Austin Bar Blog

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, in the next episode of the Council of Firsts, Amanda Arriaga, first Latina president of the Austin Bar, talks to the founders of Capital Area Mexican American Lawyers. This organization is now known as the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin. Listen to Judge Jim Coronado, Tom Esparza, David Mendez and Richard Pena discuss how they, along with Xavier Medina, created CAMAL and transformed the Austin and Texas State Bar Associations. To join or donate to the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, please click here. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcasting platforms, or watch on YouTube.

Peyton Noble Smith died on Aug. 30, 2023. Read his obituary here.

Owen Timberlake Kinney has passed away. Read his obituary here.

Attorney volunteers will provide brief legal advice in their preferred practice area(s) to veterans in need. Walk-ins are welcome or you may pre-register online.  Sign up starts at 1:30 p.m. and please sign in before 3:30 p.m.

Veterans can also complete an intake application via phone. Call 512.472.0279 x110 to see if you qualify. For more information, please see the click here.

Volunteers may select a specific time slot or attend the entire duration of the clinic to provide advice. Volunteer here.

October 16, 2023 | 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT

Austin VA Outpatient Clinic | 7901 Metropolis Drive |  Austin, Texas, 78744

In the next episode of the Council of Firsts, Amanda Arriaga, first Latina President of the Austin Bar, talks to Christi Craddick, chair of the Texas Railroad Commission. Chair Craddick was the only female statewide elected official in Texas for over 10 years and is serving her fourth term as chair. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcasting platforms, or watch on YouTube.

The Civil Litigation Section will host its 18th Annual "Ultimate Trial Notebook" event. Join us for this all-day CLE where we will learn from state and federal judges as well as local practitioners to get best practices for the modern trial lawyer. See the full agenda and register here.

Friday, September 29, 2023 | 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM CT

This committee focuses on creating fundraising and events. This may include a Puppy Parade and a Holiday Decorating event. If you would like to volunteer with the Fundraising and Events Committee, please contact DeLaine Ward.

In the September issue of Austin Lawyer learn about the new fifteenth court of appeals, the potential pitfalls of a new federal laws, new laws passed by the 88th Texas Legislature. Stay current with court updates, get tips on lawyer wellness and more. Find the new issue here.

If you’re interested in being featured in Austin Lawyer, please contact Billy Huntsman to submit your story. We look forward to hearing from you.

In the next episode of the Council of Firsts, Amanda Arriaga, first Latina president of the Austin Bar, talks to Judge Hilda Tagle, who became the first Hispanic female federal judge in Texas upon her appointment in 1998 to the U.S. Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division. Judge Tagle was also the first Latina County Court of Law Judge in Texas. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcasting platforms, or watch on YouTube.

The Austin Bar Association is now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Lawyer and David H. Walter Community Excellence awards that will be presented at the Austin Bar Foundation Gala on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Four Seasons Hotel. Read more about the awards here. Applications close on September 22, 2023, at 5 p.m. CT.

In the next episode of the Council of Firsts, Amanda Arriaga, first Latina president of the Austin Bar, talks to Bill Jones who has celebrated many firsts, including: first African American Texas Young Lawyer Association President, first African American chair of the Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System, and first general counsel to Gov. Rick Perry. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcasting platforms, or watch on YouTube.