Justices of the Supreme Court of Texas convened a special session of the court on Wednesday to honor judges and governors who served in the armed forces during the Great War. Descendants of those honored were among those present in the crowd. The session was held in the historic Texas Supreme Court courtroom in the … Continue Reading
Texas Supreme Court Justice Phil Johnson submitted his resignation from the court on November 8 and will leave office on December 31. “You feel like in this position you can make a difference,” Johnson said in a press release. “The law is the superstructure of society, the framework for doing what we can do. I’ll … Continue Reading
The Task Force on the Texas Bar Examination issued its report to the Texas Supreme Court on May 16, including a recommendation that the state adopt the Uniform Bar Examination. The task force recommended the Uniform Bar Examination, or UBE, but rejected the “diploma privilege” that would allow Texas law school graduates to practice law … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals have appointed 31 members to lead the newly established Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The commission will examine best practices in the administration of civil and criminal justice for persons with mental illness.… Continue Reading
Update (2/26/2018): The Supreme Court of Texas has extended the order permitting out-of-state lawyers to practice temporarily in Texas through August 31. Read the amended order here. Original post (8/30/2017) Editor’s Note: The Texas Supreme Court issued the following advisory Wednesday regarding its emergency orders related to Hurricane Harvey. The Texas Supreme Court has amended orders … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is seeking comment on proposed rule revisions. As a result of legislation passed following the Sunset Review process, changes to attorney disciplinary process are required through rule revisions proposed by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel (CDC) and adopted by the Texas Supreme Court. The primary objective of the legislative mandates is to promote earlier … Continue Reading
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett was sworn in to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today at the Texas Supreme Court in Austin. James Davis Blacklock, Willett’s replacement on the Supreme Court, was also sworn in. Willett, who was nominated to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by President Donald J. Trump … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday allowing out-of-state lawyers to practice in Texas temporarily if they are displaced by Hurricane Harvey or volunteering to serve hurricane victims. The order allows an attorney licensed and in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction to practice in Texas for six months from the date of the order if: … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals issued an emergency order Monday authorizing modification and suspension of court procedures in proceedings affected by Hurricane Harvey. The order expires September 27 unless the courts extend it. “Court proceedings … throughout Texas may be affected by the disaster because of closures of courts and clerks’ … Continue Reading
The 10 members of the first cohort of the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator received words of support and encouragement from the Texas Supreme Court on June 13, 2017. Justice Phil Johnson spoke to the group gathered in the courtroom and reminded them of their important role in helping those who need access to justice. … Continue Reading
On Monday a new group of Texas lawyers was sworn in at the New Lawyers Induction Ceremony. Friends and family gathered at the Erwin Center along with representatives from the State Bar of Texas, the state’s law schools, the Texas Board of Law Examiners, and members of the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of … Continue Reading
Colleagues, friends, and family of former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jack Pope Jr. gathered in the Texas House chambers on April 27 to honor the memory of the judicial trailblazer who died in February at the age of 103. State officials read aloud House Resolution 1228—adopted by the House on April 13—which memorializes Pope, … 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
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht delivered the State of the Judiciary on February 1 to a joint session of the state legislature, touching on issues including judicial security and compensation, access to justice, electronic records, and the bail system. “As important as it is for courts to be efficient, it is more … Continue Reading
Hundreds of Texas’ newest lawyers were officially sworn in Monday at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin at the November New Lawyers Induction Ceremony. Friends and family of the new attorneys and representatives from the State Bar of Texas and the state’s law schools filled the room for the event, as the Texas Supreme Court … Continue Reading
The Tarrant County Bar Foundation celebrated pro bono efforts and raised money to improve access to justice at its annual luncheon this month. The Advocates for Justice Luncheon October 13 in Fort Worth benefited the foundation’s pro bono and community service programs and recognized the work of LegalLine, Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans—Tarrant County Chapter, … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section was recognized for its longtime support for legal aid at a luncheon celebrating pro bono work Monday. The Texas Access to Justice Foundation honored the section for contributing more than $350,000 for civil legal aid in the state over the years at the event, which was hosted … Continue Reading
Barbara Culver Clack, who was the second woman to serve full time on the Texas Supreme Court, died in Midland Sunday, according to a Texas Supreme Court advisory. She was 90. “Small of stature, she was a towering figure in the judiciary, to the legal profession and for the West Texas community she loved and … Continue Reading
The Texas Advocacy Project has announced the recipients of its annual awards recognizing community members who embody the nonprofit’s mission. The organization—which aims to provide free legal services to victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across the state—will present the awards at its 10th Annual Black & White Ball on October … Continue Reading
Our top four picks from the Texas Bar Journal’s May issue, plus Disciplinary Actions and Memorials. History Revisited The 1925 all-woman court will be reenacted at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting. By David A. Furlow and Lynne Liberato SXSW 2016 Where tech and law collide. By Lindsay Stafford Mader Service on the Move The … Continue Reading
On the morning of November 16, the State Bar of Texas will congratulate and administer the oath of office to hundreds of incoming attorneys at the New Lawyer Induction Ceremony, held at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin at 10 a.m. Almost 2,000 test-takers passed the July 2015 Texas Bar Exam and are eligible to … Continue Reading
Law students filing Declarations of Intention to Study Law and graduates planning to sit for the Texas Bar Examination will soon be able to file their applications and payments online. The Texas Board of Law Examiners ultimately plans to make online filing and payment mandatory since the Supreme Court approved rule changes authorizing it to … Continue Reading
Young lawyers learned useful information regarding marketing, networking, client development, and the importance of pro bono work, and heard advice from judges and experienced courtroom advocates, during a CLE program Friday in Austin.… Continue Reading
The Supreme Court of Texas will hear two cases in Tyler on Feb. 26. Oral arguments for JLG Trucking, LLC v. Lauren R. Garza and The Boeing Company and the Greater Kelly Development Authority N/K/A the Port of San Antonio v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in … Continue Reading