april 2015 dicta - dallas association of young lawyers · 2015-04-14 · page 2 the dicta april...

The Docket

THE DICTAVol. 32, No. 4

April 2015

DApril 14 (Tuesday)DAYL CLE – Navigating the CourtsNoon, Belo Mansion

April 15 (Wednesday)DAYL ACE Committee MeetingNoon, Belo Mansion

April 16 (Thursday)DAYL Animal Welfare Committee MeetingNoon, Belo Mansion

April 16 (Thursday)DAYL Get Involved LuncheonNoon, Belo Mansion

April 21 (Tuesday)DAYL Elder Law Committee MeetingNoon, Belo Mansion

April 21 (Tuesday)DAYL Pub Trivia7:00 p.m., State and Allen

April 22 (Wednesday)DAYL Membership Committee Meeting6:30 p.m., Common Table

April 24 (Friday)DAYL CLE Committee MeetingNoon, Belo Mansion

April 25 (Saturday)DAYL Generation Generosity Service Project8:30 a.m., Texas Scottish Rite

April 25 (Saturday)DAYL Crawfest: Claws for a Cause3:00 p.m., Four Corners Brewery

April 27 (Monday)DAYL Solo / Small Firm Committee MeetingNoon, Belo Mansion

April 28 (Tuesday)DAYL Aid to the Homeless Committee Meeting7:15 a.m., Breadwinners Uptown

April 28 (Tuesday)How to Stay Active While Looking for a Job7:30 a.m., Café Express Uptown

April 28 (Tuesday)DAYL Tea with Tibetan Monks5:30 p.m., Crow Museum of Asian Art

April 29 (Wednesday)DAYL Equal Access to Justice Committee MeetingNoon, Belo Mansion

April 30 (Thursday)DAYL Social / New Judges Reception5:30 p.m., City Club

D D D D DAAAAAYL ONE TYL ONE TYL ONE TYL ONE TYL ONE TO WO WO WO WO WAAAAATTTTTCHCHCHCHCHNnamdi Anozie Nnamdi Anozie Nnamdi Anozie Nnamdi Anozie Nnamdi Anozie has been selectedas the April 2015 DAYL One toWatch! To find out why, visitwww.dayl.com.

DAYL’s New Judges ReceptionAYL’s April Social will pro-vide a great opportunity foryoung lawyers to meet manyof Dallas’ judges, including

the newest judges to the bench. The AprilSocial / New Judges Reception will beheld on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the City Club, whichis located on the 69th Floor of the Bank

of America Building (901 Main Street) inDallas.

All of Dallas’ judges have been invitedto attend and there will be a special rec-ognition for Dallas’ new judges. There isno charge for DAYL members to attend.Attendees will receive two drink tickets andhors d’oeuvres. Complimentary parking isavailable at the Texas Club parking garage.

April 2015THE DICTA

From the President

Jonathan Childers

Charles Gearing, Editor

214-220-7420 l 214-220-7422 faxwww.dayl.comCherie Harris

Executive Director

DAYL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS B

Published monthly by theDALLAS ASSOCIATION OF YOUNG LAWYERS

2101 Ross AvenueDallas, Texas 75201

THE DICTA

Copy Deadline for May Issue:

April 15, 2015April 15, 2015April 15, 2015April 15, 2015April 15, 2015

Charles GearingCharles GearingCharles GearingCharles GearingCharles Gearing

Phone: 972-731-6500

Email: [email protected]

Articles in The Dicta are provided forinformational use only, and are in no

way intended to constitute legaladvice or the opinions or

views of the DAYL.

Jonathan Childers, PresidentStephanie Gause, President-Elect

Paul Simon, Vice PresidentJennifer Larson, Treasurer

Charles Gearing, SecretaryMeyling Ly, Imm. Past President

DIRECTORS

Alex BoltonStefanie Bradshaw

Ann ChaoJustin Gobert

Terry James, JLTLA RepresentativeAndrew JenkinsWhitney Keltch

Jennifer LeeJodi McShan, DHBA Representative

Timothy NewmanDustin PaschalBarbara Pelaez

Ayesha Rafi, DWLA LiaisonJohn Ting, DAABA Representative

EX OFFICIO

Rebekah Brooker, TYLA PresidentAaron Burke, TYLA DirectorAaron Capps, TYLA DirectorLance Currie, TYLA Director

Lacy Durham, ABA-YLD ChairBill Gardner, TYLA DirectorKrisi Kastl, Chair, Fellowsof the DAYL Foundation

Nicole Munoz, Texas A&M Law Student Rep

Leading in 3-D

eing a leader in 2015 andbeyond requires more focus,effort, and application thanever before. Three-dimen-

sional leadership is the new norm. Topropel forward, today’s leaders must steerthrough an increasingly complex and glo-bal business environment, requiring themto chart a vision and then constantly pri-oritize in the midst of new informationand systemic change. They must also beable to interact with and motivate a di-verse group of people.

Simply put, it is not enough to main-tain a tidy and orderly ship; leaders mustdo so while navigating the ship throughfrequently changing and unanticipatedocean conditions.

One of the best career and life decisionsyou can make is to apply for and partici-pate in the DAYL Leadership Class. TheDAYL Leadership Class enables lawyers ofall backgrounds to meet each other and otherleaders in the Dallas community and in theBar to not only network, but also to de-velop their leadership skills and explore howattorneys can make a difference in the pro-fession and the community. The deadlineto apply is Monday, June 8, 2015.Through this program, you will meet someof your best friends and business colleaguesfor life. You will also hone modern leader-ship skills and experience law practice in alarger, integrated context.

I participated in the 2006 LeadershipClass as a first-year attorney. By partici-pating, I learned and practiced leadershipskills through great mentors (includingRobert Witte, Laura Benitez Geisler,and Rob Crain), met a great friend andprofessional colleague (Cherie Harris),met talented lawyers with whom I have

practiced law (John Guild and VanessaRush), befriended wonderful lawyersand community leaders (Rebekah andChip Brooker), and met an outstandingbuddy, trial attorney, and business advi-sor (Aaron Tobin).

For our project, the 2006 LeadershipClass coordinated a day of beautifica-tion projects at various elementary schoolsthroughout the Dallas IndependentSchool District, including building severaloutdoor butterfly gardens and performingtouch-up painting. We did good work then,but my, how things have improved!

Recently, the 2013 DAYL LeadershipClass presented a check for $50,000 toDallas Area Habitat for Humanity andEconomic Partners Investing in Commu-nities (“EPIC”). The money was raisedthrough the DAYL Charity Ball, whichthe 2013 DAYL Leadership Class hostedon November 15, 2014. The event wasa resounding success, with close to 500 at-tendees. Great job 2013 Leadership Class!

The success is contagious. Now, the2014 DAYL Leadership Class is pre-senting its project, Crawfest: Claws fora Cause on Saturday, April 25, 2015from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at FourCor ners Brewery . Proceeds fromCrawfest will benefit the North TexasFood Bank and its “Food 4 Kids Pro-gram.” Food 4 Kids seeks to prevent childhunger by providing backpacks full ofnon-perishable, kid-friendly food forchronically-hungry children in Dallas-areaschools to take home on Friday after-noons. Way to go 2014 Leadership Class!

What will the 2015 Leadership Classdo? Sign-up and help shape its legacy!Doing so will be one of the most fulfill-ing and beneficial decisions you will make.

April 2015 THE DICTA

April 2015THE DICTA

How to Stay Active and Advance Your Career WhileLooking For a Job by Daniel J. Felz

The DAYL Assisting Lawyers inTransition (“ALIT”) Commit-tee will host a breakfast work-shop on “How to Stay Active

and Advance Your Career While Looking for aJob” on Tuesday, April 28 (rescheduledfrom February 24 due to bad weather), be-ginning at 7:30 a.m., at Café Express Uptown,3230 McKinney Avenue.

The featured panel discussion will offerpractice-tested career-advancement strategiesto unemployed attorneys attempting to findwork, law students transitioning into practice,as well as practicing attorneys contemplatingadding a practice area or transitioning to a newfirm.

The speakers will be: Aaron Tobin, part-

ner at Anderson Tobin PLLC; AmandaGhagar, corporate counsel at Hewlett-Packard; and Jason Kathman, partner atPronske, Goolsby & Kathman, PC. The dis-cussion will be moderated by Sophilia Hsu,associate at Fears Nachawati and co-chair ofthe DAYL ALIT Committee.

Discussion topics will include: (1) the rela-tionship-based networking necessary for ca-reer moves in the Dallas market; (2) what un-employed attorneys should be doing daily andweekly to maintain their employability andmaximize their chances of success; (3) howpracticing attorneys can go about expandingtheir areas of expertise, or meeting potentialnew firms, without running afoul of their cur-rent responsibilities.

This will be a great program for attor-neys who are in between jobs or for newly-graduated law students who are waiting forbar results.

There is no charge for DAYL members toattend this event. Breakfast (and coffee) will beavailable for purchase from Café Express.RSVP to Cherie Harris ([email protected]).

Views From the Bench - Young Lawyers In Court

Join DAYL at noon on Tues-day, April 14th at the BeloMansion as the Solo &Small Fir m Committee

hosts a panel discussion on Views fromthe Bench - Young Lawyer s inCourt, highlighting judges in civil, pro-bate, and family courts.

Our panelists - Judge Gena Slaugh-ter (191st Distr ict Court) , JudgeBrenda Hull Thompson (The Pro-ba te Cour t ) , and Judge David

Lopez (256th District Court) - willprovide practice tips on how to beeffective and efficient as a young law-yer in court. The Judges will answera number of questions regardingcourtroom etiquette, orders, localrules, docket call , and courtroomprocedures. This is a unique oppor-tunity for solo & small firm practi-tioners, especially those who frequentdifferent Courts throughout Dallas,to learn tips and advice and provide

maximum value to clients.If you have a question you would

like to hear the Judges answer, pleasesubmit them to the moderator of theprogram, Andy Jones([email protected]).

There is no charge for DAYL mem-bers to attend this program; the non-member fee is $10. Lunch is available forpurchase at the Belo Mansion.

RSVP to Cherie Harris([email protected]).

Join the DAYL at the Bike Rodeo and Child SafetyDay at Scottish Rite

April’s Generation Generos-ity volunteer project will beat the Bike Rodeo andChild Safety Day at Texas

Scottish Rite Hospital for Children onSaturday, April 25, 2015, from 8:30a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

A survey of Texas students revealed92% of children under the age of 15 whoride bicycles almost never or rarely worea helmet. Children in attendance will have

their bikes inspected and will receive acomplimentary bike helmet. Please joinus for a fun and informative event toteach children about general safety, as wellas traffic safety.

Volunteers will manage various stationsat the bike rodeo and child safety day andwill help educate children about generalsafety (including poison control and fireand water safety) and traffic safety. Vol-unteers will also serve popcorn and as-

sist with face-painting. Lunch will be pro-vided. Please contact Cherie Harris [email protected] if you are interestedin participating.

Also, save the date for future Genera-tion Generosity volunteer projects thisyear: May 17 (Ciclovia), May 30 (Habitatfor Humanity), September 26 (Alzheimer’sAssociation Walk), October 3 (AirborneAngel Cadets), and November 2 (Birth-day Project).

VVVVVolunteers at the Dolunteers at the Dolunteers at the Dolunteers at the Dolunteers at the DAAAAAYL AskYL AskYL AskYL AskYL Ask-----AAAAA-----Lawyer clinic at GarlandLawyer clinic at GarlandLawyer clinic at GarlandLawyer clinic at GarlandLawyer clinic at Garland

PPPPPublic Library on May 2 atublic Library on May 2 atublic Library on May 2 atublic Library on May 2 atublic Library on May 2 at11:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.

Contact Cherie HarrisContact Cherie HarrisContact Cherie HarrisContact Cherie HarrisContact Cherie Harris([email protected]) if you([email protected]) if you([email protected]) if you([email protected]) if you([email protected]) if you

can help!can help!can help!can help!can help!


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Excellent Rates for all DAYL Members

In Case You Missed it Coffee with the Court – JudgeBonnie Goldstein

n the morning of March 12,2015, the DAYL member-ship spent close to an hourwith recently-elected

Judge Bonnie Goldstein of the 44thDistrict Court, Dallas County in themost recent series of the Coffee withthe Court. Approximately fifty younglawyers attended and had coffee andbreakfast pastries with Judge Goldstein

in her courtroom. Judge Goldstein spokeabout “best practices” in her Court forapproximately thirty minutes and then an-swered questions.

Attendees learned numerous “bestpractices” in front of Judge Goldstein,whether in trial, motion practice, hearings,or temporary injunction hearings. Sometips included submitting orders inMicrosoft Word, providing the Court

(and your opponent) highlighted cases athearings, bringing printouts of the “notes”pages for PowerPoint presentations ifused, and always meeting and conferringin good faith before bring discovery is-sues to the Court.

We look forward to seeing everyoneagain at the next installment of Coffeewith the Court with Federal Judge Bar-bara M.G. Lynn on May 7, 2015.

Breakfast with (Energy) Business Peers a Resounding Success

Dby Jared Slade

AYL hosted its first Break-fast with Business Peersevent, the first in a three-partseries featuring industry-spe-

cific experts and moderators to educateand enlighten interested DAYL members.The March 24th event showcased the en-ergy industry. DAYL’s President, JonathanChilders (Partner at Gruber Hurst ElrodJohansen Hail Shank LLP) moderated apanel featuring Nathan Christensen(Assistant General Counsel at Hunt Con-solidated), John Clark (Senior Vice Presi-dent at Energy Trust Partners)and Kimberly Lacher (Presidentat Vendera Resources).

The breakfast event was com-plimentary thanks to the supportof our headline sponsor, must-callexpert witness and consulting ser-vices firm Berkley ResearchGroup (www.thinkbrg.com), anda grant from the Texas YoungLawyers Association. Over 60DAYL members took advantageof the Belo’s spread and thepanel’s wisdom.

Mr. Christensen shared his ex-periences working with Dallascounsel in building green energyenterprises overseas, and stressedthe value of proficient outsidecounsel who recognize thebreadth of matters on his plate.

Mr. Clark educated attendees about therole Energy Trust Partners plays as an up-stream private equity investor, includinghow Energy Trust Partners balances over-seeing the strategic vision for its invest-ments while allowing management tocontinue their day-to-day operations with-out intrusion. Ms. Lacher, a petroleumengineer, shared her expertise on energyoperations while addressing the nicheVendera Resources enjoys investing in non-operated working interests.

In addition to sharing their back-

grounds and describing their respectivecompany’s operations, the panelists of-fered insights about how young lawyerscan educate themselves on the energy in-dustry, build their brand as an energy law-yer, and make the most of today’s vola-tile energy market in their practices.

We hope you can join us for the nextbreakfast on June 9th at 7:30 a.m. at theBelo Mansion as we have professionalsfrom the real estate industry share withDAYL members the role they play in thatsector.

Dallas Association of Young Lawyers 2015 DAYL Leadership Class Application

Application Deadline: Monday, June 8, 2015

The DAYL Leadership Class enables lawyers of all backgrounds to meet each other and other leaders in the city, community, and Bar to not only network, but also to develop their leadership skills and explore how attorneys can make a difference in their profession and community. Each year the DAYL selects a Class of about 40 (forty) members from applications submitted by lawyers of all practice areas, firm sizes, and levels of experience. The 2015 Class will meet for an overnight, out-of-town, mandatory Leadership Retreat from 7:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7 to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8. A series of luncheons will follow, featuring local and state leaders speaking on their personal experiences in leadership positions, and leadership opportunities for young lawyers. Participation in the Leadership Class will greatly enhance your business contacts, and will provide opportunities that would not have existed otherwise. At the completion of the program, the Class traditionally organizes a community-service project. Name (attorneys only): ______________________________________________________________________ Firm and Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Telephone: Cell: Number of Years in Practice: E-Mail Address: ____________________________________ Area(s) of Practice: __________________________ Are you a DAYL member? (membership required) ___ Yes Can you attend the mandatory retreat as noted above?___ Yes How did you hear about the DAYL Leadership Class? ________________________________________________ The 2015 Leadership Class will meet promptly from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the following dates: August 27, September 17, October 8, October 29, November 19, January 7, and January 28. There will also be a class happy hour on July 21 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., as well as a class activity on October 22 from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. Be prepared to attend all class lunches and events. I. Attach your résumé, which shall include bar association, business/professional and civic activities in which you have participated. List any awards or special recognitions you have received. Also separately attach (preferably via email) a professional photo that can be used in Class materials. II. On a separate sheet of paper, briefly describe: (a) what leadership means to you; (b) why you wish to participate in this program; and (c) how you expect to use your experience in this program. III. Please provide a letter of recommendation from someone who has known you for at least two years. IV. There is a $550.00 administrative/enrollment fee. This fee covers the retreat, all lunches, and materials. If necessary, the $550 may be made in installments, with $250 due before the retreat, and $300 due by October 15. Partial scholarships may be available to those who need assistance. Please indicate your need on an additional sheet of paper. V. Applicants are requested, but not required, to provide the following information. Please indicate which of the following categories utilized by the EEOC best describes you (circle one): Asian Black or African American Hispanic or Latino American Indian or Alaskan Native White Two or More Races Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander VI. I represent that the information provided herein and on the attached pages is true and correct. Also, by signing below, I indicate that I understand that the DAYL Leadership Class will require a substantial time commitment and participation on my part. I will be an active participant of the 2015 Leadership Class, which includes attending the required retreat and luncheons connected to the program as stated above, participating in small group activities that will be held periodically throughout the program, and participating in the Class project. Signature of applicant: __________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Mail, fax, or email this application (as one document with photo separate) to: Cherie Harris, Executive Director ● [email protected] Dallas Association of Young Lawyers ● 2101 Ross Avenue ● Dallas, Texas 75201 ● 214.220.7420 phone ● 214.220.7422 fax

April 2015THE DICTA

Nominations are currently being accepted for the DNominations are currently being accepted for the DNominations are currently being accepted for the DNominations are currently being accepted for the DNominations are currently being accepted for the DAAAAAYL 2015 PYL 2015 PYL 2015 PYL 2015 PYL 2015 Pro Bono Service Award.ro Bono Service Award.ro Bono Service Award.ro Bono Service Award.ro Bono Service Award.The award will recognize the public service or legal aid performed by an individualThe award will recognize the public service or legal aid performed by an individualThe award will recognize the public service or legal aid performed by an individualThe award will recognize the public service or legal aid performed by an individualThe award will recognize the public service or legal aid performed by an individual

young lawyer who in the previous year has provided outstanding contributionsyoung lawyer who in the previous year has provided outstanding contributionsyoung lawyer who in the previous year has provided outstanding contributionsyoung lawyer who in the previous year has provided outstanding contributionsyoung lawyer who in the previous year has provided outstanding contributionsand access to justice to those in need of legal services.and access to justice to those in need of legal services.and access to justice to those in need of legal services.and access to justice to those in need of legal services.and access to justice to those in need of legal services.

The award will be presented at the DThe award will be presented at the DThe award will be presented at the DThe award will be presented at the DThe award will be presented at the DAAAAAYL annual WYL annual WYL annual WYL annual WYL annual Wine Tine Tine Tine Tine Tasting on June 25, 2015.asting on June 25, 2015.asting on June 25, 2015.asting on June 25, 2015.asting on June 25, 2015.The nomination deadline is May 8, 2015.The nomination deadline is May 8, 2015.The nomination deadline is May 8, 2015.The nomination deadline is May 8, 2015.The nomination deadline is May 8, 2015.

TTTTTo receive a nomination form, contact Cherie Harris at [email protected] receive a nomination form, contact Cherie Harris at [email protected] receive a nomination form, contact Cherie Harris at [email protected] receive a nomination form, contact Cherie Harris at [email protected] receive a nomination form, contact Cherie Harris at [email protected].

DAYL Summer Softball Sign-Upst’s that time of year again,time for another excitingseason of DAYL Softball.To the right is an applica-

Ition for the 2015 softball season whichwill begin in late May. The applicationdeadline is April 27, 2015 and the costper team is $650. Get the gloves oiledup, break out the bats, and let’s playball. But first, get your application andpayment in by the deadline.

Once your application and paymenthave been submitted, and the registra-tion deadline has passed, league sched-ules will be created and distributed toteam managers.

For additional information or toobtain a copy of the softball rules,please contact Matt Daniel([email protected]) orCherie Harris ([email protected]).

Excellent Rates for all DAYL Members

-2015 DAYL Softball Application-Firm Name: ____________________________________________________________Team Name: ___________________________________________________________Team Manager: ________________________________________________________Manager’s Work Address: _______________________________________________Manager’s Email Address: _______________________________________________Work Phone : ____________________ Fax: ________________________________

League PreferenceMen’s Competitive __ Non-Competitive __ Co-Ed _____

Return this form along with payment of $650.00 (payable to DAYL) to CherieHarris, DAYL, 2101 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201 no later than Monday, April

27, 2015. Contact Matt Daniel ([email protected]) for information.

TEAM ROSTER TEAM ROSTER TEAM ROSTER TEAM ROSTER TEAM ROSTER (attach additional page, if necessary)Player Name DAYL Member Clerk Non-Attorney

___________________________ ______ _____ _____ ___________________________ ______ _____ _____ ___________________________ ______ _____ _____ ___________________________ ______ _____ _____ ___________________________ ______ _____ _____ ___________________________ ______ _____ _____

___________________________ ______ _____ _____

DAYL Foundation Accepting Grant Applications

The DAYL Foundation, a501(c)(3) organization, is ac-cepting grant applications forlaw-related projects and chari-

table organizations that meet one or moreof the following criteria: 1) Law-relatedscholarship and education promotingknowledge and awareness of the rule oflaw; 2) Charitable and legal aid for thepublic, including improving the deliveryof legal services to the indigent and im-

proving the administration of justice; 3)Foster honor, integrity and public confi-dence in the profession of law; 4) Assistthe legal profession by enhancing the qual-ity of client services and improving the self-regulation of the profession; and/or 5)Historical preservation and observances.

Grants typically range from $500 -$2,000. Organizations that have receivedDAYL Foundation grants in the past in-clude: DOORS, Dallas CASA, Dallas Law

Magnet, Workers’ Defense Project, AbergCenter for Literacy, Texas Legal ServicesCenter, Human Rights Initiative, andMosaic Family Services, to list a few.

If you are aware of an organizationthat could benefit from a DAYL Foun-dation grant, please have them contactCherie Harris ([email protected]) for ad-ditional information. The grant applicationdeadline for the DAYL Foundation is May18, 2015.


DAYL Get Involved Luncheon by Marisa Jeffrey

Are you interested in mak-ing meaningful connec-tions, giving back to theDallas community, and

advancing your career?Attend the DAYL Get Involved Lun-

cheon from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Thurs-day, April 16th at the Belo Mansion

where you can learn what DAYL has tooffer and how to get plugged-in to thisgreat organization!

DAYL board members and commit-tee co-chairs Alex Bolton, JustinGobert, Jodi McShan, Meyling Ly, andMarisa Jeffrey will share their experi-ences in professional development, com-

munity service, leadership development,networking, and personal enrichmentthrough DAYL.

This is an informal program that willprovide an opportunity for you to askquestions in a small group setting.

Lunch is available for purchase at theBelo Mansion.

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to participate!to participate!to participate!to participate!to participate!

Visit Visit Visit Visit Visit http://alturl.com/tabmchttp://alturl.com/tabmchttp://alturl.com/tabmchttp://alturl.com/tabmchttp://alturl.com/tabmcto sign up!to sign up!to sign up!to sign up!to sign up!

PPPPParticipate at the DBA Participate at the DBA Participate at the DBA Participate at the DBA Participate at the DBA PrororororoBono Golf TBono Golf TBono Golf TBono Golf TBono Golf Tournament onournament onournament onournament onournament onApril 30th at BrookhavenApril 30th at BrookhavenApril 30th at BrookhavenApril 30th at BrookhavenApril 30th at Brookhaven

Country Club benefiting DVAP!Country Club benefiting DVAP!Country Club benefiting DVAP!Country Club benefiting DVAP!Country Club benefiting DVAP!

Contact Rhonda ThorntonContact Rhonda ThorntonContact Rhonda ThorntonContact Rhonda ThorntonContact Rhonda Thornton(rthornton@dallasbar(rthornton@dallasbar(rthornton@dallasbar(rthornton@dallasbar([email protected])for.org)for.org)for.org)for.org)for

information.information.information.information.information.

DAYL Pub Trivia Tackles Religion, Taxes, and Reality TV

Please join DAYL for PubTrivia on Tuesday, April 21,2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m.at State and Allen. State and

Allen is located at 2400 Allen Street Dal-las, Texas 75204 and they will have 1/2price draft beer for trivia participants.

Pub Trivia is a trivia game consistingof teams of any size where each team

can answer every question. There are nobuzzers. A moderator asks a question andevery team can collaborate with theirteammates and write down an answer andpresent it on a provided white boardwhen time is called.

Some of the subjects we will touchupon during this round are taxes, religion,baseball, and reality TV. So, study up on

those topics in advance of the Trivia eventso you can position yourself and yourteam for bragging rights.

There is no charge for DAYL mem-bers; the non-member fee is $5. Foradditional information or to sign up,contact Barbara Pelaez([email protected]). Day of eventwalk ups are allowed, space permitting.

April 2015THE DICTA

DAYL's Wellness Committee tackled the tough issues of AvoidingLawyer Burnout at its March 25th panel discussion at the BeloMansion.

DAYL welcomed attorneys from the Houston Young Lawyers Organziationto speak to DAYL members about differences and similarities betweenDallas and Harris County Courts.

The Check-Up, organized by DAYL's Lawyers Promoting DiversityCommittee, featured an excellent program to first year law students whowere needed a check-up between first and second semesters.

Arts and Draughts, held on February 12, sold out in near record time -thirty minutes - and featured a pairing of a mixer at an art studiofollowed by a brewery tour.

DAYL's Texas A&M law student liaison, Nicole Munoz, organized a fantastic event for students of Texas A&M that enabled them to meet withyoung lawyers who practice in a variety of practice areas (e.g. family law, probate law, labor & employment). The students gained insight of what it'slike to practice in a certain area that they have an interest in pursing.


APracticing Law Civilly by Jay Forester

s a “baby lawyer,” the attor-neys that direct or guide youare in the position to moldyou. If you let them.

During my first year of lawyering, Iwas struck by how often I faced ques-tions of professional ethics. For example,how often should client communication oc-cur? To what extent is it appropriate tospeak about your cases to friends or fam-ily? When are you doing the profession adisservice by not bringing certain bad actsto the court’s attention? These and otherquestions pop-up on a daily basis.

I learned the ethical rules in my pro-fessional responsibility course in lawschool and in preparation for the MPRE.However, learning to be professional andto apply professional judgment is some-thing distinct and that must be practiced.Neither come merely with time but re-quire proper direction and mentorship.To that end, I have benefited from bothnegative and positive examples at this earlystage of my legal career.

In certain situations, you may be com-pelled to listen to a supervisor’s com-mands. And, in your first job(s) you maybe stuck with a boss that compels sus-pect acts.

But you don’t have to become “that”lawyer. The one that is the butt of all thejokes. The one that causes the public to dis-trust or to abhor attorneys. Save us all.

It may not seem real when you hear itin law school, but there are certain thingsthat the general public – or your potentialco-counsel, referring attorney, boss – don’twant to see you doing… [insert that timeyour classmate or firm’s partner did x].

This reality is one of the many reasonswhy mentorship is so critical early in one’slegal career. If you are in the unfortunateposition of being directed by this badboss, seek out positive mentorship in adifferent context. If you are employeddifferently, take note of the daily nuggetsthat will rain down upon you.

In the short-term, there will be pres-

sure from clients, deadlines, the first im-material fight that will prove you can win.Despite these apparent opportunities for“success,” engaging in certain short-termacts may last unexpectedly.

I took the value of this long-term ap-proach to heart at the conclusion of arecent case where our opposing counsel’sactions were often just baffling. One ex-ample occurred when our client, who hadalready been harassed by her employer,was subjected to further harassment bythe employer’s counsel. While internallyoutraged, I was outwardly, well, suffi-ciently objectionable. Afterwards, I con-sidered if I had naïvely expected my op-posing counsel to be mildly courteous onlyto see that as long as you tread those rulesyou can still be ethical.

Morris Harrell, former president ofthe Dallas Bar Association, the State Barof Texas, the American College of TrialLawyers, and the National Conference ofBar Presidents contemplated this internalstrife:

shouldn’t take lawyers away from thecore function of legal practice – to Serve.I’ve already seen examples where Serviceis sacrificed. Despite my optimism, I stilldon’t know whether these changes are trulyconstraining. But I don’t think they are.

There are discrete – but easy-to-miss– decision points where Professionalismand Service can prevail. Taking the timeon the phone, remembering people’snames, and fighting the good fight. I amconfident in my peers, my classmates, myfriends to act differently. When given theopportunity, learn to practice law civilly.Good luck.

Jay Forester is an attorney at Lee & Braziel,LLP in Dallas where he focuses on representingemployees in nationwide wage and hour disputes.He serves DAYL as a Co-Chair of DAYL’sYELL Committee and is a member of theWellness Committee. He can be reached [email protected], linkedin, @jforesterlaw, oryour neighborhood Chipotle.

“It may not be possible to return to thedays when the lawyer’s representation wasmore personalized. But if we are to retainour status as a respected profession, the es-sential role of lawyer as adviser, counselor,teacher, and friend must not change. Topreserve this role will require vigilance anddiscipline. Morris Harrell. “President’sPage,” Journal of the American Bar As-sociation (July 1983).I too don’t know whether this return

is possible. But I don’t say this due to apessimism developed over time or, per-haps, any recent case. Rather, I am quiteoptimistic in my peers.

Our generation is blessed by the powerof increased efficiency that should be cel-ebrated – 99% of the time. But this 1%should, at least, be recognized and, ide-ally, be managed. These changes thatHarrell astutely alluded to more than 30years ago – the push towards a highervolume of clients, new marketing tech-niques, and increased competition

DDDDDAAAAAYL Announces itsYL Announces itsYL Announces itsYL Announces itsYL Announces itsRecent Award RecipientsRecent Award RecipientsRecent Award RecipientsRecent Award RecipientsRecent Award Recipients

Outstanding MentorOutstanding MentorOutstanding MentorOutstanding MentorOutstanding MentorAward: FAward: FAward: FAward: FAward: Federal Bankruptcyederal Bankruptcyederal Bankruptcyederal Bankruptcyederal Bankruptcy

Judge DJudge DJudge DJudge DJudge D. Michael L. Michael L. Michael L. Michael L. Michael Lynnynnynnynnynn

Outstanding YOutstanding YOutstanding YOutstanding YOutstanding Young Loung Loung Loung Loung LawyerawyerawyerawyerawyerAward: Sakina Rasheed ofAward: Sakina Rasheed ofAward: Sakina Rasheed ofAward: Sakina Rasheed ofAward: Sakina Rasheed of

Haynes and Boone, LLPHaynes and Boone, LLPHaynes and Boone, LLPHaynes and Boone, LLPHaynes and Boone, LLP

Liberty Bell Award: FLiberty Bell Award: FLiberty Bell Award: FLiberty Bell Award: FLiberty Bell Award: FormerormerormerormerormerState Representative JerryState Representative JerryState Representative JerryState Representative JerryState Representative Jerry

MaddenMaddenMaddenMaddenMadden

The recipients will beThe recipients will beThe recipients will beThe recipients will beThe recipients will berecognized at the DBA Lawrecognized at the DBA Lawrecognized at the DBA Lawrecognized at the DBA Lawrecognized at the DBA LawDay Luncheon on May 1,Day Luncheon on May 1,Day Luncheon on May 1,Day Luncheon on May 1,Day Luncheon on May 1,

2015 at the Belo Mansion.2015 at the Belo Mansion.2015 at the Belo Mansion.2015 at the Belo Mansion.2015 at the Belo Mansion.FFFFFor ticket information, or ticket information, or ticket information, or ticket information, or ticket information, visitvisitvisitvisitvisit

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April 2015THE DICTA

DAYL’s March Social Was a Lot of Fun!

2015 D2015 D2015 D2015 D2015 DAAAAAYL LYL LYL LYL LYL Leadership Class Application Deadline is June 8, 2015.eadership Class Application Deadline is June 8, 2015.eadership Class Application Deadline is June 8, 2015.eadership Class Application Deadline is June 8, 2015.eadership Class Application Deadline is June 8, 2015.

Visit wwwVisit wwwVisit wwwVisit wwwVisit www.dayl.com for a application or to get additional information..dayl.com for a application or to get additional information..dayl.com for a application or to get additional information..dayl.com for a application or to get additional information..dayl.com for a application or to get additional information.

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