austinbar.org MARCH 2019 | VOLUME 28, NUMBER 2
A Place to Call Home Five Reasons to Support Our Home on Judges Hill
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he Austin Bar Association has been located at 816 Congress Ave. since 2003. We’ve increased our budget to cover rising rents for 16 years. But when our lease is up in 2020, our rent will nearly double, costing an additional $200,000 per year. That would require us to raise membership fees and reduce community initiatives, grants, and scholarships. That’s not acceptable. So, efforts are underway to pull up stakes and put down roots a few blocks north, at 712 West 16th Street. We’ll be owners instead of renters. We’ll be able to devote resources to access-to-justice programs rather than rent. We’ll be investing in our future, our programs, and our community. After 126 years, we’ll finally have a place to call home—Our Home on Judges Hill. See Adam Schramek’s President’s Column on page 6, or visit ourhomeonjudgeshill.com, for more details about this exciting new chapter in the history of the Austin Bar.
PROVIDES A LASTING HOME FOR GENERATIONS TO COME • Buying this house gives us a chance to invest in the future of the Austin Bar. This iconic, historic house will become synonymous with our organization and its mission. And we’ll be part of the historic Judges Hill neighborhood, which has been affiliated with the legal profession since its founding. INCREASES OUR VISIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY • Austin Bar programs have a track record of service that’s impressive—but often unknown outside the legal community. A permanent location with street-level visibility will change that. ENABLES US TO BUDGET SMARTER • Raising membership dues to offset the higher cost of rent would be a necessity if we stay downtown. With a stable mortgage, the real estate market will never drive dues increases, and more money can be allocated for legal-related programs. MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR MEMBERS • The new house has space for staff offices, small and medium-sized
By purchasing this historic piece of Austin’s past, our roots grow deeper and stronger in the community, building on our record of success and flourishing for years to come. group meetings, and lovely social gatherings. It is located just four blocks from the planned Family and Civil Courts Complex which will have ideal meeting rooms for larger gatherings and ample parking. MOVES THE AUSTIN BAR OUT OF AUSTIN’S ESCALATING DOWNTOWN REAL ESTATE MARKET • The rent in our current location will nearly double in 2020. We’ll be spending $200,000 more every year for office space—instead of on programs that provide value to our members and the community. Our bar gives vulnerable people across the community access to the legal system through programs such as Austin Adoption Day, the Veterans Assistance Programs, the Self-Represented Litigant Project, and the CANLAW Clinic. That’s where we want to focus AUSTIN LAWYER L AL our investment: on people and our community—notArent.
