Time is running out! There are just 4 days left to take advantage of early bird tickets for the 75th Annual Harvest Celebration. Purchase your tickets to the premier networking event for the legal community now!

Purchase Your Harvest Celebration Tickets Here

Every dollar donated to the Harvest Celebration is amplified into $4 worth of pro bono legal services for the greater Houston community through HVL. All net proceeds from the Houston legal community’s premier fundraising and networking event directly support Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) in their mission to provide access to justice for our neighbors in need.

Be a part of something special by sponsoring the 75th Anniversary of the Annual Harvest Celebration. Click here to explore sponsorship opportunities and learn how to become an underwriter.

Thank you to our current list of sponsors for their generous support. Join them!

The HBA Historical Committee has taken on the vital role of preserving the association's history and the stories of its members. Through the HBA Living History Project, the HBA offers a glimpse into the past, allowing us to relive defining moments. 

From growing up in Houston’s East End with her immigrant family to serving on the Texas Supreme Court, Justice Eva Guzman's story is one of perseverance and triumph. Click here to watch her conversation with Judge Patricia Lykos. 

Mark your calendars and join the HBA Senior Lawyers Committee for their first forum of the year on Thursday, September 12 at the iconic Brennan's of Houston.

We're thrilled to welcome Ted Meyer from Blank Rome LLP as the guest speaker. Ted will delve into the fascinating intersection of law and sports, exploring how lawyers have played a crucial role in the creation of baseball dynasties.

HBA members of all ages welcome. Don't miss the chance to earn 1 hour of CLE credit, with lunch included!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The HBA and TXCPA Houston are teaming up for a 1-hour CLE/CPE panel discussion on working with experts, covering the process from start to finish. Join Tiffany Lewis (StoneTurn), Sushant Mohan (BakerHostetler), and Jacob Adams (Alvarez & Marsal) for insights from selection to trial.

The discussion will be held 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with check-in starting at 4:00 p.m. Enjoy a Happy Hour with drinks and light bites afterward. Limited in-person spots are available for HBA members, but you can also attend via Zoom. Link will be provided in confirmation email.

RESERVE A LIMITED SPOT
 

The Houston Bar Association's 2024 Judicial Preference Poll opens on September 16. The Preference Poll asks members to indicate their preferences for judicial candidates in contested races.

HBA members will receive an invitation to vote from BallotBoxOnline.com (noreply@ballotboxonline.com). Please set your spam filter to allow that email address. You can only access the poll through this particular email.

The poll will close at 4:00 p.m. on October 7, 2024. If you have questions, please contact HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.

*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 latest issue of The Houston Lawyer our award-winning publication, is now available! The July/August 2024 edition features an exclusive interview with HBA President David Harrell, where he shares insights on the vital role of mentorship in his career and outlines his vision for enhancing mentorship within the HBA during his Bar year.

This issue also includes articles on the recent updates to Texas attorney disciplinary rules, legal remedies for cultural appropriation, and leadership insights from Andrew Gratz. 

Plus, don’t miss our latest episode of Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast, titled "Nobody Puts These Lawyers in a Corner (of the World)," which explores unique ways to practice law globally, from combating sex trafficking in Kenya to working remotely from Puerto Vallarta.

READ AND LISTEN HERE

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.

VIEW THE AGENDA

REGISTER HERE

BECOME A SPONSOR

VIEW CURRENT SPONSORS

On August 26, HBA President David Harrell had the honor of hosting a luncheon with University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes, South Texas College of Law Houston Dean Jeffrey L. Rensberger, and HBA Past President Diana Gomez, along with HBA Executive Director Vinh Ho and Associate Executive Director Ashley Steininger. The conversation focused on strengthening the partnership between our three local law schools. We’re excited about the future of our legal community and are committed to working together to better support law students and future leaders in the profession!

On Wednesday, August 28, HBA President David Harrell hosted a dynamic luncheon with local bar leaders to explore future partnerships and highlight the importance of community among our local bar associations. We deeply value the collaboration with our local bars and believe their involvement in the HBA makes a real difference.

On Thursday, August 29, the HBA held an insightful CLE program, hosted by Locke Lord LLP, focusing on the newly established business courts. The session featured HBA Past President Brent Benoit, who provided a detailed history and background of the courts, and HBA President David Harrell, who moderated the discussion. Attendees also benefited from the expertise of Hon. April Farris, Hon. Grant Dorfman, and Hon. Sofia Adrogué.

If you missed the event, don’t worry—the session was recorded and will soon be available in the HBA online video library for members.

This program is part of President Harrell’s initiative to position the HBA as a key player in the growth of the business community.

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

Whether you're a talented legal professional looking for your next job, or an employer seeking to recruit candidates, the HBA Career Center is where you'll find everything you need. 

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

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.

 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.

The Hispanic National Bar Association and the HNBA VIA (Vision in Action) Fund awarded HBA Past President Benny Agosto, Jr. the Ohtli Award. Presented by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The award recognizes leaders who pave the way for future generations.

Chaffe McCall LLP announced the addition of Michael Orlando and R. “Sean” Brennan, Jr. to its Houston office.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced Jim Collura has been named the new office managing partner in Houston. Rob Ford, who previously served as the office managing partner, was appointed to serve on the firm’s board.

Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Houston office welcomed Raneen Abdelghani, Brendan Gilbert, Michael Henn, Ethan McDonald, and Alec Turung, who recently joined the firm as associates in Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditor Rights; Intellectual Property; and Tax Planning & Business Transactions practice groups.

Spencer Fane LLP welcomed five attorneys to its Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group in the firm’s Houston office: partners Joseph A. Garnett, Raymond A. Neuer, and R. Edward Perkins, and of counsel attorneys Jamie Guidry and James L. Ware.

The State Bar of Texas Women and the Law Section announced the inaugural Judy L. Ney Serviam Award, honoring members for their exceptional service, innovation, and dedication to the section. Named after Judge Judy L. Ney, the award celebrates contributions to legal service, mentorship, volunteerism, and advancing female attorneys in Texas.

 Congratulations to all HBA members who were named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025!

Womble Bond Dickinson announced that Paul J. LeBlanc, Jr. has joined the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group in its Houston office.

Beck Redden LLP is proud to announce that Mary Kate Raffetto has been recognized by Law.com and Texas Lawyer as an On the Rise winner in the 2024 Texas Legal Awards.

Get involved with the HBA Special Olympics Committee and be a part of something special at any of their three upcoming events! With flexible shifts and multiple locations, you can easily find a spot that works for you. Let’s unite to champion these incredible athletes and make a real impact together!

REGIONAL SOFTBALL SIGN UP

REGIONAL GOLF SIGN UP

AREA 4 SWIM SIGN UP

We invite HBA members to sign up to read to students in the 2024 HBA Constitution Day Reading Program on Tuesday, September 17. The HBA will coordinate schedules with volunteers and schools and provide volunteers with a script and copy of the book to read and donate to the school.

LEARN MORE & SIGN UP HERE

The HBA Lawyers for Literacy Committee is joining forces with Houston’s legal community to place hundreds of books directly into the hands of local students. We invite law firms to gather books for infants, children, and teens throughout September!

Link to sign up coming soon. Click here to stay updated!

Monetary Donations Welcome, Too!
We also welcome monetary donations. Your donation helps us purchase new children's books for as low as $1.35/book through our membership with First Book Marketplace. These books help us stock our Little Free Libraries and go to elementary school book fairs through Books Between Kids, where kids can pick out six free books to take home.

DONATE HERE

Tell your friends and colleagues that you’re participating in the HBA Book Drive by tagging us on social with the hashtags #HBABookDrive #LawyersGivingBack

Spread holiday cheer with the HBA AIDS Outreach Committee's 2024 Adopt-a-Family Project! Adopt a family in need to help make their holiday season bright. Apply by Friday, October 11. 

SIGN UP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Be a part of the HBA's Teach Texas project and inspire 7th grade students with judicial civics and court history in April/May 2025. Dive into Texas court stories, lead hands-on activities, and make a lasting impact!

Volunteers will have the opportunity to choose the days and time slots that work best for their schedules.

ATTORNEY VOLUNTEER SIGN UP FORM

Mark your calendars for the 40th Annual HBA Fun Run on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. The day will start with the Wheelchair 8K at 7:50 a.m., followed by the 8K Race at 8:00 a.m., and the Family Walk at 8:30 a.m. After the race, stick around for a lively Post-Race Party to celebrate the day’s achievements. Don’t miss out on this fun community event! More details and registration information will be available at a later date. Click here to stay up to date!

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

If you joined us last year and had a blast, encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to participate! See photos from last year’s Fun Run here. 

Kickoff planning has started for the highly anticipated 77th Annual Golf Tournament, set for Spring 2025! More details to come.

Whether you joined us last year or couldn’t make it, click here to take a look at the photos and winning teams from last year’s event as we gear up for another round of fun. We can’t wait to see you out on the greens!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the closing ceremony of the 2024 HBA CIS Summer Legal Internship Program on August 5!

We were thrilled to celebrate the achievements of this year's participants. A heartfelt thank you to the interns, mentors, supporters, and CIS committee members who have made a significant impact on our community's youth through Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS). 

We extend our gratitude to South Texas College of Law Houston and Interim Dean Jeff Rensberger for graciously hosting the event. A special thanks to Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani for delivering inspiring remarks.

We also want to thank CIS Committee co-chairs Anna Archer, John Meredith, and Ashley Brown for their dedicated efforts this past year.

The HBA LGBTQ+ Committee participated in the Inaugural Fort Bend Pride Festival at the Ft. Bend Co. Fairgrounds on August 11. We enjoyed representing the HBA at the event and shared information with other organizations and members of the community.

On August 20, the HBA Wellness Committee gathered at the Ginger Mule to kick off this bar year with exciting plans and fresh ideas for boosting wellness and getting HBA members involved! In collaboration with HYLA's Wellness Committee, the group is dedicated to providing innovative, fun, and meaningful programs — blending interactive and substantive activities that empower lawyers to prioritize well-being. Through these events, they aim to build connections, provide valuable tools, and enhance the competence and success of our legal community. Click here to keep up with their upcoming events.

On August 21, the HBA had the honor of attending the MABAHTX Foundation Luncheon, hosted by its founder and HBA Past President, Benny Agosto, Jr. The event raised funds for scholarships benefiting students at local Houston law schools. We are proud to support initiatives that empower the next generation of legal professionals and to strengthen our connections with outstanding local bar associations, such as MABAHTX!

Bracewell LLP is hosting a luncheon on Wednesday, September 18, featuring a free lunch presentation by the State Bar of Texas.

Explore group health options tailored for Texas law firms, including the exclusive Members Health Plan (MHP) available through the Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to discover market offerings that can benefit your firm and clients alike.

Click here to download the flyer.

RSVP HERE

The University of Houston Law Center is set to honor early law graduates whose groundbreaking contributions have significantly influenced the legal field. Join UHLC on Friday, September 20, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., with a reception to follow.

The event will feature a discussion with UH Law Center Pioneers, moderated by Dean Leonard M. Baynes. Panelists include Tony Bonilla ‘60, Judge Phyllis Randolph Frye ‘81, James M. Lemond ‘70, William Y. Sim ‘69, and Justice Ruby Kless Sondock ‘62.

W. Stephen Benesh, president of the State Bar of Texas, will deliver special remarks.

Additionally, the event will unveil the LGBTQ+ Heritage Wall and rededicate the African American and Hispanic Heritage Walls.

Participants may attend in-person or online and will earn 2 hours of CLE credit.

REGISTER HERE

Harris County Hispanic Judges invite you to join them for a special CLE event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday, September 26 at 4:00 p.m. in the Ceremonial Courtroom, 17th Floor, 201 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77002. This event commemorates the 70th anniversary of Hernandez v. Texas, a pivotal case in Mexican-American civil rights history. Following the CLE, there will be a networking happy hour with food just across the hall. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers, celebrate heritage, and engage in meaningful discussions.

Houston Lawyer Referral Service

Join the Houston Lawyer Referral Service (HLRS) to boost your law practice with pre-screened client referrals. HLRS members typically earn an average of $20,000 annually from these referrals. Membership dues start at just $175 per year and are prorated. For more details or to see if HLRS is the right fit for you, contact Executive Director Karen Ramsey at kramsey@hlrs.org, call (713) 650-0470, or visit www.hlrs.org/for-attorneys today!

Dispute Resolution Center  

Interested in volunteering with the Dispute Resolution Center?

The Dispute Resolution Center uses only qualified mediators who have completed training in accordance with Texas Civil Practices & Remedies Code, Sec. 154.052 and that meets or exceeds the guidelines set forth by the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable.

In addition, mediators must also complete the required family mediation training as dictated by Texas Civil Practices & Remedies Code, Sec. 154.052 and possess a J.D. from an accredited U.S. Law School in order to mediate divorce cases for the Dispute Resolution Center.

Mediators used specifically for Active Civil Cases (not divorce or credit card debt cases) must possess a J.D., have been licenses to practice in Texas for a minimum of 5 years, and be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

For additional information, please visit www.drchouston.org and click on the Mediation tab.  To get started, you will need to provide a copy of your most recent resume or bio and a copy of your mediation certificate(s).  Please feel free to contact the DRC directly at (713) 274-7100 or email@drchouston.org should you have any questions.
 

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Join Houston Volunteer Lawyers in celebrating Pro Bono Month this October! It's the perfect time to give back and make a difference in our community. Discover how you can get involved and help those in need by visiting makejusticehappen.org/probonomonth. Together, we can help ensure access to justice for everyone.

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.