Archives: About The Bar

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Board approves budget, 10% dues increase to support bar’s financial security

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting on April 19 in Galveston. Highlights of the meeting appear below. Watch video of the meeting on YouTube, and read the agenda and meeting materials at texasbar.com/bodmaterials. Proposed budget and dues increase The board voted to submit the bar’s proposed 2024-2025 fiscal year … Continue Reading

Denise Scofield, Santos Vargas recommended as State Bar president-elect nominees

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors’ Nominations and Elections Subcommittee voted Monday to recommend the nomination of Denise Scofield, of Houston, and Santos Vargas, of San Antonio, as candidates for 2024-2025 State Bar president-elect. If the board approves their nominations, Scofield and Vargas would appear on the ballot in April 2024 along with … Continue Reading

Free CLE Opportunity: What Every Lawyer Should Know About the Attorney Grievance System

Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Laura Gibson sent the following message to members on Wednesday. It is the duty of the State Bar of Texas to improve and advance the quality of legal services to the public, and foster integrity and ethical conduct in the legal profession. The attorney grievance system is vital … Continue Reading

Jerry Alexander, Steve Benesh recommended as State Bar president-elect candidates

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors’ Nominations and Elections Subcommittee voted Monday to recommend the nomination of Jerry Alexander, of Dallas, and Steve Benesh, of Austin, as candidates for 2023-2024 State Bar president-elect. If the board approves their nominations, Alexander and Benesh would appear on the ballot in April 2023 along with any … Continue Reading

Dallas lawyer Chad Baruch selected chair-elect of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors

Dallas lawyer Chad Baruch was selected chair-elect of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors during the board’s quarterly meeting on April 29 in El Paso. Baruch, managing shareholder at Johnston Tobey Baruch, will take office in June and will serve as chair until June 2023. Baruch was elected in 2020 to serve as … Continue Reading

State Bar of Texas president-elect candidate forums available for on-demand viewing

The candidates for 2022-2023 State Bar of Texas president-elect participated in live, virtual forums on March 10 and April 5. Video of the forums is available to watch on demand. Watch the March 10 forum here. Watch the April 5 forum here. Candidates Joe Escobedo Jr., of Edinburg, and Cindy V. Tisdale, of Granbury, discussed … Continue Reading

State Bar of Texas statement regarding disciplinary matters in the news

The Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s Office is required to keep disciplinary matters confidential unless they result in a public sanction or the respondent attorney elects to proceed in district court. Absent these conditions, we are unable to confirm whether a grievance exists. Once a respondent attorney elects to proceed in district court, the existence of the … Continue Reading

State Bar of Texas to host two president-elect candidate forums

State Bar of Texas president-elect candidates Joe Escobedo and Cindy Tisdale will participate in live, virtual candidate forums from noon to 1 p.m. Central on March 10 and April 5. Register for March 10 Register for April 5 Submit questions for the candidates in advance by email to webmaster@texasbar.com or during the forums by using the Zoom … Continue Reading

State Bar files conditional cross-petition for a writ of cert with US Supreme Court

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors filed a conditional cross-petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in response to plaintiffs’ filing in the McDonald lawsuit challenging the mandatory bar. Plaintiffs in the case filed a petition for writ of certiorari on November 24. The bar’s conditional cross-petition argues that … Continue Reading

Final judgment issued in McDonald mandatory bar challenge

U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel has issued a final judgment in the McDonald lawsuit challenging the mandatory bar. In September, the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors approved changes to bar rules and policies following a U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel opinion in the case. The final judgment enjoins the State … Continue Reading

State Bar board approves candidates, responds to federal court decision

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting September 24 in San Antonio. Highlights of the meeting appear below. You can watch video of the meeting at youtube.com/statebaroftexas and read the agenda and meeting materials at texasbar.com/bodmaterials. 2022 Election Update The board approved Joe Escobedo Jr., of Edinburg, and Cindy V. … Continue Reading

Erica Grigg named director of Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program

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 … Continue Reading

Joe Escobedo, Cindy Tisdale recommended as State Bar president-elect nominees

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors’ Nominations and Elections Subcommittee voted today to recommend the nomination of Jose “Joe” Escobedo Jr., of Edinburg, and Cindy V. Tisdale, of Granbury, as candidates for 2022-2023 State Bar president-elect. If the board approves their nominations, Escobedo and Tisdale would appear on the ballot in April 2022 … Continue Reading

Candidates sought for 2022 State Bar of Texas president-elect race

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors is soliciting candidates for the 2022 president-elect race. State Bar rules stipulate that all potential candidates for 2022 president-elect shall come from nonmetropolitan counties of the state (all counties except Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant, and Travis). Any member of the State Bar who meets the eligibility requirements … Continue Reading

Laura Gibson elected State Bar president-elect; Michael Ritter wins TYLA post

Texas attorneys elected Laura Gibson of Houston to be president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. Gibson received 50.51%—10,200—of the 20,194 votes cast during the voting period that ended April 30. Her opponent, Sara E. Dysart of San Antonio, received 49.49%, or 9,994 votes. Gibson will be sworn in as president-elect during a State Bar … Continue Reading
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