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State Bar of Texas membership fees deadline extended to October 31

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

State Bar board to meet July 27 on president’s online comments, diversity task force

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

Task force to study how to resume criminal court proceedings

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

State Bar board to meet virtually June 24-25; public comments accepted

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

Sylvia Borunda Firth of El Paso elected State Bar of Texas president-elect

Texas attorneys elected Sylvia Borunda Firth of El Paso to be president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. Borunda Firth received 49.31 percent—9,515—of the 19,298 votes cast during the voting period that ended May 29. Her opponent, Pablo Almaguer of Edinburg, received 49.11 percent or 9,478 votes. Write-in candidates accounted for 1.58 percent of the … Continue Reading

Coronavirus Legal News Briefing — April 21, 2020

Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this 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 the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading

State Bar COVID-19 update: membership fees and free CLE

Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Randy Sorrels and Executive Director Trey Apffel sent the following update to members on Friday. We are writing to share the latest updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy. State Bar Membership Fees We have received several questions … Continue Reading

State Bar coronavirus update: travel authorization for lawyers, Zoom resources, and free CLE

Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Randy Sorrels and Executive Director Trey Apffel sent the following message to members on Friday. We hope this message finds you safe and well. We are writing to share the latest updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Orders and Travel Authorization for Lawyers Many … Continue Reading

Coronavirus Legal News Briefing — March 27, 2020

Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this 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 the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading

Coronavirus Legal News Briefing — March 24, 2020

Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this 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 the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading

Coronavirus Legal News Briefing — March 23, 2020

Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this 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 the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading

Texas Supreme Court orders online-only voting for State Bar elections; extends voting period

The Texas Supreme Court issued its sixth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster on March 22.  The order mandates that elections for State Bar president-elect, Texas Young Lawyers Association president-elect, and bar and TYLA directors will be conducted exclusively by electronic vote because of uncertainty regarding the feasibility of handling paper ballots during … Continue Reading

Coronavirus Legal News Briefing — March 18, 2020

Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this 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 the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading

Coronavirus Legal News Briefing — March 17, 2020

Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this 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 the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources … Continue Reading

Coronavirus Legal News Briefing — March 12, 2020

Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this 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 the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community. Important links Frequently Asked Questions — Coronavirus safety measures … Continue Reading

Texas legal leaders: ‘It’s good to get help’

On the eve of World Mental Health Day, the State Bar of Texas released a video on Wednesday highlighting the importance of lawyers seeking help for anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health issues. “We are here to send a strong message to our legal community that it’s time that we recognize one thing: … Continue Reading

State Bar Board of Directors approves candidates for president-elect

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors voted unanimously September 20 to approve Pablo Almaguer of Edinburg and Sylvia Borunda Firth of El Paso as candidates for 2020-2021 president-elect. Almaguer and Borunda Firth will appear on the ballot in April 2020 along with any certified petition candidates. There are currently no additional president-elect candidates, … Continue Reading
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