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Slate of Nominees for AYLA Board of Directors Announced!

The following candidates are running for the AYLA officers and directors positions. The new board will take office on July 1, 2024, along with Emily Morris, who will serve as AYLA’s president. Morris has been on AYLA's board since 2019, and has served as secretary, treasurer, and president-elect.

President-Elect – Jenna Malsbary

It would be an honor to serve on the AYLA Executive Board as president-elect. I was a director for four years, am the current treasurer, and have worked on the Community Service, Membership, Pro Bono, Holiday Program, Tailgate, ABA Equity, and the MLK Day of Service committees.

Treasurer – Gracie Wood Shepherd

I work at Friday Milner Lambert Turner, where I practice family law and appeals. I have served on the AYLA Board as a director from 2021 to 2023 and as executive secretary in 2023-2024. I was in the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy class in 2019 and am currently serving as co-chair for the academy. 

Secretary – Lena Proft

I’ve been involved in AYLA since 2018. I’ve served as the government liaison, a director, and co-founded the Health and Wellness Committee. I am passionate about community service and lawyer wellbeing. I want to continue my service to AYLA and the bar by serving as the next AYLA secretary. 

Directors 

John Boone 

I am an Austin family law attorney. I have been a member of Austin Young Lawyers Association since 2021. I have served as a committee co-chair and am a graduate of the 2023 AYLA Leadership Academy. As an AYLA Director, I will encourage and foster community involvement and engagement.

Alex Conant 

I want to be a director because of how much AYLA helped me during my career. I started participating immediately out of law school, and AYLA provided a lot of important support in my early career. As a result of that, I am a founding member of the Freshquires Committee, which focuses on first- to third-year lawyers and helping them in their early careers.

Roslyn Dubberstein 

I practice administrative and utility law at Lloyd Gosselink.  In my spare time, I like to cook and spend time outside with my fiancé, Calvin, and our spunky 12-year-old pup, Penny.  I would love to support the Austin legal community by contributing new ideas and building camaraderie.  

Amy Rodriguez 

I’m an associate at the Austin office of Leland Shaffer LLP. I practice civil litigation and have extensive experience in environmental and regulatory law. I’m treasurer for the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin and on the board of the HBAA Charitable Foundation.  

Jasleen Shokar

I practice healthcare litigation as an associate attorney at Turek Law Firm PC. I attended UT Austin and St. Mary’s Law. I’ve been an AYLA member since 2022 and served on the ABA Gala Committee. I currently chair the executive committee for the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy as project lead. 

Abigail Ventress 

I became a member of AYLA soon after I moved to the Austin area. I practice civil litigation and appeals, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. I’m proud to work for a firm that encourages these opportunities, and I’m hoping to become an involved leader in AYLA.

Election Rules


AYLA Service Awards

Each year we present three awards for outstanding community and professional service, and mentoring. Know a deserving person in the community who should be recognized? Nominate someone today for one of our three awards: Liberty Bell (awarded to a non-lawyer), Outstanding Young Lawyer, and AYLA Mentor. Nomination forms are due Friday, March 1.

1. The Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas Award, which recognizes one young lawyer who has demonstrated professional proficiency, service to the profession, and service to the community.

2. The Liberty Bell Award, which recognizes one outstanding non-lawyer in Texas who has made the most selfless contribution to his or her community to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice by instilling better understanding and appreciation of the law.

3. The Outstanding Mentor Award, which recognizes one attorney who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring young lawyers in his or her legal community.


ABOUT AYLA AND ITS FOUNDATION

The Austin Young Lawyers Association is a professional association dedicated to the promotion of justice through community service. Open to Austin attorneys under the age of 40 or licensed for three years or less, AYLA provides numerous opportunities for young attorneys to socialize, network with judges, and access free or discounted CLE. In addition, AYLA members develop, organize, and implement a variety of service programs, including Women’s Resource Fair, Holiday Baskets, Reentry Project, Reindeer Games, and Day of Service.

 

AYLA is governed by a 13-member board and maintains five committees with a total of 21 subcommittees. AYLA is affiliated with the Texas Young Lawyers Association and the Young Lawyer Division of the American Bar Association.

The AYLA Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit arm of AYLA, funding most of AYLA’s charitable projects. 



CONTACT INFORMATION

Austin Young Lawyers Association
712 W. 16th St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-0279, x105

Debbie Kelly
Director
debbie@austinbar.org

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