AUSTIN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
AYLA Member Spotlight: Tycha Kimbrough AYLA: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your law practice. Kimbrough: I am a solo practitioner at Kimbrough Legal, which is a compassionate and dedicated Texas criminal defense and family law firm that cares deeply about the Austin community. I obtained my Juris Doctor degree and professional certificates in Criminal Law and Family Law from Baylor Law School, where I also was designated as a Public Interest Fellow for completing over 225 hours of pro bono work during law school. I tenaciously work to serve my community. Some of my service and pro bono work includes leading voter education and registration drives, advocating for marginalized individuals, serving as a mentor, and volunteering with numerous legal organizations to ensure everyone has access to justice. AYLA: Why is conducting volunteer legal work important? Kimbrough: Providing volunteer legal work is important because not only are attorneys able to serve low- and modest-income communities through volunteer work, but it also allows attorneys to gain broader perspectives,
Every day, I consider it a blessing to be a lawyer, especially considering that I am a first-generation college and law school graduate. practice law in areas that we truly love, and it makes our hearts smile knowing that we are using our knowledge and skills to help someone. At a young age, my grandmother, a civil rights activist, instilled in me the value of serving as a voice for the voiceless. Consequently, I have always been passionate about being intentional with allocating time to serve others. Every day, I consider it a blessing to be a lawyer, especially considering that I am a first-generation college and law school graduate. I truly believe “to whom much is given, much will be required.” Luke 12:48. AYLA: Any advice for a fellow attorney who does not feel qualified to give volunteer legal advice outside their specialty area? Kimbrough: If an attorney is hesitant to volunteer because the legal
advice she is providing is outside of her specialty area, I would encourage her to prepare for the pro bono work in advance by 1) conducting research on frequently asked questions to ensure she is up to date with the law, 2) seeking advice from a mentor or trusted colleague who has experience in that area of law, and 3) attending volunteer training sessions. I would also encourage that attorney to volunteer with organizations where his knowledge and skills can best be utilized. I would also remind him that despite many attorneys focusing on specific practice areas, many of us are competent in multiple areas, as we spent years in law school and passed the grueling bar exam. We may not be experts or specialists in every area, but we know the basics or have the ability to research issues to find the right answers.
Tycha Kimbrough
AYLA: What’s your best piece of advice for fellow young attorneys? Kimbrough: My best piece of advice for fellow young attorneys is to enjoy the practice of law and to always do what makes your heart smile. Most of us became lawyers to genuinely help people, as cliché as it sounds. I also implore every young attorney to commit to doing pro bono work for the good of the public, and to get involved in legal associations, as your network is your net worth!
AYLA Receives Awards Juvenile Record Sealing Training and Legal Clinic Honored
C
Association Young Lawyer Division (ABA YLD) recognized the excelongratulations to the Austin Young Lawyers Association for lence of the program and awarded AYLA the following awards: its outstanding programming during the 2019-20 bar year. Proving that community is truly stronger when it works TYLA AWARDS together, AYLA, in partnership with Travis County District • First Place, Large City Service to the Public: Fresh Start Initiative: Clerk Velva Price, created the Fresh Start Initiative: Juvenile Record Juvenile Record Sealing Training & Legal Clinic. Sealing Training & Legal Clinic which brought together organizations including the Travis County District Attorney, Travis County Attorney, ABA YLD Travis County District Clerk, Travis County Law Library, Volunteer • Service to the Public, Local Division C: Fresh Start Initiative: Legal Services, Travis County Juvenile Defenders Office, Travis County Juvenile Record Sealing Training & Legal Clinic. Juvenile Probation Office, Capital Area Private Defender Service, and • Overall Outstanding Service to the Public Award. Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Special thanks goes to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office The Fresh Start Initiative was created to help former juvenile offenders and the Dallas County District Clerk for serving as advisors on the seal their juvenile records and to train attorneys so they can offer this serproject, and to the Constables of Precinct 1 for providing security at the LAWYER vice in their practices and pro bono services independently of the clinic. AUSTIN AL AL clinic. The Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) and the American Bar SEPTEMBER 2020 | AUSTINLAWYER
29
