yet fulfilling. Given my personal and professional passions, I would be
honored and proud to lead Texas young lawyers in furthering TYLA’s
mission of public service.
Newman: I want to showcase the great service work our young
lawyers do and inspire others to step up and get involved. TYLA’s charge
is public service, and our young lawyers fulfill that charge every day.
The TYLA board has developed hundreds of resources for Texas lawyers and
communities, and our local affiliates do fantastic work on the local
level. If elected, I would leverage TYLA’s platform and reach to
showcase this service. Those doing the work deserve recognition, and
seeing their service will spur others to action.
On a personal
level, when I joined the TYLA board, I had no expectation that I would
one day campaign to be its president. But I fell in love with the work
and the people, and I put everything I have into my service. TYLA has
shaped me as a servant and as a leader, and my wife and son and I are a
TYLA family. I became a lawyer because of the platform for service the
profession provides. What better way to advance that ambition than to
serve as president of TYLA?
What are the three most important issues facing young lawyers in Texas
and what role should TYLA play in addressing them?
Harrison: Student Loan Debt: Like many young
lawyers, I have a considerable amount of student loan debt. Through
collaborative efforts with financial professionals, TYLA can help law
students and young lawyers avoid common mistakes, as I made, by
developing financial literacy resources.
Wellness and Stress-Management: Many young lawyers struggle
with wellness and stress-management. I would build upon the wellness
panels TYLA started this year to incorporate innovative technological
approaches to reach more members.
Business Development: Law school does not teach us the business
side of practicing law. Having access to business development training
and great mentors can be challenging depending on where you practice and
the resources available to you. TYLA can assist by developing and
disseminating resources that include tips and strategies for leveraging
relationships to create business and finding mentors.
Newman: More law school graduates are starting their
own firms, and law firm associates are finding it harder to get
meaningful experience. TYLA is uniquely positioned to understand these
challenges and provide support and guidance. Our new Young
Gunners podcast is just one example of how we’re doing that
(shameless plug alert). We also face ever-increasing stress because of
the demands of our jobs, the “immediate response” environment created by
technology, and the challenges of building a practice. This year, we’ve
partnered with TLAP to highlight the importance of stress management and
ensure lawyers know about TLAP’s resources. We need to continue that
work. One final challenge is overcoming the negative reputation that
sometimes attaches to lawyers. I enjoy a good lawyer joke, but the good
that lawyers do is sometimes overlooked. My plans for showcasing that
work and calling others to action would be a giant step in correcting
that misperception.
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?
Harrison: Numerous past leadership experiences have
prepared me to lead TYLA. While I’ve been successful in serving in the
profession and in life, I have also experienced failures. I’ve learned
so much from each of those experiences, which have molded me into the
stronger leader I am today. I’ve learned how to adapt my leadership
style to best accomplish various organizations’ overall goal of
uplifting and empowering others to achieve our mission and objectives.
My bar service over my legal career, as well as community service
outside of the bar, has helped me connect with diverse people, see
firsthand where resources are needed, and taught me how to navigate
numerous organizational challenges, including budgetary cuts and limited
time constraints. All of these experiences have prepared me to lead and
represent the young lawyers of Texas.
Newman: I am constantly learning and developing, and
all of my experiences have shaped me as a leader. As a cadet at Texas
A&M, I learned discipline and integrity, and when I became head drum
major of the Aggie Band, I got a taste of what it’s like to be the face
of a very public organization. When you’re in that spotlight, someone is
always watching, and you have to always be “on.” Now as an experienced
lawyer at my firm, I’m learning the importance of setting expectations
and developing the skills of a team so we can do our best work. Bar
service is a unique animal. We’re all volunteers, and we balance our
service with demanding jobs and personal lives. Years of local and state
bar leadership have taught me the importance of inspiring, energizing,
and empowering others. These lessons have prepared me to lead TYLA.
If a college student sought your advice on whether to pursue a legal
career, how would you answer?
Harrison: I would encourage the student to take a
year off between undergrad and law school to work in the legal field and
determine whether this is the student’s passion. College students
considering a legal career should know attorneys in the area, take them
to lunch, and learn about their experiences. I found my gap year to be
an invaluable experience. I learned so much from the attorneys I worked
for and was able to take a different approach to law school while
bringing an insightful perspective into the classroom. This additional
time to grow kept me motivated during school because I knew what was
waiting for me at the finish line. Becoming a lawyer is a substantial
time and financial commitment. Despite the pressures of the profession,
I love being a lawyer. If pursuing a legal career is the student’s
passion, give it your all and go for it!
Newman: “Go for it, but with eyes wide open.” I always
recommend law school, with caveats. My legal career has been rewarding.
I enjoy my work, and I’ve been able to make an impact in my community.
But the outcome could have been different. With no lawyers in my family,
I didn’t fully understand what lawyers do or appreciate the demands of
the profession, even as I took out loans for school. I advise students
to shadow lawyers and talk with them about what they actually do and how
demanding the work really is. If you don’t enjoy the work or don’t want
the demands, a legal career could be long and miserable. I also suggest
working a couple years before law school. That’s something I didn’t do,
but starting your legal career with the maturity we all gain during
those first few years of working can be a real advantage.
How do you balance your personal life with your professional
life?
Harrison: When that happens, I will let you know! I
occasionally struggle with prioritizing my needs. Finding balance can be
difficult at times, but I have challenged myself to find ways to manage.
I’ve made small adjustments to bring more balance into my life, such as
instituting a “no cellphone” hour when I arrive at home for the day.
This hour allows me to decompress and focus on myself. I schedule weekly
workouts with a trainer and have a massage membership. I also have a
strong support network of other lawyer friends. We discuss our issues
and provide support and ideas to one another. In the end, I somehow find
ways to make time for what is truly important to me because, if I am not
at my best, I cannot serve my clients at the level they deserve nor can
I be an effective leader.
Newman:
“Wherever you are, be there.” A partner I worked for gave me that advice
when I was a young associate. The point was, “Be present.” When I’m in
the office or a client meeting, I focus on my work. When I’m with my
family, I focus on them. It’s not always possible given the competing
obligations we all have, but the mindset helps me prioritize. Working at
a firm that encourages public service and having an incredibly
supportive wife (who has her own career to balance) also help. I also
think the different aspects of my life make me better at the others. I
truly believe becoming a father has made me a better lawyer. I spent
years learning the hard edge of the law, but having a son has helped me
understand the human side of my work. Now I practice and advise my
clients with more compassion and understanding.TBJ
