We look forward to seeing you all at the 2025 HBF Annual Luncheon on Thursday, February 13 at the Hotel ZaZa - Museum District.

Join us as we thank 2024 HBF Chair Linda Hester and the Board of Directors for their dedication and welcome 2025 HBF Chair Sara Keith and Board members.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET

The luncheon is also an opportunity to recognize the generosity of our outstanding Fellows, board members, and sponsors, and celebrate our award winners.

Keynote Address
Hon. Sofia Adrogué, Eleventh Business Court Division 

2025 James B. Sales Pro Bono Leadership Award
Denise Scofield, O'Melveny

2025 HVL Pro Bono Awards 
Corporate Law Department
Baker Hughes

Large Law Firm
Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Mid-Size Law Firm
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.

Small Law Firm
Jenkins & Kamin L.L.P.

Individual 
Shay Johanson, Attorney at Law

2025 Dispute Resolution Awards
Outstanding Contribution to the Dispute Resolution Center
LeRoy "Mac" Coleman

Longevity of Exemplary Service to the Dispute Resolution Center
Stanley Santire

2025 The Houston Lawyer Award
Outstanding Legal Article in The Houston Lawyer
Dave Louie

Meet your friends, families, and colleagues at the starting line of the 40th Annual HBA Eikenburg Fun Run, including a wheelchair 8k, 8K race, and a one-mile family walk in Sam Houston Park downtown on Saturday, February 15. Register today—prices increase on Thursday, February 6.

Announcements will begin at 7:00 a.m., with race day packet pick-up starting at 6:30 a.m. Skip the line by picking up your packet early on February 13-14. Click here for the packet pick-up location.

Runners will receive an official T-shirt, finisher medal, race bib, access to the after-party, and entry for door prizes. Don't miss the post-race celebration!

Since 1986, the Houston Bar Association has raised over $1.8 million for The Center for Pursuit, a Houston nonprofit organization which serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. The Center is also celebrating its own major milestone this year, commemorating its 75th anniversary of service to the community!

Join us for this milestone race to sustain the Houston Bar Association's support for this worthwhile cause!

REGISTER HERE

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILBLE!

VIEW THE FUN RUN PROMO VIDEO

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

Don't miss a chance to explore critical issues shaping journalism and law at the 37th Annual Law & the Media Seminar on Saturday, February 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at South Texas College of Law Houston for this impactful event, co-sponsored by the Houston Bar Association and the Society of Professional Journalists Houston Pro Chapter.

Check-in with breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Onsite registration will be limited (space permitting), so please secure your spot in advance. Registration for HBA members and attorneys is $52. Journalists, communications professionals, and law students are welcome to register for FREE. 

The seminar offers 3 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics, and provides an opportunity to hear from leading experts in law and media about the day-to-day challenges journalists face, recent cases where these issues are at the forefront, and practical advice for overcoming these challenges.

For questions or more information, contact HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at 346-471-3428 or maggiem@hba.org.

You are invited to the Houston Bar Association's and Houston Bar Foundation's 2025 Bench Bar Conference on Friday, April 11 at the Hotel ZaZa – Museum District from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by the Second Annual Bites & Beverages for the Bar.

Enjoy a day filled with engaging breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and professional development, then unwind with a cocktail or mocktail by the pool after the conference! This program includes 6 hours MCLE credit; including 1.75 hours ethics credit and 6 hours of legal specialization in the following areas: Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Estate Planning and Probate Law, and Personal Injury Trial Law

Early bird tickets are available now through February 14 at $200 for HBA members and $300 for non-members. Ticket prices will increase on February 15, so secure your spot today!

Admission to Bites & Beverages is included with your conference ticket!

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS

BECOME A SPONSOR

VIEW PROGRAM AGENDA

Do you know a Houston-based individual, law firm, or organization who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and achieved significant progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession? 

Submit your nominations for the 2025 HBA Diversity Awards by clicking the links below.

INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEY NOMINATION FORM

ORGANIZATION NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are due Thursday, March 20, 2025. Recipients will be recognized at the HBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee's 2025 DEI Summer Associate Luncheon in June.  

For questions or additional information, please contact HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org or at 346-471-3428.

Nominations for these awards are due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2024. Please submit the nominee's resume and three to five letters of support to HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.

The recipients will be recognized at the HBA Annual Dinner on Thursday, May 15. 

Justice Eugene A. 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.

VIEW PAST RECIPIENTS 

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.

VIEW PAST RECIPIENTS 

Join an HBA Committee to support your professional and personal goals! 

We are now accepting your submissions to indicate which HBA committees you would like to serve on in the 2025-2026 Bar Year, which begins July 1! 

Please note that appointment to a committee is not guaranteed, and reappointment to a committee on which you currently serve on is not automatic.

2025-2026 COMMITTEE INTEREST FORM

More information on each of the committees can be found on hba.org/committees. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or 346-471-3431 or Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org or 346-471-3293.

The HBA is proud to serve as the longest and most consistent support of Houston Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of HBA members and law firms, the HBA has helped make homeownership a reality for 26 hardworking Houston families. We are so grateful for your support!

We are so close to reaching our fundraising goal for our 27th home! Please join our Bar Builds Campaign today -  either as an individual or a team - to help us get there! 

Here are just a few ways your tax-deductible gift supports our home: 
• $7,500 Gives a family kitchen cabinets and countertops to cook meals together 
 
• $2,500 Funds resilient flooring for the family to walk on each day 
 
• $1,000 Buys a bundle of wood studs to build a strong home to support the family 
 
• $500 Funds the front door to the home the family has dreamed of owning 
 
• $350 Buys all the nails it takes to build the home

As a thank you for your charitable contribution, we offer several sponsorship benefits. Click here to learn more.  

Can we count on you this year to help us give the gift of affordable homeownership? Your donation – in any amount – is appreciated.  

JOIN THE COMPETITION OR DONATE

On January 13, HBA President David Harrell had the honor of speaking and participating in a ribbon cutting celebration at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library.

The event unveiled the fourth Lactation Pod, continuing the important work of HBA Immediate Past President Diana Gomez. These pods offer a safe, welcoming space for nursing mothers, made possible through the collaboration of the HBA Gender Fairness Committee, Harris County officials, and a generous grant from the Texas Bar Foundation.

Special thanks to Commissioner Lesley Briones, Hon. Ravi K. Sandill, Hon. Cheryl Elliott Thornton, Hon. Latosha Lewis Payne, Hon. Michael Gomez, and all those involved in making this initiative a reality.

The event also welcomed the debut of the LAWPod (Legal Access Workspace), an innovative resource designed to bridge the justice gap and provide Houstonians with access to essential legal tools. This milestone reflects the dedication of the HBA County Law Library Committee, the Harris County Attorney's Office, and the County Law Library, led by Andre Davison.

These accomplishments underscore the HBA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring Harris County residents and attorneys have the resources needed to navigate the legal system. Together, we are creating positive change!

Looking to build stronger connections? Follow us on social media and show how you’re getting involved with the HBA! Don’t forget to tag us—your post could be featured in our network!

 Here are some of our members' latest posts! 

Whether you're interested in getting CLE, attending a section event, or making connections to enhance your practice, the HBA has something for everyone! 

Click on the event you would like to register for below to secure your spot in just a few clicks.

Looking to fill a position or add to your team? The HBA Career Center is your go-to resource for connecting with qualified candidates. Whether your firm needs experienced attorneys, paralegals, or other legal professionals, our platform provides access to resumes, job postings, and a pool of skilled individuals ready to make an impact. Don’t miss the opportunity to find the right fit for your team. Visit the HBA Career Center today and explore all it has to offer!

VIEW EMPLOYER PACKAGES

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT ROLE? START YOUR SEARCH HERE

Friday, February 7, 4:30 p.m: Justice-Elect Andrew Johnson cordially invites you to attend his investiture ceremony, where he will be sworn into the 1st Court of Appeals. The ceremony will take place on Friday, February 7 at 4:30 p.m. in the 1910 Courthouse (301 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77010).

Monday, February 10, 3:30 p.m: Judge-Elect Bruce Bain cordially invites you to attend his investiture ceremony, where he will be sworn into the 165th Civil District Court. The ceremony will take place on Monday, February 10 at 3:30 p.m. in the Harris County Civil Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom.

Monday, February 17,  2:00 p.m: Judge-Elect Aaron Burnette cordially invites you to attend his investiture ceremony, where he will be sworn into the 486th District Court. The ceremony will take place on Monday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the Harris County Civil Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom.

Friday, February 21, 11:00  a.m.: Judge-Elect Michele Oncken cordially invites you to her investiture ceremony, where she will be sworn into the 338th District Court . The ceremony will take place on Friday, February 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the Criminal Ceremonial Courtroom.

Tuesday, February 25, 4:30 p.m.: Justice-Elect Katy Boatman cordially invites you to her investiture ceremony, where she will be sworn into the 14th Court of Appeals, Place 6. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, February 25 at 4:30 p.m. at the 1910 Courthouse (301 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77010). 

VISIT THE HBA ON-DEMAND CLE LIBRARY HERE

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

Patterson + Sheridan LLP is pleased to welcome Kristian Sullivan as of counsel to the its Houston office. 

Weining Bai, Kyle Poelker and Paul Turkevich have been named new partners at AZA. 

C. Larry Carbo will become managing shareholder of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry on Jan. 1, 2026, succeeding Larry Campagna, a Houston shareholder who has managed the firm since January 2020.

Hicks Johnson is pleased to announce the promotions of two dedicated attorneys, Lori Arakaki and Daniel Scime, to the firm’s partnership, 

Kane Russell Coleman & Logan's Houston office has promoted Kari Lutringer, Catalina Booth, and Meggan Crow to director. 

Chaffe McCall is excited to announce the addition of Patrick Sears as an associate in its Insurance and Litigation practices.

The HBA Wellness Committee, in partnership with HYLA, is proud to present the first video in "The Many Faces of Wellness" series, featuring Rachel Sedita, shareholder at Diggs & Sadler. In this insightful interview, Rachel shares her approach to wellness and how she integrates it into both her personal and professional life.

Stay tuned next week to discover who our next Face of Wellness is! 

WATCH NOW

Looking to learn essential self-defense skills? Join the HBA and HYLA Wellness committees for a FREE self-defense course taught by a Harris County Constable!

It’s happening February 17-19 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical skills that will help you stay safe. available 

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!

The HBA Gender Fairness Committee invites all women attorneys in their 1st to 5th year to attend their 11th Annual Speed Mentoring event on Wednesday, February 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Delve into discussions covering career, business, mentorship, and breaking stereotypes, while also seizing the opportunity to connect with legal experts. Limited spaces available.

SIGN UP TODAY

The HBA Gender Fairness Committee will be co-hosting a CLE with the Harris County Law Library titled "Lactation Support: Law and Logistics" on Tuesday, February 25.

After the CLE, they will have a tour of the new lactation pod located at the Harris County Law Library. Lunch will be provided.

SECURE YOUR SPOT

Throw on your beads and celebrate Mardi Gras with the HBA LGBTQ+ Committee at their 4th Annual Mardi Gras Party at Brennan's on Wednesday, February 26 at 6 p.m.

Enjoy a night of vibrant celebration with delicious food, festive drinks, and plenty of fun! All are welcome!

PURCHASE TICKETS

BECOME A SPONSOR

On Tuesday, January 28, members gathered at the Senior Lawyers Forum to delve into Texas history. Speakers David Furlow and Hon. Ken Wise presented on 'Early Texas Justice,' with insightful commentary provided by Hon. Mark Davidson. Thank you to all who attended!

Come and show your support for South Texas College of Law Houston law students at the Law Suits Program’s 2nd Annual Fashion Show on Friday, February 27 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Emilie Slohm Conference Room. The event will feature students modeling professional clothing donated through the Law Suits Program, which provides new and lightly worn attire to students facing adversity. Thanks to generous contributions from alumni, faculty, staff, and fellow students, this program ensures every student has access to the professional wardrobe they need to succeed. 

LEARN MORE

Earn CLE credits at the University of Houston Law Center during the 7th Annual Denney L. Wright International Energy Tax Conference and 25th Annual Houston Business and Tax Law Journal Symposium: Investment Challenges on Friday, February 28. This full-day event will take place at the John M. O’Quinn Law Building – Danny M. Sheena Courtroom, beginning with the conference at 9:00 a.m., followed by a reception at 6:00 p.m. Attendees can join in person or virtually to gain insights from leading professionals in energy and tax law. 

Click here to learn more.

REGISTER HERE

You are cordially invited to attend the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary's 32nd Annual Leon Jaworski Award Luncheon honoring this year's award winner, David J. Beck, on Friday, March 28 at 11:30 a.m. at The Briar Club. Tickets and tables are available for purchase.

LEARN MORE

Houston Lawyer Referral Service

Mark your calendar and join HLRS for "Proven Business Skills to Grow Your Law Practice," a valuable seminar designed to help you expand and strengthen your practice. Enjoy complimentary lunch, followed by a happy hour to connect with fellow attorneys.

Earn 3.5 hours of CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, while gaining practical strategies for success. This event is FREE for HLRS members and $150 for non-members.

Registration opens soon—stay tuned! For questions, contact Karen Ramsey at kramsey@hlrs.org. Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your skills and grow your practice!

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

Recruit More Boots: Step Up for Justice This February!

The late James B. Sales founded Houston Volunteer Lawyers in 1981 with a mission to serve low-income Texans who need legal services. HVL uses the month of February to honor Mr. Sales’ legacy and passion for pro bono by challenging Texas attorneys to step up and get more boots on the ground in the fight for social justice. We challenge you to “Recruit More Boots” by taking on a case (or two), encouraging your peers to volunteer, and spreading the word through social media.  

More boots mean more impact—let’s make a difference together! For more information on how you can participate, visit 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 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.