The two candidates for 2021-2022 State Bar of Texas president-elect will participate in a virtual forum on March 25 sponsored by the state’s metro bar associations. Candidates Sara Dysart, of San Antonio, and Laura Gibson, of Houston, will discuss their qualifications for office, plans for the future, and the challenges facing the State Bar and … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on September 22, 2015. 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 first experience with clinical depression was at 13. It wasn’t called … Continue Reading
The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas is accepting public comments on two proposed ethics opinions: Proposed Opinion 21-1: Under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, when may a lawyer represent a client adverse to a former prospective client of the lawyer or another lawyer in the lawyer’s firm? (Comment deadline: March … Continue Reading
The 2021 rules vote ends March 4, and the State Bar of Texas has resources to help Texas lawyers cast an informed ballot. Free CLE Course The TexasBarCLE Online Classroom is offering the free course “Rules Vote Forum: Proposed Disciplinary Rule Amendments,” which is accredited for 1 hour of MCLE ethics credit. This course is … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The online forms hyperlinked in the blog post below were updated on February 25 to correct an error that was preventing our system from recording submitted comments and requests to speak to the task force. If you accessed those forms through this blog post before 12:30 p.m. February 25, we ask that you please … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association, and legal aid providers across the state remind Texans that a toll-free legal assistance hotline is available to low-income individuals and families affected by the Texas winter storm that began February 11. The hotline—800-504-7030—is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and connects low-income individuals affected by … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, February 19. Dear Member, We know many of you have been dealing with extended power outages, water service disruptions, and other emergencies. This time of hardship is stressing our families and our livelihoods. Warmer temperatures are coming, but recovery from this hardship may … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, February 12. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other State Bar of Texas information. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Order The Texas Supreme … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on February 5, 2021. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other State Bar of Texas information. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Order The Supreme Court … 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. I had been a licensed attorney and member of the State Bar of Texas since 1984, almost 35 years. Then, in March 2019, I … Continue Reading
Texas lawyers are being called upon to exercise their right of self-governance by voting on proposed amendments to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Voting started today, February 2, and will continue until 5 p.m. CST March 4 by paper and electronic ballot. The final public forum for … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas has partnered with Paladin, a justice tech company, to create a statewide online portal designed to help lawyers find volunteer opportunities and assist Texans with their legal needs. Through the free statewide portal at pbtx.joinpaladin.com, volunteer lawyers and law students have a centralized location to search and sign up for pro … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting on January 22. Below is a synopsis of reports and updates the board received. To watch the full meeting, please go to the State Bar’s YouTube page. The agenda and meeting materials can be found here. The Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda … Continue Reading
The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas is accepting public comments on the following proposed ethics opinion through March 22: Proposed Opinion 21-1: Under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, when may a lawyer represent a client adverse to a former prospective client of the lawyer or another lawyer in the lawyer’s … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will meet for its next quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. CST on January 22. Among items on the agenda, the board will receive: an update from the Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda on the upcoming 2021 Rules Vote and committee activities; a report from the Discipline & … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, January 15. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other State Bar of Texas information. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Order and OCA Guidance … Continue Reading
Texas lawyers are being called upon to exercise their right of self-governance by voting on proposed amendments to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Voting will take place from February 2 to March 4 by paper and electronic ballot. The remaining public forums for the 2021 rules vote … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The following message was sent to all members on January 5. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other State Bar of Texas information. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Orders The Texas Supreme Court … 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. I remember a number of years having terrible experiences with New Year’s Eve and drinking too much, doing something that was humiliating or that … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas Executive Director Trey Apffel sent the following message to members on December 18. I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. I am writing to share information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to remind you about the upcoming public forums on the 2021 … Continue Reading
Congratulations to everyone who passed the October 2020 bar exam! A virtual New Lawyers Induction Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. CST on December 14. The public can watch the ceremony here.… Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally posted on July 25, 2018. 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. A little over four years ago, I believed my life was over. Not … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, November 13 regarding Supreme Court emergency orders and other items related to the pandemic. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Public Affairs Committee virtually presented the 2020 Texas Gavel Awards on Tuesday. Due to the pandemic, the awards were presented as part of an online ceremony with the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual awards. The Texas Gavel Awards awards recognize excellence in journalism that fosters public understanding of … Continue Reading
