Young Gunners

We’re closing out this special Young Gunners series with the heart of each campaign – the message every candidate hopes will resonate with young lawyers as voting begins. You can access this episode at this link, or anywhere you listen to podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/ Don’t forget – voting for Texas Young Lawyers Association is April 1-30, 2026! #uncommonleaders #tyla...

Who are these candidates at their core? This episode explores what they want young lawyers to know about them beyond résumés, titles, and TYLA leadership roles. You can access this and all future episodes at this link, or anywhere you listen to podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/ Don’t forget – voting for Texas Young Lawyers Association is April 1-30, 2026! #uncommonleaders...

This week features Linda Garza, a Texas attorney whose career spans public service, family‑built entrepreneurship, and the fast‑paced world of consumer brands. Linda began her career in the courtroom – first as an assistant public defender and then as a long‑time prosecutor leading specialized units, including SVU. Those years taught her resilience, empathy, and what justice looks like when you’re...

Time for the fun stuff! In this episode, we get to know the candidates beyond their campaigns – from Whataburger orders and wellness routines, to dream reforms for the legal profession and the TYLA projects they love most! You can access this and all future episodes at this link, or anywhere you listen to podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/ Don’t forget – voting for Texas Yo...

This week’s episode of Young Gunners features John Haugen, West Point graduate, former U.S. Army captain, and founding attorney of The Haugen Law Firm, P.C. a Lewisville‑based family law practice, whose path to the legal profession was anything but traditional. John grew up with humble beginnings, grounded by a family that taught him the value of discipline, service, and grit. That foundation carr...

What’s their vision for TYLA? In this episode, each candidate breaks down the initiatives, priorities, and impact they hope to make for young lawyers across Texas. You can access this and all future episodes at this link, or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/ Don’t forget – voting for Texas Young Lawyers Association is April 1-30, 2026! #uncommonleader...

Why run for TYLA President‑Elect? In Episode 1 of our special Young Gunners series, we dive into each candidate’s journey that led them to run for president-elect: their work, their path through TYLA, and the moments that sparked their call to lead. You can access this and all future episodes at this link, or anywhere you listen to podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/ Don’t f...

Texas Young Lawyers Association proudly presents our special series of Young Gunners , where we’ll be interviewing Dave Hagan and Claire Harbert, the 2026-2027 TYLA president-elect candidates! Join us as we explore their stories, their vision, and the future of young lawyer leadership in Texas. You can access this and all future episodes at this link, or anywhere you listen to podcasts: https://ty...

🎧 A new Young Gunners episode is live – and it’s a masterclass in perspective. This week features Tim Adams, the 2026–2027 Chair‑Elect of Texas Young Lawyers Association and a Houston‑based criminal defense attorney whose career spans every corner of the criminal justice system. Tim’s path is rare: he began as a police officer in Gulfport, serving in Street Crimes, Narcotics, Criminal Investigati...

🎧 A new Young Gunners episode just dropped – and it’s a powerful one. Meet Armin Salek, Executive Director of the Youth Justice Alliance and 2025-2026 President-Elect of Texas Young Lawyers Association, whose journey from immigrant to teacher to non-profit leader has shaped a mission that’s transforming access to the legal profession. Armin’s work centers on a bold idea: invest in aspiring lawyer...

🎧 Episode 2 of Young Gunners is here! Meet Christina Jump, a constitutional and civil rights litigator with more than 30 years of experience advocating for individuals and organizations in complex federal litigation across the United States who launched Jump Start Legal Justice Center to bring a focused, client-first approach back to federal-court constitutional work. Based in Dallas, TX, Christi...

🎧 Episode 1 of Young Gunners is here.  Welcome to Unlikely Advocates , where we spotlight lawyers who’ve turned adversity into advocacy. In this powerful episode, host Jimmy Vaughn shares his deeply personal journey through the foster care system, and how his found family and legal career inspired him to advocate for young people navigating similar paths through legislation, legal education, and...

✨ Introducing Young Gunners: Unlikely Advocates! ✨  Episode 0 is here! 🎙️   Welcome back listeners to a new season of Young Gunners! This season - titled Unlikely Advocates - shines a spotlight on lawyers who overcame unexpected paths and personal challenges to become advocates in their communities. Through stories of perseverance, transformation, and purpose, we’ll explore the many ways a law d...

In the final episode of our SCOTX Series , we sit down with the court’s newest justice, Justice James P. Sullivan. A graduate of Rice University and Harvard Law School, Justice Sullivan reflects on his early days as a natural debater—a trait his mother always noticed as he would constantly ask if things were “debatable” as a kid. His time as a parliamentary debater at Rice University laid the grou...

In the penultimate episode of our Young Gunners’ SCOTX series, we sit down with Justice Evan Young, a first-generation attorney whose journey to the Texas Supreme Court is rooted in a unique and varied background. Raised in a military family, Justice Young moved frequently, with his father serving in the Air Force. His mother, a pivotal influence, would often take him to Washington, D.C., where vi...

In this episode, we sit down with Justice Rebecca Aizpuru Huddle, a child of the border whose journey to the bench was shaped by her mother’s unwavering support and a deep commitment to making a difference. After overcoming the challenges of law school, she landed a prestigious job at Baker Botts. Despite seeing lawyers on TV mainly portrayed in litigation roles, Justice Huddle decided to carve he...

From a chatty third-grader to a justice on Texas’ highest civil court, Justice Jane Bland’s journey is as compelling as it is inspiring. Encouraged early on by her father to pursue a career in law, Justice Bland reflects on the pivotal moments that led her to the bench. In this candid conversation, she offers heartfelt advice to working lawyer moms and discusses the ongoing challenge—and fulfillme...

In our fifth episode, we talk with Justice Brett Busby, an appellate advocate, constitutional scholar, and lifelong violinist. Justice Busby shares his unique journey to the Texas Supreme Court — from clerking at the U.S. Supreme Court to practicing appellate law, serving as a justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, and ultimately joining SCOTX. Originally drawn to international policy, he int...

Justice John Phillip Devine’s path to the Supreme Court of Texas is a story of determination, transition, and public trust. A native of Indiana, he earned his B.S. in business administration and marketing from Ball State University before making Texas his home. Beginning his career as an analyst at Shell Oil Co. in Houston, he went on to hold several corporate and project-based roles before enteri...

In Episode 3 of our SCOTX Series, we sit down with Justice Jeffrey Boyd, whose journey to the Texas Supreme Court is as thoughtful as it is inspiring. With a degree in Biblical Studies from Abilene Christian and early work as a youth minister, Justice Boyd later graduated second in his class from Pepperdine Law. He went on to clerk for Judge Thomas Reavley — often called the "Pope of the Fift...

In the second episode of the TYLA’s Young Gunners SCOTX Series, we sit down with Senior Justice Debra Lehrmann — the longest-serving member of the Supreme Court of Texas. A first-generation lawyer with an unexpected path to the bench, Justice Lehrmann originally aspired to be a psychologist. But a pivotal internship at the Austin State Hospital, where she witnessed the lasting effects of childhood...

Order in the court!  Introducing a new series of TYLA’s Young Gunners podcast, spotlighting all nine justices of the Supreme Court of Texas! In these special episodes, TYLA President Hisham Masri, TYLA Immediate Past President Laura Pratt, and TYLA President-Elect Alyson Martinez speak with the SCOTX bench about their respective path to the high court, judicial philosophy, and advice for young att...

The latest episode of Young Gunners highlights the path to becoming a successful and impactful law school dean. Our beloved deans wear many hats, responsible for ensuring their institutions deliver quality legal education and operate smoothly, while fostering a positive environment for both students and faculty.  We speak with Dean Patricia Roberts (St. Mary’s School of Law), Dean Felecia A. Epps...

In Young Gunners’ most recent episode, we dive deep into the career path, challenges, and rewards of reaching partner status in a law firm.  Whether you're just starting out in your legal career or already climbing the ranks, our distinguished guests (and TYLA alums!) – Sylvia Cardona of San Antonio (RPSA LLP), Reggie Wilson of Houston (Norton Rose Fulbright) and Monica W. Latin of Dallas (Ca...

Young Gunners is back!  Our new season is called “Pathways to Success,” which will consist of interviews and conversations with successful attorneys sharing their stories about how they forged their pathway to success in their respective careers. In our kickoff episode, we sit down with Allison Lacey, City Attorney of Victoria, Texas, and TYLA alum Matt Manning, partner at Webb, Cason & Mannin...