For the Public: Texas Lawyers in Public Service

Our newest For the Public episode features a powerful conversation originally hosted last fall as a live Zoom webinar by TYLA’s Public Service Committee. Moderated by 2025-2026 TYLA President Alyson Martinez, this Careers That Serve panel brings together four young public service attorneys - Anthony Franklyn, Ruby Boone, Mary Rios, and Todd Smith - whose careers reflect the wide spectrum of what p...

In the next episode of For the Public , we sit down with TYLA alums, Austin Stevenson, City Attorney for McAllen, TX and Courtney White, Senior City Attorney for Amarillo, TX. Austin and Courtney reflect on their paths into public service and the meaningful ways municipal practice allows lawyers to serve their communities every single day.  From navigating the corporate‑generalist nature of city a...

In the next episode of For the Public , we sit down with Anthony Franklyn, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. Anthony reflects on his path to becoming a federal prosecutor and the responsibility AUSAs carry in pursuing justice on behalf of the United States. From navigating complex federal cases to building trust with the communities he serves, Anthony offers a...

In this next episode of For the Public , we sit down with Davion White, Assistant General Counsel for the Lone Star College System, one of the largest and fastest‑growing community college systems in Texas. Davion shares his path into higher education law, the unique challenges and rewards of serving a 90,000‑student institution, and how public service attorneys help shape access to education acro...

“My job when I come to work is to do the right thing… and see that justice is done.” In this episode of For the Public , we sit down with Tara Avants, the 2025 Young Baylor Lawyer of the Year, whose career reflects a deep commitment to service, integrity, and community impact. Before law school, Tara studied psychology, a foundation she now uses every day to build trust with victims, understand tr...

“Tú vuela, vuela lo más alto que puedas.” Those were the words Judge Beckie Palomo’s mother repeated to her growing up -  a reminder to rise, to serve, and to lead with purpose. In this episode of For the Public , we spotlight Judge Beckie Palomo, a first‑generation college and law graduate who has served on the bench since 2012 as the presiding judge of the 341st District Court in Webb County. Ju...

✨ Introducing For the Public: A Public Service Lawyers Podcast! ✨  The Texas Young Lawyers Association proudly introduces For the Public , a new podcast created in support of 2025–2026 TYLA President Alyson Martinez’s flagship initiative. This bar year, President Martinez launched For the Public – an effort dedicated to celebrating and elevating the work of public service and government attorney...