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 Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters and Legal Services to the Poor in Criminal Matters committees are seeking nominations of deserving individuals, groups, and entities that perform exceptional work in the field of legal services to the poor. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on February 25, 2022. Recipients … Continue Reading
Plaintiffs’ attorneys in the McDonald mandatory bar challenge filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on November 24, which was docketed on November 30 (McDonald v. Firth (No. 21-800)). In September, the State Bar Board of Directors approved changes to bar rules and policies to comply with the U.S. 5th … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is accepting nominations for at-large director positions on the Board of Directors. Two positions will become vacant in 2022. At-large directors are appointed by the president of the State Bar subject to board confirmation. In making the appointments, the president is required to appoint directors who demonstrate knowledge gained from … 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 voted September 24 to approve Joe Escobedo Jr. of Edinburg and Cindy V. Tisdale of Granbury as candidates for 2022-2023 president-elect. Escobedo and Tisdale will appear on the ballot in April 2022 along with any certified petition candidates. Presently there are no additional president-elect candidates, although members … 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 Executive Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. CT on Tuesday, August 31. Members and the public can watch the meeting live on the State Bar of Texas YouTube page. The agenda for the meeting may be viewed here. To sign up to speak during the meeting, please email amy.starnes@texasbar.com or … 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
8/17/21 UPDATE: The first “Casemaker to Fastcase” webinar was recorded, and that video is available here. The webinar, hosted by Casemaker expert Sam Peacoe and law librarian Erin Page, is designed to introduce you to the Fastcase system and get you oriented as to resources, content, and features that are available in the system. 8/09/21 … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division has elected the following members to its officer positions and board of directors for the 2021-22 bar year:… 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
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call or text TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. My story starts in high school where I was introduced to drugs and alcohol. Where it went off the rails was the fall … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday issued its 38th Emergency Order of the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, the court permits the modification or suspension of court deadlines and procedures through August 1, 2021. The order permits all courts to hold in-person proceedings, including jury trials, after the adoption of health and safety standards, but encourages … Continue Reading
Broadus Spivey, 84, of Austin, died May 8, 2021. He served as president of the State Bar of Texas from 2001 to 2002. Spivey was a partner in Spivey & Grigg in Austin before he retired in 2019. He practiced law for 57 years and was recognized by the State Bar as a 50-Year Lawyer … Continue Reading
The Texas Bar Foundation awarded a $20,000 grant to the State Bar of Texas Law-Related Education Department and Law Focused Education, Inc. to fund their newest project: Jury Service: Your Call of Duty. The project is designed educate students and the public about the role of jury service in our democracy and will debut in … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas will present its proposed fiscal year 2021-2022 budget to the Texas Supreme Court during a virtual meeting at 2 p.m. CDT on May 10. The State Bar will live stream the meeting at youtube.com/statebaroftexas. The proposed budget can be viewed at texasbar.com/finances or by clicking here. The State Bar published the proposed … Continue Reading
Become a well-being champion by participating in Well-Being Week in Law starting today through May 7! Here’s your chance to join others across the legal profession in doing activities that promote health and happiness. Check out the list of activities and webinars to participate in here. Each day of Well-Being Week in Law focuses on … 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
