I am probably part of the last generation that grew up idolizing Disney movies with princesses needing their knights in shining armor to save them and watching action movies with almost always male superheroes. Thankfully, I have also had the amazing opportunity to be surrounded by examples of strong women throughout my life through family, my experience in law school at SMU, and in almost every step of the way in my legal career. These women are my legal female heroes or “sheroes,” if you will.

"The person who asks a question is a fool for a minute. The person who does not ask is a fool for life.” —adapted from Confucius

It is back-to-school time, everyone! My social media feed is filled with back-to-school pictures, school zones are in full force, routines are back to normal, and I can’t help but feel a little nostalgic—and have a bit of fear of missing out, or FOMO. I seriously thought about dressing my dog up for doggie day care and joining in on all the fun.

Aaron J. Burke, Chair

Seeing the future has to be one of the top five superpowers I would choose from a Comic-Con-size list of superpowers. Rather than handwringing about whether you should be a trial or transactional lawyer, change career paths, date Jane or Sue, or choose the mid-sized sedan versus the pickup truck, you could just peer into a crystal ball and know how happy you would be with your decision. Unfortunately, science. We are simply not equipped with an imagination powerful enough to foresee our future happiness.

Out with the old, in with the new.” “Moving on to bigger and better things.” “Breaking new ground.” These are all common clichés trotted out when new opportunities present themselves. Sometimes, they’re also a nice way of us telling current leadership to move on over (just kidding, Baili Rhodes! You did an amazing job and we can only hope to live up to the next-to-impossible standard set forth during your year).

Words cannot begin to describe how excited I am about the upcoming bar year. The very thought of helping lead the Texas Young Lawyers Association and working with such amazing people leaves me feeling like Selena in the movie—“Me siento muy … excited”—basically speechless and full of emotions (although I can’t sing and dance like her). That excitement is also a little scary and overwhelming. How will I continue to meet my clients’ needs? How will I maintain my relationships with my family, my friends, and my husband? How will I live up to the leaders before me? How will we be able to serve the young lawyers  of the great state of Texas?