Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members Tuesday. I’m writing to share progress on our search for a general counsel to serve the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. The board voted unanimously in January to approve the hiring of a general counsel. The general counsel … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members on Thursday. Starting Sunday, open government advocates will recognize Sunshine Week, a yearly celebration of access to public information. In that spirit, I’m pleased to announce that the State Bar of Texas is moving forward with plans to begin videotaping … Continue Reading
The American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and ABA Law Student Division will host a live Twitter chat on law student wellness from 12 to 1 p.m. CST on March 28.… Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday issued orders adopting amendments to attorney disciplinary rules effective June 1. You can read the orders at the links below. Misc. Docket No. 18-9030: Order Adopting Amendments to Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 8.03 Misc. Docket No. 18-9031: Order Adopting Amendments to the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure… Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Computer and Technology Section worked with TexasBarCLE to create a series of videos about technology-related topics ranging from apps and authentication to security and social media.… Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to State Bar of Texas members on Tuesday. In an effort to encourage voter participation and educate members on the 2018 State Bar president-elect candidates, the State Bar is sending periodic emails with messages submitted by the candidates addressing topics of their choosing. The second messages are available at … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is requesting proposals from licensed Texas attorneys capable of providing general counsel legal services to the State Bar Board of Directors. The General Counsel will be elected by and will provide counsel to the Board and the officers on an as-needed, contract basis as set forth in the Request for Proposals … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Local Bar Services Committee is now accepting local bar association submissions for the annual Stars of Texas Bars Awards and Judge Sam Williams Award. The Stars of Texas Bars Awards include eight award categories that recognize local bar associations for outstanding community involvement, commitment to increasing access to justice, dedication … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post is part of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery series. TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) and find more information at tlaphelps.org. My first experience with alcohol at age 13 should have been as good a deterrent … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: In an effort to encourage voter participation and educate members on the platforms of the 2018 State Bar of Texas president-elect candidates, the State Bar will publish periodic messages submitted by the candidates addressing topics of their choosing. The first messages are available at the links below. Opinions expressed by the candidates do not … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors voted January 26 to approve Lisa Blue of Dallas and Randy Sorrels of Houston as candidates for president-elect in the 2018 election. There are currently no additional president-elect candidates, although members have until March 1 to run as a petition candidate by submitting a petition signed by … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members Friday. It’s election season, which means it’s time to get to know your candidates for State Bar president-elect. We’re planning a number of communications to make sure the president-elect candidates have a fair and equal chance to reach you with … Continue Reading
San Antonio attorney James C. Woo has joined the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors as an at-large director. The board approved Woo’s appointment on January 26 at its quarterly meeting in San Antonio. His term was effective immediately and expires in June 2020. Woo is a shareholder at the firm of Davidson Troilo … Continue Reading
Procedural changes made by State Bar of Texas staff immediately after a 2012 embezzlement case were “adequate and proper” and should be enough to prevent another such theft, according to a member of the financial task force appointed by President-elect Joe K. Longley. Dallas attorney William D. Brown, a former FBI special agent and a … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members Friday. I hope the new year finds you well. Please read below for updates from Friday’s quarterly meeting of the State Bar Board of Directors in San Antonio. 2018 President-elect Race The State Bar board unanimously approved the nominations of … Continue Reading
Update: At the board meeting today, the policy manual subcommittee informed the board it was delaying action on this proposal to allow for more study. The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors is considering a policy that would establish a process for handling certain internal records requests from State Bar officers and directors. The … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post is part of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery series. TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) and find more information at tlaphelps.org. There is no doubt that I am an alcoholic, and there is no doubt that … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is seeking comment on proposed rule revisions. As a result of legislation passed following the Sunset Review process, changes to attorney disciplinary process are required through rule revisions proposed by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel (CDC) and adopted by the Texas Supreme Court. The primary objective of the legislative mandates is to promote earlier … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following column also appears in the January 2018 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. Did you know that the State Bar of Texas will soon have one of the largest legal incubators anywhere? And that the program is helping not only new attorneys but also people who normally can’t afford legal services? The … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post is part of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery series. TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) and find more information at tlaphelps.org. I remember the day I was accepted to law school. I was full of promise … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members on Monday. I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season so far. Please read below for updates on the State Bar budget and other news. Good Financial Stewards I’m pleased to report that, under the leadership of our new Executive Director … Continue Reading
The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will host a Twitter Chat focused on mental health and addiction during the holidays. Brian Cuban, author of The Addicted Lawyer, and Bree Buchanan, director of the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, will be joined by members of the Michigan Bar and Florida Bar as they respond to questions … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program receives calls almost weekly about a lawyer loss by suicide. In fact, 11 percent of lawyers have had suicidal thoughts at some point in their career. Will you make a commitment to help another lawyer and to help yourself? If you are experiencing substance abuse or depression and anxiety, call … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following column also appears in the December 2017 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. As I write this column, I’m busy winding down my 35-year practice as a Galveston County trial lawyer. By the time you receive this issue of the Texas Bar Journal, I will have assumed the job as executive … Continue Reading
