Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy Class of 2020 Announces Class Pro Bono Project

BY THERESA GOLDE AND NATALIE D. TARNOSKY

Each spring, the Austin Bar Association and Austin Young Lawyers Association hold a Leadership Academy, accepting up to 30 attorneys in all practice areas. The program culminates with a class project designed to teach the participants about leadership as they work together towards a common goal of serving the community and the Austin Bar. The Leadership Academy was established, in part, to facilitate Austin-area lawyers in making a difference in their own community.

This year is like no other. The Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy class of 2020 initially set out to hold a fun community-wide fundraiser for the Austin Bar Foundation in early June. The plan was to hold a barbecue cookoff at Hilgers House because, as Texans, BBQ is a staple! The event was meant to appeal to attorneys’ competitive spirits by fostering good-natured rivalry among sections, firms, and groups of friends in the quest to find the best BBQ in the Bar.

When the planning process started in February, the COVID-19 pandemic began hitting communities in the United States. Within weeks, most Americans faced a drastic change in their normal routines and Austin residents were no exception. It became clear that planning a social networking event during a time of social distancing was not feasible, but the 2020 Leadership Academy class remained committed to their initial goal of giving back to the community. With that in mind, a new plan was formed.

Lawyers have knowledge and expertise that can help others, especially during difficult times such as these. As such, the class decided to have each of its members spend a few hours each month from April through June (the remaining time frame of the Leadership Academy program) giving back to the community through remote and virtual pro bono work. The cochairs of the Leadership Academy Committee, Michael Roberts and Ayeola Williams, commented on this new plan: “Despite COVID19’s unprecedented disruption to the world around us, this year’s Leadership Academy class has risen to the challenge in ways that should inspire the Austin community, both lawyers and non-lawyers. This pandemic has affected all of us, but it exacerbated an already dire need for legal assistance. The class members’ dedication to using their time and skills to respond to that need in the midst of unparalleled uncertainty is a true example of what it means to be a leader.”

The Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy class of 2020 with Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann.

Several members of the 2020 Leadership Academy class also expressed their thoughts. Natalie Tarnosky stated, “I think the members of this year’s Leadership Academy class originally came together to do something worthwhile for our community and we were determined not to let this situation stop us from accomplishing that goal. We’re hoping we’ve found a way to practice responsible social distancing during this critical time, while also providing much-needed services to those in need.” Further, Kristiana Butler explained, “Part of the reason I applied to the Leadership Academy was to meet other civic-minded attorneys who care about the legal community and want to give back. Once the crisis hit, we realized that many pro bono organizations in town would suffer both financially and in terms of volunteers. It feels especially important to work together and give back to the community now, and I am glad the 2020 Leadership Academy class has the opportunity to help bridge that gap.”

With several legal organizations in need of attorneys, members of the 2020 Leadership Academy class found themselves in demand, offering their pro bono services to organizations such Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Immigration Justice Campaign, VECINA, the Austin Bar’s Veterans Legal Assistance Program, and Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts. The class goal is to collectively contribute over 100 hours of time to these organizations over the next few months.

Theresa Golde remarked, “We know that our community is currently facing extraordinary challenges, and it is our hope that our ability to give back through pro bono work can help alleviate some hardship.”

The Leadership Academy welcomes recommendations of legal organizations that need assistance. If you have a suggestion, please contact co-chairs Natalie Tarnosky or Theresa Golde. AL

Theresa Golde

Theresa Golde with De Leon Washburn & Ward is co-chair of the class of 2020 Leadership Academy Class Project Steering Committee.

Natalie D. Tarnosky

Natalie D. Tarnosky with Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons is co-chair of the class of 2020 Leadership Academy Class Project Steering Committee.