TBJ April 2023
The Issues
Texas Young Lawyers Association Election 2023
The Texas Bar Journal asked 2023-2024 Texas Young Lawyers
Association president-elect candidates Cali Franks and
Hisham Masri 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.
172 of the March issue. Vote online or by paper ballot from April 3
to May 2, 2023. The deadline to cast ballots is 5 p.m. CDT May 2, 2023.
Why do you want to serve as president of the Texas Young Lawyers
Association?
FRANKS: My vision is to have a
meaningful impact on young lawyers through programming that celebrates
our roots, showcases the talents of young lawyers, and prepares the next
generation for success. I want to do this by 1) creating programming
(CLEs and non-CLEs) for young lawyers by young lawyers highlighting
diverse careers within the legal profession; 2) supporting local
affiliates by loosening grant requirements and increasing marketing from
the State Bar of Texas; 3) approaching mental health and well-being by
utilizing the resources and insight of first-responders and veterans;
and 4) creating a better understanding where we are in diversity,
equity, and inclusion.
From my speech therapy group in elementary school to my law school
cohort—and finally, TYLA—I have learned that we cannot go through life,
especially in the field of law, alone. I want to continue the legacy of
fostering uncommon leaders throughout Texas. As the president of TYLA, I
hope to reflect on, highlight, showcase, and improve upon the
experiences of young lawyers in Texas and impact the future of our
profession.
MASRI: I want to help make our profession and
communities better for all of us. As the son of immigrants who was the
first in his family to become a lawyer, I chose the practice of law to
help others. I do so every day as an active practicing employment lawyer
who advises clients about people’s very livelihood—their jobs—and as
TYLA’s vice president by working on service projects that help lawyers
and the public.
TYLA, as the “public service arm” of the State Bar of Texas, can improve
the lives of all people. Now, as a father who imagines a better world
for his children, I wish to serve as TYLA president to create meaningful
change by improving diversity and equity in our profession, courts, and
the public. We can do so by teaching the public about implicit bias
before they make decisions grounded in stereotypes, providing our
lawyers with the tools to interrupt their biases when making decisions,
strengthening our local affiliates with more tools and resources, and
inspiring high school and undergraduate students to pursue a legal
career.
What are the three most important issues facing young lawyers in
Texas, and what role should TYLA play in addressing them?
FRANKS: Unique life experiences. Certain
shared experiences and difficulties come with being a lawyer. However,
each lawyer has unique life experiences, passions, goals, and obstacles.
I plan to use TYLA’s position to highlight the various paths taken by
young lawyers to obtain their J.D. and showcase the diverse career
paths.
Understanding DEI. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are (and
should be) at the forefront of our profession. By partnering with a
leading statistician to create a survey built on industry best
practices, we will assess the current DEI landscape in Texas and
identify opportunities for improvement.
Local young lawyer organizations. I discovered my love for
bar service at my local young lawyer affiliate. I plan to uplift,
promote, and support local lawyer organizations by loosening grant
requirements and increasing investment in marketing resources. TYLA can
and should provide more comprehensive support for young lawyer
organizations.
MASRI: Opportunity. Talent is universal but
opportunity is not. Texas has great lawyers that are not given
opportunities based on decisions about the person’s law school, name, or
other trait, and sometimes made subconsciously. Lawyers must better
understand implicit bias so that we can have meaningful access to
mentorships, jobs, and promotions.
Mentorship. Young lawyers need more mentorship, which means
career and practice advice. TYLA can help provide career advice by
illuminating and explaining the lives of successful lawyers, such as
managing partners and general counsels, and provide practice advice
through tips about the real practice, such as how to take
depositions.
Wellness. Young lawyers face numerous strenuous demands, such
as high student loan debt, learning the profession, demanding clients,
getting married, having children, developing business, and involvement
in the community, and need more effective outlets. TYLA can help by
partnering with local affiliates for more local wellness activities
around Texas.
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?
FRANKS: My experiences volunteering and leading with
empathy have prepared me to be a more compassionate leader and have
equipped me with the skills necessary to serve young lawyers. In my
position as managing director of programming for the American Bar
Association Young Lawyers Division, I have had the opportunity to
practice and develop my leadership skills on a regular basis while
keeping the needs of over 100,000 members at the forefront. By
interacting with people from different backgrounds and situations, I
have learned to put myself in their shoes and understand their
perspectives and needs. This has prepared me to be a more effective
leader so that I can better connect with, understand, and serve the
needs of young lawyers.
MASRI: Simply, all of them. Each of my roles has
focused on working together with others to make our profession and
communities a better place for all of us. I am privileged to have served
in local, state, and national leadership as an active member of my local
bar association, TYLA, and the American Bar Association Young Lawyers
Division. I am also a second-career lawyer that has worked in solo,
small, and national law firms and now works in-house. Each role had its
own challenges, such as doing the work, setting expectations, meeting
deadlines, encouraging collaboration, delegating responsibilities,
motivating others to work together, and triaging problems or managing
groups. I have taken time to build meaningful relationships with the
best lawyers anywhere, I have learned to listen first, and I have
prepared to lead TYLA as its president to accomplish something better
together.
If a college student sought your advice on whether to pursue a legal
career, how would you answer?
FRANKS: The decision to pursue a legal career is not
one to take lightly; however, it is one with unlimited possibilities. I
would advise anyone thinking of law school not to restrict themselves to
becoming an attorney but rather to follow their passion within the field
of law. During law school, keep an open mind and be aware of the various
ways in which you can utilize your J.D. to make a positive impact,
whether through traditional legal practice or other means. The valuable
education you will receive in law school will give you unlimited
opportunities to explore your passions and leave your mark—you are too
unique and valuable to limit yourself!
MASRI: As a volunteer teen court judge, all my
sessions include an offer to answer any questions to any aspiring
students about pursuing a legal career. I was involved in this same teen
court program as a teenager, and it encouraged me to pursue a legal
education. As such, I feel it is now my responsibility to give back to
the community in this way.
When I am volunteer judging, I am often asked this question and I always
provide the same answer: pursuing a legal career is an incredible
privilege that you may love, as I do, but tell me why you want to be a
lawyer, as it is not for everyone. Pursuing a legal career requires a
significant amount of money, time, energy, and effort. So, before making
the decision, I offer discussing the pursuit, the profession, and how
they can achieve their goals if they are motivated.
How do you balance your personal life with your professional life?
FRANKS: Because everyone’s personal and professional
lives look different, it is imperative not to compare yourself to
others. I’m not skirting the question in an effort not to share my
secrets—if I had a solution to work-life balance, this is where I would
link to my best-selling book—but instead to reinforce that balance looks
different to everyone. For me, my semblance of balance is directly tied
to my passions. I put energy into things I am passionate about. I start
with a list of my passions, and when I am asked to volunteer or be
involved in something, I check the list before commenting or passing on
an opportunity. This check and balance allows me to focus on things
important to me. With that said, I don’t want this answer to serve as
another opportunity for young lawyers to compare themselves—we do that
enough already.
MASRI: It is imperative to be kind, patient, and transparent
about your commitments and expectations with your family and work. Above
all else, it is about setting reasonable boundaries and respecting those
boundaries. I have had many instances where my personal life was more
demanding, such as when I married the love of my life, Victoria, or the
birth of my children, Celine and Jude. At other times, my professional
life was more demanding, such as when I was preparing for trial, filing
a temporary restraining order, or needing to respond to new changes
during the early stages of COVID-19. In every scenario, effectively
communicating your commitments, setting boundaries, and making time for
your own wellness all contribute to finding that
balance.TBJ
