May 4, 2006
To: State Bar of Texas Board of Texas
From: James Goodwille Pierre, Chair
African-American Lawyers Section
Re: End of the Year Report
The African-American Lawyers Section (AALS) began the 2005-2006 bar year with a board retreat in Austin to plan the activities for the year. The retreat kick-off included a welcome reception with the Austin Black Lawyers Association. A professional trainer assisted the AALS board in refining its organizational mission as well as facilitated team-building exercises to enhance communication and leadership skills. In addition, State Bar President-Elect Martha Dickie took time out to speak to the group about the upcoming year and the need to encourage more lawyers of color to participate in bar activities. A new AALS mission with corresponding goals was the primary accomplishment of the retreat.
The Katrina and Rita hurricane disasters presented numerous opportunities for community involvement and resulted in an overwhelming response from the membership. The section networked at unprecedented levels and utilized the listserve to spearhead the mobilization of lawyers of color during the relief effort. In addition, J. Goodwille Pierre was named to the Disaster Relief Task Force for the State Bar of Texas and the National Bar Association. Members of the section clocked in countless hours in community service and pro bono work toward the relief effort. Throughout the state, National Bar Association (NBA) local affiliate chapters hosted disaster-related workshops and clinics. Vice-Chair Pierre Williams developed a resource guide that was utilized by all local NBA affiliate chapters in Texas to answer frequently asked questions resulting from Hurricane Katrina. We are so proud of the sacrifices our members took to help those who were disproportionately affected by the disasters.
In October, the section also co-hosted a continuing legal education symposium at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law concerning the 1965 Voting Rights Act. More than 500 people were in attendance. As a result of the symposium, the section presented a resolution to the State Bar Board of Directors for consideration.
Finally, our section teamed up with the Statewide American Heart Association to fund an awareness campaign about African-American lawyers and stroke. The program will encourage section members to register to participate in a program that teaches healthier living and stroke reduction.
The 2005-2006 year was very challenging and rewarding. On behalf of the AALS section, I would like to thank the section and the State Bar of Texas for allowing me to serve and I look forward to serving the membership and my colleagues as a new State Bar Director in 2006.
Best Regards,
James Goodwille Pierre