New Austin Bar Member Benefit Alert:

Attorney Parking at Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility

BY JUDGE AMY CLARK MEACHUM, 201ST CIVIL DISTRICT COURT

We are pleased to announce that Austin Bar member attorneys will be able to receive attorney parking cards for the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility (CFCF). We have been studying the parking situation for the past several months and believe we have the space to allow for attorney parking. However, this is a pilot program to make sure we will have a sufficient number of spaces and can continue to maintain a safe and secure building for all of Travis County.

To apply for their CFCF parking card, attorneys must first obtain a letter from the Austin Bar Association that (1) demonstrates proof of their Austin Bar Association membership and (2) contains an attorney self-certification for the completion of technology training at the CFCF. Visit https://www.traviscountytx. gov/courts/civil/tccfc for more information and to see the training schedule (scroll down to see all of the training times and dates). You do not need to make an appointment for this training—just attend a training that fits your schedule. You will not get a separate document certifying that you have taken the technology training; it is on the honor system.

To obtain the necessary letter from the Austin Bar, visit austinbar.org/membercard. If you are not signed into your account, you’ll be prompted to do so before you can access your letter.

If your membership is in good standing, you will see a valid membership letter. If you are not in good standing, you will need to contact the Austin Bar to correct any issues. Attorneys who are not currently Austin Bar members can join (or re-join) the Bar to automatically generate a letter of good standing.

On your letter, you will need to circle that you affirm you have taken the technology training.

Attorneys will need to schedule an appointment with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) to have their photo taken for the parking card. TCSO is on the first floor of the CFCF. Be sure to bring a government-issued ID and your letter of good standing with your certification that you have taken the technology training course. The photo ID office for the TCSO will also be open between 3 and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding county holidays).

Once an attorney parking card has been issued, attorneys will need to have the card in their possession and must display it to the parking attendant to enter the CFCF parking garage on San Antonio Street.

Please remember that Travis County personnel and jurors have priority parking in the CFCF garage, so daily attorney parking is subject to availability. In addition, you must follow the instructions from the Travis County parking at- tendant on duty at the time of your arrival.

In the event the CFCF garage is full, please refer to the diagram above for alternative parking options. AL

Judge Amy Clark Meachum