Posted inAbout The BarNewsState Bar

State Bar of Texas Board of Directors to meet September 24

By Amy Starnes on

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. on September 24 at the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio.

Attorneys and members of the public can watch the meeting live on the State Bar’s YouTube channel.

Public comment will be accepted in person at the meeting and virtually via Zoom. To sign up to speak during the meeting, please email amy.starnes@texasbar.com or call (800) 204-2222, ext. 1706 (toll free) before 5 p.m. CDT on September 23. Written comments regarding agenda items may be sent to boardofdirectors@texasbar.com and must be received before 5 p.m. CDT on September 22 for timely distribution to the directors.

Among items on the agenda are:
8. B. 1. Action: Consider and discuss approval of forwarding a resolution regarding trial safety measures from the Task Force on Criminal Court Proceedings, to the Office of Court Administration for consideration. Continue Reading

Posted inAbout The BarNewsPeopleState BarTLAP

Erica Grigg named director of Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program

By Amy Starnes on
Erica Grigg

Erica Grigg

Erica Grigg credits the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program with saving her life. This month, she became director of the 37-year-old program.

The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) provides confidential help, referrals, and peer assistance programs to lawyers, judges, and law students experiencing mental health or substance use disorders.

“Years ago, I reached out to TLAP for help while in the throes of alcohol addiction and untreated, severe depression. This program and its resources saved my life and career,” Grigg said. “It is the honor of a lifetime to now have the opportunity to give back to TLAP and the profession I love.” Continue Reading

Posted inAccess to JusticeHurricaneNews

Free legal assistance available for low-income individuals affected by Hurricane Nicholas

By Amy Starnes on

Free legal resources are available to low-income individuals affected by flooding and other conditions created by Hurricane Nicholas.

The State Bar of Texas’s toll-free disaster legal services hotline—800-504-7030—puts callers in touch with legal aid providers in their areas who can help with:

  • Replacement of important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster;
  • Life, medical, and property insurance claims;
  • Home repair contracts and contractors;
  • Consumer protection issues such as price-gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the recovery process;
  • Counseling on landlord-tenant problems; and other matters.

The hotline assists callers in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. People who qualify for assistance will be matched with lawyers who can provide free, limited legal help.

Read more here.

Posted inSponsored Content

Sponsored Content: Sample Billing Language for Attorneys to Reduce Payment Delays

By Guest Blogger on

Clearly defining all expectations and responsibilities related to fees, billing, and payments during client intake can go a long way toward preventing chargebacks and payment disputes down the road.

In this article, we’ll share a few examples of sample billing language for attorneys that can help reduce late and non-payments and make sure you get paid for your hard work.
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Posted inAmerican Bar AssociationLaw SchoolsNews

St. Mary’s University School of Law to launch first fully online J.D. program approved by ABA in fall 2022

By Adam Faderewski on

St. Mary’s University School of Law will launch the first fully online juris doctor program approved by the American Bar Association in fall 2022.

St. Mary’s University plans to enroll 25 students in the first cohort of the five-year pilot program. The St. Mary’s University program is the first to offer all credit-bearing courses online by design.

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Posted inNewsPeoplePractice Management

Shannon Davis Hunter selected as Leadership Houston Class XL fellow

By Adam Faderewski on

Shannon Davis Hunter, of Coats Rose, has been selected as a fellow in Leadership Houston Class XL.

Leadership Houston XL is a 10-month signature program for community leaders that will culminate with a civic class project to effect positive change and the development of individual, personal plans for future civic engagement.

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Posted inNewsPeople

Called to Active Duty, Texas Attorney Serve Their Country Proudly: Name, rank, and bar card number

By Adam Faderewski on

Editor’s Note: In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Texas Bar Blog is republishing this article from the May 2005 issue of the Texas Bar Journal about Texas lawyers called to active-duty military service.

By Morgan Morrison

More than 300,000 members of the U.S. Reserve and National Guard have been called to active duty military service since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and many others served in the preceding decade on missions throughout the world. These men and women left their civilian lives for assignments such as training soldiers for the new Afghan and Iraqi armies, rebuilding infrastructure, and providing and maintaining security and stability. Among these reservists are several Texas attorneys, who answered their country’s call and gained experiences of a lifetime.

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Posted inNewsPeople

In Memoriam – August 2021

By Adam Faderewski on

The State Bar of Texas’ Membership Department was informed in August 2021 of the deaths of these members. We join the officers and directors of the State Bar in expressing our deepest sympathy.

• Milton H. Anders, 88, of Shreveport, Louisiana, died July 28, 2018. He received his law degree from LSU Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1971. Anders was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1957.
• Michael Baker, 75, of Houston, died November 3, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1971.
• Laneta I. Baskerville, 93, of Wichita Falls, died September 10, 2020. She studied independently to receive her law degree and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960.
• Hugh L. Berryman, 88, of Dallas, died August 8, 2021. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957.
• James B. Bond, 84, of Bryan, died October 5, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1968.
• Portia Jeanne Bott, 62, of Corpus Christi, died October 23, 2020. She received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1984. Continue Reading

Posted inCourtsJuryNews

Jury duty scams are an increasingly common threat for Texans

By Guest Blogger on

By Doryn Glenn

The State Bar of Texas Jury Service Committee is warning the public against criminals that would seek to make them victims of scams that are becoming increasingly common.

Individuals, pretending to be local law enforcement officers, are calling citizens stating that they have failed to appear for jury duty or some other court proceeding. These individuals go on to claim that a warrant has been issued for the citizen’s arrest and/or a large sum of money is owed as a fine for failing to appear. Continue Reading

Posted inAccess to JusticeNewsPro Bono

Hispanic Issues Section and Texas Access to Justice Foundation to host virtual “LAW-teria” game night

By Adam Faderewski on

The State Bar of Texas Hispanic Issues Section and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation will host a “LAW-teria” to benefit the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and legal aid efforts throughout Texas. The virtual game night will take place from 5 to 6:30 pm. on September 16 via Zoom.

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