I’m Learning to Fly… Again

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

BY DAVID COURREGES, UNIVERSITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Well, here I am… on a plane. Today we’re flying from Austin to Washington D.C. for a quick work trip. I’m pleased to report that everything is going well. I arrived at the terminal at the suggested two hours prior to takeoff and made it to the gate with just over an hour and fifty minutes to spare. As you can probably tell, the security screening was uneventful, almost. The TSA agent was adamant that I am a politician, despite my repeated reassurances otherwise. That said, I must report to all of you in the legal community that suits are apparently no longer commonplace at the airport. Combine that with boots, tie, and cufflinks? Politician.

What else? While attempting to wait out my boredom, I was able to visit the Salt Lick where I stoically opted for the smoked turkey breast over the brisket. #hero #hearthealth. I even got to see a few friends who also arrived a figurative decade too early for their departure times, and one was even on my flight! We weren’t delayed; takeoff was good, and we’re now soaring over Memphis at an altitude of 37,000 feet. Nonetheless, I’m nervous. Why? I am, after all, free to move about the cabin!

Maybe I’m apprehensive because it has been more than two years since I’ve been on a plane? Maybe it’s the escalating political tensions? Maybe it’s because after hundreds of flights I finally realize that I am currently exceeding my personal record vertical leap by 26,997.5 feet? Whatever it may be, I am comfortable declaring that I feel like I’m nine again, flying with my grandparents on a pre-smoke-free flight originating from Austin’s quaint Mueller Municipal Airport.

In the present endemic society, yesterday’s mundane has escalated to new/old phenomenon that I’m feeling again for the first time. Today I’m flying. Not so long ago, it was the “new” experience of working in person… in my office… at my desk… attending real meetings… with virtual people. Even more recently it was speaking at a real, live in-person Austin Bar Association event—the opening retreat for the Austin Bar/Austin Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy.

Talk about nervous! Though I’m historically an introvert—an INTJ to be exact, I have shifted to the ranks of ENFJ in more recent years—visiting with this year’s leadership class was emotional for a few reasons. Not only was it the first occasion I had in over two years to visit with a large group of people face-toface, but this is also the TENTH anniversary of the Leadership Academy—a “Bar project” that I helped develop with a friend more than a decade ago during lunch at Hula Hut.

The idea was simple: bring current and future leaders of the Austin Bar together to learn from established leaders of the Austin legal and government communities with the intent to foster long and meaningful relationships that would benefit not only the individual class members but also the Austin Bar and Austin as a whole. Our initiative worked!

Leadership Academy members have come together repeatedly to support one another and the community with amazing results. Look no further than the inaugural class, for an example, which raised nearly $30,000 for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and inspired TRLA to establish “The Leadership Impact Fund.” They even organized a “Pro Bono Prom” at Austin City Hall, where Mindy Montford and Collin Newberry were named Prom Queen and King, respectively. Not only did they pull off a great class project, the Class of 2012 has also gone on to be strong community leaders, with several future presidents of AYLA (Justice Chari Kelly and Jorge Padilla) and judges (Justice Kelly and Judge Jessica Mangrum), a president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association (Sally Pretorius), as well as many Austin Bar and AYLA Board members, committee chairs and community leaders.

The best part is that each subsequent class has gone on to distinguish itself. Be it the promotion of pro bono opportunities, youth literacy, or other public service opportunities— each class has “done good.” They have also yielded several judges, at least one Pflugerville City Councilperson, a second TYLA president (who I hear has plans to move back to Austin very soon!), and many leaders within the Austin Bar, AYLA, and other bars and associations throughout the state.

Being present at this year’s opening retreat was a celebration. I had the honor of speaking after Judge Karin Crump, co-founder of the Leadership Academy. Judge Crump artfully delivered and pontificated on Senator Kirk Watson’s “Ground Rules,” which hold a special meaning for many of us (“Never forget that hope matters.”). In addition, we heard from AYLA President-Elect Blair Leake, immigration lawyer Kate Lincoln Goldfinch, the aforementioned Pflugerville City Councilperson Rudy Metayer, and Justice Chari Kelly. We also got to hear from this year’s chair Elliott Beck and vice-chair Sam Denton, who are doing a phenomenal job carrying on my most-favorite of Austin Bar traditions.

What is my favorite part about the Leadership Academy experience? I’m glad you asked. I don’t have just one. I have enjoyed watching each class grow individually and as a cohesive team. On the level of personal satisfaction, I enjoyed creating with a friend and mentor something from scratch that continues to benefit others in ways I could not imagine in 2011. Looking back, however, I am most honored by the trust that then-Austin Bar President David Chamberlain and Executive Director DeLaine Ward placed in us by allowing us to move forward with this project. If not for them, there would be no Leadership Academy today. Thank you, both!

The flight attendant has announced that it is “time to make sure that [our] seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked positions, and that [our] seat belts are correctly fastened.” Before I go, however, I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to think big. If you have a project idea, or just want to get involved, the Austin Bar is here for you, just like it has been here for me.

Okay, I have been warned and called “sir” on two separate occasions. Please pardon me while I silently pray for a safe and uneventful landing and embark on my next new-to-me adventure: deciding between an Uber or a cab. Wish me luck! AL

David Courreges is general counsel at University Federal Credit Union.