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 standing with people at their most vulnerable moments.

But like many of our Young Gunners guests, Linda’s path took an unexpected turn. Raised in a large Mexican‑American family rooted in wellness, culture, and community, she eventually stepped into a new chapter: helping her family build Siete Family Foods, the nationally recognized, culture‑driven CPG brand that has reshaped the grain‑free food space. As general counsel, she navigated everything from IP protection to product development to the legal complexities of a rapidly scaling startup – all while safeguarding the family’s story and mission.

Her episode explores what it means to lead with cultural identity, how public‑service skills translate into business building, and why non‑linear careers often create the most meaningful impact. Linda also shares her commitment to service beyond the workplace – through bar leadership, nonprofit work, and the Garza Family Foundation – and the through‑line that connects every chapter of her journey.

It’s an inspiring, candid look at how lawyers can be advocates, builders, and community stewards all at once!

Listen at the link below, or on any platform where you listen to podcasts:https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/

#younggunners #tyla #texasyounglawyers #legalpodcast #publicservice #latinalawyers #generalcounsel #inhousecounsel #familybusiness #sietefoods #cpg #leadership #nonlinearcareers

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 Young Lawyers Association is April 1-30, 2026!

#uncommonleaders #tyla #tylaelection #texyounglawyers #younggunners #presidentelect #legalpodcast #leadershipinlaw #barservice

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 carried him to West Point, where he developed the leadership and resilience that would shape every chapter that followed.

After years of service and a successful career outside the law, John felt the pull toward a second act – one fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit and the unwavering support of his wife. Together, they made the bold decision for him to pursue law school as a second career.

His episode explores what it means to start over with purpose, how discipline and humility translate across careers, and why the courage to pivot can open doors you never expected!

Listen at the link below, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/

#younggunners #unlikelyadvocates #tyla #texasyounglawyers #legalpodcast #secondcareer #familylaw #familylawyers #military #militaryveterans #westpoint

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!

#uncommonleaders #tyla #tylaelection #texyounglawyers #younggunners #presidentelect #legalpodcast #leadershipinlaw #barservice

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 forget – voting for Texas Young Lawyers Association is April 1-30, 2026!

#uncommonleaders #tyla #tylaelection #texyounglawyers #younggunners #presidentelect #legalpodcast #leadershipinlaw #barservice

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://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/

Don’t forget – voting for Texas Young Lawyers Association is April 1-30, 2026!

#uncommonleaders #tyla #tylaelection #texyounglawyers #younggunners #presidentelect #legalpodcast #leadershipinlaw #barservice

🎧 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 Investigations, and SWAT. After earning his degree in criminal justice, he moved to Texas, excelled at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and went on to prosecute civil rights violations - holding law enforcement accountable from the inside.

Today, he leads his own criminal defense practice while also serving as a professor and Director of Advocacy at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. His episode explores what justice looks like when you’ve lived it from all three vantage points: officer, prosecutor, and defense attorney.

It’s a thoughtful, candid look at how experience shapes advocacy - and why the legal profession needs voices who’ve walked every side of the line.

Listen at the link below, or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/

#younggunners #unlikelyadvocates #tyla #texasyounglawyers #podcast #legalpodcast #criminaljustice #defenseattorney #advocacy #civilrights #justicejourney

🎧 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 lawyers before law school even begins - especially students from communities with limited access to attorneys or legal role models.

Through the Youth Justice Alliance, he’s building pathways that break down the financial and institutional barriers that keep too many talented young people from pursuing legal careers. His story is one of service, innovation, and a deep belief that the future of justice depends on who gets the chance to enter the profession.

You can listen to this episode at the link below, or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/

You can learn more about Youth Justice Alliance here: https://youthjusticealliance.org/

#younggunners #unlikelyadvocates #tyla #texasyounglawyers #podcast #legalpodcast #youthjustice #accesstojustice #nonprofitleadership #futureoflaw