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Embracing a higher purpose: Tyler attorney Blake Bailey finds beauty in connecting with the world

Tyler attorney and mediator Blake Bailey is finishing his fifth decade as a lawyer, and during this time, he has grown a profound passion for assisting others in need. He does this routinely through his practice at home, but a February trip to Poland to aid fleeing Ukrainian refugees displaced by the Russia-Ukraine violence elevated … Continue Reading

Texas Access to Justice Commission renews statewide legal clinic initiative for Texas veterans

In cooperation with legal service providers and local bar associations, the Texas Access to Justice Commission, or TAJC, has renewed its statewide legal clinic initiative to provide civil legal assistance to veterans. Texas veterans can visit free, in-person legal clinics during June in several locations throughout the state. Volunteer attorneys will offer one-on-one advice and … Continue Reading

Pilot program to offer attorney parking cards for Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility

Starting on June 5, Austin attorneys will be able to receive attorney parking cards for the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility, the Austin Bar Association announced Wednesday. “We have been studying the parking situation for the past several months and believe we have the space to allow for attorney parking,” District Judge Amy … Continue Reading

St. Mary’s Law receives Texas Bar Foundation grant for public service fellowships

St. Mary’s University School of Law’s pro bono efforts were bolstered by aid from the Texas Bar Foundation. A $15,000 grant will support six law students who work in unpaid positions with legal service providers for low-income clients and government agencies. “Without the fellowship, I would not have been able to complete my summer placement,” … Continue Reading

Dallas Bar Association hosts e-clinics in June

Volunteer attorneys will be available to answer legal questions on Wednesdays in June through the Dallas Bar Association’s LegalLine E-Clinic. The clinics, which run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., are free of cost. A volunteer attorney will call a participant for up to 15 minutes of legal advice. No attorney-client relationship will be established. … Continue Reading

Texas Access to Justice Foundation Executive Director Betty Balli Torres receives Emily C. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award

The Texas Access to Justice Commission, or TAJC, honored Texas Access to Justice Foundation, or TAJF, Executive Director Betty Balli Torres with the Emily C. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to improving Texans’ access to justice during the Champions of Justice Gala on April 25 in Austin. This award, named after the TAJC’s … Continue Reading

Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters Committee announced Pro Bono Excellence award winners

The State Bar of Texas Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters Committee announced its 2023 Pro Bono Excellence award winners. Hillary Holmes, of Houston, received the Frank J. Scurlock Award; Monique Lopez-Hinkley, of Fort Worth, received the J. Chrys Dougherty Award; Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, or DVAP, of Dallas, received the Pro Bono … Continue Reading

Legal Services to the Poor in Criminal Matters Committee announced its 2023 Indigent Defense Award

Michelle Moore, of Burnet, was awarded the Warren Burnett Award. Named for the late legendary Texas Attorney Warren Burnett, the Warren Burnett Award recognizes extraordinary contributions to improving the quality of criminal legal representation to indigent Texans. The award honors either an individual or organization for their work in the courtroom, legislature, or in the … Continue Reading

Dallas-based Advocates for Community Transformation to Expand in Fort Worth with grant from Texas Bar Foundation

The Texas Bar Foundation, or TBF, has awarded a $34,485 grant to Dallas-based Advocates for Community Transformation, or ACT, to increase its casework capacity in Fort Worth, according to a press release. This grant, the largest ACT has received from the TBF according to a press release, will help ACT hire a community advocate, essential … Continue Reading

Supreme Court approves forms that help Texans create their own wills

The Supreme Court of Texas has debuted new forms that allow individuals representing themselves to create a will. The forms are the result of a change in state law passed by the 84th Texas Legislature and signed by the governor. They assist a person who is single, married, widowed, or divorced and those with or without … Continue Reading

Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas receives grant from Texas Bar Foundation

Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, or VLS, has received a $20,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation, one of the nation’s largest charitably funded bar foundations, to continue its work of providing pro bono legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence. With this grant, VLS will assist those affected by domestic violence, aiming … Continue Reading

Austin Bar Association launches podcast on importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership positions

The Austin Bar Association was awarded a $15,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to start a podcast dedicated to highlighting the value of diversity in leadership positions in the Austin legal community, according to a press release. The podcast, titled Council of Firsts, is another step toward making the Austin Bar Association a more … Continue Reading

ABA Hispanic Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities to host third annual Cinco de Música

The American Bar Association Hispanic Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities will host the third annual Cinco de Música, a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of and support for the ABA Hispanic Commission, at 5:30 p.m. May 4. Chaired by Texas Access to Justice Foundation Executive Director Betty Balli Torres, this free virtual event … Continue Reading

Texas Legal Services Center launches statewide virtual court kiosk project to improve Texans’ access to legal aid services

The Texas Legal Services Center, or TLSC, a nonprofit organization funded by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, launched on April 24 the Virtual Court Access Project, a statewide pilot project aiming to improve low-income Texans’ ability to receive free legal services through deploying accessible, virtual court kiosks to communities. The kiosks act as virtual … Continue Reading
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