State Bar of Texas President Sylvia Borunda Firth released the following statement April 4 on the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari in the McDonald v. Firth case regarding the mandatory bar in Texas. “We are pleased the Court continues to recognize the longstanding precedent that supports the mandatory bar structure. Thirty other states and … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors filed a conditional cross-petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in response to plaintiffs’ filing in the McDonald lawsuit challenging the mandatory bar. Plaintiffs in the case filed a petition for writ of certiorari on November 24. The bar’s conditional cross-petition argues that … Continue Reading
U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel has issued a final judgment in the McDonald lawsuit challenging the mandatory bar. In September, the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors approved changes to bar rules and policies following a U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel opinion in the case. The final judgment enjoins the State … Continue Reading
Plaintiffs’ attorneys in the McDonald mandatory bar challenge filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on November 24, which was docketed on November 30 (McDonald v. Firth (No. 21-800)). In September, the State Bar Board of Directors approved changes to bar rules and policies to comply with the U.S. 5th … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting September 24 in San Antonio. Highlights of the meeting appear below. You can watch video of the meeting at youtube.com/statebaroftexas and read the agenda and meeting materials at texasbar.com/bodmaterials. 2022 Election Update The board approved Joe Escobedo Jr., of Edinburg, and Cindy V. … Continue Reading
On May 13, the State Bar of Texas laid out almost six decades of U.S Supreme Court precedent establishing the constitutionality of its structure in response to a lawsuit filed against the bar. The State Bar’s filings explain that the bar — as an arm of the government — has a statutory obligation to regulate … Continue Reading
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
