by Meyling Ly, DAYL President
July 2014 Dicta
The past six months as president has certainly flown by fast! It’s hard to believe that half the year is gone and no less than 55 events (including 19 new ones) have already been completed by our hard-working committee co-chairs, board members, and Executive Director. In addition to our on-going signature programs, these are a few of the new events that our members have organized.
Service to the Community
My first shout out goes to the Lawyers Serving Children co-chairs. In April, they raised money for Dallas Children’s Hospital by participating in a 5K and volunteered with Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Most recently, they hosted a CLE on mandatory child abuse reporting requirements. The Animal Welfare co-chairs organized a CLE on current legislation affecting animals and recently distributed responsible pet ownership magnets to children. Finally, the Aid to the Homeless committee volunteered with Dwell with Dignity by repurposing furniture to be used in new homes for those transitioning out of homelessness, and the Fashion in the Law co-chairs sponsored a professional clothing drive benefitting Dress for Success. Again, this is in addition to the good work of the Generation Generosity volunteers, who in the past six months, served the homeless, sorted food at the North Texas Food Bank, cleaned White Rock Lake, sorted shoes for orphans, and packed care packages for the troops.
Service to the Profession
I cannot thank the In-House, Young Partners, CLE, and Solo & Small Firm co-chairs enough this year for helping me provide young lawyers with programming focused on professional and business development. Collectively, they have hosted panel discussions on rainmaking, on how to be effective business partners for in-house counsel, on the long transition to partnership, and on marketing your practice. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the Young Employment Labor Lawyers co-chairs. While they are one of the newest committees, they are one of the most active – running out of the gates with a social, spearheading two DAYL kickball teams, and recently presenting a CLE on the collision of social media in the workplace. Finally, I want to recognize the efforts of the Assisting Lawyers in Transition committee who hosted their first breakfast roundtable discussion featuring speakers who provided information about the current job market in Dallas and offered tips on how to network to get job interviews.
Honoring the Judiciary & Committee
No DAYL “state of union” address would be complete without recognizing the work of our Judiciary Committee and our local judges. While our events with the Judiciary are largely not new, our Judiciary Committee has been exemplary in providing young lawyers with the opportunity to interface with our local judges and ensuring that our events are top notch. We are also very lucky to have judges who take the time to swear us in, to walk us through their courts, and to share their insight on the practice of law. They teach us on and off the bench – about the rules, about civility in the practice, about professionalism, and even how to bowl.
In closing, it’s simply amazing to me that so many young lawyers in Dallas are freely willing to volunteer their non-billable time to help one another and to help the community. I am so humbled by the work we have already been able to accomplish together and am so honored to continue to work together this year. And if you haven’t been able to participate so far, it’s definitely not too late to get involved and make a difference. #YOLO