TBJ April 2022
The Issues
Texas Young Lawyers Association Election 2022
The Texas Bar Journal asked 2022-2023 Texas Young Lawyers
Association president-elect candidates Laura Pratt and
Courtney M. White 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.
188 of the March issue. Vote online or by paper ballot from April 1
to May 2, 2022. The deadline to cast ballots is 5 p.m. CDT May 2, 2022.
Why do you want to serve as president of the Texas Young Lawyers
Association?
PRATT: Because I want TYLA to be even
more for you than it was for me. I was considerably isolated when I
started my career. There are no lawyers in my family, and my legal
network was small with very few connections in Lubbock. My success as a
young lawyer was undoubtedly linked to my involvement in my local bar
associations and TYLA. I found my law family in TYLA. This organization
echoes my heart and passion for serving others. It is diverse in people,
practice, and perspectives. With those differences, TYLA does great
things. I want TYLA to be that for all our members.
The past two years have brought unprecedented difficulties. In our
profession, there has been a serious move toward more isolation, with
decreases in local bar memberships and overall disengagement. We are a
little “Zoomed” out. Helping our TYLA members in that space is of chief
importance to me. As president-elect, I will lead TYLA to reconnect with
its members and their communities. We will focus on effective
communication, active listening, and purposeful inclusion and
involvement. TYLA needs to be a strong resource for reestablishing
meaningful connections for our newly licensed lawyers across the
state.
WHITE: I am grateful for the opportunity to run for TYLA
president-elect. Like many young professionals, I struggle daily with
confidence in the workplace. I would not be running for president-elect
without the mentorship and support from role models like my parents (who
are both lawyers), colleagues, and fellow young lawyers, including past
and present TYLA directors. I am blessed to have friends who encourage
and give me the opportunity to share my gifts with others, and I want to
be that person for other young lawyers.
Not every young lawyer has access to a personal or professional mentor
to train or be a sounding board for them. Not every young lawyer has an
example of servant leadership in the practice of law. And most
importantly, not every young lawyer knows that developing confident
leaders is what TYLA does best! I see serving as president as an
opportunity to provide growth opportunities to other young lawyers in
the same way that my mentors have done for me.
What are the three most important issues facing young lawyers in Texas
and what role should TYLA play in addressing them?
PRATT: Wellness. I am passionate about seeking
holistic wellness and encouraging others to find it. The excessive
stress of our profession can lead to many health issues. After losing my
sister-in-law to substance use, I never want any family to face that
struggle. TYLA should continue to be on the front lines championing
wellness in our profession.
COVID-19. Much like Bruno, we don’t talk about it if we can
help it. But we have a new normal, and we must adapt quickly to
accommodate the needs and changes highlighted by the pandemic. TYLA
should explore these changes and look for ways to assist new lawyers in
this transition.
Financial Stability. Job uncertainty, overwhelming student
loans, and unfair pay structures all contribute to the financial
insecurity for young lawyers, which has been exacerbated by the
pandemic. TYLA should help its members develop more practical career and
business skills to alleviate these challenges.
WHITE: Mentorship. Behind every success story,
there’s a mentor who has been instrumental in providing guidance and
instilling confidence in a young lawyer. Many do not have access to
mentors to provide leadership/learning opportunities yet are expected to
develop these skills anyway. TYLA can promote existing resources in a
“virtual mentor” capacity and help connect members with real-life
mentors.
Mental Wellness. Lawyer mental wellness begins with law student
mental wellness. My personal law school experience was challenging with
daily stressors morphing into anxiety, depression, and isolation, which
continued into my first years of practice. We must help law students
enter the practice with tools for good mental health.
Asserting Boundaries. As young lawyers, we feel pressure to say
“yes” to work (billable hours), volunteer opportunities (pro bono), and
social invitations (client development). In reality, some opportunities
suit us, and it’s OK to say “no” to those that do not.
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?
PRATT: I have had the privilege of serving with TYLA
for many years and in many roles—committee member, board member, project
lead, committee chair, and now vice president. Each role has had its
unique challenges and provided key perspectives for leading TYLA
effectively as president-elect.
I have learned so much from my TYLA service, including strong
leadership techniques, practical management skills, and organizational
knowledge. I have spent considerable time listening to our teams and
developing action plans that can only make us stronger for the future.
All practical skills aside, I care about this organization, the people
on our board, and our members. My TYLA roles have taught me that a team
serves better when they feel valued, inspired, and empowered. Leadership
is not about power or pride. As a servant leader for TYLA, I will focus
on being authentic, understanding, and committed to the mission and
people of TYLA.
WHITE: In my short time on the TYLA
Board of Directors, my leadership skills have drastically improved as I
have gained confidence. Although the old adage says you must believe in
yourself for others to believe in you, my experience has been the
opposite.
When I was charged with organizing the first-ever virtual season of
TYLA Roadshows, I was a new TYLA director. (Why would anyone assign
me this? I haven’t yet met all of the other directors!) I completed
the task to the best of my ability, and we had fantastic attendance at
every presentation. It means the world to me that someone thought I was
capable and gave me the opportunity to succeed. I bring that confidence
into this campaign. (Why would anyone nominate me to run for TYLA
president-elect?) I know that confidence can be a struggle, and
it’s OK! We will do this together!
If a college student sought your advice on whether to pursue a legal
career, how would you answer?
PRATT: My answer is always the same.
I love the practice of law, and the world needs good attorneys. However,
a legal career is not for everyone.
The biggest mistake you can make in pursuing a legal career is having no
good reason for doing it in the first place. You must know your “why”
from the beginning. Pursuing a legal career requires a significant
amount of time, energy, effort, and money, and it is not a step anyone
should take lightly. You won’t get a reward for not liking what you do,
and it will have disastrous impacts on your mental health. The “what”
and the “how” can come later, so start with “why.” For me, as someone
who has a passion for serving others and a knack for problem-solving, it
is a rewarding career. Let me know how to support you if you go for
it!
WHITE: The legal field can be a
blessing in your life if you find the right fit. I spent my first three
and a half years of practice at a law firm, and that was not the right
fit for me. Now that I am a government lawyer, I have found my work to
be more fulfilling and my life is more balanced. Not every lawyer has to
do big-firm billable hours! And the legal system requires lawyers and
non-lawyers to function! Every person interested in the justice system
can find a place—and that may or may not be as a traditional law firm
lawyer. I encourage prospective law students to consider government
jobs, paralegal jobs, court administrator jobs, law enforcement jobs,
etc. It takes all of us!
How do you balance your personal life with your professional
life?
PRATT: Rather than struggling to achieve perfect
balance (that effort was exhausting me), I now focus on managing the
tension between the two. I start with my priorities, and I set
boundaries to protect those priorities. When things start to get messy,
I implement small changes to help relieve the tension, like removing
social media from my phone, getting more sleep, or going for more walks
outside. Also, I have an amazing support system for difficult times.
When I need self-care, I try to do more of the things I love, like
adventuring with my family, volunteering, exercising, and playing
music.
I am by no means the expert, and work-life balance looks different for
everyone. If you are struggling in this space, I encourage you to start
a dialogue with trusted friends and try some new things. TYLA and the
Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program have great resources to help as
well!
WHITE: To be honest, I’m struggling
more than ever right now. As a government lawyer, I have a more
traditional 9-to-5 job with the occasional late evening or working
weekend. This campaign process has really challenged my work-life
balance in a way that many lawyers experience all of the time. I am
learning that I will be more successful overall if I take time for my
well-being by exercising daily. Also, I have had success taking a break
for mealtimes rather than having a “working lunch” or a dinner in front
of the computer. I believe mealtime nourishes the mind, body, and
soul.TBJ
