Editor’s Note: In this blog series, we are getting to know the members of the Texas Young Lawyers Association Board of Directors. TYLA, commonly called the “public service arm” of the State Bar of Texas, works to facilitate the administration of justice, foster respect for the law, and advance the role of the legal profession in serving the public. All TYLA programs are accomplished through the volunteer efforts of its board and committee members, with the cooperation of local affiliate young lawyers associations. Learn more at tyla.org.
Name: Ashton Barrineau-Butcher
Employer/Organization: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Practice Area(s): Corporate M&A
Why did you join the TYLA board? I joined the TYLA board because I wanted to take on a new challenge to continue improving the culture of legal practice in Texas as a whole and help advance TYLA’s mission of service.
What advice would you give to other TYLA members who are looking for ways to grow professionally? Just ask. If you don’t understand something about the substance of an assignment, ask the question. If you are looking for advice or mentorship, reach out and ask someone. I think many attorneys hesitate to ask questions or ask for professional guidance (myself included) for a variety of reasons, but in my experience, nearly everyone you ask will be more than willing to help explain a concept so you can grow your knowledge or give you career advice or other assistance to aid in your growth as an attorney.
Before joining the TYLA board, what is your favorite experience with community or public service? I have greatly enjoyed having an active pro bono practice at my firm, where I frequently work with various women’s organizations and other nonprofits and use my corporate law skillset to assist in nonprofit mergers and other transactions and corporate governance, in addition to working with individual VAWA clients.
What was your favorite movie, TV show, musical artist, or song from high school/college? I can’t remember what was my favorite, but I do recall that, through college, I watched a lot of 30 Rock.