TYLA PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Forging Ahead
Summer 2020 is finally coming to an end. Many of us are beginning to
return to the office for work under COVID-19 restrictions and deal with
the return to actual “work clothes,” while others are having to make the
impossible decision of whether to keep their children home for school or
allow them to attend in person. It is a difficult choice, and I want to
say to all parents out there: You are doing the best you can. Allow
yourself and each other some grace. Know that you are not alone.
LOOKING BACK
Over the summer, the American
Bar Association Young Lawyers Division held its Virtual Annual Meeting.
On July 30, the ABA YLD presented its Awards of Achievement. The Texas
Young Lawyers Association received the following honors: Overall
Comprehensive Award—State Division A; Diversity Award for the Retention
Guide; and Service to the Bar Award for Breaking the Cycle: A
Layered Approach to Attorney-Wellness.
I am extremely proud of the young lawyers who brought these projects to fruition. Under the leadership of TYLA Immediate Past President Victor A. Flores and with the assistance of Mindy Gulati, founder and CEO of Fundamental Advisory, TYLA created the Retention Guide to address the causes behind the lack of promotion and retention of women and people of color in law firms. Each year, women and people of color leave the lawyer ranks at law firms at a higher rate than other attorneys. Our guide aims to help managing partners and law firms to better understand the cause behind this problem and develop corporate strategies to retain a diverse and inclusive legal practice.
Additionally, TYLA created the Attorney Wellness HUB, which consists of true stories and helpful tips about living with anxiety, depression, addiction, and other mental health issues. Far too often we read an article about the loss of another fellow Texas lawyer to suicide. Our HUB aims to address these issues head on and provide resources for those in need. Attorney wellness is multifaceted and requires targeted approaches to achieving a culture of wellness in your workplace.
MOVING FORWARD
This year is no different in regards to the quality of projects and
initiatives planned by TYLA. In June, TYLA announced the creation of the
Racial Justice Committee, which is hard at work developing meaningful
content and materials for the Racial Justice HUB. We aim to identify
ways to effectuate actual change within our profession and move toward
an anti-racism mentality.
In August, we launched the TYLA
Virtual Triathlon, which encourages all to participate in different
types of exercise activities during the months of August, September, and
October. Participants are encouraged to join the TYLA Strava club to
connect with other participants and enjoy a little friendly competition.
Finally, we also launched the Vote America expansion, Court the Vote. Through this initiative, TYLA disseminated information to the courts and other agencies to encourage citizens to learn how to register to vote, the requirements to vote, and also answer common questions about voting. Court the Vote continues TYLA’s commitment to producing quality, law-focused education programming for all.
BRITNEY HARRISON
2020-2021 President, Texas Young Lawyers Association
For more information on TYLA, contact them at tyla@texasbar.com or go to tyla.org.
