Archives: About The Bar

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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

Pablo Almaguer, Sylvia Borunda Firth recommended as State Bar president-elect nominees

The State Bar Board of Directors Nominations and Elections Subcommittee voted today to recommend Pablo Almaguer of Edinburg and Sylvia Borunda Firth of El Paso as nominees for 2020-2021 State Bar of Texas president-elect, after interviewing six potential nominees in Austin. The Board of Directors will consider the recommendations at its next meeting, on September 20 … Continue Reading

Jerry C. Alexander of Dallas selected State Bar of Texas board chair-elect

Jerry C. Alexander was selected chair-elect of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors during the board’s meeting in Georgetown on Friday. Alexander will take office during the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting to be held June 13-14 in Austin. He will serve as chair until June 2020. Alexander is president of Passman … Continue Reading

Longley: Board votes on chief disciplinary counsel, TYLA election issue

Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members on Friday. The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors met today in Austin. Highlights from the meeting are provided below. New chief disciplinary counsel named The board voted unanimously to consent to the Commission for Lawyer Discipline’s selection … Continue Reading

Sign up now for free solo, small firm CLE

  1/15/19 UPDATE: This event will be live streamed. Register for the webcast here. Registration is underway for the free CLE “Updates for Solo Practitioners and Small Firms.” The CLE features updates and current issues facing general practitioners. It will include updates on criminal law, law practice management, family law, business succession planning, and State … Continue Reading

A Year-End Message from State Bar President Joe K. Longley

Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members Wednesday.  As we celebrate the holiday season and prepare for 2019, I offer this update on some recent happenings at the State Bar of Texas. 2019-2020 Budget Update The State Bar Board’s Budget Committee met December 13 to hear … Continue Reading

Bree Buchanan retiring; new Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program director named

Bree Buchanan, a national leader in the movement to address substance abuse and mental health issues in the legal profession, is retiring October 31 as director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) of the State Bar of Texas. Staff attorney Chris Ritter will succeed her as director of the program. Buchanan will continue as … Continue Reading

Longley: Committee review planned, president-elect nominees approved

Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members on Friday. Dear Member, The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors and its Executive Committee held meetings today in Austin. I’m writing to update you on some of the major developments from the meetings. Committee Review Subcommittee Formed … Continue Reading

TexasBarCLE receives ACLEA award for outstanding achievement in programming

The Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) has awarded TexasBarCLE one of only 16 annual awards granted to competitors representing more than 300 organizations. ACLEA members are professionals in the fields of continuing legal education and legal publishing. The annual ACLEA’s Best Awards are highly competitive, and winning projects represent the highest level of achievement … Continue Reading

TYLA, young lawyer affiliates receive national awards

The Texas Young Lawyers Association and young lawyer affiliates in Dallas and San Antonio earned national awards August 3 at the 2018 American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Chicago. TYLA, the public service arm of the State Bar of Texas, was recognized with 2017-2018 ABA Young Lawyers Division Awards of Achievement in the public service … Continue Reading

State Bar receives national award for improving legal services to low-income Texans

The State Bar of Texas was presented a prestigious 2018 Harrison Tweed Award on August 3 at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Chicago. The Harrison Tweed Award recognizes bar associations that have made extraordinary efforts to improve the availability of civil legal services or indigent defense services to people living in poverty. Named … Continue Reading

State Bar of Texas launches new podcast

The State Bar of Texas recently relaunched the State Bar of Texas Podcast—conversations and curated content to improve your law practice. The monthly show features news and discussions relevant to the legal profession, from the latest industry trends and caselaw to practice tips and State Bar programs. Host Rocky Dhir, attorney and CEO of Dallas-based … Continue Reading

State Bar of Texas board elects Ross Fischer as general counsel

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday to elect Ross Fischer of Austin as general counsel to the board. Fischer is an attorney with the Gober Group who specializes in legislative and campaign law, professional ethics, and government integrity matters. His clients include elected officials, candidates, trade associations, political committees, local … Continue Reading

Vick: Supreme Court approves changes to State Bar election process

Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members on Thursday.  Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of Texas amended Article IV of the State Bar Rules to implement changes to the bar’s election process designed to ensure fairness and a level playing field among all candidates. The rules … Continue Reading

TexasBarBooks offers affordable subscriptions to online manuals

TexasBarBooks Online is the technology-based solution for lawyers looking to leverage the value of TexasBarBooks’ practice manuals at a more affordable entry point. Featuring the same authoritative content of the print and digital download versions, the monthly and annual subscriptions to online versions allow greater flexibility for those needing material in a specific practice area … Continue Reading

Mental health awareness can save lives

Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. For the legal profession, mental health has become an increasingly important topic. A report released in 2016 by the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation brought to light some staggering statistics: lawyers … Continue Reading
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