The Dallas Association of Young Lawyers is one of the state`s oldest organizations of its kind. The birth of the DAYL occurred sometime during 1920 or 1921. At that time the character of law practice in Dallas, Texas was less specialized and more litigation-oriented.  Virtually every attorney was a trial lawyer whose success in practice was proportional to the time spent in the county courthouse.

As a result of the friendships developed through repeated contact at the courthouse, a group of attorneys led by C.K. Bullard started meeting informally once a week over lunch at the Adolphus Hotel.  The main purpose of the meetings was `social,` although each attorney would alternate to give a short speech on some topic which was of interest to the litigators present.  A few of those litigators known to be participants included Messrs. Paul Carrington, Jack Timmons, Louis Lefkowitz, Amil Cornbleth, Alan Wright, Grady Gaggans, Frank Wosencraft, and S.M. Leftwich.

The only recognized officer was the president, who bore the burden of organizing these informal weekly meetings.  Some of the presidents who served between 1920 and 1926 were C.K. Bullard, Woodall Rogers, Carl Calloway, and Alex Spencer.

~1930s~

The weekly meeting in the 1930s continued to be informal.  The meetings were held during lunch on Fridays, usually at a cafeteria in the Baker Hotel or in the Adolphus Hotel.  The speakers were not limited to legal topics - in fact, some of the more popular and well-received speakers were baseball umpires, newsmen, and football coaches.

The interest in sports was so keen that the group organized a fast-pitch softball team and played in the major league sponsored by the Dallas Park Department.  The original team, coached by Robert Dillard, Jr., played weekly on a field that is now the parking lot of the music hall.  A few of the notable team members included Charlie Long, Sam Burford, Charlie Krenshaw, Irion Worsham, Isra Tobolowsky, Doug Bergman, Ramsey Moore, Dick Henderson, Gene Locke, and Harold McCracken.

As in the 1920s, the only officer was a president who arranged for the speakers to address the meetings.  Although no record of the presidents were made, most of the active members during the 1930s included Judge Sarah Hughes, Era Hyde, Sam French, Frank Cain, Leon Chapman, Will Wilson, Billy Bartlett, and Donald Gay.

~1940s~

The meetings in the early 1940s  were still more or less very informal.  Because of the expanded interest and membership, however, the offices of first and second vice president, and secretary were created.  There was still no main purpose to the meetings, other than as a vehicle for social luncheon gatherings.

Upon the U.S. entry into the war in 1941, the meetings were suspended for lack of participation.  It appears that officers were still elected during this period, but the few meetings held were for the sole purpose of maintaining the group through the war.  The meetings resumed, however, somewhere around 1947 as an organized group with a name - the Dallas Jr. Bar.  Monthly meetings were held in the evenings at the YMCA, with older attorneys giving talks to the group.  the membership included about 60 young attorneys, who paid annual dues of $3.00 per person!

It was during this period of the late 1940s that the association expanded its role as a social organization to include various other functions.  Activities in community services were introduced in the form of educational programs on American citizenship presented in Highland Park Schools.  "Consumer" services were provided through the association`s investigation of and lobbying against violations of the law by small loan companies.  These attempts led to the drafting of a resolution against lone sharking, and to the filing of an amicus curiae brief in a proceeding involving a small loan company.

Athletic activities, primarily softball and golf, were also organized.  Most of these activities were in the form of tournaments, played once or twice a year.

Despite the development of other activities, the social aspect of the association was still dominant.  Informal parties were often held after the monthly meetings, and the association took on the "task" of throwing an annual stag party on the Wednesday before the State Bar met.  The first one, which was held in 1947, was at the Adolphus Hotel.

Before World War II sapped most of the association`s membership, the officers held their terms for six months.

~1950~

The association in the 1950s retained the same basic organizational structure as before, having the same number of officers serving six month terms.  The activities in which the association were involved, however, during the early 1950s were for the most part a response to events affecting the whole of the society.  The anti-loan shark campaign was continued during this period as was the Committee to Teach American Citizenship in Highland Park High School.  the Korean War in the early 1950s provided a special impetus for assistance from the association.  A special committee was formed to provide assistance to reservists being recalled into the Armed Forces.  These reservists, many of whom were unable to continue payments on loans because of the reduction of their incomes resulting from their return to service, were advised of their rights under the Soldiers and Sailor`s Civil Relief Act and were represented in court when necessary by Jr. Bar volunteers.

In response to a void as to education of the public concerning everyday situations which involve legal problems, the association established "The Law and You" - a series of radio scripts in dialogue form regarding such things as buying a home, traffic laws, religious freedom, establishing credit, etc.  These scripts were drafted and presented by Jr. Bar volunteers once a week for several months during each year.

Another project initiated during this period was the adoption of a resolution by the association calling for a State Constitutional Amendment which would permit complete revision by the Legislature of the justice and traffic court system in Texas.  Plans were laid for the publication of a pamphlet which could be used in focusing the public`s attention on the need for such reform.  Another type of reform was sought in connection with the criminal docket.  After lodging many complaints about the inefficient record-keeping system in the criminal courts, Jr. Bar volunteers took steps to bring the filing system up-to-date by checking with all the District Attorneys` records for old, inactive cases which had been neither been prosecuted or dismissed, and to get the Assistant District Attorney s to make some disposition of them.

One very active new project in the early 1950s was a campaign to get Jr. Bar members elected as judges.  This concentration of efforts resulted in the election of Owen Giles to the bench of a county court in Dallas.

The primary purpose of the association during the latter half of the 1950s switched to an emphasis on continuing legal education.  The association concentrated on providing speakers for seminars who would emphasize the practical and introductory aspects of their subjects.  An effort was made to encompass a broad range of subjects - not merely litigation-oriented topics - and the speakers were usually the most renowned authorities in Dallas in their particular area of expertise.

Public relations projects were carried forward from the early 1950s.  "The Law and You" radio program became "Law for the Layman" - but was essentially the same project.  Jr. Bar members also became active as judges for SMU moot court competitions.

One new project initiated was an informational survey conducted by one of the Jr. Bar members with regard to type of practice, working hours, number of Saturdays worked, number of years in practice, firm size, income, etc.  At this time, the Jr. Bar had a membership of almost 400 - 50% of whom took an active part in this survey.  The results of this poll were then circulated among the Jr. Bar membership.

~1960~

The major focus of the association in the 1960s was still on continuing legal education.  An effort was made to provide more "how to" programs on a formal and informal basis.  These meetings were held on a weekly basis, usually at the Dallas Bar headquarters.  The Jr. Bar expanded its educational programs to include sponsors and speakers outside of the Dallas Bar Association. In conjunction with the Southwest Legal Foundation, the Jr. Bar set up a series of lectures regarding a variety of legal topics for members of both the Jr. Bar and the Dallas Bar Associations.  The Southwest Legal Foundation also helped to sponsor a three night institute on trial practice.  This too was open to both Bar memberships.

The Jr. Bar began to conduct seminars for persons other than attorneys.  An SMU School of Law Liaison Committee was established to present a series of talks to SMU law students regarding types of practices which were open to beginning attorneys.  A Speaker`s Bureau Committee was also formed to furnish Jr. Bar volunteers as speakers for various community  speaking engagements.

One of the most successful projects undertaken was the preparation of a Jr. Bar handbook, compiled in cooperation with the Austin Jr. Bar Association.  The handbook contained articles by outstanding Texas attorneys on basic legal subjects for the use and guidance of young lawyers.  The handbook was published and distributed by the State Jr. Bar.

As far as social activities were concerned, the athletic programs during this period increased.  Not only  did the number of participants increase, but the types of sporting activities available were expanded to include football and tennis.  Gatherings in the form of formal parties came into existence.  These parties were usually dances, held twice a year, at either country clubs or clubs downtown.  Each party had a theme, and included costume parties as well as formal dances.

~1970s~

The association in the 1970s has been concerned mainly in redefining its role and purpose as an association for young lawyers.  Instead of competing with the continuing legal education programs sponsored by the Dallas Bar, the association decided to shift its emphasis to a more social and community service oriented function.  As part of the effort to break away from identification with the Dallas Bar, and to establish a new identity among the legal community in Dallas, the association`s name was changed to the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL).  The DAYL attempted to implement this change in identity by participation in the following programs:

1. In the area of Community Service: A general self-help project was created to help educate and inform youth and their parents of the programs and services available in the community to aid them with the problems of adolescence. The public was notified of the information gathered through a booklet called the "Youth Information Guide" which was published as a Sunday supplement to the Dallas Morning News. Additional copies were also distributed to various youth-oriented organizations such as churches, the YMCA, community service centers, etc.
   
   A small business seminar project was initiated in conjunction with the Small Business Association to provide a greater awareness of the impact of the law on the affairs of laymen engaged in small businesses. The seminar was conducted on six evenings by volunteers from the DAYL and provided and inexpensive means for the young lawyers of Dallas to assist businessmen in avoiding legal problems and in recognizing areas where legal assistance is required.
   
   

2. In the area of Legal Reform:  At the suggestion of Chief Justice William F. Taylor, Jr., a project was initiated for the purpose of preparation of a draft of local federal rules.  Such a draft was prepared with the assistance of young lawyers with substantial federal trial experience and of law clerks of the various federal judges. The rules were then submitted to Chief Judge Taylor for his consideration and implementation.
   
   A Volunteer Parole Aid Committee was formed to provide non-legal counseling on a one-to-one basis to parolees in order to assist them in successfully re-integrating into society and discharging the conditions of parole.  This committee worked directly with the State Junior Bar Volunteer Parole Aid Program.
   
   

3. In the area of Service to Law Students:  A Dallas Junior Bar Moot Court Committee was created to organize the National Moot Court competition in which the twelve regional law schools located in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas participated.
   
   

4. In the area of Social Activities: An increasing emphasis was placed on activities designed to draw young lawyers of Dallas together through various social functions.  Examples of these various events included bus trips to Texas Ranger baseball games, monthly social gatherings held at various clubs in Dallas, an annual May picnic and various cocktail parties.
   
   One of the most successful program implemented to bring the Dallas young lawyers together in a social atmosphere was the athletic programs. Members had the opportunity to participate and compete in a variety of team and individual sports, including basketball, football, golf, handball, raquetball, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.  Trophies were awarded to many of the league team individual winners.

This above information regarding the history of the DAYL and the Dallas Junior Bar was researched and compiled by the Historical Committee of DAYL in 1977.  Committee members included: Sherry Hartman, Thomas K. Boone, John W. Bunch, Diane Galbraith, and Elizabeth Lang.