The Lawyer Well-Being Committee of the Austin Bar Association invites you to participate in a fundraiser for suicide awareness and prevention. The fundraiser is a walk that will take place on Oct. 26 at 10 a.m., starting at the Texas Capitol. These “Out of the Darkness” walks are hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), which has chapters …
Before the fall of the Roman Empire, the poet Juvenal wrote a series of 16 satirical poems in five books, appropriately called the “Satires.” His essays had titles like “What Room is there For Genius?” and “The Dishonest and Dishonorable,” in which Juvenal commented on the foibles of society, covering everything from politics, power and social engagement. In his lament …
The Austin Bar Foundation recently showed its gratitude for the service of outgoing directors Blair Dancy, Lowell Keig, and Hon. Todd Wong. Dancy has served on the Foundation’s board since 2020, most recently as treasurer. Keig has served on the board since 2016, most recently as vice chair. Judge Wong has served on the board since 2020. The Austin Bar …
In testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on July 9, 2024, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht laid out his ideas to make the civil justice system accessible for all Americans.1 Current methods for increasing access to justice fall into two categories: pro bono publico and legal aid services. But even with Texas’ 114,000 lawyers providing …
The Texas Supreme Court issued an order1 on June 25, 2024, seeking public comment on the adoption of a new examination for individuals seeking admission to the Texas Bar. The Texas Board of Law Examiners (BLE) has recommended the adoption of the NextGen Bar Examination, which would replace Texas’ current bar exam, the Universal Bar Exam (UBE). Like the UBE, …
Jason Snell and the Snell Law Firm obtained a final judgment from the Texas Supreme Court in favor of their client, who was awarded more than $16 million under the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act. Justice Boyd delivered the opinion of the Court, joined by Justices Hecht, Devine, Busby, Bland, and Huddle. Justice Young filed a dissenting opinion, which Justice …
The winners of this year’s Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association (TCWLA) Scholarship Fund program were announced at a Hilgers House event. In addition to the TCWLA Scholarship Fund’s annual Ann Forman and Mary Cooper scholarships, two new scholarships, named in honor of Judges Orlinda Naranjo and Lora Livingston, were also awarded. The Lora Livingston Scholarship is awarded to a woman …
Austin Bar member Judge Julie Kocurek participated in a panel discussion at the University of North Texas–Dallas to endorse a bill by U.S. Senator John Cornyn to improve judicial safety. Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht; Judge Kocurek’s son, Will; and Sen. Cornyn himself also participated in the panel discussion, along with other Texas judges, who discussed threats aimed …
Founding shareholder of Winstead P.C. Pete Winstead died on Aug. 7, 2024, at the age of 84. Winstead received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his J.D. from The University of Texas. As a young lawyer working for the Department of Justice Tax Division in Washington D.C., he was sent to Selma, Ala., to monitor the civil rights march, …
The Austin Bar Foundation is proud to annouce this year’s grant recipients! A total of $27,500 in grants were awarded to seven community organizations that provide community service. These grants are made possible by your generous contributions at the Austin Bar Foundation’s annual Gala. The 2024 Gala raised more than $234,000. Austin Community Radio Inc. “Jury Duty Community Forum” Amount …