The New Year and Travis County Courts: Townhall Meetings with Travis County Judges

Special Event for Austin Bar Association and AYLA Members

A new year brings new challenges in Travis County. With the Omicron variant spreading, Travis County has moved to Stage 5 in the COVID-19 protocols. The change means courts will continue making the necessary adjustments to ensure proceedings move forward for the judicial community. To keep everyone informed about issues they will face during this stage, the Austin Bar has coordinated a series of townhall-style meetings for its members. The first of these meetings will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022. The objective of the March meeting will be to enlighten Austin Bar members about what to expect in this ever-changing judicial environment.

This series of members-only events includes discussions with judges from Travis County civil, family, and criminal courts sharing their expertise about proceedings (live and virtual), filings, and other best practices during this time.

The townhall meeting affords Austin Bar members the opportunity to speak directly with judges presiding over their cases. Attendees will be able to choose different breakout rooms in accordance with their area of practice and voice their concerns with questions answered immediately. Participating judges include Judge Amy Clark Meachum, Judge Lora Livingston, Judge Karin Crump, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, Judge Catherine Mauzy, Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel, Judge Jessica Mangrum, Judge Aurora Martinez Jones, Judge Eric Shepperd, and Associate Judge Leigh Mathews Rodriguez.

This series of members-only events includes discussions with judges from Travis County civil, family, and criminal courts sharing their expertise about proceedings (live and virtual), filings, and other best practices during this time. The townhall meeting affords members the opportunity to speak directly with judges presiding over their cases.

Judges Crump, Naranjo, Sage, Needles, Mueller, Triana, Kocurek, and Meachum at the 2018 AYLA Judicial Reception.

According to the Austin Bar’s CLE, Sections, and Events Manager Chase Brunson, the organizing of the events and the incredible support of the County’s judiciary in these meetings speak volumes about both the commitment of the Austin Bar to keeping its members informed of the current status of local legal proceedings, and the related support of the Austin legal community, particularly the judiciary.

Brunson further observed, “Only through the Austin Bar Association or AYLA membership can one get this kind of unparalleled access to Travis County’s presiding judges. We seek and coordinate events like this because we understand the demands of the job our members face. Things are constantly evolving, and we want to be at the forefront of helping our members and keeping them informed. Anything that makes their work even a tad bit easier is great.”

Austin Bar members will earn CLE credit for participating in the meetings. Because these townhall meetings with the Travis County judiciary have proven to be popular (the January townhall meeting was near capacity), members are encouraged to register early. Registration is easy: Simply go to the “CLE & Events” tab on the Austin Bar website and click on the event.

During this unprecedented time, offering opportunities to engage with the local judiciary in meaningful—and informative— ways remains a top priority for the Austin Bar.

Please register and join your local judges on March 4, 2022! Visit the events page at austinbar.org to RSVP. AL