AUSTIN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
AYLA Community Service Days Supports Austin ISD Crisis Support Fund
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n November, the AYLA Community Service Days Committee will support AISD’s Crisis Support Fund. Please make your donation today at austinedfund.org/donate-to-the-crisis-support-fund/. Together with AISD, the Austin Ed Fund created the AISD Crisis Support Fund as an effort to support the school communities by supplementing access to the following programs and services: Back to School BASH: The fund, along with other partners, sponsored Back to School BASH
to provide 17,000 students with a backpack filled with back-toschool supplies. Meal Service: AISD’s Food Service Team continues to feed students and caregivers, providing up to 10,000 meals per day. With the help of the City of Austin and local restaurants, the fund supports the increased costs of this service, including the resumption of caregiver meals through early fall. Telehealth Medical Appointment Fees: The fund is providing fee vouchers for telehealth visits for families who
are uninsured and do not qualify for free/reduced meal benefits or Medicaid. Translation and Interpretation Services: The fund is increasing the district’s capacity for on-demand and rapid response translation and interpretation services for families who speak nearly 100 different languages. Support for Remote Learning: The fund is supporting costs for a district-wide license for Seesaw, an online learning platform for PreK-2nd grade students, and tablets for PreK-2nd grade students.
Teacher Support: The fund is making it possible for all 5,500 AISD teachers to receive Amazon gift vouchers to support their social and emotional health and needs for remote instruction. Support for AISD’s front-line workers: With the help of H-E-B, the fund delivered H-E-B gift cards to the AISD food services team, technology services team, AUSTINLAWYER AL AL and the AISD Police.
AYLA Member Spotlight: Will Shindler AYLA: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your law practice.
AYLA: What area of law do you practice?
Shindler: I grew up on a ranch outside of Bay City, about 20 minutes from the coast. I made my way to Austin and earned my undergraduate degree from The University of Texas. After my time at UT, I moved to Houston where I received my law degree from the University of Houston. In 2018, I returned to Austin to practice family law at CHA Law Group.
Shindler: I focus on family law— everything from divorce and child custody to adoption law, gestational law, and surrogacy law. CHA Law Group prides itself in welcoming traditional and non-traditional families, offering LGBTQ+/ Queer-specific legal services. Need to adopt your girlfriend’s baby that was grown from your egg through reciprocal IVF? We’re your firm.
UPCOMING EVENTS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 AYLA Docket Call: Counselors & Cinema: Comedic Commentary Movie Night 5:30 p.m. Join AYLA for a night of movie mockery as our November Docket Call. Comedic hosts Ben Dower and Dave Floyd will provide live commentary of a film for our members to share and enjoy together from home. We look forward to presenting this first ever sociallydistanced night of laughter and hope you’ll join us! Visit ayla.org for more information and to sign-up.
Need to correct your gender identity on your driver’s license? I’ve got you covered. AYLA: What are some of the things you enjoy most about living in Austin? Shindler: I love Austin’s mix of urban culture and outdoor activities. I have really come to appreciate all that it has to offer, especially during the pandemic. At a time we are all trying to be safe and physically distanced from one another, I like to take advantage of the many hiking, biking, and running trails. AYLA: How long have you been involved in AYLA and what’s been your best AYLA experience so far? Shindler: I joined AYLA shortly after moving to Austin in 2018, and it has been a great way for me to network. I have been able to meet many dedicated and talented lawyers who I admire professionally and have served as mentors to me. I joined the AYLA board in 2019 as a liaison between AYLA and the Austin Bar’s LGBT Law
Will Shindler
Section and it has been the best experience. AYLA offers so many varying opportunities to get involved in the Austin community, whether it be through their networking events or the community service days. AYLA: What’s your favorite moment of your career so far? Shindler: I have so much appreciation for being able to witness my clients’ emotions after providing legal security to the way they have decided to live their lives—whether they are in a same-sex relationship raising a child, or a more traditional family AUSTIN LAWYER AL AL who have decided to adopt. NOVEMBER 2020 | AUSTINLAWYER
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