2008 Pathfinders Past TCWLA Presidents over 30 Years
Janet Stockard (1977 – 79), Janet Stockard, Attorney at law Cicily Simms, (1979 – 80), Cicily Simms, Attorney at Law Holly Gilman, (1988 – 89), Gilman & Clarke, P.C. Susan Morrison, (1997 – 98), Morrison & Associates, P.C.
Panel Moderator current Chair Laurie Higginbotham (2007 – 08) Archuleta, Alsaffar & Higginbotham, P.C.
Pathfinders are women lawyers who are role models and trailblazers. This year TCWLA is celebrating 30 years of service to women in central Texas. So what is more fitting than to have past presidents from the 70s, 80s, and 90s share their experiences? The program format is panel discussion/Q & A with the Pathfinders. This is a thought provoking, informative and inspirational program. See page 3 for more detailed biographies of this year’s Pathfinders. TCWLA extends a special invitation to all past-presidents to attend this luncheon and be recognized for their contribution to TCWLA over the years.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
January 2008
Happy New Year! 2008 is sure to be an exciting year full of change and hope, especially with important elections shaping our future. A new year always gives us an opportunity to reflect on our dreams and goals, even if we never get around to carrying all of it out as the year unfolds. For myself, I’m planning on doing less of some things and more of other things. Less taking on projects that aren’t really necessary or fulfilling, more quiet time for peace and reflection. Less noise and clutter in all aspects of life, more empty space to discover what really calls me.
I think the people who end up shaping our world are the ones who manage to tune out all of the excess noise of our busy lives, really listen to their hearts and spirit, and put their dreams into action. This month, TCWLA will honor some women who embody that change – those who founded and showed exceptional leadership in this organization at our Pathfinders luncheon at Carmelo’s on January 16. I have personal experience with one of our Pathfinders, Cicily Simms. I worked for Cicily as her runner for 2 1⁄2 years in college, starting at the tender age of 19. She was my first real introduction to the Austin legal community and Austin in general. Living in a dorm on campus didn’t give me much reason to learn the city until I took that job and had to figure out exactly where Mopac was. And Cicily was my first introduction to quite a few great places around town – Green Pastures, Sweetish Hill, and the 78704 zip code in general. It’s almost hard to remember what downtown looked like “way back then,” with no Warehouse District, Second Street District, or Frost Building. Cicily always set a great, professional example in her practice. She is a survivor, a patron of the arts, and still has one of the best laughs I’ve ever heard. I learned my way around the courthouse and around pleadings long before I ever set foot in law school from her, and for that, and all of the Austin culture, I will be forever grateful to Cicily. Little did I know back then that one day, I’d be following in her footsteps as president of this great organization!
And speaking of TCWLA, yes, it’s time once again to renew your dues and it’s never been easier. You can renew online with the click of a button from our website, or send in your membership check the same way you always have. We have some wonderful events on the horizon. Our January Pathfinders luncheon is one of the highlights of the year, and this year will be especially wonderful at Carmelo’s. In February we will host two amazing events, the Color of Justice Program on February 15 and our annual judicial reception at Green Pastures on February 21 and are currently seeking sponsors for this event. Of course, we’ll offer more great program lunches and CLE in the spring as well, including a full- day CLE CAFA training on April 4. We hope that you will continue to inspire and shape TCWLA with your presence and support. Here’s to a wonderful, prosperous year ahead!
Sincerely,
Laurie M. Higginbotham
Lets Meet Our 2008 Pathfinders
Janet Stockard is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received her JD from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1976-77, Janet organized and founded the Travis County Women Lawyers and served as the organization’s President from 1977-78 and 78-79. In 1982, she organized and founded the Travis County Women Trial Lawyers. Janet is a member of numerous local, state and national organizations and practices criminal law.
Cicily Simms is a graduate of Tulane University and received her J.D. from the University of Texas, where she was an assistant professor before turning to the full- time practice of family law in the Austin area. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, and is State Board Certified for the specialized practice of Family Law. Cicily has served on the City of Austin Planning Commission and was selected to serve on the State of Texas Senate Special Task Force on Child Support Standards Blue Ribbon Panel.
Holly Gilman graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and received her JD at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio in 1985. Holly was President of the Travis County Women Lawyers in 1987-88. Holly practices in the two attorney firm of Gilman & Clark, P.C. She has recently completed six years serving on the Board of Directors of Family Eldercare and currently serves on the Board of the Capital Area AIDS Legal Project, a program of AIDS Services of Austin.
Susan Morrison graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and received her JD from Baylor Law School in 1983. Susan is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. In 1998, Susan was the President of the Travis County Women Lawyers. Susan has over 500 hours on the bench as an administrative law judge and Assistant Counsel for the Texas Education Agency and now represents school districts on many matters before the TEA.
Court Appointed Advocate CLE – 7.25 Hours Rent this DVD now or watch online (coming soon!)
TCWLA sponsored, and filmed, a CLE titled “What You Need to Know to be a Court Appointed Advocate” on May 21, 2007. The CLE covered the nuts and bolts of representing children and parents in CPS cases, as well as teaching the participants about available services for clients with mental illnesses and other disabilities, ethical considerations, mediation of CPS cases, attorney general and DRO cases, and guardianships. The CLE lunch portion featured a judicial panel, in which the following Texas judges and former judges participated: the Hon. Craig Enoch (former Texas Supreme Court Justice), the Hon. Eva Guzman (14th Court of Appeals, Houston), and the Hon. Darlene Byrne (126th Judicial Civil District Court (Travis County)). The panel was moderated by TCWLA board member, the Hon. Orlinda Naranjo (419th Judicial Civil District Court (Travis County)).
Viewing of this DVD qualifies for 7.25 hours of CLE credit with the Texas Bar, including one hour of Ethics, and counts towards the 30 hour training requirement in Travis County.
Rental fee: $100 plus shipping & handling for DVD rentals
For questions concerning the rental of this DVD, please contact Paige Chappell at
tcwlaorg@gmail.com.
Save the Date – Advanced Court Appointed Advocate Training – Friday, April 4, 2008
TCWLA will be hosting a full day advanced training course for court appointed advocates on Friday, April 4, 2008, at the offices of Winstead PC, located at 401 Congress Avenue, Suite 2100. The cost will be $80 for TCWLA members and $100 for non-members. The panel at this year’s lunch will feature Texas Supreme Court Justice Scott A. Brister. If you have any questions, please contact Paige Castañeda at pcastaneda@winstead.com, Cameron Vann at cvann@advocacyinc.org, or Rande K. Herrell at rkherrell@sbcglobal.net.
TCWLA Membership has its privileges!
It is that time of year again – Travis County Women Lawyers Association annual membership drive. Please renew or join today by filling out and mailing in the attached membership form with your $40 annual dues, or see www.tcwla.org for payment by credit card.
TCWLA is a diverse group of women lawyers who practice in Travis County. The benefits of membership, to name a few, are:
• Our annual Judicial Reception on February 21, 2008, honoring our local judiciary at Green Pastures Restaurant in South Austin.
• Free Monthly Meetings and FREE CLE
• Our annual TCWLA Awards Luncheon in May, 2008, where we recognize our 2008 scholarship recipients, award grants to non-profit organizations in Travis County that provide direct legal services to women and children in need, and present awards to female attorneys practicing in Travis County who have achieved professional milestones during the past year.
• MORE CLE – upcoming events: a spring Advanced CLE seminar for attorneys representing children and parents in Child Protective Services cases and continued rental of our DVD CLE program entitled “A Day in Federal Court: An Introduction to Federal Court Practice” and “What You Need to Know to Be a Court Appointed Advocate”.
• Fellowship, business referrals, networking, support systems, pro bono opportunities, giving back to the community, general camaraderie…
For more information about TCWLA, log onto our website at www.tcwla.org or feel free to contact one of us.

TCWLA/TCWLF Spring Luncheon Announcment
The Luncheon in May 08 is already becoming a LIVE AUCTION EXTRAVANZA 30th Anniversary event Auction items already obtained include 4 tickets to The Jon Stewart Daily Show and 4 tickets to The Colbert Report live taping. More show tickets may be coming!!
To auction a complete vacation package we need donations of 8 airline tickets from frequent flyer accounts, vouchers for free flights, etc., to include with the auction items AND 4 Hotel rooms in NYC or Cash to buy these items.
Remember 100% of the Live Auction proceeds go to local charities and scholarships!
Contact Brenda Collier at 512-482-9409 or brenda@collierlaw.com with donations
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