Purchase your tickets to the 75th Annual Harvest Celebration, where all net proceeds benefit Houston Volunteer Lawyers, before prices increase on September 8! Don’t miss the premier evening event of the legal community happening on Monday, November 11. 

Help our neighbors in need who are recovering from the recent disaster by supporting the Harvest Celebration Campaign. Every dollar donated is amplified into $4 of pro bono legal services provided to the greater Houston community. By supporting the Harvest Celebration, you are helping Houston Volunteer Lawyers provide critical pro bono legal services that support recovery and healing, such as legal recourse after a natural disaster, landlord tenant issues, consumer issues, domestic problems, and estate planning. 

Pledge your support of $2,500 or above by Friday, August 16 to be included in the printed invitation, or $1,000 or above by Monday, October 21 to be included in the Houston Chronicle ad on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org.

Learn more about how to underwrite the 75th Annual Harvest Celebration and this year’s underwriting benefits.

Join the Harvest Celebration Campaign to support our Houston neighbors in need today!

Purchase Your Tickets Today

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org.

Established in 1958, the Houston Lawyer Referral Service (HLRS) has been dedicated to bridging the gap between the public and qualified legal professionals. The organization's mission is to connect individuals with reasonably priced, competent attorneys who meet their specific legal needs. This commitment not only supports the community but also provides valuable referrals for legal practitioners. Karen Ramsey, the Executive Director of HLRS, emphasizes the organization's core mission: “Our mission has always been to ensure that anyone seeking legal assistance can find a lawyer who is not only qualified but also affordable*.” This dedication underscores their role in making legal services accessible to everyone.

To maintain the highest standards, HLRS adheres to certain selection criteria for its referral network. Ramsey explains, “All participating attorneys must be licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas, and carry professional liability insurance.” For more complex legal matters, including contested family issues and bankruptcy, she adds that “attorneys need at least five years of Texas practice experience and recent continuing legal education in the relevant field.”

HLRS provides valuable benefits not only to the community but also to its members. Annual membership dues range from $175 to $350. On average, members earn $20,000 annually through referrals from HLRS alone.

Looking ahead, HLRS is excited about its upcoming initiative in early 2025. The organization will host a half-day CLE event, aimed at solo practitioners and small firms. “This CLE will provide valuable insights into managing and growing a successful law practice,” says Ramsey. The event will be free for HLRS members and available at a discounted rate for HBA members.

Beyond its referral services, HLRS is also committed to educating the community on legal issues. They offer information through social media and produce educational videos on critical topics like bankruptcy, wills, and parent-child relationship modifications. Ramsey highlights, “We provide the community with valuable information to educate and inform on various topics, including avoiding scams, selecting contractors, and dealing with insurance companies.” These resources are designed to help the public navigate legal challenges and make informed decisions.

Reflecting on her leadership since April 2012, Ramsey shares, “I have found great satisfaction in serving the community by connecting people with the right attorneys for their legal needs. I also enjoy witnessing attorneys start their practices, often feeling eager and sometimes a bit scared, and then seeing them thrive and grow their practices, sometimes even adding associates to manage the increasing caseload. This journey of supporting both the community and the legal profession is something I am deeply honored to be a part of.”

To learn more and become an HLRS member, please visit HLRS.org.

*Attorney rates range from $225-$425/hour on average.

New, specialized business courts created during the 2023 Texas Legislative Session will begin accepting cases on September 1. The Texas Business Courts will handle certain civil cases related to commercial disputes. Governor Greg Abbott will appoint judges to serve two-year terms. 

A newly-created Fifteenth Court of Appeals, which will also go into effect on September 1, will oversee the appeals stemming from these courts. Governor Abott announced his first three appointees to the court in June. They are Justice April Farris (First Court of Appeals), Scott A. Brister (Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP), and Judge Scott K. Field (480th Judicial District Court). 

Learn more about the new courts by reading this article by HBA President David Harrell. 

As part of President Harrell’s initiatives—ensuring the HBA participates in the expansion of the business community—the HBA will produce programming to educate members about these new court. The goal is to build this programming into an annual CLE that focuses on practice in those Business Courts and helps to solidify Houston’s leadership in Texas commerce. We’ll send additional information about this programming once it’s confirmed. President Harrell will also author an article about these courts for the September/October issue of The Houston Lawyer. 

The Fifteenth Court of Appeals, established by the Texas legislature in 2023, will commence operations on September 1, 2024. This new court holds special jurisdiction over specific civil cases involving the State of Texas and certain business law matters.

The court is currently seeking to fill six attorney positions, with two stationed in Houston and the remaining in Austin.

Additionally, job postings for three law clerk positions will be announced soon.

Please find the open attorney positions below.

Attorney IV for Chief Justice Scott Brister

Attorney IV for Justice April Farris

Attorney IV for Justice Scott Field

Looking for other employment opportunities like the one above? 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.  

The HBA will open the 2024 Judicial Preference Poll next month on Monday, September 16. This poll is a service of the HBA conducted during election years to obtain members’ preferences in contested judicial races, as well as some administrative races. The results of the Judicial Preference Poll are not a Houston Bar Association opinion or an endorsement. 

Only HBA members are eligible to cast a ballot. If you are not an HBA member and would like to participate in the 2024 Judicial Preference Poll, click here to become a member today. 

The HBA's Criminal Law & Procedure Section will be hosting the 2024 Criminal/Appellate Bench Bar Conference on Thursday, October 24 at the Hotel ZaZa – Memorial City. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with colleagues, judges, old friends, future partners, and leading experts in criminal and appellate law. Don't miss the conference and post-event happy hour! The conference will offer 7 hours of MCLE credit.

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Don't miss out! Connect with us to stay up to date on the latest happening at the HBA!

Stay engaged and informed with your legal community! Visit the HBA's online events calendar for upcoming CLEs, section and committee programming, and more. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

HBA Online Events Calendar

Time off in the summer? Catch up on CLE in our online CLE video library!

Visit the HBA On-Demand CLE Library Here

Questions? Contact HBA Education Coordinator Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org. 

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.

Join us at Locke Lord LLP on Thursday, August 29 for an enlightening session on the new Business Courts! The CLE session will take place from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., followed by a meet and greet with the new judges from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Earn 1 hour of MCLE credit.

Speakers include Brent Benoit, HBA Past President, presenting a 30-minute history and background; HBA President David Harrell, serving as moderator for 30 minutes; and insights from Hon. April Farris, Hon. Grant Dorfman, and Hon. Sofia Adrogué.

This event is limited to 75 in-person spots, so don't miss out! If you can't attend in person, the session will be recorded and made available in the HBA online video library for members. 

Secure Your Spot

 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.

Roland Garcia was selected by the Houston Business Journal as a 2024 Diversity in Business Award honoree.  The award honors individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to promoting practices that advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as in business leadership.  Garcia is a shareholder in the Houston office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP.  

O'Melveny & Myers LLP is delighted to welcome esteemed attorney Denise Scofield as a partner in its General Litigation Practice Group and Energy Industry Group at their Houston office.

During the 2024 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Anietie Akpan, director and corporate counsel for Mattress Firm, Inc., was recognized with the Outstanding First Year Director Award by the Texas Young Lawyers Association.

Congratulations to all the attorneys recognized in the Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40, including six of our very own HBA members: Jared Grodin (Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP), Christopher Hogan (Hogan Thompson Schuelke LLP), Alexander Kuiper (Kuiper Law Firm PLLC), Jennifer Speck (Bracewell LLP), Kenneth Stephens (Pur Noire Urban Wineries and Stephens Reed & Armstrong PLLC), and Adam Weaver (Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP).

Sorrels Law has announced the addition of accomplished trial and appellate attorney Dylan B. Russell as the newest partner to their team.

Former criminal prosecutor Grant Bryan has joined Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC in Houston as an associate.

Congratulations to all of the HBA members who were recognized in the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators list.

Reynolds Frizzell LLP has named Jim Weiss and Elizabeth Wilkerson as the firm's new co-managing partners.

Beck Redden LLP is pleased to announce that Madison Young Moore has been named to the Institute for Energy Law’s 7th Leadership Class.

On July 19, HBA Lawyers for Literacy Committee liaisons, Georgina Peña and Bonnie Simmons, dedicated their day to restocking ten of the HBA Little Free Libraries throughout the Houston area, just in time for summer reading. These libraries were installed by the HBA Lawyers for Literacy Committee in communities that have little to no access to books. All of the books are new and appropriate for youth ages 0-teen with a focus on diversity and bilingual books. These particular libraries encourage youth to take books home to keep as their own with no obligation to return or exchange the book.

For questions about the HBA’s Little Free Libraries or the work of the Literacy Committee contact Bonnie Simmons at bonnies@hba.org or (346) 471-3418.

On July 19, the Communities In Schools of Houston students and their HBA coaches came together for a virtual prep session in anticipation of the CIS Mock Trial scheduled for August 2!

A big thank you to the HBA CIS Mock Trial Subcommittee Co-Chairs, all subcommittee members, and the attorney coaches for their dedicated efforts in organizing and guiding the students through trial procedures.

Welcome to Houston! The HBA was delighted to sponsor and attend the State Bar of Texas Local Bar Leaders Conference, held at the Westin Galleria in Houston on July 25 and 26. This annual event provides us with a valuable opportunity to exchange best practices and ideas with fellow Texas bar leaders, enhancing our ability to serve our members more effectively. The HBA was proud to see so many of our members present in their leadership roles across the local bars and speaking at sessions. Looking forward to an exciting bar year!

On July 29, KPFT-FM interviewed our very own Collin Cox about the incredible work of Houston Volunteer Lawyers and the essential pro bono services they provide to the Houston community.

Click here to listen to the full interview and discover how HVL is making a significant impact. To learn more about HVL, visit makejusticehappen.org.

A big thank you to the University of Houston Law Center for hosting the Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) students on July 29 as part of our summer legal internship program. The students enjoyed a campus tour and an informative session, and were surprised with a brief visit from Dean Leonard M. Baynes.

We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to organizing the students' summer educational enrichment activities this year!

On September 12, the Houston Bar Association and TXCPA Houston are joining forces to bring you an evening of learning and networking. This 1-hour CLE/CPE panel discussion will dive into the dos and don’ts of working with experts, covering the process from beginning to end. Join moderator, Tiffany Lewis, Partner at StoneTurn, with panelists, Sushant Mohan, Partner at BakerHostetler, and Jacob Adams, Director at Alvarez & Marsal Disputes and Investigations LLP, as they share their insights and past experiences from the selection process to trial. This insightful discussion will be followed by a Happy Hour at the TXCPA Houston Chapter Training Facility. Connect with fellow HBA and TXCPA Houston members and expand your network all while gaining key insights.

The panel discussion will be held from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Check-in opens at 4:00 PM, with the option to work earlier in the TXCPA Houston office before 4:00 PM to beat traffic. Happy Hour will include drinks and light bites. Be sure to register now to secure one of the limited spots in this exciting joint event.*

Can’t join in-person? You can attend the panel discussion hour over Zoom, as well. Link will be provided in confirmation email.

*Please note that in-person attendance for HBA members is limited to 20 participants.

RSVP FOR IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL

Houston Lawyer Referral Service

Click here to read a special spotlight feature on HLRS!

Dispute Resolution Center  

Click here to learn more about DRC.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Hurricane Beryl has tested our city's resilience, causing power outages, property damage, and disruptions to daily life. Despite these challenges, our community has shown incredible strength. HVL is deeply grateful to their volunteers who provided pro bono services during this difficult time, especially those who participated in LegalLine and the Naturalization Clinic.

HVL is assessing the legal issues post-Beryl and will share specific pro bono opportunities as they arise. Individuals impacted by the hurricane can apply for FEMA assistance and find resources on TexasLawHelp.

Please consider taking on a pro bono case or volunteering at one of the upcoming clinics to help those in need.

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 100 Club

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 percent of their attorneys as members of the HBA.