Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, November 13 regarding Supreme Court emergency orders and other items related to the pandemic. 

Dear Member,

This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Orders

The Texas Supreme Court issued two emergency orders this week related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extends a previous court order outlining limitations on jury trials to February 1 from December 1. The order requires courts to continue using all reasonable efforts to hold proceedings remotely and to follow the .

In the , the court extended deadlines for procedures for tenants to apply for the Texas Eviction Diversion Program, a statewide assistance program intended to help tenants behind on rent avoid evictions. Learn more about the Texas Eviction Diversion Program at . The State Bar has collected additional tenant/landlord resources to assist Texas lawyers and members of the public at .

MCLE Deadlines Extended

We understand that the pandemic has made it difficult for some attorneys to complete their MCLE requirements on time. In response, the State Bar of Texas MCLE Department granted several extensions. Below are the current extensions offered. Attorneys with the following birth months:

  • August‹granted a 90-day extension with a final deadline of November 30.
  • September‹granted a 90-day extension with a final deadline of December 31.
  • October‹granted a 60-day extension with a current deadline of December 31.
  • November‹granted a 60-day extension with a current deadline of January 31.

The MCLE department continues to review compliance deadlines due to the pandemic. Please contact the MCLE Department at 800-204-2222, ext. 1806, or if you have questions about the extensions or MCLE compliance requirements.

Take Care of Yourselves

In this challenging time, it’s important to take care of yourselves. We invite you to take advantage of the collected by the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program and to attend TLAP’s monthly Mental Health Lunch & Learn Well-Being Wednesday program that will be held at noon CST on November 25. The topic, which features 1 hour of free ethics CLE, is . The panelists are:

  • Brad Kennington, Austin therapist and clinical supervisor
  • Kate Casey, Southlake therapist
  • Erica Grigg, TLAP attorney
  • Chris Ritter, TLAP¹s director