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
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
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
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. … Continue Reading
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
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
The State Bar of Texas will not seek rehearing of a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals panel opinion that upheld the constitutionality of most challenged State Bar activities and left intact the structure of the mandatory bar. State Bar leaders announced the decision after the bar’s Board of Directors met Monday to consult outside counsel … Continue Reading
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
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will hold a special-called meeting at 9 a.m. CDT on July 19 to receive a report from outside counsel on the McDonald v. Sorrels lawsuit and recent Fifth Circuit panel decision. The meeting will be held virtually. All State Bar members and the public may watch the … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will meet June 16 and 17 at the Austin Marriott Downtown, 304 E. Cesar Chavez St., in Austin. Members and the public may attend in person to provide comment to the board by filling out a speaker card at the beginning of the meetings and submitting it … Continue Reading
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
San Antonio lawyer Santos Vargas was selected chair-elect of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors during the board’s quarterly meeting held April 16. Vargas, a shareholder at Davis & Santos in San Antonio, will take office in June and will serve as chair until June 2022. Vargas has served on the State Bar … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. CDT April 16. All State Bar members and the public may watch the meeting on the State Bar of Texas YouTube channel. Among items on the agenda are: 6d. Action: Election of Chair of the Board for 2021-22. 8e. Action: Consider and … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, February 19. Dear Member, We know many of you have been dealing with extended power outages, water service disruptions, and other emergencies. This time of hardship is stressing our families and our livelihoods. Warmer temperatures are coming, but recovery from this hardship may … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Public Affairs Committee virtually presented the 2020 Texas Gavel Awards on Tuesday. Due to the pandemic, the awards were presented as part of an online ceremony with the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual awards. The Texas Gavel Awards awards recognize excellence in journalism that fosters public understanding of … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The State Bar of Texas sent the following message to members on September 10. The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors met September 10 to follow up on items pending from the July 27 special-called board meeting. Task Force and Workgroup Rosters The board approved rosters for two groups created at the … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. on September 10 in a special meeting to consider a tabled motion to restrict the spokesperson duties of the bar’s president among other matters. The agenda for the meeting also contains items to: Consider and discuss referral of ABA Model Rule 8.4(g) … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors set a special meeting for September 10 to consider a tabled motion to restrict the duties of the bar’s president. The meeting will occur via videoconference and be publicly viewable live on the State Bar’s YouTube page. The scheduling of a special meeting was part of a … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to State Bar of Texas members on August 7. COVID-19 has severely impacted the State of Texas and the administration of the judicial system. Many lawyers are struggling in the economic climate created by the pandemic. Under Article III of the State Bar Rules, Texas lawyers who do … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members today. The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors held a special meeting on July 27 to discuss and consider action regarding online commentary made by State Bar of Texas President Larry McDougal and other directors. The board heard from 61 speakers and accepted hundreds … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. CDT Monday, July 27. Among items on the agenda, the board will accept comments, discuss, and consider possible action regarding online commentary made by State Bar of Texas President Larry McDougal and other officers and directors. The board also … Continue Reading
A task force designed to help the Texas courts system resume criminal proceedings in light of the COVID-19 pandemic won approval June 24 from the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. The board approved the Presidential Task Force on Criminal Court Proceedings at the request of 2020-2021 State Bar President Larry McDougal, a Richmond … Continue Reading
UPDATED 6/24/20: Due to technical difficulties with YouTube, the June 24-25 board meetings are being live streamed on Facebook Live at facebook.com/statebaroftexas. ORIGINAL POST: The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will hold virtual meetings June 24-25 with a live stream on the bar’s YouTube channel. Members of the 2019-2020 board will hold their final … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors meeting on June 24 has been postponed to 10 a.m. due to technical difficulties. The meeting will be viewable by the public via a live stream on the bar’s Facebook page: facebook.com/statebaroftexas. Links to board agendas and materials are available at texasbar.com/bodmaterials.… Continue Reading
