AUSTIN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
AYLA Member Spotlight: David Holmes AYLA: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your law practice. Holmes: I am an associate at Walsh Gallegos Trevino Kyle & Robinson P.C. where I practice education law. My practice is primarily a combination of employment law, government access/ transparency, First Amendment law and litigation/administrative proceedings, plus a healthy does of “a kid just did this, what do we do next” calls.
[Participating in the AYLA/Austin Bar Leadership Academy] was an incredible opportunity to build relationships with other young attorneys in the area, meet distinguished members of our legal community, trade practice tips and other thoughts on the profession, and work on rewarding fundraising initiatives. AYLA: How long have you been involved in AYLA and what has been your best AYLA experience so far? Holmes: I have been involved with AYLA since graduating law school in 2018. I really enjoy the AYLA Docket Calls (and have really missed them in the pandemic!), but my favorite AYLA experience was participating in the AYLA/ Austin Bar Leadership Academy. It was an incredible opportunity to build relationships with other young attorneys in the area, meet distinguished members of our legal community, trade practice tips and other thoughts on the profession, and work on rewarding fundraising initiatives.
AYLA: What was your childhood dream job? Holmes: My dream job was to make the NBA—but like, not as a star. I wanted to be the kind of guy to average 19 points per game, be discussed as “perpetually underrated” and “a real hooper,” and never get recognized in the grocery store. AYLA: What’s your favorite moment of your career so far? Holmes: I represented a couple in a landlord-tenant dispute where we contended the landlord wrongfully withheld their security deposit. I handled the trial completely on my own and
the judge found in my clients’ favor and granted treble damages. They were so excited and grateful, and I felt amazing going home that day. AYLA: What are some of the things you enjoy most about living in Austin?
There is always something happening, always something to do—a great new restaurant to try, a random pop-up shop to check out, a new artist to grab tickets to. At the same time, the pace and mood of Austin is such that it’s also always the perfect place to just chill out and relax. AYLA: What’s your best piece of advice for fellow young attorneys? Holmes: Be willing to stretch your comfort zone, whether that means trying a new practice area, going to an event you otherwise might skip, or volunteering to help on a project or issue in the community you otherwise might let pass by. You never know where opportunities are going to come forLAWYER growth, as an attorney AUSTIN AL AL and person.
AYLA Judicial Wine Tasting
A
YLA hosted a fantased and learned about each wine tic, sold-out Judicial and conversed with the judges in Wine Tasting event a purposefully small, uncrowdon Thursday, Oct. ed setting. After the rotations 28 at the Hilgers House. Judge were finished, the participants Elisabeth Earle, Justice Chari mingled amongst themselves and Kelly, Judge Mark Lane, and the four judges while enjoying Judge Jessica Mangrum served their choice of wine, charcuterie as the four judicial presenters for board, and dessert. A special the event. Each judge presided thanks goes out to the judges, over one of four wine-tasting Debbie Kelly; the event sponsor, rooms to introduce the particWright & Greenhill, P.C.; and the ipants to a different vintage of Texas Young Lawyers Association wine. The participants rotated be- AUSTIN for the grant that made this event LAWYER AL AL tween the rooms, where they tastpossible. 20
AUSTINLAWYER | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022
(from left) Erin Leake, Stephen Barron, Blair Leake, Judge Elisabeth Earle, and Brian Aslin.
