Early bird tickets are available for the 76th Annual Harvest Party. Purchase your tickets now before prices go up on August 11th! Don't miss the signature event of the legal community happening at River Oaks County Club on Monday, November 10.

You can still join these firms, individuals, companies, and sections by becoming a sponsor today. Pledges of $2,500 and above received by August 15th will be listed in the Harvest Party invitation mailed out to all HBA members. Donors of $1,000 and above pledging before October 31 will be recognized in a full-page advertisement in the Houston Chronicle. 

Discover how to underwrite the 76th Annual Harvest Celebration and explore this year’s exclusive underwriting benefits.

100% of net proceeds from the Campaign goes directly to Houston Volunteer Lawyers to provide critical pro bono legal services to Houstonians in need.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY

Join us for the Fall Day of Service event on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Bring your peers, family, and friends for a meaningful day of service and community impact. Together, we’ll support local organizations through a variety of volunteer opportunities—including family-friendly options—so everyone can take part in giving back.

From serving homeless, veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community with legal services to book sorting, food sorting, and fun fitness activities with the IDD community, this is your chance to make more of a difference while strengthening connections within our legal community.

Can’t make it on Saturday? You’re invited to participate in a special Days of Service ID Restoration and Record Clearing Clinic for homeless individuals on Friday, September 26. Click here to learn more and get involved.

SIGN UP TO JOIN A FALL DAY OF SERVICE EVENT

Thank You to Our Fall Day of Service Partners!

You’re invited to attend Texas Business Court & Fifteenth Court of Appeals: The Inaugural Year - Progress & Momentum on Monday, September 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This program is accredited for 3 hours of MCLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PANEL SPEAKERS & REGISTER NOW

In-person and virtual options available

The Houston Bar Foundation is thrilled to announce a substantial grant of $40,000 from the Houston Lawyer Referral Service. HLRS’ gift will go towards the Foundation’s charitable work to make a positive impact in our community by: supporting legal representation for those in need; promoting understanding of our legal system; and fostering the administration of justice.  

This is the third time HLRS has generously given a grant to the Foundation. 

“HLRS is incredibly proud to support the Foundation and its work,” said HLRS Executive Director Karen Ramsey. “The core of HLRS’ efforts is to ensure Houstonians have access to affordable legal representation. This grant to HBF is another way HLRS can serve the legal needs of our community.” 

HBF Chair Sara Keith said she is profoundly grateful for the HLRS’ significant gift.  

“On behalf of the Foundation, I want to sincerely thank HLRS Executive Director Karen Ramsey, HLRS President Judge Cheryl Elliott Thornton, the HLRS staff, and the HLRS Board of Directors for their continued support of the Houston Bar Foundation. This grant empowers the Foundation to continue funding programs and initiatives in the greater Houston community, such as our new Community Grants Program, which is open to applications at hba.org/foundation until September 30, 2025.” 

To learn more about the Houston Bar Foundation, visit hba.org/foundation. To learn more about HLRS and how to become a member, visit hlrs.org.  

On July 29, the HBA was honored to join our partners for the ceremonial opening of the final Legal Access Workspace Pod (LAWPod) at the Harris County North Channel Branch Library.

This installation — now the sixth within the greater Houston area — marks the culmination of years of dedicated work driven by a partnership between the HBA’s County Law Library Committee, the County Law Library, Harris County Commissioners, and the Harris County Attorney’s Office led by Christian D. Menefee and Houston Public Library System.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, Andre Davison, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and the HBA County Law Library Committee for their leadership in making this initiative a reality.

The HBA is proud to support this meaningful access-to-justice project, helping to ensure that Harris County residents have the resources they need to understand and exercise their legal rights — for themselves or on behalf of their clients.

Do you know an organization supporting meaningful, justice-focused projects in the greater Houston area? 

The September 30 deadline to apply for the Houston Bar Foundation Community Grants Program is quickly approaching. 

Grant eligibility requirements:

• Advance at least one pillar of the HBF’s mission
• Funding request not to exceed $10,000
• Benefit individuals in the greater Houston area
• Project to be completed within two years

Additional considerations may apply.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE

On July 20, RADIO ONE with Chuck Akers featured an interview with HBA President Daniella Landers and Kathryn Medina, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Communities In Schools of Houston.

Together, they shared their insights on how Communities In Schools (CIS), in collaboration with the HBA and other organizations, is empowering students for the workforce through collaborative community partnerships and internships and externships.

Click here to listen to the recorded interview.

We are thrilled to announce the Houston Bar Association has won five State Bar of Texas Stars of Texas Bars Awards! The awards were presented during the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting held in Austin last month. They are:

Outstanding Partnership: 40th Annual HBA Eikenburg Fun Run – Pursuit Center

News Article: How Loper Bright Changed the Chevron Doctrine, Why it Matters, and What Happens Next by Fermeen Fazal (The Houston Lawyer)

General Interest Story: Support in the Harris County Veterans' Treatment Court Program by Ciara Perritano and Julisa Rodriguez (The Houston Lawyer)

Series of Articles–Substantive Law: Cybersecurity Law, articles written by Alamdar Hamdani, Lucy Porter, Lynn Sessions, Kimi Gordy, Jessica S. Johnson, Pierce Cox, and Laura L. Ferguson (The Houston Lawyer)

Series of Articles–General Interest: What the Bill of Rights Means to Me by Rachael Thompson, Jill Yaziji, Anna De Maggio, John Ngunjiri, and Shannon Quadros (The Houston Lawyer)

Read the award-winning articles and more here.

Welcome to Houston! The HBA was happy to attend the 2025 State Bar of Texas Local Bar Leaders Conference, held at the Westin Galleria in Houston on July 24 and 25. 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 1, South Texas College of Law Houston (STCLH) welcomed its new President and Dean Reynaldo “Rey” Anaya Valencia — a Harvard Law graduate and the first Hispanic individual to hold this esteemed position. Welcome, Dean Valencia! We are excited to work with you and continue our long standing partnership with South Texas College of Law Houston!

We also want to extend our deepest thanks to interim Dean Rensberger. We appreciate your dedication and your support and wish you well on this exciting next chapter of life! After educating more than 7,000 law students over 40 years, and holding the helm steady this past year as interim president and dean, Jeff Rensberger ends his distinguished tenure with STCLH. He is happily retiring to Indianapolis. Please join us in recognizing his many years of dedicated service and leadership at the law school.

Click here to learn more about Dean Valencia.

Upcoming This Year:

Constitution Day – September 17, 2025
Fall Day of Service – September 27, 2025
Texas Business Court & Fifteenth Court of Appeal – The Inaugural Year:
     Progress & Momentum – September 29, 2025
Professionalism Committee Fall Ethics CLE – November 5, 2025
Harvest Party – November 10, 2025
Annual Professionalism Committee Mentorship Breakfast CLE – February 11, 2025
HBF Annual Luncheon – February 17, 2026
Fun Run – February 21, 2026
Solo & Small Firm Summit – March 6, 2026
Spring Day of Service – March 28, 2026
Civil/Appellate Bench Bar Conference – April 10, 2026

More events coming soon!

Welcome to Our New HBA Sections:

Solo & Small Firm Section – New!
Technology Section – New!

 Stay connected and never miss a moment! Discover how our incredible members are making an impact with the HBA: 

Looking to grow your organization? Visit the HBA Career Center, where we can connect you with potential talent and resumes – just one click away.

HBA Career Center

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

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

Need to catch up on CLE credits? Browse our online CLE video library and earn the hours you need—anytime, anywhere!

Visit the HBA On-Demand CLE Library Here

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

Travis Torrence will be receiving Texas Appleseed's J. Chrys Dougherty Good Apple Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership at the 2025 Good Apple Dinner.

Beck Redden LLP is pleased to announce that Chris Dove has joined the firm’s nationally recognized Appellate practice as Of Counsel. 

The HBA Wellness Committee, in partnership with HYLA, proudly presents the latest installment of The Many Faces of Wellness video series, featuring Brooksie Boutet, HYLA Chair-Elect and principal at Shipley Snell Montgomery LLP.

In this video, Brooksie shares how she stays grounded—mentally and physically—through running, embracing quiet moments, and prioritizing herself by exploring new approaches to wellness as a busy working mother.

WATCH NOW

In honor of Constitution Day, HBA members will visit elementary schools across Harris County on Wednesday, September 17, to read to students as part of our 2025 Constitution Day Reading Program. Additional details on how to sign up are coming soon!

Click here to view photos and more from last year’s Constitution Day Reading program.

Thank you to City of Houston Comptroller Chris Hollins and his staff for hosting our Communities In Schools (CIS) student interns for a discussion on the comptroller’s role in city government and a tour of City Hall.

We also extend our thanks to Hon. George Hanks, his clerks, and Judge Eskridge’s chambers for hosting the students, providing lunch, and answering their questions about college and law school. The students then visited Judge Hanks’ courtroom, where he shared his inspiring journey to the bench and offered valuable advice for their future careers. Thank you to the Harris County Attorney’s Office for inviting our interns to the Public Service Internship Luncheon where they met County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, Chief Public Defender Genesis Draper, Judge Marc Carter, and Judge Erica Hughes. 

CIS Mock Trials

Congratulations to our interns for their successful Mock Trial in Judge Cornelio’s courtroom after several weeks of practice leading up to the big event! Thank you to Judge Vanessa Velasquez for judging the mock trial!

Help shape the future with Communities In Schools. Join the HBA CIS Committee — and check out other committees you can still be part of. Click here to get involved.

 

 

 

 

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Houston’s all-lawyer theater company returns to the Hobby Center with an all-new musical comedy! The HBA is proud to be a sponsor of this fun event.

Click HERE to purchase your tickets to a "Night Court" performance, where promo code "HVL" is already applied.

You get a $5 discount off your purchase and you help increase the funds allocated to HVL from the show's net proceeds. 

Your ticket does more than reserve a seat—it helps provide life-changing legal support to those who need it most.

Houston Lawyer Referral Service

In the 2024-2025 year HLRS members earned over $4,000,000 in legal fees! The Houston Lawyer Referral Service helps solo and small firms grow their practice. HLRS welcomes new members, and as an HBA member, you can enjoy a $100 discount on your annual HLRS dues. For those licensed for 5+ years, the yearly membership fee is $250, while those licensed for less than 5 years pay only $175.
Need more reasons to join?
 
Here are 5 fun facts:

1. HLRS members earn an average of $20,000 a year from referrals.
2. HLRS pre-screens referrals based on members’ criteria.
3. HLRS members credit HLRS for helping them maintain a private practice.
4. HLRS offers free CLE webinars focusing on starting/building a law practice.
5. HLRS dues are $175-$250 annually for HBA members.

 
Click here to learn more and join HLRS today!

Dispute Resolution Center  

Hon. John J. Donovan Appointed 2025-2026 DRC Board Chair
 
Hon. John J. Donovan served on the Harris County judiciary for over two decades, including roles as Judge of the 113th and 61st Civil District Courts and as Justice on the 14th Court of Appeals. He was elected to the 14th Court of Appeals in 2012 and retired from judicial service in December 2018. 
 
Judge Donovan is now a full-time mediator and arbitrator, having conducted over 500 mediations since completing his certification in 2009. His alternative dispute resolution practice focuses on complex civil matters, including commercial litigation, personal injury, real estate disputes, construction, probate, and employment law. 
 
Judge Donovan earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law, graduating cum laude, and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1985. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Fellow of the Texas Bar College. 
 
In addition to his legal work, Judge Donovan has been an active volunteer in the Houston legal community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Houston Bar Association DRC since 2021. 
 

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Night Court is in session at the Hobby Center in just two weeks, but there is still time to grab a ticket (or several)! Support HVL by joining Night Court for Law’s Anatomy and enjoy an evening of entertainment while earning CLE credit and increasing access to justice in the Houston area. Proceeds from ticket sales go directly to local legal service organizations.

Use HVL's code in the link to support HVL when purchasing your tickets: https://my.thehobbycenter.org/overview/7719?promo=HVL

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.