We are pleased to present to you the members of the 2025-2026 HBA Board of Directors. 

President
Daniella Landers
 

Please join us at the 2025 HBA Annual Dinner to honor outgoing HBA President David Harrell and to welcome the leadership and celebrate the historic presidency of incoming HBA President Daniella Landers. We will also honor our award winners, emeritus members, and recognize achievements of outgoing HBA President David Harrell.

The evening will include a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., dinner and awards at 7 p.m., and Afterglow reception.

Click below to see sponsorship opportunities, benefits, menu choices, and ticket information. We look forward to celebrating with you!

SPONSOR ANNUAL DINNER

Congratulations to the 2025 Annual Dinner Award Winners!

2025 Houston Bar Association President's Award

Historical Committee 
Co-Chairs: Ryan Cunningham and Charley Sharman 

Campaign to End Homelessness and Hunger and Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL)
Co-Chairs: Deanna Willson and Darren Skyles
HVL Executive Director: Jessica Howton Stool

Houston Lawyer Referral Service (HLRS)
Chair: Hon. Cheryl Elliott Thornton
HLRS Executive Director: Karen Ramsey

Litigation Section
Chair: Sammy Ford

County Law Library
Co-Chairs: Hon. Frances Bourliot and Hon. Julie Countiss
County Law Library Director: Andre Davison

Special Award

Presented to Travis Sales for his many years of service to the organization in various roles.

The Solo & Small Firm Section supports the unique needs of solo practitioners, small law firms, and niche legal areas. This section aims to serve as a valuable resource for attorneys navigating the challenges and opportunities of these environments. Through networking events, educational programming, mentoring, and the exchange of best practices, this section provides insights and strategies tailored to the specific challenges of solos and small firms in a variety of practice areas.

This section seeks to promote and foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships among its members. Solo and small firms can expect resources to strengthen business operations, enhance client service, and connect with similarly situated professionals. This section is open to attorneys in all practices areas, whether they work as a solo practitioner, work in a small firm, or are part of another work environment, as well as those who are interested in topics that affect such practitioners.

Be sure to sign up for the Solo & Small Firm Section when you renew your HBA membership or join the HBA! Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your practice and be part of a dynamic legal community.

There's still time to register and join us for the 2025 Civil/Appellate Bench Bar Conference on Friday, April 11 at the Hotel ZaZa – Museum District from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Enjoy a day filled with engaging breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and professional development, then unwind at the Bites and Beverages Happy Hour! 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.

Thank you to our current sponsors!

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

REGISTER HERE & VIEW PROGRAM AGENDA

VIEW PARTICIPATING JUDGES

Interested in discounted hotel rooms for the Bench Bar Conference or Bites & Beverages for the Bar? Click HERE

Network and connect with the best legal community in the nation. Join your fellow Houston attorneys for the best happy hour of the year!

We hope to see you there!

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET TO BITES & BEVERAGES FOR THE BAR

The HBA Historical Committee plays a vital role in preserving the association’s rich history and the stories of its members. Through the HBA Living History Project, they bring the past to life, capturing defining moments that have shaped our legal community.

Don't miss the two newest interviews featuring Houston attorney Bette Pesikoff and former prosecutor Ruben Perez. Their inspiring stories offer a powerful glimpse into the legacy of Houston's legal community!

WATCH NOW

Dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with guest speakers Reginald Hirsch and Hon. Roy Ferguson at the upcoming Senior Lawyers Forum, hosted by the HBA Senior Lawyers Committee, on Tuesday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Brennan's. Accredited for 1 hour of CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics.

SECURE YOUR SPOT

Tee off for a good cause at the 77th Annual HBA Golf Tournament presented by Steno! Join us on Cinco de Mayo, Monday, May 5, at Memorial Park Golf Course for a fun-filled day on the greens, supporting the Houston Bar Foundation and our next Houston Habitat for Humanity home build.
 
Whether you're an experienced golfer or just starting out, grab your clubs and bring your friends and colleagues for a round of golf that makes a difference. Sign up as a team or as an individual – all skill levels are welcome!
 
Want to make an even greater impact? Become a sponsor. Thank you to our current sponsors! Let’s drive change, one swing at a time.

LEARN MORE

REGISTER HERE

BECOME A SPONSOR

On March 21, the Houston Lawyer Referral Service (HLRS) hosted its highly anticipated free CLE program for members, bringing together 50 attendees for an engaging session on Proven Business Skills to Grow Your Practice. Attendees not only gained valuable insights but also earned 3.5 hours of CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics credit—all while networking and forging new professional connections.

A huge thank you to the HLRS CLE Committee for organizing this event: President Hon. Cheryl Elliott Thornton, Mike Lowenberg, Hetah Novosad, Quentin Smith, and Robert Painter!

Here’s what one HLRS member had to say:

"I just wanted to congratulate you and the entire staff of HLRS for a great event.

After 20+ years of solo practice, I didn't think I could learn anything new—or at least not much—about managing a law office, but I found the event refreshing and very useful. The speakers were all great! Very relatable. I am grateful for their candid advice and shared anecdotes.

Hopefully, we can make this a recurring event and perhaps even video it to make it available to the rest of the Bar. It was great to visit with everyone. As a solo practitioner, I don’t really get to do much socializing or networking, so it was good to meet other attorneys and exchange ideas and experiences.

Thank you for all you do."

This member’s experience reflects one of the key benefits of HLRS membership—the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow within a supportive legal community. In addition to valuable CLE programs, HLRS connects attorneys with pre-screened client referrals, with members earning an average of $20,000 annually from these cases.

Annual membership starts at just $175, with prorated options available. To learn more about how HLRS can benefit your practice, contact Executive Director Karen Ramsey at kramsey@hlrs.org, call (713) 650-0470, or visit www.hlrs.org/for-attorneys today!

Take advantage of your HBA membership and get involved in our committee work! Let us know which committees you would like to join for 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.

Connect with the HBA community! 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.

VISIT THE HBA ON-DEMAND CLE LIBRARY HERE

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

Brandy Voss Wingate has joined Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner as Of Counsel.

Lariza Hebert has joined Jackson Lewis P.C. as a principal in its Houston office.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to welcome David B. Sheinbein and Jarrod B. Martin as partners and Michael Riordan as a senior attorney to its Houston office.

Dominique Varner, a partner with Houston-based Hughes Watters Askanase LLP, has been named by Houston Woman Magazine as One of the 50 Most Influential Women of Houston of 2024.

The HBA Wellness Committee, in partnership with HYLA, is proud to present the next video in "The Many Faces of Wellness" series, featuring Farrell Hochmuth, co-chair of the HBA Gender Fairness Committee and a partner at BakerHostetler. Farrell shares how cooking and meditation helps her maintain her mental well-being.

WATCH NOW

Be a part of the HBA's Teach Texas project and inspire 7th grade students with judicial civics and court history this spring! Explore Texas court stories, lead hands-on activities, and make a lasting impact.

Volunteers will commit to teaching one class on two different days and can choose from a list of available schedules.

For questions or more information, please contact Georgina Peña at georginap@hba.org or (346) 471-3310.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

The HBA Habitat for Humanity Committee is set to begin the HBA's 27th home build this spring! Sign up to volunteer at one of our available build days or donate to reserve a build day for your firm! This is a great opportunity to make a difference in a family's life while connecting with your peers.

VIEW UPCOMING BUILD DATES & SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

The Houston Food Bank’s annual Food from the Bar Campaign is going on now through April 30!

We encourage you to join the HBA and HBA Campaign to End Homelessness and Hunger Committee team here or register your office team to compete.

We invite you to volunteer with Team HBA at the Houston Food Bank on Saturday, April 26. 

Questions about Team HBA or the Food from the Bar Campaign? Please contact Bonnie Simmons at bonnies@hba.org or (346) 471-3418.

LEARN MORE AND JOIN TEAM HBA

Ready to spread joy and support amazing athletes? Volunteer with the HBA Special Olympics Committee at the East Region Tennis Tournament on Saturday, April 12 at Homer Ford Tennis Center starting at 8:00 a.m. Various shifts are available, so you can sign up to help at a time that works best for you!

SIGN UP NOW

On March 21, the HBA Project TRAIN Committee hosted the 2025 Special Day at the Courthouse, welcoming high school students with special needs to the historic 1910 Courthouse for an engaging presentation by judges. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the participating schools, judges and volunteers for making this a meaningful experience for the students.

On March 26, the HBA and HYLA Wellness Committees joined forces for their first Wellness CLE program at Winstead. Melanie Bragg of Bragg Law PC and Samantha Torres of Okin Adams Bartlett Curry LLP gave an insightful presentation on How the Practice of Gratitude Bolsters Your Duty of Competency. Attendees had the opportunity to connect, earn CLE credit, and gain valuable insights on enhancing their personal and professional well-being.

Photos courtesy of Deborah Wallace, Barfield Photography.

On Friday, March 28, the HBA had the pleasure of attending the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary's 32nd Annual Leon Jaworski Award Luncheon, honoring this year's recipient, David J. Beck, at The Briar Club. HBAA members and others shared stories that showcased David’s impact on the Houston legal community.

It was a truly meaningful event, and on behalf of the HBAA, we thank everyone who joined us!

To learn more about David J. Beck’s inspiring story, click here to watch his recent interview as part of the HBA Historical Committee's Living History Project.

Last weekend, on March 29, the HBA Lawyers for a Beautiful Houston Committee came together at Kuhlman Gully to participate in Trash Bash®—Texas’ largest single-day waterway clean-up, dedicated to supporting a healthier Galveston Bay Watershed. 28 volunteers joined forces to collect multiple bags of trash and help keep Houston beautiful! A heartfelt thank you to all who volunteered to make a difference!

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  

We are excited to welcome Stephen "Steve" Kreider as the new Executive Director of the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC).
 
Steve is a retired first sergeant and credentialed distinguished mediator with the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. He's regularly volunteered as a mediator for the DRC, has conducted over 1,300 mediations in civil, divorce, and family cases, and has trained over 355 individuals—including judges, attorneys, business owners, counselors, doctors, college students, professors, teachers, and clergy—who have gone on to become certified mediators.
 
Steve Kreider succeeds Nicholas Hall. We are so thankful for Nick’s dedicated service to the DRC over the past 32 years!
 
Click here to learn more about Steve and read a special message from Nick.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

CLE: Troubleshooting Guardianship Cases 

April 11 at Noon; Virtual via Zoom

Join HVL for a practical and insightful CLE designed for attorneys handling or interested in pro bono guardianship cases. Led by HVL's Guardianship Mentors and Tonya Knauth, this session will address common challenges in guardianship matters, explore effective communication strategies, and provide guidance on supporting families through the process. Includes 0.5 hours of ethics credit. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and make a meaningful impact! 

REGISTER HERE
 

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.