December 2023: Houston Bar Bulletin - Houston Bar Bulletin

With the scheduled retirement of Mindy Davidson, who has served the Houston Bar Association and Foundation with dedicated enthusiasm and leadership, the search has begun for a new executive director. As the principal at Elizabeth Derrico & Associates and an experienced bar professional, I am so pleased for the chance to work with the HBA Search Committee chaired by HBA President Diana Gomez. While replacing Mindy will be no easy task, this is an opportunity to further the collaborative strategic leadership partnership with the association and foundation boards of directors. 

The executive director is the chief staff executive and is responsible for strategic, operational, and staff leadership and management of the HBA and the Foundation including development and implementation of strategic direction, oversight of day-to-day programs and operations, and cultivating strong relationships with the Bar’s ancillary organizations and strategic, corporate and community partners. The executive director is accountable to the Board of Directors.

Also serving on the Search Committee are Chris Popov, Immediate Past President (Vinson & Elkins LLP); Daniella Landers, Treasurer (Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP); David Harrell, President-Elect (Locke Lord LLP); Greg Ulmer, Second Vice President (BakerHostetler LLP); Collin Cox, Secretary (Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP); and Kaylan Dunn, First Vice President (Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP).

Please share this opportunity with your colleagues and networks. Applicants to apply for the position by sending a cover letter, including salary requirements, and resume to elizabeth@elizabethderrico.com. A full position description is available here. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2023. Please direct all inquiries to Elizabeth Derrico.

Whether you're interested in getting CLE, attending a section event, or making connections to enhance your practice, the HBA has something for everyone! Visit the HBA events calendar today to stay engaged and informed with your legal community. We look forward to seeing you!

Visit the HBA events calendar 

We will publish the results of the 2023 HBA Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire on Wednesday, December 13. We will send an email to our members once the results are posted.  

The results of the Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire are not an official opinion or endorsement by the Houston Bar Association. This poll is a service of the HBA conducted during non-election years and asks HBA members to evaluate all elected and appointed judges who have actively served on their current court for a minimum of six months as of the date of the evaluation on a number of professional and ethical questions. The goal of this Evaluation Poll is to obtain the Bar’s evaluation of judicial performance based on the personal experiences of individual lawyers.

For questionnaire inquiries, contact HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.

The exclusive HBA Online Member Directory is now accessible to HBA members. Only HBA members can access this directory and members must be signed into their account in order to access this directory. 

The HBA Online Member Directory provides basic information about HBA members, such as their company or law firm, HBA section membership (if applicable), HBA committee membership (if applicable), law school, and areas of practice. 

Per the policy of the HBA, we do not publicize members' email addresses. However, each member can decide whether to add additional information of their choosing, such as preferred address, preferred phone number, and preferred email address (for correspondence with the HBA ONLY).  

Members can control what information is displayed in the directory through the HBA online account dashboard in the MyHBA Online Directory area, as shown on the left hand side.

For additional details about the online directory or HBA membership, please contact Ron Riojas, HBA Director of Membership and Technology Services, at ronr@hba.org.

Preview the New Membership Benefit

2024 Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards 

We are now accepting your nominations for the 2024 Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards. The Houston Bar Association Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards Committee will select the award recipients. The awards will be presented at the HBF Annual Luncheon on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Awards may be given in the following categories:

• Large Firm (100+)
• Mid-size Firm (20-100)
• Small Firm (1-20)
• Corporate Law Department
• Individual, an award for overall outstanding pro bono work by an individual, whether part of a firm, corporation, or solo practice.
  *Awards may not be given in every category every year.

Eligibility criteria include:

• The attorney or firm attorneys must be licensed by and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• The attorney must primarily practice in Harris County or surrounding counties.
• The law firm submissions must be based on pro bono work performed through the office based in Harris County or surrounding counties.

Attorneys and firms become eligible through a self-nominating process or someone may nominate a firm or individual. Nominations must be submitted to the Houston Bar Association by 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2024. 

Click Here for Eligibility Criteria, List of Materials to be Submitted, and Nomination Form 

Justice Cook Professionalism Award

The Justice Eugene A. Cook Professionalism Award is presented by the Houston Bar Association to a lawyer or judge who exemplifies the highest level of professionalism and legal ethics. A nominee must have demonstrated, by conduct and character, a longstanding commitment to professionalism and a record of exemplary service in the areas of professionalism, legal ethics, and legal excellence. The nominee must be a role model for younger or less experienced lawyers who make the bar proud of the legal profession. Lawyer nominees may be from a transactional or litigation practice, and nominees must be a member of the HBA.

Please send the nominee's resume and three to five letters of support by 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2024 to HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.

Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award

The Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award is presented by the Houston Bar Association to a woman lawyer or judge for exceptional achievement and leadership in the law. This award recognizes a record of outstanding accomplishments by a woman attorney. The award was established in 2019 and is named in honor of Justice Sondock, the first recipient, who was a trailblazer in the legal profession as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Texas and the first woman District Court Judge in Harris County. A nominee must have demonstrated, by conduct and character, a record of exceptional service as a role model, mentor, and advocate in the legal profession, and a lifelong commitment to professionalism. Nominees may be from a transactional or litigation practice, and nominees must be a member of the HBA.

Please send the nominee's resume and three to five letters of support by 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2024 to HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.

2024 HBA Diversity Awards  

We welcome your nominations for the 2024 HBA Diversity Awards, which recognizes Houston-based individuals, law firms, and legal departments who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and achieved significant progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Click on the forms below for more information on required submission materials. Nominations for the 2024 Diversity Awards are due May 16, 2024. 

Individual Attorney Nomination Form 

Organization Nomination Form 

For questions or additional information, please contact Ashley Gagnon Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or 346-471-3431. 

Mark your calendars for an HBA signature event! You are invited to our first-ever HBA Bites and Beverages for the Bar on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Hotel Zaza Museum District from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., taking place right after the 2024 Bench Bar Conference. Join us as Houston’s legal community comes together as one to experience delicious cuisine and libations from around the world. Ticket sales open in February.

For questions, please contact Ashley Gagnon Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or 346-471-3431 or Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org or 346-471-3293.

This year's Bench Bar Conference is not solely focused on Civil or Criminal law. On April 12, 2024, our conference promises something for everyone. From inclusive general plenary sessions to intimate breakout discussions in specialized areas—Civil, Criminal, Appellate, Family, and Probate—chosen by attendees during registration. This event is set to be the conference of the year, offering a comprehensive experience. For any inquiries about the conference or how to offer support, please contact Ashley Gagnon Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or 346-471-3431 or Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org or 346-471-3293. Registration opens in February.

Follow the HBA on these platforms to keep up with the latest member news and events

The ambassadors gathered together at the Harvest Celebration on November 13, 2023. (Left photo: Ambassadors pictured with 2023-2024 HBA President Diana Gomez; Emma Brockway, Traci Gibson, and Jose R. Lopez II, are not pictured).

We are pleased to introduce the 2023-2024 HBA Ambassadors! They are:

• Simone Bray, Harris County Public Defender's Office
• Emma Brockway, Doyle Dennis LLP
• Sophia George, Husch Blackwell LLP
• Traci Gibson, Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey PC
• Jake Johnson, South Texas College of Law Houston
• Farah Kamal, Kamal Law Firm, PLLC
• Jose R. Lopez II, Law Offices of Jose R. Lopez II
• Audrey Momanaee, Balch & Bingham
• Daniel Rodriguez, Harris County Commissioner Precinct 4
• Rachel Sedita, Diggs & Sadler
• Myra Siddiqui, Southern District of Texas

Learn  more about the program and this year's ambassadors here.

We are grateful for our members! To make sure we continue to provide the best experience, we invite you to participate in our 2023 Membership Survey. We value your feedback.

The HBA Gender Fairness Committee welcomes you to join them for a book club discussion on Thursday, December 7 at Day 6 Coffee Co. (910 Prairie St. Ste. 100). The book for discussion is The Majority by Elizabeth L. Silver. RSVP to Katherine Kunz by emailing kkunz@hicks-thomas.com. 

The 36th Annual Law & the Media Seminar, co-sponsored by the HBA Law & the Media Committee and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Houston Pro Chapter, will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024. The theme of this year's program is "Investigative Journalism & the Rule of Law." 

Bookmark your calendars here and look for additional information about registration in the coming weeks. 

Registration for the 39th Annual HBA Eikenburg 8K Fun Run is now open! Join us at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

Register Here

Sponsorship opportunities are also available here.

Proceeds from this annual event benefit The Center for Pursuit, a Houston nonprofit organization which serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. 

Questions? Contact Bonnie Simmons at bonnies@hba.org or (346) 471-3418.   

It’s never too early to get a head start on one of our most popular spring events! Registration is now open for the 76th Annual HBA Golf Tournament.

Register or Sponsor Here

Our golf tournament is a great way to spend the day bonding with colleagues and friends, and making new connections. Your participation also supports a great cause. All proceeds will benefit the 26th HBA Habitat for Humanity house and the Houston Bar Foundation.

For questions, contact Bonnie Simmons at bonnies@hba.org. 
 

The Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas, is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender to be stationed in the Houston office. Open until filled. Click here to learn more.  

Looking for other job opportunities? 

Visit the HBA Career Center, where we connect employees and employers. It’s also where you’ll find a Career Planning Portal offering resume writing services and coaching.  

HBA Career Center

Questions about the HBA Career Center? Email HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.  

Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast features in-depth conversations with Houston attorneys and judges, providing insight about the latest legal developments, as well as personal stories of the opportunities and challenges of serving the law. The podcast is the companion to The Houston Lawyer, where each episode focuses on the same themes as the magazine. 

Learn more about the podcast and how you can subscribe by visiting The Houston Lawyer page.

These CLE programs are FREE for HBA members to attend. Non-members may also attend most programs for $26 per person (unless otherwise noted). Register by noon the day of the program (unless otherwise noted) via the HBA website calendar.  

HBA members can also instantly access our free online video library - accessible to HBA members only - by clicking the image below!

Watch for news of our new and improved free online video library coming soon.

If you have a question about courses available, or a specific course number, please contact Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org or (346) 471-3293. 

 If you have good news you would like to share in the HBA Bulletin, please email HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.

Arnold & Itkin LLP recently received the Texas Access to Justice Foundation’s Access to Justice Award, given to the firm for its work hosting fundraisers to benefit legal aid.  

Liskow’s Houston office welcomed Melanie Cruthirds as an associate in the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group and Elizabeth Strunk as an associate in the firm’s Maritime practice group.

Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Evan Spencer has joined the firm’s Houston office in the Maritime practice group.

Mayer Brown has announced that Peter Jordan is joining their Houston office as a litigation partner.

Jon Daly has joined Locke Lord’s Houston office as a partner in the Corporate and Transactional practice group.

Sorrels Law has announced the addition of former State District Court Judge Jeff Work to its team of lawyers.

We are proud to share new HBA Membership Testimonials, featuring HBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair Sabrina Jiwani of KBR, Inc. and HBA member Michael Hanson, a Fort Bend County prosecutor, judge advocate for the Texas Army National Guard, and member of the HBA Military & Veterans Committee. Our thanks to Sabrina and Michael for taking part and sharing why they value their HBA membership!

You can learn more about their HBA journeys here and follow us on social media to catch the newest membership testimonials as soon as they post.  

If you’d like to be a part of the HBA member experience, click here to join us today! Thank you to the HBA Membership Committee and Social Media Subcommittee for your partnership on this special initiative.  

If you have questions about these testimonials, or would like to join the HBA Membership Committee, please contact HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.  

THANK YOU 

Thank you to these HBA volunteers for participating in these November activities and making the holidays a little brighter for the Houston community.  

Thank you to all who volunteered at the Houston Food Bank this holiday season!

Thank you to all who volunteered for the 2023 Adopt-a-Family project. See the list of amazing volunteers here!

Thank you to all who participated and donated towards the 2023 Veterans Holiday Gift Bags.

The HBA is proud to announce the dedication of its 25th Habitat for Humanity home! Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, and partners for your support helping us make this dream a reality for Tishona and Juan and their daughter.

We invite you to help the HBA raise funds for its next Habitat home by contributing to the construction fund. All contributions made here will be allocated to the HBA sponsorship of Houston Habitat for Humanity.  Since 1998, the Houston Bar Association has partnered with Houston Habitat for Humanity to provide houses for deserving local families. The HBA is their longest-running sponsor. 

Visit the HBA Habitat for Humanity Committee page to learn more about the HBA’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity and how you can help make a difference.  

The HBA Professionalism Committee hosted its 2023 Professionalism Fall Ethics Program on November 1, exploring how to Manage Clients and Parties with Trauma.

Thank you to our speakers, Mollie Gordon MA, MD; Hon. Angela Graves-Harrington (246th District Court); Hon. Latosha Lewis Payne (55th District Court); Annie McAdams (Annie McAdams PC); Eric Gerard (Sorrels Law); moderator Mike Day (Jeff Diamant Law, Board Certified in Family Law); and host Rick Anderson (Husch Blackwell). Thank you to our sponsors Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Mike Day, and Prosperity Trust.

This program is accredited for 1 hour of MCLE, including 1 hour of ethics. You can watch the recorded program here. 

Thank you to the HBA Professionalism Committee for hosting this event. Interested in joining this committee or want to learn more about its programming? Contact HBA Director of Projects & Events Bonnie Simmons at Bonnies@hba.org.

Thank you to the speakers and attendees who joined us on November 6 for a panel program about making meaningful connections.  

A special thank you to our speakers for this HBA signature event: Hon. Eva Guzman (Wright Close & Barger, LLP), Denise Scofield (Winston & Strawn LLP), Imrana Manzanares (Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner), and Travis Torrence (Shell USA Inc). 

If you’d like to learn more about upcoming HBA signature events and how to make the most of your membership, let us know! You can email membership@hba.org or call 713-759-1133. 

The HBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee welcomed over 100 DEI 1L Summer Clerkship employers and interested law students to a networking event on November 6. 

Thank you to HBA DEI Committee Co-Chair Judge Ravi K. Sandill of the 127th District Court for hosting and sponsoring food and drinks. Thank you to HBA DEI Committee Co-Chair Charles Shaw of the Harris County Attorney’s Office for planning the event and his remarks. And thank you to the prospective employers, students, and HBA DEI Committee members who joined us. 

Interested in joining this committee, becoming a summer employer, or want to learn more about its programming? Contact HBA Director of Projects & Events Bonnie Simmons at Bonnies@hba.org.

What does the emergence of artificial intelligence mean for lawyers in their practice? That’s the question at the center of the talk given by Cameron Powell (Gregor Wynne Arney) for the HBA Senior Lawyers Forum on November 15.  

The program was accredited for 1 hour of MCLE. You can view the materials by visiting the committee webpage here.

This was the first of three Senior Lawyers Forums that will be held by the HBA Senior Lawyers Committee this bar year. Details coming soon for the next forum.

To learn more about the HBA Senior Lawyers Committee and its programming, visit the committee's webpage here. Questions? Please contact Bonnie Simmons at bonnies@hba.org.  

The HBA and Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) Military & Veterans committees hosted the Second Annual Fire Team Relay benefiting local veterans organizations on Saturday, December 2.  

Teams of four competed in a “chow hall challenge”-style relay event, which included a 1.5-mile run, a 3-mile bike, an obstacle course, and a 1-mile weighted run. Before each of these legs, one participant from each team ate an appetizer portion of food. Each participant received  a t-shirt, as well as a challenge coin.

Congratulations to these winning teams!

1. Hurdle Turtles
2. KASS
3. Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner Family and Friends

Net proceeds will be allocated to benefit veteran services provided by Combined Arms and the HBA/HBF/HVL Veterans Legal Initiative. 

See Event Photos Here

Thank you to all of our sponsors! Thank you to HYLA for your partnership, and to the HBA Military & Veterans Committee co-chairs: Barney Dill (Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner), Jonny Havens (Havens & Associates, PLLC), and Selina Valdez (Marc Whitehead & Associates).

Questions about the Fire Team Relay or the HBA Military & Veterans Committee? Contact Bonnie Simmons at bonnies@hba.org or (346) 471-3418. 

Mark your calendars for the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary (HBAA) 9th Annual Chili and Pie Cook-off, taking place Saturday, January 27 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Saint Jerome’s Catholic Church (8825 Kempwood Dr, Houston, TX 77080).

It’s a family-friendly event, where you can taste some of the best pie and chili Houston’s legal community has to offer! Plus, proceeds go to the HBAA Charitable Fund, which provides scholarships to students from the three local law schools, so sponsor, sign-up a team, or buy a ticket and join in the fun!

But wait there's more - HBA and HYLA also invite all sitting judges to judge the cook-off! 

Ready to put your taste buds to the test? Please email Ashley Gagnon Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org.  

Houston Lawyer Referral Service

It is always a good time to join the Houston Lawyer Referral Service! Annual dues start at $175. HLRS members enjoy pre-screened referrals and earn an average of $20,000 each year on referrals. If you have a business office, professional liability insurance, and charge $400 an hour or less, you should consider joining the HLRS. Not sure if it’s for you? Contact HLRS Executive Director Karen Ramsey at Kramsey@hrs.org or call 713-650-0470 to learn more.

Dispute Resolution Center 

Still Seeking Volunteers!
 
Interested in volunteering with the DRC? Send a copy of your mediation certificate and resume (or bio) to email@drchouston.org (please type “Volunteer” in the subject line) or mail them to: Dispute Resolution Center, 49 San Jacinto, Suite 220 Houston, Texas 77002.
 
To mediate in their Community-Based Program, all volunteers must have successfully completed a 40-hour DRC or DRC-approved mediation training. Volunteers in this program come from all work and educational backgrounds.
 
To mediate in their Litigation Program, all volunteers must have successfully completed a 40-hour DRC or DRC-approved mediation training.  In this program, they use only attorneys licensed to practice law in the State of Texas for a minimum of five years.  
 
To mediate in their Family Program, all volunteers must have successfully completed a 40-hour DRC or DRC-approved mediation training and a 24-hour DRC or DRC-approved family mediation training. This program uses only mediators who possess a J.D.
 
Once the DRC receives your information, they will contact you about volunteer opportunities. While many of the mediations are conducted virtually, there are opportunities to mediate in-person at most JP courts throughout Harris County and limited opportunities at the DRC office.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Houston Volunteer Lawyers is seeking dedicated attorneys to volunteer for 2024 Legal Advice Clinics. Attorneys must be licensed in the U.S. The time commitment for legal advice clinics ranges from two to four hours on a specific date. For more information on clinic opportunities, visit Legal Advice Clinics - Houston Volunteer Lawyers (makejusticehappen.org) or email probono@hvlp.org.

Thank you to these firms and companies who have agreed to assume a leadership role in providing equal access to justice for all Harris County citizens. Each has made a commitment to provide representation in a certain number of cases through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

The Houston Bar Association 100 Club is a special category of membership that indicates a commitment to the advancement of the legal profession and the betterment of the community. The following law firms, government agencies, law schools and corporate legal departments with five or more attorneys have become members of the 100 Club by enrolling 100% of their attorneys as members of the HBA (as of August 1, 2023).

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