Joy Surratt Baskin, Director
Joy became the Director of Legal Services in October 2005, after working as an attorney in Legal Services for eight years. As director, Joy oversees the division's activities and informs TASB's other service areas about legal developments. As a staff attorney, Joy served as the coordinator of TASB's Legal Assistance Fund from 1998 to 2005. Joy also helped develop and review districts' local policies, and she assisted in developing and presenting many of the division's legal training programs.
Joy received her bachelor of arts degree with honors from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, in 1992. She received her law degree with honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 1995. During law school, Joy worked at TASB as a part-time law clerk from 1993 to 1995.
From 1995 to 1997, Joy was an associate at the law firm of Thompson & Knight in Dallas, Texas, where part of her responsibilities included representing public school districts.
Joy is an active member of the school law section of the State Bar of Texas, serving on its executive council as Chair-Elect of the section. Joy is also a member of the Texas Council of School Attorneys and the National Council of School Attorneys. Joy is the parent co-chair of Austin ISD's Mathews Elementary Campus Advisory Committee, and she served as a volunteer and board member for the Austin Shakespeare Festival for several years.