State Bar of Texas Blog

Random Profile - Patricia B. Cole, Ft. Worth

Teri Rodriguez — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:44:23 -0600

For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We've found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

Practice areas: Probate & Business Litigation, Estate Planning.

Education: Louisiana State University, (B.A., 1996);
Texas Wesleyan Univ. School of Law, (J.D., 2000).

Best thing about being a lawyer: Being able to help people.

Most important career lesson: Attorneys are in customer service business.

Favorite retreats: Kemah, Texas.

The last movie I saw: Avatar.

If I had more time I would: Travel more.

Favorite food: Sushi.

Favorite tv show: The Good Wife.

What most people don't know about me: I have a 25 year-old son.

The part of my job that I do best: Argue cases.

Community Involvement: Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Habitat for Humanity. Texas Humane Society.

Favorite saying/quote: "I will trust God to provide what I need."

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing attorneys today? I would say that ethics-wise, remembering not to cut corners.

How do you think the practice will change in the next 15 years? There will be more focus on guardianship and elder law as baby boomers retire and pass away.

If you weren't an attorney, what profession do you think you would want to be in? I can't imagine being anything else but an attorney.

Patricia is a shareholder in Decker Jones

You can also view Patricia's Texasbar.com profile

Prizes

It's not every day that you're randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).

Update Your Online Profile

Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to MyBarPage on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile."

Once on your MyBarPage on TexasBar.com under the "Update My Profile" section, click "Edit" under "My Directory Options" to add your photo for free. While you're there, consider adding a law firm link too. This is a hyperlink from your profile in our Find-a-Lawyer directory to your own law firm website. At only $50/yr, law firm links are a great way to drive traffic to your site.

Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects - not the State Bar of Texas.

Relief is Just a Click Away

Patricia L Garcia — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:16:41 -0600

Texas lawyers have never been stingy when it comes to helping in times of need. When Hurricane Ike devastated the Texas Coast in 2008, Texas lawyers came out in droves to help their fellow Texans. Last month's earthquake in Haiti is no exception. Thousands of Texas attorneys have made monetary donations, as well as donated much-needed necessities, to relief efforts in Haiti. Still, access to safe drinking water in Haiti is a problem.

Annette Raguette, an Austin public member of the State Bar Board, and her 8-year-old daughter, Isabella, are doing what they can to ensure children in Haiti, and around the world, have safe drinking water. Four months ago, Isabella founded Children's Water for Life, a nonprofit organization that raises money for PUR packets. The eight members of the CWFL board range in age from 8 to 14 years old. (Raggette is the only adult on the board, but somebody's got to take care of the paperwork.) CWFL hopes to donate at least 25,000 of the packets, which cost 10 cents each, to Haiti relief efforts. Adding one PUR packet to approximately 2.5 gallons of water helps make it potable for infants, children, and adults. A $1 donation can help provide one child safe drinking water for 50 days.

Aside from donations, Raguette said CWFL could use the services of a CPA or tax lawyer and help with printing services. CWFL has Haiti fundraisers set up for the next two weeks. For more information on the fundraisers and CWFL, visit www.childrenswaterforlife.com.

Texas Gavel Awards call for entries

Kim Davey — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:54:19 -0600

Do you know of a journalist deserving of recognition for excellence in legal reporting?

The State Bar of Texas Public Affairs Committee is now accepting entries for the 2010 Texas Gavel Awards to recognize journalistic excellence that helps foster public understanding of the legal system, including investigative reporting that leads to improvements in the justice system.

The entry deadline is April 1. Awards will be presented August 13 at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference in Austin.

Click here for rules and an entry form. Questions? Contact Kim Davey at 512.427.1713 or kdavey@texasbar.com.

Board makes recommendation to Supreme Court on professional liability insurance disclosure

Kevin Priestner — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:30:57 -0600

(San Antonio) — After hours of debate and months of gathering information from Texas lawyers and the public, the State Bar Board of Directors, by a vote of 39 to 1, recommended to the Supreme Court of Texas that lawyers not be required to disclose whether or not they carry professional liability insurance unless a client or prospective client asks for that information. (In a June 2009 letter, the Court had asked the Board to make a recommendation on the issue by February 2010.)

In addition, the Board unanimously recommended that if disclosure were to be required, that it be done so through an administrative rule rather than a disciplinary rule.

The State Bar has compiled hundreds of pages of comments, reports, and background information to forward to the Court. In a transmittal letter to accompany those resources, the Board will respectfully ask the Court to seek the Board’s recommendation regarding the details of implementing any future disclosure requirement.

For more information on the professional liability insurance disclosure issue, including an executive summary and the results of public hearings, surveys, and focus groups, click here.

San Antonio lawyer, law student honored at luncheon

Holly Wilkerson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:33:00 -0600

State Bar of Texas President Roland Johnson and President-elect Terry Tottenham visited the San Antonio Bar Association (SABA) luncheon today. SABA lawyers are actively involved in mentoring young lawyers, providing legal services to the poor, and helping local military personnel.

In addition to a CLE presentation by United States Circuit Judge Edward C. Prado, two special awards were given during today's luncheon.

Every year, the San Antonio Bar President recognizes one bar member who has gone above and beyond in service to the bar with the President's Award. This year's recipient is Carl Werner. Werner used his expertise on probate, wills, and estates to incorporate a wills clinic into the bar's Community Justice Program. His energy extended to recruiting and mentoring volunteers to the extent that in 2011, a wills clinic will be offered monthly.

For the first time, AT&T presented the First Annual AT&T Excellence in Pro Bono Award. AT&T has played an instrumental role in supporting the pro bono efforts in San Antonio. As the Community Justice Program continues to grow and the number of volunteers increases, the administrative workload becomes mountainous. The new award established AT&T will offer a St. Mary's law student a scholarship in return for working five hours a week for the Community Justice Program.

The first recipient of the AT&T Excellence in Pro Bono Award is Kimbell Ward. Ward, a 2L law student, was chosen because of her high class ranking, a highly complimentary letter from a mentor, and her passionate essay about the importance of pro bono efforts. In addition to her volunteer efforts at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Catholic Charities Call-a-Lawyer, Ward has served as president of the St. Mary's Criminal Defense Law Bar. It would be remiss not to mention that Ward is also a mother of two. Texas lawyers can expect great work from future lawyer Kimbell Ward.

Random Profile - Daryl Sinkule, Houston

Joanna Herzik — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:39:41 -0600

For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We've found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

Best thing about being a lawyer: Recovering money on behalf of clients wronged by their employers

Latest pursuit: Attempting to survive the renovation of my historic (1926) Houston Heights home

Bet you didn’t know: I know my way around the kitchen.

Born/Age: 1975/34 years

Areas of practice: Labor & Employment Law

Education: Texas A&M University, B.A., 1998; University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 2002

Most important career lesson: Some clients will lie to you.

Pet peeve: Tardiness

Secret for staying young: Eating more “real” foods and less processed foods

Favorite TV program: 30 Rock

Favorite place to find albums: iTunes

The last movie I saw was: Avatar

Favorite sport: Baseball

Favorite food: Mexican food

Hobbies: Keeping up with politics: local, state, and national

Current reading material: Currently reading The Book Thief (by Markus Zusak) and Open (by Andre Agassi)

If I had more time, I would: Relax more

Daryl Sinkule works at Shellist Lazarz LLP.

You can also view Daryl's TexasBar.com profile.

Prizes

It's not every day that you're randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).

Update Your Online Profile

Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to MyBarPage on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile."

Once on your MyBarPage on TexasBar.com under the "Update My Profile" section, click "Edit" under "My Directory Options" to add your photo for free. While you're there, consider adding a law firm link too. This is a hyperlink from your profile in our Find-a-Lawyer directory to your own law firm website. At only $50/yr, law firm links are a great way to drive traffic to your site.

Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects - not the State Bar of Texas.

Texas Legal Legends

David Kroll — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:19:39 -0600

In an effort to preserve their stories in an entertaining and historically significant way, Harper Estes, Immediate Past President of the State Bar, has interviewed a number of notable and distinguished Texas lawyers. Three new videos in the “Texas Legal Legends” series are now on the State Bar’s website: interviews with former State Bar Chair of the Board Kleber Miller, former President of the State Bar Charles L. Smith, and the late Houston litigator Joe Reynolds.

170 Candles for the Supreme Court of Texas

Ellen Carnes — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:58:19 -0600

On January 13th, the Supreme Court of Texas celebrated its 170th anniversary. A special open session of the Court, where the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society observed its 20th anniversary, was followed by a reception at the Texas Law Center. Roland K. Johnson, president of the State Bar of Texas, and Larry McNeill, president of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society, spoke. Each emphasized how much history the Court has seen—and made— in the 170 years it has served the people of Texas. Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson and Senior Justice Nathan Hecht responded on behalf of the court.

The inaugural term of the Texas Supreme Court began on January 13, 1840, and lasted two weeks. The Texas Supreme Court Historical Society was established on January 13, 1990 to preserve the legacy of the state’s highest court.

Guzman sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

Ellen Carnes — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:44:55 -0600

Justice Eva Guzman, the first Latina to serve on the Texas Supreme Court, celebrated her formal investiture on Monday, January 11. The ceremony took place in the Texas House of Representatives Chamber, in front of an audience filled with Guzman’s colleagues, friends, and family. Governor Rick Perry administered the oath of office, praising Guzman’s “consistent fairness and wisdom” and “strict constructionist view of the Constitution.” After Senior Justice Nathan Hecht paid tribute to departing justice Scott Brister, U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Justice Kem Thompson Frost spoke about Guzman’s dedication to the law and the historic nature of the occasion. Guzman, formerly a justice on the 14th District Court of Appeals in Houston, thanked the governor for this opportunity, saying “For this day, I have prayed, I have dreamed, and I have worked.”

Random Profile - Alia Derrick, Dallas

Teri Rodriguez — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:20:29 -0600

For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We've found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

Family: Single, 5 nieces and 2 nephews.

Areas of practice: Civil Litigation & Labor and Employment.

Education: B.A., Rice University (2003); J.D., University of Texas School of Law (2007).

Secret for staying young: Worrying less, laughing often, and walking in faith.

Best thing about being a lawyer: Volunteering your services to those who cannot afford it. To borrow from DVAP’s tagline: “It [truly is] like billable hours for the soul.”

Latest pursuit: Funding a child whose parents have succumbed to Aids/HIV.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing attorneys today? Time: An uncertain economic time and its effect on the practice.

Bet you didn’t know: I have delivered a Sunday sermon at church.

Another little known fact: I like to sew and decorate.

Culinary talent: Hawaiian Stuffed Chicken.

Community Involvement: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dallas, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, JL Turner Legal Association Co-Chair of Community Outreach Committee, Dallas Bar Association, Law in the Schools Committee, the Dallas Women's Foundation.

Mentors/heroes: high school mentors --Ron Kirk (current US Trade Representative and former mayor of Dallas, TX) and Amy Yeager (current in house counsel for Baylor Hospital) .

Most important career lesson: As a young associate, I have learned that tenacious persistence and people truly are your best resources because both are a tremendous help that ensure you survive, and (eventually) thrive in a legal career where clients depend on you to know the practice even though you may lack first hand experience.

Current Project: Turning an extra room into a proper study/office.

Favorite saying/quote: “I want young men and young women who are not alive today, but who will come into this world with new privileges and opportunities –I want them to know that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without someone suffering and sacrificing for them.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Favorite TV program: The Cosby Show.

Favorite music/musician: Gospel/Christian.

The last movie: The Blind Side.

Favorite magazine: The Economist.

Favorite sport: Kickball.

Favorite food: Lamb chops.

Favorite restaurant: Carraba’s Italian Grill.

Talents (besides law): Singing and acting.

Generally likes to read/ Current reading material: Bible.

Memorable vacation: Cancun, Mexico with good friends.

My favorite weekend retreats are: Quick flights to anywhere friends are.

If I had more time, I would: Help save the world.

The part of my job I do best is: To advocate on my client’s behalf.

The best piece of advice ever given to you and by whom: The best advice ever given to me was not given in the form of advice but was communicated as an observation by my high school Chemistry AP teacher, Dr. Charles Tuttle. Dr. Tuttle witnessed the huge crocodile tears that spiraled slowly, then uncontrollably, down my cheeks. My many failed attempts to do well on his quizzes and exams had finally gotten to me - not because I was failing but because I was truly trying as hard as I could, even attending tutoring sessions. Noting all of this, Dr. Tuttle looked at me and encouraged me saying “Alia, you will do well because you are ‘tenacious.’ Tenacious means that you never give up when challenged and with that tenacity you will get it, it will click for you. Well, soon thereafter it "clicked," and I made a 103 on the next Chemistry AP exam (even answering the bonus question correctly). Although Dr. Tuttle may not realize it, when faced with challenges, I have repeatedly referred back to his "advice" and it has carried me far!

Who is your favorite on-screen or literary attorney, and why? John Travolta in “A Civil Action,” because he sought to right a huge injustice despite this stand costing him his legal practice. Attorneys should strive to have a legal practice built on justice which at times may require a huge sacrifice to do the right thing, nevertheless, the sacrifice must be made. Afterall, in the words of Justice Douglas S. Lang, each attorney’s career should be built on “deeds, not words.” Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinny" is a close second because of its huge lesson to new attorneys. First year attorney Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci) wins his first case but not before experiencing great humiliation and uncertainy! New attorneys inevitably will experience some embarrassing moments in the practice, but true client advocacy means enduring and quickly learning from those humbling experiences to deliver the favorable results clients seek.

If you weren't an attorney, what profession do you think you would be in? Educator: High School History and/or Spanish Teacher because I love attempting to make an impact on society.

What's the turning point that made you decide to become an attorney? The turning point that made me restart my journey to becoming an attorney was a good college friend of mine. She called me one evening, gave me a good “talking to,” and the next thing I knew I was applying to law schools.

When you are not practicing law, what do you like to do? Relax, catch up with friends, and enjoy my nieces and nephews.

Who are the people you admire most, and why? My Parents (Randall & Alice Dozier) who taught me and my siblings the value of education, the devotion and sacrifice of parenting, and the peace and joy of serving Jesus Christ.

What has changed the most technologically or practice wise since you have been licensed? The use of the internet by the courts. Who would have ever thought you could watch oral arguments for the Texas Supreme Court live; or file pleadings electronically?

How do you think the practice will change in the next 15 years? Video-conferencing voir dire and trials perhaps?

Alia is an associate in the Dallas office of Jackson Walker, L.L.P.

You can also view Alia's TexasBar.com profile

Prizes

It's not every day that you're randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).

Update Your Online Profile

Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to MyBarPage on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile."

Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects - not the State Bar of Texas.

Supreme Court of Texas Celebrates 170 Years - An Invitation

Holly Wilkerson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:57:13 -0600

All Texas lawyers are invited to join the Supreme Court of Texas for its 170^th anniversary on Wednesday, January 13. The celebration will begin with an open session of the Court in the Supreme Court of Texas Courtroom at 4:00 p.m. Special remarks will be made by Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, State Bar of Texas President Roland K. Johnson, Justice Nathan L. Hecht and Texas Supreme Court Historical Society President Larry McNeill. Following the open session, there will be a reception at the Texas Law Center in the Hatton Sumners Conference Room. The celebration also marks the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Texas Historical Society.

Call for Entries -- 2010 YouTube Video Contest

Judy Marchman — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:30:54 -0600

Grab your video cameras! It's time for the 2010 State Bar YouTube Video Contest, "The Importance of the Legal System." President Roland Johnson is encouraging all Texans, and especially Texas attorneys and their families, to participate. The deadline for entries is April 1, 2010. Read the complete contest rules and get ready to enter!

Random Profile - Charley Prine, Houston

Joanna Herzik — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:00:00 -0600

For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We've found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

Best thing about being a lawyer: Finding solutions for real world problems

The last movie I saw was: Ernest Saves Christmas. It's not Christmas without it – “KnowhutImean”

Collects: My clients send me decks of playing cards from around the World. I have cards from all continents except Antarctica, several islands, and many tourist spots in the U.S. Interesting decks in my collection include decks from Air Force 2 and Marine Helicopter 1, a deck made by a missionary group in Africa, and decks from companies and countries that no longer exist.

Born: 1952

Family: Still married to Marilyn, my high school sweetheart for 30+ years

Areas of practice: Family, Probate, Real Estate (Homeowner Associations)

Education: South Texas College of Law 1992; University of Texas at El Paso 1980

Bet you didn’t know: I would answer this question

Likes: I like to photograph people un-posed, having fun.

Culinary talent: You bet. I’ll never be skinny.

Community Involvement: Photographer, University of Houston Marching Band

Heroes: My daughters, Jennifer and Rebekah, are my heroines.

Most important career lesson: You are never too old to change careers.

Favorite saying/quote: I have two :

Winston Churchill, "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."

Thomas Jefferson - "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Favorite composer: John Williams

Favorite musicians: My daughters, Jennifer and Rebekah

Favorite place to find albums: my website http://public.fotki.com/cepjr/

Talents (besides law): Photography

Hobbies: Photography

Last book read: Guns, Steel and Germs by Jared Diamond. The book attempts to explain why Eurasian civilizations, as a whole, have survived and conquered others, while attempting to refute the belief that Eurasian hegemony is due to any form of Eurasian intellectual, moral, or inherent genetic superiority.

Memorable vacation: A ten day car trip with my wife and daughters to see mountains and canyons out west.

If I had more time, I would: Learn calculus

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing attorneys today? The internet

If you weren't an attorney, what profession do you think you would be in? Political Consultant

What's the turning point that made you decide to become an attorney? I wanted to stop traveling and stay close to home to be a part of my daughters’ lives.

Charley Prine works at Charley E. Prine, Jr. Attorney at Law

You can also view Charley's TexasBar.com profile.

Prizes

It's not every day that you're randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).

Update Your Online Profile

Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to MyBarPage on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile."

Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects - not the State Bar of Texas.

Random Profile - Larry Fogel, Dallas

Teri Rodriguez — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:50:52 -0600

For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We've found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

Areas of practice: Litigation

Education: Texas Christian University, B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin, J.D.

Bet you didn’t know: that I’m allergic to shellfish, and I bet you didn’t care either.

Bad habit: rooting for Kansas City sports teams.

Most important career lesson: Be honest, even when it hurts.

Latest pursuit: Raising my daughter Ryan (2) and my son Zane (3 months) with my wife, Jenny.

Pet Peeve: I love virtually everything about football except when players (seemingly everywhere) hold up four fingers at the end of the third quarter. We get it.

Best thing about being a lawyer: People always seem interested in finding out I am an attorney – whether it is because they like lawyers or hate them, cannot wait to tell a lawyer joke (looking at you, Dad) or somehow think I can properly advise them on an obscure probate or criminal issue.

Current Project: Helping my wife start her photography business (check it out! www.fogelphotography.com)

Favorite TV program(s): Currently - Mad Men and Friday Night Lights; of all-time – probably The Wire.

Favorite artist: My daughter.

Favorite movie: The Natural.

The last movie: Blind Side.

Favorite magazine: I get my news and gossip online.

Favorite sport: College basketball.

Favorite food: Kansas City barbecue (Gates, Oky Joe’s, JackStack) – it merits a trip to KC if for no other reason.

Hobbies: Sports (playing and watching), reading, spending time with my family.

Generally likes to read/Last book read/Current reading material: Greg Iles

If I had more time, I would: Fall asleep in the hammock reading a great book.

Biggest misconception about me: I’m actually 6’4. I just slouch a lot and hate playing post in basketball games.

The best piece of advice ever given to you and by whom: “Keep the faith – stay on the right track and have a wonderful life.” (my Gram)

Who are the people you admire most, and why? Single mothers. No question. We have two small kiddos who are absolutely incredible children. I have found, though, that despite being married to a world-beater of a wife and having incredibly selfless family members around to help, there are many days when I go to bed flat-out exhausted. I cannot imagine how incredibly difficult it must be to do it all alone.

You can also view Larry'sTexasBar.com profile

Prizes

It's not every day that you're randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).

Update Your Online Profile

Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to MyBarPage on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile."

Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects - not the State Bar of Texas.

This month in the Texas Bar Journal

Kevin Priestner — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:13:04 -0600

most links point to PDF files

Legal Article — Controversial Uses of the 'Clawback' Remedy in the Current Financial Crisis by Spencer C. Barasch and Sara J. Chesnut.

Texas Supreme Court Historical Society Turns 20 — Preserving and Celebrating Judicial History by William S. Pugsley.

ABA-YLD Adopts TYLA Voting Rights Project — Inspiring the Future: Texas Young Lawyers Association Takes Steps to Empower Youth by Patricia L. Garcia.

Profile — Texas lawyers take their passions seriously, as you'll see from a story about Sally Heppie, a Dallas-based entertainment lawyer turned film producer.

The Texas Bar Journal wants your short stories!

Patricia L Garcia — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:40:39 -0600

It's that time of year again — not when we snuggle around the open fire or get a little silly at the office holiday party, no. It's time for aspiring John Grishams to dust off their typewriters (or more realistically, their computer keyboards) and get to writing their award-winning short story.

The 2010 Texas Bar Journal Short Story Fiction Writing Contest is officially on. The June 2010 issue of the Texas Bar Journal will feature the top three stories, as judged by our independent panel (it's a blind judging, too, to make it more fair). Deadline for entries is March 1, 2010.

"How long does my story have to be?" you ask. Well, we know you like telling stories, but, it's a short story contest, so keep it to 2,000 words or less.

You are pondering what you can write about, too, right? We're pretty open to the topic, as long as your short story is previously unpublished and deals with or is related to the law or lawyers in some fashion.

"What if I have entered or won a previous year?" you wonder. That's okay — go for win No. 2 or polish up last year's story. We welcome all entries, as long as it's from any lawyer licensed to practice in Texas who is in good standing. (We fibbed a little in that last sentence — directors of the State Bar or the Texas Bar Journal board of editors are ineligible.)

"How much time do I have?" you worry. No worries — the deadline is months away, next year in fact. Send those stories in by March 1, 2010, and you'll be good.

For more information, download an entry form.

Oh yeah, in case you missed it, the deadline for entries is March 1, 2010.

Fort Bend County lawyers golf for a great cause

Holly Wilkerson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:06:47 -0600

The Fort Bend County Bar Association’s 31^st Annual Golf Tournament proved to be a huge success! The bar association raised more than $10,000 which exceeded the goal and allowed the association to make more donations than expected. Fort Bend Lawyers Care received $5,000 to enhance free legal services to the indigent. Richmond Rosenberg Helping Hands received $5,000. Helping Hands provides food, clothing, shelter and assistance to families in financial crisis.

Random Profile - Everett Newton, Dallas

Joanna Herzik — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0600

For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We've found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

Favorite saying/quote: “He who has it not in his head must have it in his feet.”

Bet you didn’t know: I have a rock band whose music is being featured in an upcoming horror film.

Talents (besides law): Talk radio. For four years, I hosted my own legal call-in talk show on a local CBS radio affiliate.

Age: 44

Areas of practice: Criminal defense, expungements, orders of nondisclosure.

Education: University of North Texas, B.A. University of Houston, J.D.

Is not good at: Anything (and I mean ANYTHING!) having to do with math.

Another little known fact: I once won a belly dancing contest.

Mentors/heroes: My Uncle Lon, who happens to be the smartest AND the nicest guy in the world.

Secret for staying young: Don't drink, don't smoke, work out regularly (weights and cardio)... and drink LOTS of water!

Favorite album: Little Morphine Annie (self-titled). I like it so much, in large part, because I played guitar on the album and wrote the words and music.

Everett Newton works at Berlof & Newton, P.C.

You can also view Everett's TexasBar.com profile.

Prizes

It's not every day that you're randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).

Update Your Online Profile

Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to MyBarPage on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile."

Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects - not the State Bar of Texas.

No place like home: Bell County Bar and National Adoption Day

Holly Wilkerson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0600

The Bell County Bar Association is preparing for their second annual National Adoption Day. This year's theme is "The Wizard of Oz, There's No Place Like Home." A yellow brick road will lead the way to the bench as 32 children will be adopted by 20 families on November 16.

"The purpose of this day is to make it the most special day of their life," Judge Rick Morris (pictured), President of the Bell County Bar said.

Adopted children will receive special gifts to signify their adoptions - engraved necklaces for girls and engraved dog tags for boys. Teddy bears, books, and donated bags of necessities from hospitals will also be presented to the new families. A photographer will take pictures of the new families and each family will receive an 8x10 framed photo of the special day.

Fifteen attorneys, four judges and 20 paralegals have volunteered their time for adoptions and to write wills.

"National Adoption Day is so fun, I should have to pay to take part!" Morris said, "There will not be a dry eye in the room."

Providing access to justice to those who protect our country

Holly Wilkerson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:37:21 -0600

The U.S. Armed Forces protect citizens’ rights, including the right to access to justice. The Houston Bar Association and Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program have found a way to ensure that Houston veterans receive access to justice in return.

Approximately 1/3 of Houston veterans are homeless and many more are living on modest means, unable to afford an attorney. Recognizing the severity of this issue, the Houston Bar Association implemented a program to aid our nation’s heroes. Every Friday from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., volunteers from the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program staff a free legal clinic held at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Any veteran who attends receives a free legal consultation. Many times, questions are basic and the legal need is fulfilled. If by chance a veteran has an ongoing legal issue, the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program determines if the veteran is eligible for free representation and connects qualified veterans with a volunteer attorney.

The attendance at the legal clinics has grown - attorneys are now seeing 30 attorneys a week. As the clinics’ success grew, the Houston Bar has expanded the program to include services at veteran transition homes and other special legal clinics. Houston lawyers agree that the volunteer efforts are very fulfilling and that attorneys are building close bonds with local veterans.

Volunteer attorney Denise Scofield described the relationships, “We know our clients, we receive Christmas cards, announcements about grandchildren, and emails. “

The Houston Bar Association held a training seminar on Friday, November 13 to assist with a statewide initiative. Speakers included volunteer attorneys who have experience siding veterans, Judge Mark Cater who developed the first veterans court in Texas, and executive staff members of the Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center. The State Bar of Texas will implement a program in June of 2010, Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans.

Above: On November 13, State Bar Director Allan DuBois of San Antonio discusses his experience handling a VA disability case.