As the old cliché goes, the only things certain in life are death and taxes. Whether a party dies in the midst of a lawsuit or the circumstances of the lawsuit arise out of the manner of death, a little bit of probate knowledge can go a long way if you’re a litigator. The goal of this article is to provide litigators a short, but useful, glimpse into the probate world on matters that may inform your case.
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The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas is accepting public comments on the following proposed ethics opinion:
Proposed Opinion 2024-6 (comment deadline 1/18/2025):
What ethical issues are raised under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct by a lawyer’s use of generative artificial intelligence in the practice of law?
Go here to read the proposed opinion and provide comments.
The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas is accepting public comments on the following proposed ethics opinion:
Proposed Opinion 2024-5 (comment deadline 1/7/2025):
May a Texas lawyer practicing in Texas join a District of Columbia law firm partnership that lawfully includes a nonlawyer partner?
Go here to read the proposed opinion and provide comments.
Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week is a statewide effort honoring Veterans Day and coordinated by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and legal aid programs across the state. From November 11-15, legal aid programs, local bar associations, law schools, and pro bono attorneys will provide civil legal services for qualified Texas veterans. Continue Reading
The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas is accepting public comments on the following proposed ethics opinion:
Proposed Opinion 2024-4 (comment deadline 1/07/2025):
(1) If a lawyer engages a nonlawyer-owned company to provide a platform of support services, may the lawyer pay fees to the company based on a percentage of the revenues of the lawyer or the lawyer’s firm?
(2) May a lawyer and nonlawyer share equity ownership of a company that sells a platform of support services to law firms?
Go here to read the proposed opinion and provide comments.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit adopted a change to its rules in October.
The approved amendment is as follows:
FIFTH CIRCUIT RULE 27.3
27.3 Emergency Motions and Urgent Filings Requiring Action by a Date Certain in Cases Other Than Capital Cases.
27.3.2 Urgent Filings Requiring Action by a Date Certain. If a filing does not meet the criteria for an emergency under this rule but a party certifies that court action is necessary by a date certain, the filer must notify the clerk of court by telephone no later than 2:00 p.m. on the day of the filing of the intent to file and the date by which action is required. In addition to following all rules regarding the format of the filing, the filed pleading must clearly state the date for action and provide a justification for why such action is needed.
The amended rule, which went into effect October 31, 2024, was approved by the court following a public comment period that ended on October 25, 2024.
The Supreme Court of Texas has issued an order delaying the expected effective date of proposed rules governing licensed legal paraprofessionals and licensed court-access assistants in order to consider the comments it received during the public comment period. The expected effective date, previously December 1, was delayed pending further order of the court.
The Grievance Oversight Committee is seeking public feedback regarding the Texas attorney disciplinary system.
The committee will meet November 15 via Zoom. If you have suggestions, observations, or other input regarding the attorney grievance process and are interested in scheduling a time to meet with the committee during its November 15 meeting, please email info@txgoc.com.
The Supreme Court of Texas has charged the committee with reviewing the Texas attorney disciplinary system and reporting its observations and recommendations to the court. The committee is not a part of the attorney disciplinary process and cannot accept, consider, resolve, or interfere with any grievances or individual complaints involving attorney-client issues.
To learn more about the committee, go to www.txgoc.com.
The Texas Bar Foundation (TBF) announced it has awarded $871,270 in grants to 70 nonprofit organizations during the Fall 2024 grant cycle, according to a press release.
“The Texas Bar Foundation continues to be one of the most impactful bar foundations in the country when it comes to enabling access to justice for all and enhancing the rule of law. Last week the Foundation awarded $871,270 in grants, toward a record award this bar year of $1.6 million,” TBF Board of Trustees Chair Carlos Eduardo Cárdenas said in a press release. “Because of the generosity of Texas lawyers, who have been acclaimed as Texas Bar Foundation Fellows, the critical justice needs of thousands of Texans will be addressed.”
The next grant deadline is at 5 p.m. CST on January 15, 2025. For more information and to access the online application and qualifications please visit txbf.org or email Grants Manager Amy Weir at aweir@txbf.org.
The Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture unveiled a bronze statue of the late Charlye O. Farris, Texas’ first licensed African American female attorney, on October 26 on the lawn of the Wichita County Courthouse, according to a press release.
The alliance commissioned Farris’ statue as part of its “Legends Project,” an effort to honor North Texas legal legends and trailblazers. The Wichita Falls Times Record News reported that a large crowd attended the unveiling of the statue, which was sculpted by Lubbock-based artist Eddie Dixon, according to a press release.
Farris (1929-2010) was a Wichita Falls native. On November 12, 1953, she became Texas’ first licensed African American female attorney. On July 7, 1954, members of the Wichita County Bar Association unanimously elected Farris to serve as county judge pro tem. At the time of her election, she was believed to be the first African American judge in the South since Reconstruction.
Farris passed away at the age of 80 following a legal career that spanned more than 50 years. The Texas Bar Foundation recognized her as an Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer in 2004. In 2011, the Texas Historical Commission honored her with an historical marker in front of the Wichita Falls County Courthouse.
For more information about the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture’s “Legends Project,” and Farris, go to wichitafallsarts.org/projects/the-legends-project-charley-o-farris.
PHOTO: The bronze statue of Charlye O. Farris erected on the grounds of the Wichita County Courthouse in Wichita Falls. Photo courtesy of Ann Arnold-Ogden, Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture.