Dallas Association of Young Lawyers

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The Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) is a bar organization in Dallas dedicated to community service, such as clothing drives for local shelters, 5K runs for charity, holiday teddy bear drives, mentoring programs for children, programs for homeless citizens, and continuing legal education programs for attorneys.

Its membership criteria is limited to individuals 36 and under licensed to practice law in the highest courts of the State of Texas, or individuals licensed to practice law in the State of Texas for 36 months or less in the year for which membership is sought, regardless of age.

Founded in 1978, the organization currently has over 2,000 members. Former members include federal district judge Barbara G. Lynn (president in 1985) and prominent Dallas attorney Michael Kevin Hurst (president in 1999).

The organization also presents the annual Liberty Bell Award, recognizing an outstanding non-lawyer who has made a selfless contribution to the community that strengthens the effectiveness of the American system of justice. Past recipients include Texas State Senator Florence Shapiro, television anchor Tracy Rowlett, and former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot.