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: Michael Ritter

Employer/Organization: Schmoyer Reinhard LLP

Practice Area(s): Appeals, Labor & Employment

Why did you join the TYLA board? After serving on the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association board, I joined the TYLA board to do public service projects with other lawyers on a statewide basis.

What advice would you give to other TYLA members who are looking for ways to grow professionally? Think of lawyers whose careers you admire and consider what they have accomplished. Reach out to those lawyers and do your own research to see how they went about achieving what they did. Keep an open mind that there’s no one way to reach your career goals, but many paths have already been forged by those who came before us, so don’t discount the experiences of others either

Before joining the TYLA board, what is your favorite experience with community or public service? Working at the food bank.

What was your favorite movie, TV show, musical artist, or song from high school/college? Charmed.