The 2026 Annual Dinner is officially sold out! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, May 7.

Thank you to all of our generous 2026 Annual Dinner sponsors for helping make this event possible! It will be an evening to remember.

A Special Thank You!

Diamond Sponsor

Emerald Sponsors

Congratulations to our 2026 HBA Annual Dinner Award Winners!

Justice Eugene A. Cook Professionalism Award

Dick Schwartz

Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award

Hon. Sofia Adrogué

2026 Houston Bar Association President's Awards

AIDS Outreach Committee 
Co-Chairs: David Miller and Hilary Tyson 

Campaign to End Homelessness and Hunger Committee
Co-Chairs: Aburiyeba Ibiye Amaso and Rachel Kahane

Fun Run Committee
Co -Chairs: Rick Anderson, Maine Goodfellow, and Adam Weaver

Gender Fairness Committee
Co -Chairs: Anna Archer, Farrell Hochmuth, Monica Uddin, and Brittney Williams

Habitat for Humanity Committee
Co -Chairs: Victoria Gipson, Joseph Holloway, and Alex Roberts

Hay Center Committee
Co -Chairs: Cisselon Nichols Hurd and Rehana Vohra

Lawyers for a Beautiful Houston Committee
Co -Chairs: Justin Hicks, Teresa Jones, and Donna Thomisee

Lawyers for Literacy Committee
Co -Chairs: Anietie Akpan, Wonderland Hudson, Brittny Mandarino, and Allen Zwernemann

LGBTQ+ Committee
Co -Chairs: Pamela Brantley Dunnings, Lena Laurenzo, and Jeff Watters

Military & Veterans Committee
Co -Chairs: Barney Dill and Eric D'Olive

Senior Lawyers Committee
Co -Chairs: Melinda Brents and Denise Oncken

Special Olympics Committee
Co -Chairs: Megan Banahan, Daniella Martinez, and Brandon Renken

Wellness Committee
Co -Chairs: Charles Shaw and Samantha Torres

Environmental Section

Chair: Eddie Lewis

Solo & Small Firm Section
Chairs: Melanie Bragg and Ken Krock

Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL)

Houston Lawyers Association (HLA)

Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA)

Mark your calendars for the HBA Advancing Belonging and Cultures Committee's 2026 Summer Associate Luncheon, taking place Tuesday, June 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Houston Club.

This event is dedicated to celebrating, connecting, and honoring our ABC Program IL students and employers, as well as all Houston summer associates. We will also recognize the recipients of the ABC Law Student Scholarships, Diversity Awards, and Law Day Contest. More details coming soon.

Sponsorships support local law student scholarships. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact Georgina Peña at georginap@hba.org or (346) 471-3310.

Make plans for Wednesday, June 17 and join us at Ciro's for a night out with the Houston legal community. Sip and socialize over a four-course wine dinner designed to bring great food and even better company together. It’s the perfect midweek reset! Space is limited, so secure your spot early.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Thank you to all the amazing participants who made our 78th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by Thomas J. Henry Law, an absolute hole-in-one success on May 4! And a special thank you to our generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers. 

The day was filled with friendly competition, camaraderie, and support for two fantastic causes: the Houston Bar Foundation and HBA Habitat for Humanity home builds. Every swing and every putt contributed to making a difference in our community. 

PHOTOS, WINNERS, AND MORE COMING SOON

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Bench Bar Conference and post-event happy hour, sponsored by Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, on Friday, April 10!

Houston’s Bench and Bar came together for a full day of CLE, connecting, valuable networking, and a lively happy hour with colleagues. It was truly a memorable day!

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the HBA Bench Bar Conference Committee for your leadership producing this year’s successful conference. 

A big thank you to our 2026 Bench Bar Conference Sponsors! See you in April 2027!

As the new Bar year approaches, now’s the time to join or renew your HBA membership for 2026–2027!

Visit your online HBA account to access your personalized invoice and pay online. Printed invoices will be mailed in early May. While you’re there, take a moment to update your MyHBA profile, including your email and mailing address, so you continue receiving updates on CLE programming, events, and everything happening at the HBA.

Want a little extra motivation? Join or renew by the end of June and you’re automatically entered into our monthly giveaway. It’s that easy. Be part of something special, unlock your benefits right away, and get entered to win a Limited Edition HBA Wireless Power Bank Folio!

JOIN THE HBA

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Questions about membership? Email membership@hba.org or call 713-759-1133.

Looking to get more out of your membership? Join a Section or Committee and meet other members who share your interests, practice areas, and are on a similar path!

The HBA is bringing even more to the table this year, including three new Sections you’ll want to check out: the Solo & Small Firm Section, Technology Section, and Women in the Law Section. It’s a great way to tap into new opportunities, stay connected, and build meaningful relationships along the way.

Get involved, stay engaged, and make it count!

The HBA office will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

We want to see what you’re up to! Follow along, tag us, and show us your HBA moments. You might just get featured!

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

Join the HBA and members of the legal community at the 2026 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting on June 11–12 at the Marriott Marquis Houston. This year’s meeting will explore the latest topics and trends in the legal landscape, including AI in legal practice, emerging legal technology, cloud-based workflow automation, and tools to help firms improve efficiency and streamline operations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with top legal service providers throughout the event.

REGISTER HERE

Starting April 1, HBA has implemented a new Coupon Code feature for members to access 15 hours of free on-demand CLE videos. This change only applies to the Online CLE Library, not to the livestreamed weekly webinars. This change will enable us to enhance and expand our online CLE offerings, continue providing high-quality CLE programming, and maintain member access to free CLEs, along with other essential member benefits.

Please visit the HBA CLE Video Library for more details.

VISIT THE HBA ON-DEMAND CLE LIBRARY HERE

Questions? Contact HBA CLE & Technology Platforms Coordinator Alli Hessel at allih@hba.org. 

Jordan Corbitt has been elected a shareholder in the Houston office of Baker Donelson.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Kindall C. James, a partner in the firm’s Houston office, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF).

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome Marc S. Jacobs to the firm’s Houston office as an of counsel attorney in the Real Estate Practice Group.

Texas State Representatives Ann Johnson and Mano DeAyala led a bipartisan recap of the 89th Texas Legislature, giving attendees a clear look at what happened this session and what could be ahead. From key bills that passed to those that did not, it was a straightforward breakdown of the policies taking shape.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this insightful discussion!

STAY UPDATED ON FUTURE FORUMS

The Houston Day of Civility in the Law luncheon brought together some of the most recognized names in law for a program that truly delivered. Centered around Victory with Honor: A Trial Lawyer’s Guide to Civility, the panel featured Peter Taaffe, Rusty Hardin, Dan Cogdell, and Erica Harris.

It was a chance to hear directly from leading trial attorneys as they shared real stories and perspective on what civility looks like in practice. The conversation was recorded live for The Dirty Verdict, so if you missed it, you can still catch the full discussion when the episode drops.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, our incredible speakers, and our sponsors!

KEEP UP WITH THE PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE

On April 29, the Lawyers with Heart Lunch & Learn gave attendees something a little different from the usual lunch hour. From hands-only CPR to simple ways to stay on top of your heart health, it was practical, easy to follow, and information you can actually use. Attendees walked away with valuable takeaways and a few skills that could make a real difference!

EXPLORE WELLNESS

On May 18, the HBA Gender Fairness Committee will host its final book club of the Bar year, featuring Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes by Sunita Sah. The conversation will focus on setting boundaries, owning your voice, and navigating the pressure to always say yes.

Also, exciting news—the Gender Fairness Committee is becoming the Women in the Law Section. Interested in being part of this NEW section? Click here to join!

LEARN MORE

The HBA was honored to attend the ADL’s annual Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award luncheon on April 28. Hundreds of guests from across the profession were in attendance, including many HBA members and past presidents.

Congratulations to HBA member and past chair of the Houston Bar Foundation, Karl Stern, and his wife, Ann B. Stern, on receiving the Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award. This distinguished honor recognizes an outstanding member of the legal community who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to equality, justice, fairness, and community service.

Houston Lawyer Referral Service

If you’re serious about growing your practice and serving clients well, is just makes sense to join The Houston Lawyer Referral Service. HLRS connects you with people who are already looking for legal help—no cold outreach, just qualified referrals. It also lets you confidently refer out matters outside your practice area, so you keep client trust while staying helpful.
 
Why join:

• Qualified client referrals
• Grow your practice without chasing leads
• Free CLE for solo/small firms
• Presentation opportunities
• Earn an average of $20K annually from referrals
• Build a strong attorney network

The new membership year is starting soon—and HBA members receive a discount. Learn more at www.HLRS.org/for-attorneys/ or email Kramsey@HLRS.org.

Dispute Resolution Center 

AI vs. Human Mediators: Where the Line Should Be Drawn

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving beyond administrative support and into the role of actually conducting mediations. New platforms now use AI “bot mediators” to guide parties through disputes from start to finish with no human neutral involved. In transactional cases, this model works. When the dispute is about money, terms, or clearly defined obligations, AI can structure conversations, narrow issues, and move parties toward agreement quickly and efficiently. For high volume matters such as consumer claims or debt disputes, AI mediation offers speed, accessibility, and consistency that traditional systems often struggle to match.

That efficiency has limits, and those limits become clear the moment emotion enters the room. Family disputes, custody matters, and cases involving deeply personal conflict are not just about resolving issues. They are about being heard, managing emotion, and rebuilding communication. These are not variables an algorithm can fully process. A human mediator reads tone, body language, hesitation, and silence. They adjust in real time, de-escalate tension, and create space for understanding in ways that technology cannot replicate. While AI will continue to expand its role in mediation, it should not be viewed as a universal solution. The future of mediation depends on recognizing where technology adds value and where the presence of a skilled human mediator remains essential.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Learn more about HVL by visiting makejusticehappen.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.