On May 7, members gathered to welcome Gregory C. Ulmer as the 2026–2027 HBA President and to mark the beginning of a new Bar year. It was truly an evening to remember, including the afterparty sponsored by Steno. Music filled the room as members connected, celebrated, and even took to the dance floor, embracing the energy and promise of the year ahead.

We are thrilled to welcome Gregory C. Ulmer as HBA President and look forward to his leadership in the year ahead. Thank you to Immediate Past President Daniella Landers for her remarkable service and dedication!

VIEW ANNUAL DINNER PHOTO ALBUM, SPONSORS, AND AWARD WINNERS

Did you know that many Houston attorneys began their careers as summer associates, through mentorship opportunities, or in clerkships?

The HBA Advancing Belonging and Cultures Committee’s 2026 Summer Associate Luncheon, taking place on Tuesday, June 16, celebrates the next generation of legal talent and the individuals helping shape the future of the profession.

This annual event will recognize this year’s summer associates, ABC 1L Summer Clerkship Program students and participating employers, ABC Law Student Scholarship recipients, Diversity Award honorees, and HBA Law Day Contest winners.

If you were once a summer associate yourself, you know how meaningful these early experiences and connections can be. We hope you will join us in celebrating and supporting the next generation!

PURCHASE A TICKET OR TABLE

MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

Sponsorship dollars raised benefit law school students who participate in the ABC Summer Associates 1L Clerkship Program. 
 

We are proud to announce the Houston Bar Association has won five State Bar of Texas Stars of Texas Bars Awards! They are:

Outstanding Partnership Program: HBA Days of Service

Best Overall Newsletter: The Houston Lawyer

News Article: Launching Texas Business Forward: 2025 Legislative Developments by Casey Minnes Carter (September/October 2025)

General Interest Story: The Changing Landscape of Parental Rights in Texas by Holly Draper and Shailey Gupta-Brietzke (November/December 2025)

Series of Articles–Substantive Law: The Houston Lawyer: Business Law Developments by Nikki L. Morris, Casey Minnes Carter, Carey Worrell (September/October 2025 issue)

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

Renew your membership by June 30 for another chance to win a Limited Edition HBA Wireless Power Bank Folio.

From CLEs and committees to events, connections, and exclusive member perks, your HBA membership keeps you connected to what’s happening across Houston’s legal community all year long!

Log into your HBA account to view your personalized invoice and renew online before time runs out.

JOIN THE HBA

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

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

***The deadline to renew your membership for the 2026-2027 Bar year is June 30, 2026.***

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!

Looking for a reason to get out of the office midweek? Join us Wednesday, June 17 at Ciro's for an evening of good wine, incredible food, and even better company with Houston’s legal community. This four-course wine dinner is the perfect excuse to unwind, catch up, and enjoy a night that feels a little more fun than your usual Wednesday.

Space is limited, so grab your seat early!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

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

Looking to start the new Bar year with fresh employment opportunities? Visit the HBA Career Center, where we connect employers and job seekers. You’ll also find a Career Planning Portal offering resume writing services and professional coaching.

HBA CAREER CENTER

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

Browse our online CLE video library with 100+ videos and earn the hours you need—anytime, anywhere!

VISIT THE HBA ON-DEMAND CLE LIBRARY HERE

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

Randy Sorrels has been named the inaugural Trailblazer of the Year by the Houston Young Lawyers Association.

GableGotwals is pleased to announce that Katriel “Kat” Statman has joined the Houston office as a Shareholder. 

Shackelford, McKinley & Norton welcomes real estate litigator Nathan Vrazel to the firm's Houston office. 

Summer networking starts now! The 6th Annual Pride Mixer returns Thursday, June 11 at Norton Rose Fulbright Tower for an evening of cocktails, bites, and downtown views from the outdoor patio.

Whether you are stopping by after the SBOT Annual Meeting or joining us after work, this FREE mixer is the perfect opportunity to connect, unwind, and meet colleagues across the profession, from law students to seasoned attorneys.

Just graduated law school and prepping for the bar exam? Take a quick break and celebrate with us!

RSVP HERE

SUPPORT THE MIXER

For its last event as an HBA committee, the HBA Gender Fairness Committee hosted its final book club of the Bar year on May 18, featuring Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes by Sunita Sah. The conversation focused on setting boundaries, owning your voice, and navigating the pressure to always say yes. The event also marked the transition of the committee into the NEW HBA Women in the Law Section!

LEARN MORE
 

Sometimes the best networking happens when it doesn’t feel like networking at all!

On May 28, attorneys, law students, mentors, and future connections came together at BLVD Park for the HBA Mentorship Social, bringing a more relaxed, low-pressure energy to connection building. No formal setting. No awkward expectations. Just good conversations, new faces, shared experiences, and connections that could lead anywhere.

From career advice to genuine friendships, the night was a reminder that showing up really can change everything.

KEEP UP WITH THE PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE

Houston Lawyer Referral Service

Grow Your Practice. Build Your Reputation. Get More Referrals.

Join the HBA’s  Houston Lawyer Referral Service and connect with clients actively seeking legal representation.

The new HLRS membership year begins July 1! If you're an HBA member, now is the perfect time to consider joining the Houston Lawyer Referral Service.

For annual dues of just $175–$250, HLRS members receive:
•    Pre-screened client referrals
•    Free access to an all-day CLE focused on solo and small firm practice
•    Speaking and professional development opportunities
•    An average of $25,000 annually in revenue from HLRS referrals

Interested in learning whether HLRS is a good fit for your practice? Email kramsey@hlrs.org and ask if HLRS is right for you or visit www.hlrs.org/for-attorneys/ to apply today!

Dispute Resolution Center 

June: A Strategic Time for Resolution

As we enter June, many attorneys find themselves managing active dockets, preparing for summer trial settings, and evaluating litigation strategy for the remainder of the year. It is a natural time to assess not only where a case stands procedurally, but whether continued litigation remains the most effective path toward resolution.

Experienced practitioners understand that while litigation is often necessary, not every dispute requires a judicial winner and loser. Many cases are driven by practical business concerns, communication breakdowns, competing interests, or risk management decisions that can be more effectively addressed through facilitated negotiation. Mediation provides parties with an opportunity to explore those interests while maintaining greater control over the outcome than traditional litigation often allows.

At the Dispute Resolution Center of Harris County, we continue to see the value mediation brings to litigants, attorneys, and the courts. Every dispute resolved through mediation preserves judicial resources, reduces litigation costs, and allows parties to craft solutions tailored to their unique circumstances. Even when a case does not fully settle, mediation frequently narrows issues, improves communication, and positions the matter for more efficient resolution.

As we move into the summer months, June serves as a reminder that effective advocacy is not measured solely by the cases we try, but also by the disputes we help resolve. In many instances, the most successful outcome is one that provides clients with certainty, finality, and a path forward.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Make this a Summer of Service with LegalLine

We know the summer is an exciting and busy time for many families. Between adjusted childcare schedules and holidays, it can be difficult to find time to give back. Community needs don’t take a vacation. Spend a few hours this summer making a difference with LegalLine. These remote clinics provide low-income individuals with an opportunity to receive free legal advice that can be given from anywhere. Dial in for justice this summer – no commute needed!

SIGN UP

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.