Advocatespedia:Today's featured article/July 29, 2024

At the end of the day, my love for people and communities was what brought me to the practice of law. My name is Alyson Martinez and I am a public service attorney in Laredo, TX. I strongly believe that a lot of what makes me who I am stems from the fact that I was raised in such a unique environment in South Texas, so I have always felt a strong responsibility to give back to the community that gave me so much. So, after graduating from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, TX, I moved back to Laredo to become a public defender. I loved the work I did, and how it directly affected my hometown community. Having the opportunity to work alongside so many justice-involved individuals helped me see the impact public service has, and I knew this was the path for me. After six years, I became the Director of the Webb & Zapata County Adult Probation Department, where I now have the ability to shape the program and bring more resources to my community — always utilizing my experience and background in public defense. I am at my most fulfilled when I am helping others and practicing law has given me that. That is why I am now running for President-Elect of the Texas Young Lawyers Association. I want to give back to the profession that has given me everything.