Posted inNewsTexas Supreme Court

Nathan L. Hecht hears final oral arguments, ends 36-year tenure on Supreme Court of Texas

Ahead of his retirement in December 2024, Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht heard the final three oral arguments of his 36-year tenure on the state’s highest bench, on December 5 in the Supreme Court of Texas courtroom.

On his final day in service, Hecht and the court heard the cases Leibman v. Waldroup, Kensington Title-Nev., LLC v. Texas Department of State Health Services, and Seward v. Santander. Former Supreme Court of Texas justices and chief justices were invited to attend the Seward v. Santander argument, as well as a surprise celebratory luncheon following adjournment.

As Hecht was attempting to adjourn the court for the last time, Senior Justice Debra Lehrmann stopped him to offer a special tribute to his tenure that brought a resounding ovation in the court room.

“We did some calculations, and this was the 2,779th argument that Justice Hecht has heard during his tenure on this court. Unfortunately for the state of Texas, it is the last,” said Lehrmann, who referred to Hecht’s tenure as “an end of an era.” “We appreciate you being here to commemorate this great man who has done so many great things for so many people for so long. Thank you, Chief Justice Hecht.”

Hecht, a 1974 graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, is the longest serving member in the history of the Supreme Court of Texas, as well as the longest tenured Texas judge in active service. He began his judicial career with an appointment to the district court in 1981 and then to the court of appeals in 1986. In 1988, Hecht was first elected to the Supreme Court of Texas and was re-elected six times in total. He became the court’s chief justice in 2014 and was re-elected to the position in 2020.

PHOTO: Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht (center) receives a standing ovation from the court’s justices and attendees following his final oral arguments, on December 5 in the Supreme Court of Texas court room. Courtesy of the Supreme Court of Texas.

Posted inMember Benefits

Maximize Your Membership in the State Bar of Texas

Trey Apffel

In a new video produced by the State Bar of Texas Law Practice Resource Division, State Bar Executive Director Trey Apffel highlights the many benefits available to Texas attorneys. From the fundamental benefits—self-governance and self-regulation—to useful resources like an insurance exchange and free access to trust accounting and billing software from Smokeball, the State Bar of Texas offers many excellent services to help Texas attorneys with the everyday practice of law.
Continue Reading

Posted inAccess to JusticeTexas Supreme Court

Texas Access to Justice Foundation honors Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht with Texas Access to Justice Foundation Board of Directors Chair Deborah Hankinson. Photo courtesy of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) celebrated 40 years of access to justice for low-income Texans at a luncheon on December 2 with the Supreme Court of Texas. TAJF also honored Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht for his years of leadership and contributions to access to justice with the Kleinman Award, its highest honor.

“Chief Justice Hecht is passionate about justice and has been a tremendous advocate, in Texas and nationwide, for closing the justice gap impacting those who cannot afford legal services,” said TAJF Board of Directors Chair Deborah Hankinson in a press release. “He cares deeply about providing legal services for all and has demonstrated his commitment as a leader on our state’s highest court by expanding resources for the legal aid delivery system.”
Continue Reading

Posted inPodcast

State Bar of Texas Podcast: A justice’s legacy—a conversation with Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

State Bar of Texas PodcastIn this episode of the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir welcomes Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht to learn about his many years of service to the Texas legal system. Hecht is the longest serving member in the history of the Supreme Court of Texas and the longest tenured Texas judge in active service. They discuss his career path, the behind-the-scenes work judges do within the courts, his efforts to improve access to justice, his advice for lawyers, and much more.
Continue Reading

Posted inLaw Firms and Legal Departments

Scams continue to target Texas attorneys

Update 12/5/2024: We received a report of another scam. A Texas attorney was the target of a similar scam to one we reported on June 28, 2022. The attorney received an email from a company purporting to be “Tradicion 925 Sa De Cv” seeking to engage their law firm in a matter involving HBS Systems, Inc. In the initial email, the scammer stated, “I am Martin Arturo and I am the CEO at TRADICION 925 SA DE CV .My company would like to have a discussion with your firm about a potential business pre-litigation regarding a breach of license agreement, kindly respond if this is something in your wheelhouse and I will send a more detailed description about the case. I await your response.” The attorney replied and then received a more detailed follow up email along with a license agreement and settlement agreement. The attorney did some research and found that we had reported on a similar scam in which the scammer referenced needing help dealing with a legal issue regarding an “HBS Systems” and let us know that that scam appears to still be active in some form.

Continue Reading

Posted inNews

State Commission on Judicial Conduct releases annual report

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has released its fiscal year 2024 annual report, covering activities from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024. It is available online at scjc.texas.gov/about/annual-reports/.

The State Bar of Texas Annual Report for 2023-2024 and the State Bar of Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline Annual Report, covering activity from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, can be found at texasbar.com/annualreports.

 

Posted inLaw SchoolsNews

Baylor Law’s Chris Jaeger named co-winner of AALS Scholarly Papers Competition

Baylor Law School Professor Chris Jaeger has been named a co-winner of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Scholarly Papers Competition for his research paper titled The Hand Formula’s Unequal Inputs, according to a press release. This honor is awarded annually to junior faculty members at AALS member schools who have demonstrated remarkable scholarship, with selections made anonymously by a committee of established scholars.

This award also highlights the role of research at Baylor Law School, where faculty scholarship bridges theory and practice. By examining how jurors perceive legal arguments, Jaeger’s work equips Baylor Law School students with a deeper understanding of effective advocacy in real-world cases.

“I am pleased to congratulate Professor Chris Jaeger on being named co-winner of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Scholarly Paper Competition,” Baylor Law School Dean Jeremy Counseller said in a press release. “The AALS is a leading organization in legal education with a long history of recognizing exceptional scholarship. This recognition by the AALS highlights the quality and impact of Professor Jaeger’s work and underscores his substantial contributions to the legal academy. It also reflects the intellectual rigor and strength of Baylor Law School’s faculty, of which I am immensely proud.”

Continue Reading

Posted inSponsored Content

Sponsored Content: Legal-Specific vs. Generic Software: What Law Firms Should Consider Before Buying

In today’s fast-evolving tech landscape, industries are transforming rapidly, and the legal sector is no exception. For smaller practices, embracing legal-specific technology is no longer just advantageous—it’s essential to stay relevant.
Continue Reading

Posted inNews

Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program hosts free legal clinics in December

The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, an initiative of the Dallas Bar Association, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and local lawyers, is hosting free virtual and in-person legal clinics for eligible Dallas County residents throughout December. Continue Reading

LexBlog