Editor’s note: The following column also appears in the April 2018 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. As I write this column, we’ve just received the final reports from the State Bar of Texas’ 2017 fiscal year internal audit. The auditors found no areas of noncompliance. In fact, the findings are quite positive. The CPA … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas membership department reminds Texas lawyers that they can receive their annual membership statements in a fast and convenient way by signing up for e-billing before April 12. Lawyers who choose e-billing will receive their annual membership dues statement by email shortly after May 1, with a direct link to the State … Continue Reading
The University of Houston Law Alumni Association honored State Bar of Texas Board of Directors Chair Rehan Alimohammad with its annual Diversity and Inclusion Award on February 17 at the association’s 42nd Annual Law Gala and Auction. Alimohammad received the award in recognition of significant achievement toward developing a more diverse and inclusive legal community. … Continue Reading
Texas attorneys will choose between Lisa Blue of Dallas and Randy Sorrels of Houston in the race for the next president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. The State Bar Board of Directors today approved their nominations as president-elect candidates during its quarterly meeting in San Antonio. Also, the Texas Young Lawyers Association recently nominated … Continue Reading
We all know that an attorney has a duty to protect confidential client information, but it’s easy to forget that duty when posting on social media or responding to online reviews related to a lawyer’s services. The proper analysis under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct will involve Rule 1.05, which generally defines the … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following column also appears in the January 2018 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. Did you know that the State Bar of Texas will soon have one of the largest legal incubators anywhere? And that the program is helping not only new attorneys but also people who normally can’t afford legal services? The … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members on Monday. I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season so far. Please read below for updates on the State Bar budget and other news. Good Financial Stewards I’m pleased to report that, under the leadership of our new Executive Director … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following column also appears in the December 2017 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. As I write this column, I’m busy winding down my 35-year practice as a Galveston County trial lawyer. By the time you receive this issue of the Texas Bar Journal, I will have assumed the job as executive … Continue Reading
American Bar Association President Hilarie Bass met with State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick and Houston Bar Association President Alistair Dawson, among other local leaders, as they visited a volunteer-run legal clinic and disaster relief training seminar on Monday. Bass’ trip to Houston promoted free services offered by legal aid agencies, local bars … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas has launched a new technology page with information and links to resources attorneys need to navigate the intersection of technology and the law. The page, texasbar.com/tech-resources, offers links to informational videos, online resources from TexasBarCLE, technology articles from the Texas Bar Journal, law practice management resources, a link to a … Continue Reading
As floodwaters recede and Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts begin throughout the state, many Texas lawyers will face specific challenges getting their practices back up and running. In some cases, salvaging water-damaged client files and other essential business records will be a key part of that recovery. To help attorneys whose law offices have been affected … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing a daily collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts. If you have been adversely affected or wish to assist a colleague, please take … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: President Tom Vick sent the following message today to members of the State Bar of Texas. I’m pleased to update you on our search for a new executive director of the State Bar of Texas. Interest in the job has been high—more than 130 people from across the country submitted expressions of interest. … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas today received a national award for one of its signature efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. The Texas Minority Counsel Program (TMCP) received one of three ABA Partnership Awards during an awards ceremony held in conjunction with the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in New York. … Continue Reading
Hours of compelling CLE. Engaging keynote speakers. The swearing-in of new leaders. Miss out on Annual Meeting in Dallas this year? Or just want to relive the conference? Watch our video and catch the highlights. And while you’re at it, check out our social media recap.… Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, or TLAP, launched a new website June 1 aimed at providing information and resources to Texas lawyers, law students, and judges who are concerned for themselves or a colleague in regards to general well-being, mental health, or substance use issues. The site, tlaphelps.org, is not only easy to navigate but … Continue Reading
The Texas House of Representatives adopted a resolution May 28 congratulating Joe K. Longley of Austin on his recent election as 2017-2018 State Bar of Texas president-elect. “… the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Joe K. Longley on his election as (2018-2019) president of the State Bar of Texas and extend … Continue Reading
Texas attorneys have elected Joe K. Longley of Austin as the 2017-2018 president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. The result comes after a May 11-25 runoff election between Longley and Chad Baruch of Dallas after they were the top two vote-getters in a month-long, three-way race for the position that ended May 2. Read the news release for more results.… Continue Reading
The Texas House voted, 125-21, on Tuesday to pass the State Bar of Texas Sunset bill, SB 302. The Senate passed the bill unanimously on April 4. It now heads back to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions. The bill retains the rules referendum … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Criminal Justice Section has announced that a record $30,000 in scholarships will be available to criminal law practitioners who would like to attend any of the following criminal justice conferences in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, or Fort Worth within the next few months: · 30th Annual Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law … Continue Reading
Texas attorneys will be able to vote for Chad Baruch of Dallas or Joe K. Longley of Austin in a runoff election for State Bar of Texas president-elect. Baruch and Longley were the top two vote-getters in a month-long, three-way race for the position that ended Tuesday. The runoff will take place May 11-25. In the Texas … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas launched the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator, or TOJI, today in Austin, with its inaugural group of participating lawyers starting their first day of the program, which aims to bridge the justice gap by connecting new lawyers in need of employment opportunities with citizens in need of legal assistance. TOJI, … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: This communication to State Bar members went out earlier today via email from President Frank Stevenson and other State Bar officers. We’ve heard from many fellow Texas lawyers with questions regarding the Sunset Process and other State Bar matters. We would like to set the record straight on the issues for which we’ve … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas recently passed 100,000 active members. The lucky soul who pushed the Bar past that mark is Patrick McGinnis, an associate attorney at Eggleston & Briscoe, LLP in Houston. Mr. McGinnis was kind enough to take a few moments over the busy Thanksgiving holiday to answer a few questions for this … Continue Reading
