Posted inAbout The BarNews

State Bar educates public about improper solicitation by an attorney after Houston explosion

By Amy Starnes on

The State Bar of Texas reminds the public that in many cases it is a crime in Texas for a lawyer or someone representing a lawyer to contact a person for purposes of legal representation if the person has not first requested the call or personal visit. The contact is not illegal if the attorney is not seeking payment or has a preexisting professional-client or family relationship with the person being contacted.

Please view and share a public service announcement about barratry here.

If you witness something you believe to be improper solicitation, or barratry, please get the name and phone number of the person making the contact and report it to your local law enforcement authority or to the State Bar of Texas Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s Office toll free at 866-224-5999.

Posted inBlogNews

Kenda Culpepper takes office as president of TDCAA

By Eric Quitugua on

Kenda Culpepper, Rockwall County’s district attorney, took office as the Texas District & County Attorneys Association’s 82nd president.

The non-profit organization, which serves Texas prosecutors and their staffs, produces CLE courses, provides technical assistance to the prosecution community and criminal justice agencies, and serves as a liaison between prosecutors and other organizations in administering criminal justice. TDCAA represents over 6,000 prosecutors, investigators, and personnel in Texas.

“I am humbled to have been elected by my peers across Texas and so proud to represent the thousands of prosecutors, investigators, and other personnel who work in offices from Houston to El Paso and the Panhandle to the southern border,” Culpepper said in an article published in the Blue Ribbon News. “I take very seriously the responsibility of leading this organization—an organization manned by public servants who are vested with prosecuting the worst of the worst and helping to keep our communities safe. I am truly inspired by so many of my colleagues and look forward to collaborating with them to further the interest of justice across our great state.”

Culpepper also serves on the Texas Bar College Board of Directors as well as leadership teams combating issues such as family violence and child abuse. She is the president of the board of directors of the Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County.

Posted inUncategorized

TYLA Director Spotlight: Jay Forester

By Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) on

Editor’s Note: In this blog series, we are getting to know the members of the Texas Young Lawyers Association Board of Directors. TYLA, commonly called the “public service arm” of the State Bar of Texas, works to facilitate the administration of justice, foster respect for the law, and advance the role of the legal profession in serving the public. All TYLA programs are accomplished through the volunteer efforts of its board and committee members, with the cooperation of local affiliate young lawyers associations. Learn more at tyla.org.

Name: Jay Forester

Firm: Forester Haynie

Area of Law You Practice: Plaintiff’s Wage and Hour; Mass and Class Actions

Position Held in TYLA: District 5, Place 3 Director, Co-Chair of Member Outreach/Service to the Profession

How did you get involved in bar service?

Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Wellness Committee

What is your favorite TYLA project and why?

I Was the First. You Can Be a Lawyer Too!(see iwasthefirst.tyla.org). When kids see lawyers that look like them and were also the “first” in their families, it shows them that they too can be the first.

What tips can you give to other attorneys to manage stress?

  1. Minimize inputs/set boundaries. (1) Take five, five-minute breaks a day. (2) Limit how often you check your work email/texts. (3) It’s good/necessary to say no!
  2. Work in blocks. (1) 30-45 minutes/task. (2) Take breaks between tasks. (3) Increase efficiency by grouping life tasks.

What do you do in your spare time?

Travel, run, fantasy football (I finished first place in my 12-team league).

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’d rather eat at Waffle House.

Anything else that you wish to share?

#workshouldntsuck

 

Posted inMember BenefitsNewsState Bar

State Bar of Texas expands partnership with Fastcase

By Staff Report on

Free access to Fastcase’s nationwide legal research system is now available to all active members of the State Bar of Texas.

For the past six years, State Bar of Texas members practicing in solo and small firms have enjoyed unlimited access to Fastcase’s nationwide legal research content as a free member benefit. Members practicing at firms with 11 or more attorneys were permitted limited access to Texas content and select federal offerings. Now, the State Bar is expanding the benefit to provide nationwide legal research to its entire membership. The complete scope of coverage is available at fastcase.com/coverage.

Starting today, Fastcase and the State Bar of Texas are providing each of the approximately 105,000 lawyers, judges, and legal professionals who are members of the State Bar with complimentary access to one of the largest law libraries in the world. This updated member benefit provides access to Fastcase’s robust primary law database, a service that includes unlimited printing, webinar training, and reference support; it is not restricted by time or number of transactions. Continue Reading

Posted inState Bar of Texas Judicial Poll

State Bar of Texas Judicial Poll

By Patricia McConnico on

The State Bar of Texas will conduct a judicial poll from January 14 through February 4, 2020. The races include contested primaries for the Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and the courts of appeals from the various judicial districts throughout the state. The poll will be conducted electronically, and e-ballots will be emailed to all Texas attorneys who are in good standing. Be sure to check your spam filter if you do not receive the email. Attorneys may also vote online at the link below. If you prefer a paper ballot, please call 866-720-4357 or send an email to sbothelp@electionservicescorp.com. Request a paper ballot no later than January 21 to ensure adequate postal delivery time. All ballots must be received by 5 p.m. CST on February 4.

Go here to vote in the 2020 judicial poll.

Posted inLocal BarsNews

Robert Tobey elected Dallas Bar Association President

By Adam Faderewski on

Robert Tobey, of Johnston Tobey Baruch, has been elected president of the Dallas Bar Association. Tobey was sworn in as the 111th president on January 11 and will lead the DBA in 2020.

Tobey was chair of the DBA Board of Directors in 2016 and has served on the board since 2012. He was the co-chair of the 2014-2015 Equal Access to Justice Campaign. He has served as chair and board adviser to various DBA committees and sections.

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Posted inTexas Young Lawyers Association

TYLA Director Spotlight: Brandon Draper

By Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) on

Editor’s Note: In this blog series, we are getting to know the members of the Texas Young Lawyers Association Board of Directors. TYLA, commonly called the “public service arm” of the State Bar of Texas, works to facilitate the administration of justice, foster respect for the law, and advance the role of the legal profession in serving the public. All TYLA programs are accomplished through the volunteer efforts of its board and committee members, with the cooperation of local affiliate young lawyers associations. Learn more at tyla.org.

Name: Brandon Draper

Firm: Harris County Attorney’s Office

Area of Law You Practice: Civil Rights/Employment

Position Held in TYLA: At-Large Director, Co-Chair of the National Trial Competition (NTC) Committee
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Posted inMust-ReadsNews

Texas Bar Journal Must-Reads for January

By Eric Quitugua on

Start 2020 off right with the Texas Bar Journal. Our editorial staff has you covered with must-reads from the January issue with a review of developments in caselaw in 2019, discussion on civility in the face of zealous advocacy, and, of course, Disciplinary Actions, Movers and Shakers, and Memorials. Continue Reading

Posted inNewsTexas Board of Legal Specialization

Legislative and campaign law approved as newest Texas Board of Legal Specialization specialty area

By Adam Faderewski on

The Texas Supreme Court approved legislative and campaign law as the newest Texas Board of Legal Specialization specialty area. It will join the other 24 areas of specialization already approved.

Texas is the first state in the country to approve specialization in legislative and campaign law. Attorneys who wish to earn certification must have extensive experience in this area of law, complete a specified number of CLE hours in the specialty area, and pass an exam. The new specialization will focus on legislative procedures, campaign finances, lobby laws, and mechanisms of government.

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