The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, an initiative of the Dallas Bar Association, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and local lawyers, is hosting free virtual and in-person legal clinics for eligible Dallas County residents throughout August. Continue Reading
Posted inPodcast
State Bar of Texas Podcast: The untold stories of attorney Clarence Darrow
In this episode of the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir welcomes attorney and author Mike Farris to talk about the facts in his new book, Blowhard: Windbaggery and the Wretched Ethics of Clarence Darrow. Lawyers long considered the legendary Clarence Darrow to be an attorney to emulate, but closer examination of his career shows a condemnable pattern of unethical tactics and empty courtroom arguments. Farris shares details from his research that uncover evidence of jury bribing, intimidating witnesses, and other unprincipled conduct throughout Darrow’s career in a time where ethics rules failed to hold him accountable.
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Posted inSponsored Content
Sponsored Content: Boost Cash Flow With Electronic Payment Solutions
As the economy shifts online, law firms must adapt to clients’ evolving payment preferences, including accepting electronic payments (or e-payments). Why are e-payments beneficial for clients and law firms? This article highlights the most common advantages of electronic payments.
Advantages of Electronic Payments for Law Firms
1. Provide a Positive Client Experience
Clients increasingly prefer e-payment solutions, with 75% planning to switch to electronic payments and 87% of millennials favoring this change. Fiserv’s survey shows credit and debit cards are top choices, with younger consumers preferring debit cards (95%), payment apps (83%), and mobile wallets (82%).
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Posted inTexas Supreme Court
Supreme Court issues emergency order regarding Hurricane Beryl
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to reflect the court’s addition of Brazoria County to the emergency order.
The Supreme Court of Texas has issued an emergency order authorizing the modification of deadlines in certain justice courts affected by Hurricane Beryl.
The order states that upon request by local judicial leaders and pursuant to Section 22.0035(b) of the Texas Government Code, justice courts in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda, and Montgomery counties that have been prevented from complying with a deadline in a civil case because the court’s normal operations have been disrupted by the disaster may:
a.) consider the disaster as good cause under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.5 for extending a time period in the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure or local rules, including appeal and new trial deadlines, until July 26, 2024; and
b.) postpone statutory deadlines until July 26, 2024, if the court finds that the postponement is necessary to facilitate the orderly resumption of the court’s normal operations. Continue Reading
Posted inPodcast
State Bar of Texas Podcast: Breaking the stress cycle—tips for becoming a happier, healthier lawyer
In this episode of the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir welcomes Michelle Fontenot to talk about the resources available to legal professionals through the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program. Many segments of the legal profession operate as adversarial systems at their core, with colleagues becoming combatants as they fight for their clients and handle difficult situations day in and day out. Not every practice area has this same intensity, but the ongoing stresses of legal work can detract from an attorney’s well-being in any area of the law. The profession is committed to continuing to destigmatize mental health and substance use struggles to support lawyers in need. If you, a friend, or a loved one is in need of help, contact TLAP or explore its many resources at www.tlaphelps.org.
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Posted inPodcast
Keynote Speaker Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024)
In the 12th installment in a series of episodes of the State Bar of Texas Podcast recorded from the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024, State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir welcomes Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez to discuss highlights from her keynote address and her passion for improving representation within the legal world. Dhir gets the details on Ramirez’s landmark “firsts” as a Latina with a notably successful legal career. She talks about her childhood as a daughter of immigrants, her journey as a lawyer, and her nomination and confirmation as a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
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Posted inPodcast
IP Law: Black Mirror Perspectives: Ethical Questions Arising from Technology, Innovation, and Social Media (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024)
In the 11th installment in a series of episodes of the State Bar of Texas Podcast recorded from the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024, the topic focuses on IP law. What can we learn about law from a sci-fi TV show? State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir welcomes Leela Madan, Hope Shimabuku, and Catherine Rifai to talk about Netflix’s Black Mirror and the potential ethical implications of AI-fueled technology in the real world. Many now question how the rapid developments of AI tech should be regulated and held accountable. The group explores ethical rules and existing laws that could apply to different scenarios—both real and imagined.
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Posted inLaw Firms and Legal Departments
Scams continue to target Texas attorneys
Update 7/10/2024: We received a report of another scam. Yesterday, multiple Texas attorneys received a phishing scam email purporting to be from State Bar of Texas President Steve Benesh with a fake email address of steve.benesh@member-texasbar.com. This is not a legitimate email. Please delete it. Here is a copy of the email:
Attn: _______
By way of introduction, my name is Steve Benesh, President, State Bar of Texas. This is a follow up on the attached confidential request for ________ which was sent directly to you last week.
Please let me know if you didn’t receive the earlier email and I’ll resend it.
State Bar of Texas (TEXASBAR)
Period: July 2024
Published Date: 3rd July 2024
Due Date: 11th July 2024
Thank you in advance,
Steve,
Steve Benesh
President
State Bar of Texas
1414 Colorado Street
Austin, Texas 78701
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Posted inPodcast
Rap on Trial (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024)
In the 10th installment in a series of episodes of the State Bar of Texas Podcast recorded from the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024, the topic focuses on rap music on trial. Should rap lyrics as evidence be allowed in criminal prosecutions? State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir talks with Chad Baruch about his session titled “Hip Hop on Trial: Texas Courts Confront the Use of Rap Lyrics in Criminal Prosecutions” for the Appellate and Civil Liberties & Civil Rights sections. Dhir and Baruch discuss the intersection of art and the law, highlight several cases involving the use of song lyrics or videos, and discuss trial tactics for attorneys working on a case involving rap music.
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Posted inPodcast
Leadership Vision for 2024-2025 (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024)
In the ninth installment in a series of episodes of the State Bar of Texas Podcast recorded from the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024, the topic focuses on leadership vision. 2024-2025 State Bar of Texas President Steve Benesh and 2024-2025 Texas Young Lawyers Association President Hisham Masri join State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir to discuss their leadership priorities and plans for the coming year. Benesh shares his interest in standardizing court filings, supporting and working with the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program to initiate a Docket Assistance Program, continuing 2023-2024 State Bar of Texas President Cindy Tisdale’s initiatives regarding artificial intelligence, and improving the State Bar website. Later, Masri shares what’s in store for TYLA, including efforts for community engagement, encouraging upcoming generations of lawyers, and more.
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