About

Service Projects:
 
Lawyers Lending Hands
Lawyers Lending Hands is truly a jewel of a project. During the month of February CCYLA volunteers visits domestic violent shelters and support groups and educate the residents on what victims of domestic violence can expect when using the courts to obtain a protective order, temporary restraining order or a divorce. The volunteer lawyers present a video titled Healing the Wounds regarding victims of domestic violence, answer questions and hand out pamphlets regarding the resident’s legal rights in both English and Spanish. In the sprit of Valentine’s Day, CCYLA also hands out care packages to the residents and toys for the children in the shelters. The care packages include toiletry items such as shampoo, soap, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup etc. Although these toiletry items are common in our everyday living, some residents arrive at the shelter with only the clothes on their backs and their children in hand attempting to escape the violence at home. Our hope is these care packages, toys and legal information can provide some comfort to the residents at the shelter during their stay. 
  
Project Inspire
Project Inspire involves CCYLA volunteer lawyers visiting fourth grade classrooms to encourage students to achieve educational success as well as introduce them to our legal system and the law. The volunteer lawyers attend several fourth grade classrooms on four visits and present curriculum to the students provided by the Texas Young Lawyers Association. The curriculum includes a variety of topics including a student led interview with the lawyer and the steps and characters in a trial. The volunteers also introduce speakers to the students including local judges and legislators. The purpose of the project is to inspire the students to obtain a higher education and provide local mentors to the students. We expect this project to have a considerable impact on the students and hope to inspire them to achieve success.    
 
Trial Skills Workshops 
Teaming up with the local judiciary, CCYLA host a series of trial skills workshops open to all members of the bar. Topics of the workshops include the following:  
 Jury Selection- This workshop will focus on conducting a voir dire, presenting challenge for cause and peremptory challenges.   
 Expert Witnesses- This workshop will focus on the admissibility of expert witnesses in trial and the filing of a Daubert motions prior to trial.  
 Presentation of Proof- This workshop will focus on correctly presenting evidence in a case-in-chief and cross-examination and objecting to evidence.  
 Jury Argument- This workshop will focus on presenting an opening statement, jury arguments and a closing argument.
 
Sidebar Newsletter 
The Sidebar newsletter is dedicated to publishing CCYLA member articles and informing members of local news and events. The Sidebar recently won 1st place in the TYLA Small Affiliate Newsletter Award.  So please check out past issues of the Sidebar and view this award winning newsletter.