Local Affiliate

Kicking off the New Bar Year
By: Arthur L. Bryan, II, Houston Young Lawyers Association President

Relishing the increase of Houston Young Lawyers Association’s (HYLA) membership to over 1,500 and the completion over 100 programs/events during our 2015-2016 bar year, HYLA entered its 2016-2017 bar year on a very high note.

HYLA kicked off its new bar year by hosting its annual Board of Directors’ Retreat and Board Social on June 11. There the board again set some very vigorous, yet accomplishable goals: expanding the footprint of HYLA in the Houston metropolitan area by increasing our programming, intently focusing on the needs of our members and listening to their wants.

HYLA is focusing on creating servant leaders in the bar, and the only way to do so is to encourage their participation and showcase the rewards of giving of their time to HYLA.  HYLA has extended its efforts to give back to the community by providing opportunities for its members to engage in pro bono work and community service activities.

This past June, HYLA hosted over 150 summer judicial law clerks, associates, and interns for its inaugural “Summer Clerk Event.” This event showcased several Houston-area bar associations, such as the Asian American Bar Association of Houston and the Woodlands Bar Association. And it provided an opportunity for “summers” to hear numerous ways to get involved in bar associations and the benefit that such associations can provide by way of networking, communication service, legal scholarship, and pro bono work. The event also included an MCLE with ethics credits titled “Why Atticus Finch Is Still Our Role Model—Even After Go Set a Watchman” by author and attorney Talmage Boston, a shareholder in Winstead’s Dallas office.

In July, HYLA hosted its annual Committee Chairs’ Breakfast, where the HYLA Board of Directors, the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation chair and chair-elect, committee chairs, event leads, and others discussed this year’s programming, organizational needs, and the contribution of its members to HYLA’s success.  Those who attended left with a sense of purpose to forge ahead with HYLA’s mission to Learn. Lead. Network. Serve.

In all, HYLA has started this new bar year ready to engage its members, community partners, and those who serve on the board by learning from the past, celebrating today and preparing for the future!