Apply Now for 2021 AYLA/Austin Bar Leadership Academy

Applications for the 2021 AYLA/Austin Bar Leadership Academy class are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is Fri., Dec. 4, 2020.

The Leadership Academy was established in 2012 to assist local young lawyers in making a difference in the greater Austin community, serving local bar associations, and promoting professional development.

Each year, the program brings together a diverse group of approximately 30 attorneys from a variety of practice areas, firm sizes and types, and levels of experience.

This year, due to COVID-19, the Leadership Academy will go virtual. While this is a big change from before, participants can expect the same quality programming and new opportunities for meaningful networking and engagement.

The Leadership Academy will kick off with a virtual retreat on Jan. 8, 2021.

Following the retreat, the program offers a series of five lunch or evening presentations where participants engage and network with local leaders involved in public policy, government, private sector, non-profits, and bar associations. Past presenters have included former Senator Kirk Watson, Mayor Steve Adler, Federal District Judge Robert Pitman, Third Court of Appeals Justice Chari Kelly, State District Judge Karin Crump, State Representative Eddie Rodriguez, Army Futures Command Judge Advocate Col. Michael Wong, and Senator Sarah Eckhardt in her past capacity as Travis County Judge.

The Leadership Academy culminates with a class project in which participants seek to have an impact on their community. Past class projects include:

• The 2020 class mastered the art of pivot in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to organize a remote pro bono effort, tallying over 270 pro bono hours with local non-profit organizations.

• The 2019 class organized a PieFest at Hilgers House. The class raised almost $16,000 in support of the Austin Bar Foundation’s “Our Home on Judges Hill” capital campaign.

• The 2018 class produced an educational video titled “Law: A Profession of Service,” featuring interviews with many esteemed members of Austin's legal community. The program concludes with a graduation ceremony and happy hour, at which local bar leaders provide information on next steps for continued community involvement.

For the application, visit austinbar.org/austin-bar-ayla-leadership-academy. Questions? Contact ayeola.williams@capmetro.org. AL

The 2019 Leadership Academy class at PieFest.