In March 2019, three Texas lawyers sued the State Bar of Texas claiming that under Janus v. AFSCME (2018), it is unconstitutional for an attorney to be required to join the State Bar of Texas in order to practice law. The plaintiffs also challenge bar programs that they claim exceed the bar’s “core regulatory functions.” … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas seeks to remind the public that in many cases it is a crime in Texas for a lawyer or someone representing a lawyer to contact a person for purposes of legal representation if the person has not first requested the call or personal visit. The contact is not illegal if … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The following notice was originally published in the March 2019 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. To All State Bar of Texas Members: Your annual State Bar of Texas membership dues are due on June 1 of each year. If you are an emeritus member of the State Bar, only section dues, if … 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: 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) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I walked out of my first AA meeting confident I was not an alcoholic. The meeting was a speaker meeting, and the speaker told a … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is offering additional MCLE compliance time and waivers of MCLE non-compliance fees to Texas attorneys furloughed during the recent government shutdown. Attorneys with December, January, and February compliance deadlines who were furloughed during the recent government shutdown may request an extension of time of up to 90 days and a … Continue Reading
Darrell E. Jordan, 80, of Dallas, died January 30, 2019. He served as president of the State Bar of Texas from 1989 to 1990. Jordan was a partner in Diamond McCarthy in Dallas at the time of his death. “We are saddened by the loss of Darrell Jordan, whose lifetime of service to the legal … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post, which has been updated, was originally published on June 15, 2015, as the 12th story in the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery blog series, featuring attorneys in their own words. TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP … Continue Reading
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
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors voted unanimously Friday to consent to the Commission for Lawyer Discipline’s selection of Seana Willing as the new chief disciplinary counsel. Willing served the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for 18 years —14 of those as executive director of the commission. For the past two years, Willing … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will hold its quarterly meeting Friday, January 18 in Austin. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Texas Law Center, 1414 Colorado St. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Click here to view the meeting agenda and materials.… Continue Reading
To keep up on the latest State Bar of Texas news as well as top Texas legal news, sign up for the State Bar of Texas’ Daily News Briefing. The Daily News Briefing is a compilation of State Bar of Texas news and legal news stories culled from media across the state. The briefing is … Continue Reading
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
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on January 16, 2014, as part of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery blog 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.… Continue Reading
State Bar of Texas offices will be closed Wednesday in recognition of a statewide day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation Monday encouraging all Texans “to gather, assemble, and pay their respects to the memory of George Herbert Walker Bush through ceremonies in homes, businesses, public … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on July 3, 2014, as part of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery blog 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. The first time I got intentionally drunk … Continue Reading
The 2019 individual health insurance open enrollment period kicked off today. Like last year, this year there is just 45 days to enroll, making the concierge-level customer service available through the Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange more vital than ever. The Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange is designed to help you purchase and compare products offered … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post is part of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery blog 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 started drinking alcohol at about age 6. Surrounded by military fighter pilots, alcohol … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: Stephanie R. Sterling, the 2018-2019 president of the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division, issued the following message today for Texas Paralegal Day. Today marks the 37th anniversary of the founding of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas on October 23, 1981. It was the first such action by any state bar … Continue Reading
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
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of Circuits and is reprinted with permission. By Hannah Allison Texas is RSVP’ing YES to pro bono week this year. How about you? Not sure what it is? The Celebrate Pro Bono homepage reads, “…this initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is accepting expressions of interest to serve on committees for the upcoming bar year. Please fill out this form by December 7, 2018, to express interest in serving on a State Bar committee beginning in the 2019-2020 bar year, which starts June 1, 2019. Information provided in this form will be submitted … Continue Reading
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
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors voted unanimously September 28 to approve Jeanne Cezanne “Cezy” Collins of El Paso and Larry P. McDougal Sr. of Richmond as candidates for 2019-2020 president-elect. Collins and McDougal will appear on the ballot in April 2019 along with any certified petition candidates. There are currently no additional … Continue Reading
