Houston Bar Association

HBA/CLE 2010-2011 Fall/Winter Seminar Schedule

The 2010-2011 Fall/Winter Seminar Schedule is available to download as a PDF or view as an up-to-date list of scheduled seminars on the HBA/CLE Seminars web page. Click here to see the schedule.

Free Legal Advice - Next LegalLine Program September 15

The HBA's LegalLine program will be held on Wednesday, September 15, with attorneys answering calls from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public may call 713-759-1133 to speak to a volunteer attorney who will assist in answering their legal questions.

The HBA would like to thank Luby's, etc. at 1301 Fannin, 13th Floor, 713-759-9954, for providing dinner for our LegalLine volunteers.

2010 Harvest Party - November 15

The 2010 Harvest Party has been set for Monday, November 15, 2010 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at River Oaks Country Club. The Harvest Party is the main annual fundraising event for the Houston Bar Foundation, and this year's underwriting goal has been set at $525,000. For information on underwriting the Harvest Party, contact Kay Sim at 713-759-1133 or kays@hba.org. Click here for ticket order form.

HBA Judicial Preference Poll

The 2010 HBA Judicial Preference Polls have been mailed. The return deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 17, 2010. For more information on candidates, click here.

Harris County Seeking Chief Public Defender

Harris County is seeking an experienced professional to help launch the county’s first Public Defender’s Office. The Commissioner’s Court will appoint the Public Defender upon recommendation of the Harris County Public Defender’s Advisory Committee.

Candidates must meet a number of requirements, including being a member of the State Bar of Texas who has practiced for at least 10 years, with substantial experience in the area of criminal law; tried before a jury, as lead counsel, at least 15 felonies not lower than the highest degree of non-death offense; tried at least two capital murder cases in which the prosecutor sought the death penalty or have comparable complex trial experience. The deadline to apply is September 10, 2010. Read more about how to apply here.

MCLE Rules Changess

The State Bar of Texas recently approved changes to the MCLE rules regarding new formats members may use to fulfill their MCLE requirements. Read about the changes.

Veterans Legal Initiative

The Houston Bar Association's Veterans Legal Initiative provides legal services for veterans, including a legal clinic from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. every Friday at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Read more about the Veterans Legal Initiative.

Hurricane Preparedness Guide 2010

The Houston Bar Association wants to provide some information for disaster preparation and recovery. The information is designed to protect your law office, home, employees and self, and to address issues associated with each. While many firms already have disaster plans in place, we hope the resource information here immediately offers something to those lawyers who either do not have a formal plan in place or who want to view what others have developed. Click here for resources and information.

Click on the button below to watch videos that answer legal questions related to insurance, property, FEMA, landlord/tenant and other topics related to Gulf Coast storms.

Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards Winners

The Harris County judiciary, in conjunction with the Harris County bar, presented the second annual Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards to law firms, corporate legal departments and an individual in a ceremony on May 10 at the Harris County Civil Courthouse.

The awards program was established to recognize outstanding pro bono service through local legal services providers, and to encourage law firms, corporate legal departments and individual attorneys to volunteer direct legal services to low-income Harris County residents. A committee of seven judges and five attorneys selected the recipients in five self-nominated categories.

Judges presented the following awards for outstanding service:
• Large Firm – Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
• Mid-size Firm – Gibbs & Bruns LLP
• Small Firm – Jackson Gilmour & Dobbs, PC
• Large Corporation – Marathon Oil Company
• Small Corporation – Rosetta Resources
• Individual – Judith Ann Ritts of the Law Office of Judy Ritts

25th John J. Eikenburg Law Week Fun Run Results

The race results for the 8K Fun Run held on Saturday, March 27, 2010 are below:

8K Individual Results
8K Team Results

Scam Targeting Law Firms

Houston banks have reported an increase in foreign-generated email fraud against Houston law firms. Several have been the targets of a scam generated by an Asian company that could potentially cause the firms to lose a large sum of money. The scam generates from an email regarding a “domestic collection matter” that appears to be from a legitimate company with a legitimate Web site. Read more about it here.

E-Filing

The Court Procedures page has links to the Harris County Local Rules of the District Courts Concerning the Electronic Filing of Documents, as well as a link to TEXASONLINE, the required e-filing portal for Texas courts. At TEXASONLINE, litigants may find information about Electronic Filing Services Providers (EFSPs) -- companies that provide electronic document filing services that are in partnership with Texas courts. For e-filing requirements in other courts, please check with the court staff.

Discounts on Performances/Sports Events

HBA members can take advantage of discounts on tickets and/or priority seating for performances by the following organizations:

• Join the Houston Astros for "Lawyer Nights" on Saturday, September 18 at 6:05 p.m. against the Cincinnati Reds and Friday, October 1 at 7:05 p.m. against the Chicago Cubs. Attorneys can receive discounted tickets on these two nights by visiting www.astros.com/justice. The discount password is "Justice." Internet tickets must be purchased within 2 hours of game time.

• 2010- 2011 Alley Theatre Partnership Program - HBA members, family and friends can save 9% to 23% on select tickets to the Alley Theatre's 2010 - 2011 productions. Tickets can be purchased online, in person or by phone. The offer is valid through June 12, 2011. Please click here for the promotion code and available shows.

•ClubCorp Offers Houston Young Executive Membership

Under 40 and love golf? ClubCorp, an HBA member benefit provider, is offering a special until membership reaches 500. The $1,000 initiation fee is reduced to $100 for HBA members and dues are $250 per month. The membership gives you access to nine Houston area clubs featuring over 150 holes of golf, eight swimming pools, over 50 tennis courts, racquetball, cardio, strength training, group exercises and dining privileges. For more information click here.

•Da Camera of Houston offers HBA members a 20 percent discount on tickets to any concert. To purchase tickets, call 713-524-5050 and ask for the HBA discount.

Paul E. Stallings Blood Drive

Join the 7th Annual "Paul E. Stallings Blood Drive" the HBA's continuing partnership with the Blood Center. Please give The Blood Center the HBA code, QM07, to have your donation credited to the HBA drive. Visit www.giveblood.org to learn more about a drive in your area.

Gender Fairness Initiative

34 firms have signed a commitment statement that pledges an increase in various actions that promote gender fairness. To find out more about the Gender Fairness Initiative, please contact Tara Shockley or call 713-759-1133.

Order Your 2010 HBA Pictorial Roster
2010 HBA Pictorial Rosters are now available to order. Order Form

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