Dar Vale Más Que Recibir’— Setting the Vision for TYLA 2025-2026

Growing up, my father drove my brother and me to school every morning. Without fail, he would use that short drive to deliver a motivational lecture—always ending with a Mexican dicho, or proverb. One always stood out: “Dar vale más que recibir”—it is more valuable to give than to receive.

My parents have always been the greatest influences in our lives. They instilled in us a deep love for live music, emphasized the importance of family and togetherness, taught us to laugh at our missteps, and—most importantly—modeled generosity and compassion.

For me, community is everything. I am shaped by the people and places I’ve surrounded myself with. The communities I’ve been a part of have given me my values, my worldview, and my purpose. I have received so much from them—and I feel deeply called to give back.

The community that brought me to this point is the legal community. While my career path may look different than what I initially imagined, it’s this profession that has led me here—and it’s why I’m committed to serving and uplifting young lawyers across Texas. This work, this calling, is why I fight so hard to protect and empower the legal community that has shaped me.

I’ve been involved in bar service for several years, but nothing has matched the impact I’ve felt since joining the board of the Texas Young Lawyers Association in 2022. TYLA has a longstanding legacy of empowering, educating, and advocating for young lawyers across the state. This year, with the support of TYLA Chair Dave Hagan, the Executive Committee, and our impressive board of directors, we will build on that foundation.

Here’s how:

We will launch For the Public: Texas Lawyers in Public Service, a project that highlights and celebrates the incredible attorneys across Texas who have committed themselves to careers in public service.
We will support first-generation lawyers through virtual meetups, mentorship opportunities, and shared resources to help them navigate the profession.
We will strengthen our relationships with young lawyer affiliates statewide through our expanded Local Affiliate Outreach program, offering support and collaboration to help their organizations thrive.
We will prioritize attorney wellness and well-being through programs and content that encourage balance, mindfulness, and sustainability in our careers.

This year, I aim to give back more than I have ever received—to honor the lessons of my upbringing and the profession that has given me more than I ever dreamed. Together with TYLA, I am proud to continue a legacy of public service and to build upon it with purpose and heart.

As we begin this bar year, I invite each of you to join us—whether through service, mentorship, collaboration, or simply by showing up for one another. TYLA thrives because of the energy and passion of young lawyers across Texas, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

ALYSON A. MARTINEZ
2025-2026 President, Texas Young Lawyers Association