Mark your calendar for September 13, 7 a.m. to midnight! The Dallas Volunteer Attorney (DVAP) program will participate in “Get Up and Give! North Texas Giving Day.” Every donation of at least $25 made to DVAP on September 13 through www.DonorBridgeTX.org will receive a portion of $1 million in matching funds. Contact Alicia Hernandez for more information.
The State Bar of Texas has learned that an apparent scam artist has assumed the identity of a Texas attorney who has not practiced in several years, and set up a fake law firm website using the attorney's maiden name, former office address, and portions of her professional biography.
The attorney was alerted to the scam after a legal finance firm contacted her at home with concerns about the impersonator. Because the case is under investigation by the FBI and local law enforcement, we are withholding details on the matter. At this time we do not know how the scam artist is using or intends to use the fake website.
In recent years scams have targeted Texas attorneys with fraudulent checks and wire transfers in fake debt collection matters, and scammers have impersonated law firms and called members of the public attempting to collect debts. This is the first time the State Bar of Texas has seen a fake website established in an attorney's name, and attorneys and the public should be vigilant about this new tactic.
If you have questions about the identity of a Texas lawyer, please search our official Find a Lawyer member directory or contact our Membership Department at (800)204-2222, Ext. 1383. If you are an attorney who believes your identity has been stolen, contact the nearest FBI office and local law enforcement.
The American Bar Association (ABA) has chosen its annual Award of Achievement winners. The awards honor ABA Young Lawyer Divisions that have done exceptional work in implementing public service and bar service projects in local communities. Several Texas affiliates are taking home awards, including Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) for the alcohol poisoning awareness initiative The Unconscious Truth: Physical and Legal Effects of Underage Binge Drinking. Please join us in congratulating our young lawyers and their winning projects:
Texas Young Lawyers Association, Attorneys Without Borders
Houston Young Lawyers Association, The HYLA Minority Report
Texas Young Lawyers Association, Breaking the Silence: A Path to Finding Mental Health
Lubbock County Young Lawyers Association, LCYLA 50th Anniversary Gala
Texas Young Lawyers Association, The Unconscious Truth: Physical and Legal Effects of Underage Binge Drinking
Austin Young Lawyers Association, Permanency Project
Smith County Young Lawyers Association, Smith County National Adoption Day Celebration
Texas Young Lawyers Association, TYLA eNews
Texas Young Lawyers Association, Comprehensive Award of Achievement, 1A Division
Austin Young Lawyers Association, Comprehensive Award of Achievement, 2B Division
Smith County Young Lawyers Association, Comprehensive Award of Achievement, 2C Division
Texas Young Lawyers Association, Most Outstanding Single Project, The Unconscious Truth: Physical and Legal Effects of Underage Binge Drinking
For more information on the ABA Awards of Achievement program and a complete list of winners, please click here.
For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 93,000-plus attorneys and do a Q&A. We've found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?
Areas of Practice: Captain - USAR - Judge Advocate General's Corps - 1st Legal Operations Detachment
Who are the people you admire most and why? I admire those who successfully balance career, family, and personal development and do so to the benefit of each.
Registration is now open! This three-day event is designed for staff whose primary roles include coordinating pro bono efforts, recruiting private attorneys to provide direct legal services to the poor and/or organizing training events so attorneys can deliver civil legal services to poor Texans. This retreat is open to pro bono coordinators in legal services programs and private law firms. Get the details.
The State Bar Board of Directors is soliciting candidates for the 2013 President-elect race. State Bar Rules stipulate that the 2013 president-elect nominees shall come from non-metropolitan counties of the state (all counties except Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis).
The Board of Directors Policy Manual describes the criteria for selecting nominees. The Board will consider potential nominees’ involvement in State Bar committee work, knowledge of State Bar operations, participation in local and specialty bar associations, and other activities demonstrating leadership ability. Although prior membership on the State Bar Board of Directors is not a prerequisite for nomination, it is important in determining whether a lawyer is a qualified nominee. Nominees should submit a resume and a statement of views of the key issues facing the Bar, the role they would play in dealing with those issues, and what they would seek to accomplish during their tenure as President, all within the overall strategic plan of the State Bar.
Over a period of years, the office of State Bar president should include men and women, ethnic and racial minorities, lawyers from large and small firms and sole practitioners, and those from urban and rural areas of the state. The Board is working toward that end in the selection process.
The Board’s Nominations and Elections Subcommittee is accepting names and background information of potential candidates. Please write the subcommittee to recommend potential candidates, c/o Bob Black and Beverly Godbey, Nominations & Elections Subcommittee Co Chairs, P. O. Box 12487, Austin 78711-2487. Anyone submitting a name for consideration should first obtain that person’s consent to have his/her name submitted.
Have news tips or suggestions? Email them to john.sirman@texasbar.com
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