Non Austin Bar Articles

Texas Government Code Section 82.024 provides that the Texas Supreme Court decides which law schools in Texas are "approved law school(s)" to satisfy the law study requirements for licensure. In 1983 the Court delegated its authority to approve which law schools were accredited to the American Bar Association. With limited exceptions, the current Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas require graduation from a law school approved by the ABA to be eligible for admission to the Texas Bar.
  
The Court is now considering reducing or ending ABA accreditation of Texas Law Schools to allow some type of alternative to accreditation, and is inviting comments and feedback concerning this potential change.
  
The Court's Order Inviting Comments can be found here.
  
Comments should be submitted in writing torulescomments@txcourts.gov by July 1, 2025.

Sincerely,
  
Hon. Rebecca Simmons, Chair 
Litigation Section
State Bar of Texas

The Western District of Texas is seeking to fill a U.S. Magistrate Judge vacancy. To view the qualifications and application process, click here.

More than 800 law firms filed a motion for leave to file a brief amicus curiae in support of Perkins Coie's motion for summary judgment and declaratory and permanent injunction against the DOJ.

The Austin firms that have signed onto the brief are:

• Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody
• Botkin Chiarello Calaf
• Burgess Law 
• Kaplan Law Firm
• Reeves Brightwell
• Fritz Byrne
• Edwards Law (Jeff Edwards)
• Phillips Golden
• Griffin Frey
• Jon Michael Smith Attorney
• George Brothers Kincaid & Horton
• Icenogle & Boggins
• Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson

Read the brief, exhibit, and appendix.

Anyone who is interested in participating should send an inquiry to amicus@mto. 

Austin Bar Association members: This is a call for future for applicants for the State Bar of Texas Computer & Technology Section Council/Board for 2025-2028. The Computer & Technology Section’s leadership includes attorneys who have an eye towards technology-related legal issues as well as attorneys who enjoy using technology to improve results for traditional practice areas such as litigation, criminal law, family law, in-house positions, and solo/small firms. Council members must serve a three-year term.

Please submit your application and resume/CV to the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Lavonne Burke at Lavonne.Burke@dell.com on or before April 25, 2025.

William Smith, Chair

Lavonne Burke, Chair-Elect

Computer and Technology Section

State Bar of Texas

It is time to register for the Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers 2025 Convention June 6-9 taking place in Dallas again this year at the DoubleTree hotel. Scholarships are available. 

Date: June 6-9, 2025

Location: DoubleTree Hotel, 8250 N. Central Expy Dallas, TX 75206

Approved for 9.5 CLE credits

Register here

Book a hotel room here

The 2026 Jury/Non-Jury Schedule is now available. 

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) will celebrate its 50th anniversary by awarding 206 attorneys and 49 paralegals their board certification.

Gerald Harris Goldstein and Buck Files are criminal defense lawyers who were among the first 23 individuals to receive certification from TBLS in 1975. Goldstein will give the keynote address and Files will receive the John F. Sheehy, Jr. Distinguished Attorney Award.

Date: Friday, March 14, 2025

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705

VLS Annual Basic Litigation Seminar

The VLS Basic Litigation Seminar aims to equip attorneys with the essential skills and resources to handle a VLS case. This course focuses on fundamental trial techniques and Travis County trial court procedures. Hear from experts in the field on how to try a case, as well as tips on the Travis County Central docket and views from the bench with Judge Meachum.  

Make a Difference with Your Trial Skills Each year, thousands of low-income Central Texans rely on VLS for legal assistance in navigating the civil justice system—often as their only option. To help meet this critical need, VLS offers this seminar free of charge to attorneys who commit to handling two civil pro bono cases through VLS in 2025. For those unable to take on two cases, the CLE cost is $150. 

Date: April 25, 2025

Time: 9:00am-1:30pm

Location: Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility (CFCF)

AGENDA

Subjects will include:

• What to Expect When You Accept a Case for Placement
• Basic Civil Procedure
• How to Survive Travis County Central Docketing
• How to Try a Case
• View from the Bench with Judge Meachum 

Register below:

I will take two cases

I will pay $150

Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Hilgers House, 712 W. 16th St.

Join TCWLA, the Austin Bar, and the State Bar of Texas' Women in the Law to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Please wear purple or white – a group photo will be taken at 12:45 p.m.

The event is free; please RSVP to help us get an accurate headcount of attendees.

The CFCF offers free training courses on how to use the technology at the courthouse.

Register Here: https://forms.office.com/g/p6iTSQc8Z2

Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10:30AM in Courtroom 9C on the 9th floor.