The Texas Access to Justice Commission met December 15 to consider the report from the commission’s Access to Legal Services Working Group. After accepting public comment and discussion among the commissioners, the commission voted to approve the following recommendations from the working group’s report: Authorize Supreme Court of Texas-licensed (1) paraprofessionals to represent and assist … Continue Reading
The Access to Legal Services Working Group will present its final report on potential regulatory reforms designed to improve access to justice for low-income Texans during a meeting December 15 in Austin, according to an announcement Wednesday from the Texas Access to Justice Commission. The working group was formed after the Supreme Court of Texas … Continue Reading
Bar associations from around the state were honored for their commitment to access to justice issues on July 22 during the State Bar of Texas 2023 Local Bar Leaders Conference in Houston. Terry O. Tottenham, a commissioner on the Texas Access to Justice Commission and past president of the State Bar of Texas, presented the … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court named Harriet Miers, a partner in Locke Lord in Dallas and Washington, D.C., as the new chair of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, effective January 1, 2022. Harry Reasoner, who has served as chair for 12 years, will serve as chair emeritus.… Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission named Beck Redden as the winner for the highest level of participation and highest amount raised in the medium-size firm category of the Champions of Justice Firm Competition. The numbers are based on Texas Access to Justice Commission contributions made by the firms’ attorneys in support of the statewide … Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Texas honored veterans throughout the state at the Virtual 2020 Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans. More than $422,000 was raised to help provide civil legal services to low-income Texas veterans. Proceeds are distributed by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and dedicated to the … Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission with its co-sponsor, the State Bar of Texas, honored veterans throughout the state at the Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans on Tuesday in Austin. More than $455,050 was raised to help provide civil legal services to low-income Texas veterans. Proceeds are distributed by the Texas Access to Justice … Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas Access to Justice Foundation honored Texas Rep. Oscar Longoria with the Texas Access to Justice Legislative Hero Award at a luncheon in Austin on October 18. He was recognized for his contributions during the 85th Texas Legislature. “As an attorney, Rep. Longoria understands that legal aid is … Continue Reading
Andrew Oldham, general counsel to Gov. Greg Abbott, will serve as liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Commission. Oldham was appointed by Abbott, whom he advises on federal and state law issues. He currently manages litigation in which the governor is an interested party and is a lecturer on the rule of law, the … Continue Reading
Sen. Judith Zaffirini, the first Hispanic woman elected to the Texas Senate, has been appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to the Texas Access to Justice Commission. Zaffirini will help the commission expand civil legal aid resources to low-income Texans. The Laredo native has received more than 900 awards and honors for her public service … Continue Reading
The 2017 Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans raised $560,200 to help provide civil legal services to low-income Texas veterans. The eighth annual gala, held Wednesday in Austin, has raised more than $3 million since its inception. The State Bar of Texas underwrites the event to ensure that proceeds go to helping veterans get legal … Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission kicked off the 2017 Justice for All Campaign this week, which aims to raise funds for legal aid efforts. Each day, dedicated legal aid defenders, pro bono attorneys, and access to justice supporters rise to the occasion in pursuit of justice for all. United with one goal, they assist low-income … Continue Reading
Representatives of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and Texas Access to Justice Commission, state government, and the Texas Supreme Court spoke about the importance of improving low-income Texans and veterans’ access to civil legal help at a breakfast January 26 at the Capitol. State Rep. Sarah Davis, who serves as a liaison to the … Continue Reading
Several law firms and attorneys were honored at a Texas Access to Justice Commission reception Monday for their commitment to supporting legal aid. The event was held in conjunction with Celebrate Pro Bono Week, a national program that highlights the importance of expanding access to justice through free legal help.… Continue Reading
Bar associations from across Texas received recognition for their commitment to promoting access to justice at the Bar Leaders Conference July 15-16 in Houston. The Bar Leaders Conference, put on by the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and the Texas Access to Justice Commission, aims to help inspire effective leadership and … Continue Reading
It’s not every day that attorneys get a chance to tape their firm’s top officials to a wall. But on April 21, employees at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Austin, Houston, and Dallas did just that. At the fundraiser—dubbed Sticky Fly—Dallas office CEO Phil Appenzeller, Austin shareholder David Mattka, and Houston shareholder Mitch McFarland … Continue Reading
The 2016 Champions of Justice Gala Benefitting Veterans raised more than $334,000 to help provide civil legal services to low-income Texan veterans, the Texas Access to Justice Commission reported. The seventh annual gala, held Wednesday, has raised nearly $2.5 million since its inception. The State Bar of Texas underwrites the event to ensure that proceeds … Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission, in conjunction with the General Counsel Forum, raised $71,026 for civil legal aid during the 3rd Annual Charity Golf Classic held Thursday in San Antonio.… Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission kicked off Pro Bono Week on Monday with a reception honoring law firms and individual attorneys that support access to justice efforts in Texas.… Continue Reading
Justice Eva M. Guzman has been appointed liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Commission and the foundation that supports the commission's work to provide civil legal services to the poor.… Continue Reading
Local bar associations, young lawyer associations, and State Bar of Texas sections were recognized for their commitment to pro bono service and access-to-justice issues during the State Bar's annual Local Bar Leaders Conference.… Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas Access to Justice Foundation hosted a news conference yesterday at the Texas State Capitol to emphasize the ongoing funding crisis in the Texas legal aid system.… Continue Reading
Senator Kirk Watson Named "Legislative Hero" for Improving Access to Justice to the More Than Six Million Texans Who Qualify for Legal Aid.… Continue Reading
