Trey Apffel became executive director of the State Bar of Texas in December 2017. A longtime Galveston County trial lawyer, he previously was the owner and principal of the Apffel Law Firm in League City, where he focused on personal injury litigation, toxic torts, medical malpractice, and family law. He is certified in both civil trial law and personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Apffel has served as State Bar of Texas president (2014-2015), on the State Bar Board of Directors, and as a member of the board’s Executive Committee. He is a former member of the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, a member of the Texas Bar College, a Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow, and served on the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees.

Lowell Brown is the communications division director for the State Bar of Texas. He has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas and previously worked as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Tracy Brown is the director of administration for the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA), where she oversees the TYLA board of directors and many member service and public service projects. She started her career in 1983 as an administrative assistant with TYLA. Read about the TYLA’s programs and services here.

Joanna Herzik is the web content specialist for texasbar.com and has been with the State Bar since 2005. Joanna graduated cum laude from St. Edward’s University with a B.A. in English writing and rhetoric and a minor in English literature.

Geoffrey Hinkson is the digital content specialist for the State Bar of Texas. He has a B.B.A. in marketing and international business from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Rebecca Johnson is the public affairs director for the State Bar of Texas. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and English from The University of Texas at Austin, and a master’s degree in science journalism from Texas A&M. Prior to joining the State Bar in 2023, she was a magazine editor for two decades. She has also worked in media relations for UT Austin and owned a freelance writing and PR firm.

Will Korn is the assistant editor of the Texas Bar Journal. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a reporter for newspapers in Sidney, Nebraska; Midland; and Austin as well as other online publications.

Patricia McConnico is the managing editor of the Texas Bar Journal. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in English, a B.S. in journalism, and a master’s degree in journalism.

Eric Quitugua is the associate editor of the Texas Bar Journal. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida and worked as a reporter for newspapers in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Orlando, Florida.

Teri Rodriguez is the webmaster for texasbar.com. She maintains the State Bar website in addition to writing, editing, and designing webpages. Teri started her career at the State Bar as an editorial assistant for the Texas Bar Journal in 2000. She is a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin.

Mary Volk is the deputy director of TexasBarCLE and has been with the State Bar since 1995. She graduated from Texas State University with a B.A. in international studies, and a master’s degree in business administration. Mary helps manage the development and implementation of strategic planning goals and procedures for the CLE department and oversees marketing, general department operations, and the CLE website.