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
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will hold its quarterly meeting Friday, September 28 in Austin. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Renaissance, 9721 Arboretum Blvd. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Click here to view the meeting agenda and backup materials.… Continue Reading
The Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) has awarded TexasBarCLE one of only 16 annual awards granted to competitors representing more than 300 organizations. ACLEA members are professionals in the fields of continuing legal education and legal publishing. The annual ACLEA’s Best Awards are highly competitive, and winning projects represent the highest level of achievement … Continue Reading
FRIENDLY REMINDER: Membership fees are due on June 1 but must be received by August 31 to avoid suspension of an attorney’s law license and application of a late payment penalty. To check your balance due, pay your fees, and/or claim a Legal Services Fee exemption, go to texasbar.com, log in to your My Bar … Continue Reading
The Nominations and Elections Subcommittee voted today to recommend the nomination of Jeanne Cezanne “Cezy” Collins of El Paso and Larry P. McDougal Sr. of Richmond as candidates for 2019-2020 State Bar of Texas president-elect, after interviewing six potential nominees in Austin. The State Bar Board of Directors will consider the recommendations at its next … Continue Reading
The mission of the State Bar of Texas Professionalism Committee is to increase professionalism and improve the development of new lawyers. The committee was revitalized in 2012 by State Bar President Buck Files, and it has striven to accomplish its mission by tackling four key subjects: mentoring, promoting professionalism through CLE and different events, providing … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members on August 23. The Bar’s 2019-2020 budget “season” is now upon us—and I seek your help for further cost saving ideas to achieve my goal of a 10 percent overall reduction1 off the Bar’s 2017-2018 $45 million general fund budget. … 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. My ideal resume would read as the antithesis of conventional resumes. I’d memorialize both … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas’ Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program has taken the innovative step of adding a sitting judge to its staff of experts to reach out to fellow jurists about issues such as stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and other mental health matters. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) has always served judges as well … 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. A little over four years ago, I believed my life was over. Not because … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is seeking public input on its communications and transparency efforts. Members of the public are invited to take a short survey, available at texasbar.com/publicsurvey through August 6, where they can evaluate the State Bar’s public communications and provide feedback on areas for improvement. The State Bar Board of Directors voted … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members on July 19. Dear Member, I am writing to let you know that the Board of Directors is seeking candidates for the 2019 president-elect race, which will take place April 1-30. Whether you are interested in running as a … 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 started drinking in high school and immediately liked the way it made me feel. … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members on Thursday. This week I traveled to the border to learn how we can promote access to justice and the rule of law related to the separation of immigrant families. I met with a number of dedicated attorneys and … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members on Thursday. I am writing with a quick update on the recent events occurring on our southern border. Although the Trump administration signed an executive order to end family separations, the need for volunteer attorneys remains strong—particularly Spanish-speaking immigration lawyers. … Continue Reading
