Join an Austin Bar Committee Today

Facilitating Unity Through Inclusion and Service

You are experienced! You are a subject-matter expert! Does this describe you? Then you should join one of our 13 active committees and help make an impact in our community. The work you do will help Austin-area families, promote wellness, explore history, promote preservation, nurture young minds, and more. Plus, you will share ideas with and get insight from other legal professionals.

The Austin Bar Association is committed to sharing member expertise to uplift the community. Be a part of it! Go to austinbar.org, select the “For Attorneys” tab, and choose the committee page to see what interests you. You may also contact Membership Director Carol Tobias at carol@austinbar.org. Get involved today!

AUSTIN ADOPTION DAY

Chair: Denise Hyde. Coordinates the annual Adoption Day event, traditionally held on the first Thursday of November (Nov. 4, 2021). It's an inspiring, special day for families—save the date.

COMMUNICATIONS

Chairs: Rachael Jones and Jennifer Hopgood. Creates and implements policies and procedures for Austin Lawyer, Bar Code, the Austin Bar website, and the use of social media. Also helps identify topics and recruit writers for articles, and serves as an advisory committee to the Austin Bar communications staff.

DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Chairs: Tony Nelson and Leslie Dippel; Judicial Liaisons: Judge Lora Livingston and Judge Eric Shepperd. Manages the Diversity Fellowship Program, which offers summer internships to minority law school students. Participants intern for Travis County District Judges and for private law firms.

The Austin Bar Association is committed to sharing member expertise to uplift the community. Be a part of it! Choose the committee that interests you.

EQUITY

Chairs: Ayeola Williams and Mindy Gulati. Assists with an Austin Bar Equity Summit, book clubs focused on books and discussions designed to increase understanding and lead to inner and external change, networking focused on bridging social capital, compiling resources for people seeking guidance, and identifying Austin Lawyer authors and topics highlighting Austin’s diversity and history.

FEE DISPUTE

Chair: Stephen Moss. Mediates and/or arbitrates fee disputes submitted by clients, attorneys, the courts, and the District 9 Grievance Committee.

HILGERS HOUSE PRESERVATION

Chairs: Sara Saltmarsh and Laura Sharp. Performs duties to preserve Hilgers House, applies for preservation grants, researches the history of the house, and provides tours to the general public. Also serves as a resource for the Judges Hill neighborhood.

LAWYER WELL-BEING

Chairs: Diana Reinhart and Sam Colletti. Aims to educate, support, and connect our legal community to achieve more balanced, mindful, and joyful lives and practices.

HISTORY & TRADITIONS

Chair: Rev. Joseph C. Parker, Jr. Recruits and conducts oral history interviews of Austin attorneys and judges in order to preserve the history of the Austin Bar, the Austin legal community, and/or significant legal events in the Austin area. Plans and executes other relevant history projects as decided by the committee.

INNOVATION

Chairs: TBA. Supports industry through identifying technology and resources that enhance and promote practice needs, plus best practices for their utilization. Identifies technology and resources used by industry to enhance and support growth in your practice. Facilitates use of technological advancement to support industry best practices and the needs of your practice.

FOUNDATION GALA

Chairs: Amanda Arriaga and Nadia Bettac. Plans and produces the Austin Bar’s biggest event, an annual gala to raise money for the Austin Bar Foundation and all of its charitable entities such as Adoption Day, the Self Represented Litigant Project, and the Free Legal Advice Clinic for Veterans.

LAW-RELATED EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

Chair: Ann Greenberg. Supports the Akins Early College High School Law Practicum. This is the leading high school advocacy training program in the country.

PRO BONO

Chairs: Bill Christian, Caitlin Johnston, and Megan Johnson. Coordinates and plans Austin Bar pro bono programs and develops relationships with pro bono organizations in Austin such as Volunteer Legal Services, American Gateways, and the Texas Civil Rights Project. AL