This December, the Business Law & Commercial Litigation Section brought the holiday spirit to life with their Attorneys Give Back Initiative, raising over $4,000 to purchase gifts for the young graduates of Judge Betancourt's Juvenile Court program. Led by section chairs Deborah Cordova and Kristen Vela, with the support of the HCBA staff and our generous members, this incredible effort ensured these kids felt celebrated and encouraged as they reached an important milestone in their lives
UPCOMING EVENTS
New Years Day- January 1, 2025
Business Law & Commercial Litigation Section CLE- January 15, 2025
Black Robe Reception: Celebrating the Past, Present, & Future- January 16, 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 20, 2025
Thank you to everyone who donated, helped wrap, and prepared the gifts you have truly made a difference this holiday season. Your kindness and dedication remind us of the impact we can make when we come together as a community.
Want to learn more? Dive into this month’s newsletter for an in-depth look at Judge Betancourt's Juvenile Court program, the story behind its creation, and how the Attorneys Give Back Initiative made such a meaningful impact.
Secretary Tijerina, Guillermo Jr Tijerina & Denzer, & Sabo, PLLC
Treasurer Falcon,HenryIII LoncarLyonJenkins
Director Ozuna,Jose LonestarDefendersOffice
Director Ramirez,JudgeMario HidalgoCounty332ndDistrict Court
Director Torres,Hector Colvin,Saenz,Rodriguez, &KennamerLLP
Director Koeneke,Daniel Koeneke&Gutierrez,PLLC
Director Sepulveda,Lauren CityofMcAllenMunicipalCourt
Director Benavides,Alejandro“Alex“ HidalgoCountyDistrictAttorney
Director Torres,Valerie TexasRioGrandePublic Defenders
Director Guajardo, Uriel “Alex” Statesman Law Firm, PLLC
Director Martinez,Veronica“Roni” GarzaMartinez,PLLC
Director Zuniga,RickA Atlas,Hall,Rodriguez,LLP
Director DeLaGarza,PeytonKampas LawOfficeofEzequielReyna
Director Gonzalez,Savannah LawOfficeofSavannahGonzalez
AbrahamGarcia
A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST MONTH
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT DearHCBA Members
As we close another remarkable year together, I want to take this moment to wish each of you a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year It’s been an honor to serve as your president, and I am continually inspired by the strength, dedication, and collaboration that define our legal community.
The holiday season is a time for gratitude, reflection, and connection It’s a chance to celebrate our successes together, honor the challenges that have shaped us, and express appreciation for the colleagues and friends who have supported us throughout the year
As we gather with loved ones to celebrate the season, I hope your days are filled with warmth, laughter, and the moments that truly matter. Whether you ’ re taking a well-deserved break or gearing up for what’s next, I hope this season brings you peace and joy.
Looking ahead to 2025, I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities and plans we have in store for the Hidalgo County Bar Association. With your continued support and involvement, we ’ re poised to make this one of our most successful years yet. From impactful CLE programs to innovative initiatives that strengthen our profession and community, the coming year promises to be one of growth, achievement, and excellence. Let’s embrace the new year with optimism and determination, knowing that together we can accomplish great things. I encourage all of you to stay engaged, share your ideas, and continue contributing to the vibrant community we ’ ve built.
On behalf of the Hidalgo County Bar Association, I wish you a holiday season filled with happiness and a New Year brimming with promise. Here’s to a prosperous and fulfilling 2025 for us all!
With warmest regards,
Sandra Falcon President Hidalgo County Bar Association
The Business Law & Commercial Litigation Section of the Hidalgo County Bar Association ended the year on a high note with a successful CLE and Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at El Divino in McAllen. The evening began with a compelling CLE session titled “Screening Workplace Discrimination Cases.” Speaker Mauro Ruiz provided attendees with valuable insights and practical strategies for addressing these important issues, making it a truly enriching experience for all.
After the CLE, members celebrated the holiday season with the section’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. The festive atmosphere was filled with laughter, good company, and holiday cheer, making it a night to remember.
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to section chairs Kristen Vela and Deborah Cordova for organizing this wonderful evening. Your leadership and efforts made the event both meaningful and enjoyable.
Special thanks also go to the dedicated staff at El Divino, whose professionalism and attention to detail ensured everything went smoothly. And of course, we are deeply grateful to Greater State Bank for generously sponsoring the evening, helping us bring our members together for this memorable celebration.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue providing exceptional programming and events for our members. Stay tuned for more to come!
Appellate Law Section Kicks Off the Year with Insightful CLE and Warm Camaraderie!
The Hidalgo County Bar Association’s Appellate Law Section hosted its inaugural CLE of the year, “It’s a Wrap for Chief Justice Contreras & A Primer on Hernandez v. Texas,” marking a fantastic start to what promises to be an impactful year for the section. Held at Barrel House Kitchen & Bar, this event offered attendees an enriching blend of legal education and community connection.
The CLE featured the Honorable Chief Justice Dori Contreras of the 13th Court of Appeals, who graciously took the time to share her vast knowledge and experience with section members. Chief Justice Contreras delivered an engaging presentation on the historic Hernandez v. Texas case, a landmark decision that transformed the legal landscape for equal protection under the law. In addition to providing this valuable legal insight, she reflected on her years of service on the bench, candidly answered audience questions, and shared her vision for the future as her time as Chief Justice draws to a close. This event was made possible through the dedication and effort of Appellate Law Section Chairs Joseph Vale, Jonathan Munoz, and Scott Clark, whose commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for members was evident in the program’s success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their leadership and organizational skills.
A special thank you goes to our event sponsor, Atlas Hall & Rodriguez, LLP, whose generous support allowed us to host this memorable CLE. We also want to express our appreciation to the staff at Barrel House Kitchen & Bar for providing exceptional service and hospitality. Their attentiveness and welcoming atmosphere set the perfect stage for an engaging and enjoyable event. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this kickoff event. With such a strong start, we’re excited for what the Appellate Law Section has in store for 2025. Stay tuned for more dynamic programming and opportunities to connect with your fellow members!
The Real Estate Law Section of the Hidalgo County Bar Association kicked off its programming with an insightful inaugural CLE event, "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap: Common Mistakes in Real Estate Conveyances." We were privileged to have Eric Wiesehan as our guest speaker. Eric delivered a compelling presentation with practical advice and highlighted critical areas where errors often occur in real estate transactions. Thank you, Eric, for sharing your expertise and setting a high standard for our section's events!
A special thanks go to our Real Estate Law Section co-chairs, Patrick Moore and Jesse Barba, for their hard work in organizing this outstanding event. Their leadership and vision are truly appreciated. And Patrick went the extra mile by raffling off homemade pies to attendees— turning what could have been a routine lunch-and-learn into an event that attendees won’t soon forget! Thank you, Patrick, for adding a creative and personal touch. We’re also deeply grateful to our sponsors for making this event possible. A big thank you to Encore Title Co. for providing a delicious lunch for everyone and to Rio Bank for hosting us at their wonderful venue. Your support is instrumental in fostering collaboration and professional development within our legal community.
Looking ahead, Patrick and Jesse would love to hear from you! If you have ideas for future CLE topics, speakers, or ways to enhance the section’s offerings, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your input will help shape the future of the Real Estate Law Section and ensure we continue providing valuable and engaging opportunities for all members.
Stay tuned for more updates and events from the Real Estate Law Section—where you can count on gaining knowledge, building connections, and maybe even winning a pie!
HIDALGO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
SUMMONS NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER - ISSUE
ARTICLES
PRESS RELEASE
MOVIES & BOOK REVIEWS
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUBMIT A REVIEW ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS WHETHER IT'S AN ARTICLE, PRESS RELEASE, MOVIE, OR BOOK WE'D LOVE TO FEATURE YOUR INSIGHTS! PLEASE SEND YOUR SUBMISSION TO MARKETING@HIDALGOBAR.ORG, AND WE’LL REVIEW IT FOR PUBLICATION WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OUR COMMUNITY!
AS ATTORNEYS, WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL THE PRESSURES OF BEING CONSTANTLY “ON.” OUR PHONES ARE ALWAYS WITHIN ARM’S REACH,EMAILSANDCLIENTCALLSCANCOMEATANYMOMENT,ANDTHEWEIGHTOFDEADLINESOFTENKEEPSUSTETHEREDTOOUR WORK LONG AFTER OFFICE HOURS AS A SOLO PRACTITIONER, THESE CHALLENGES CAN FEEL EVEN MORE INTENSE THE SENSE THAT OUR BUSINESS CANNOT RUN WITHOUT OUR CONSTANT INVOLVEMENT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO FULLY DISCONNECT AND TAKE TIME FOR OURSELVES. MAYBE IT’S PRIDE OR VANITY, BUT HAVING MY NAME ON THE DOOR HAS INFLATED MY SENSE OF IMPORTANCE TOMYOWNDETRIMENTATTIMES BUTRECENTLY,ILEARNEDFIRSTHANDTHETRANSFORMATIVEPOWEROFSTEPPING AWAYFROMTHEOFFICE ANDHOWDOINGSOCANBEINCREDIBLYREWARDING,BOTHPERSONALLYANDPROFESSIONALLY.
TherewasonemajordifferencebetweenthistripandanyvacationI’dtakeninthepast:forthefirsttimesinceopeningmyoffice,I didn’t bring my laptop, and I didn’t answer a single work call. In fact, there was no cell service at all during the cruise. The temptationtobuythe“internetpackage”wasreal.Twenty-fivedollarsadaywasallthatstoodbetweenmeandmyGmail.Itwasn’t animpossiblesum,butforaweek-longcruise,itwasenoughtomakemethinktwice(thoughIgladlypaiditforthekids’iPads!). I’lladmit:Ispentthefirstfewdaysofthetripwithanagginganxiety.Whatifanurgentissuecameup?Whatifoneofmymany “special”clientsneededme?CouldIaffordtobeunreachableforawholeweek?Thementaltug-of-warbetweenwantingtobe presentformyfamilyandtheconstantpullofworkwasrealandundeniable.Butasthedayswenton,somethingextraordinary happened Ibegantofeeltheweightofmydailystresslift,andIfoundmyselfgenuinelyrelaxed,engaged,andtrulypresentwith myfamily
Maybeitwasthelullofthewaves,butwithouttheconstantpingofemailsorthetemptationtocheckinwiththeoffice,Iwasable tofocusonmyson’sbirthdaycelebrations,watchhimexperiencenewadventures,andcreatememoriesIwillcherishforever. This experience was an eye-opener for me. I’ve gotten really good at lawyering and outsourcing mommy-ing. Being constantly connectedtomyofficehasgivenwaytohavingournannyhandledinner,bathsandSaturdayactivities.Myolderboysandhusband knowtotagteamwhenIwalkawayangrily,phoneinhand.Ithasbecometooeasyformetoexcusemyselffromdailylifeto‘handle thisrealquick’.
Irealizedthat,asasolopractitioner,Ioftenletthefearofbeingunavailableshapemydecisions.Ihaveplannedvacationsand familydinnersaroundbeingconnected.Ifearedthatsteppingawayfromwork,evenforashorttime,wouldsomehowjeopardize my practice or reputation. But what I learned on that cruise is that sometimes, being fully present with your family without distractions isthemostimportantinvestmentyoucanmake.It’snotonlygoodforyourmentalhealthbutalsostrengthensyour relationshipsandprovidesyouwithafreshperspectivethatcanultimatelybenefityourworkwhenyoureturn. Forthefirsttime,Ididn’tfeeltornbetweenmyprofessionalresponsibilitiesandmypersonallife.Icouldenjoythemomentwithmy sonwithoutconstantlycheckingmyemailorworryingaboutwhatmightbewaitingformewhenIreturned.AndwhileIwasaway,I realizedthattheofficedidn’tfallapartwithoutme.Ofcourse,theextraworkandsnarkyclientcommentswerereadyformewhenI returned,butIhadtheenergyandpatiencetotackleitalluponmyreturn.
When I came back to the office after the cruise, I was reinvigorated. I was more focused, clearer-headed, and ready to tackle the challenges of running a practice with renewed energy. I also recognized that disconnecting doesn’t mean neglecting your clients or abandoning your responsibilities it simply means giving yourself permission to step back, recharge, and then come back stronger. December dockets were chaos but I was rested and ready. When Christmas came, my office donated boxes of gifts to area schools and the needy. I felt fulfilled and grateful, personally and professionally; in years past I’ve felt like a zombie by the time the holidays started.
As solo practitioners, we often feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, and the notion of truly disconnecting can feel like a luxury we can’t afford. But I encourage you to rethink this mindset. Taking time to be with your family, to truly be present, isn’t just good for your personal life it’s good for your professional life too. It helps you recharge and find balance, which, in turn, helps you provide better service to your clients when you return.
Life moves quickly, and it’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending cycle of work. But moments with family, moments of connection, are irreplaceable. They give us perspective and remind us why we do the work we do in the first place. When my son was first diagnosed with autism, I left the DA’s office to have more flexibility for his needs. After 7 years, I had lost sight of that priority and was consumed with running my office. Disconnecting on the cruise was magical. I saw my son try new things, meet his favorite Disney characters, and float in the ocean waters. For an autistic child, this trip wasn’t just a vacation, it was a monumental feat and I lifted my eyes long enough to witness it. So, I challenge you: take the time to disconnect Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a week-long vacation, or simply a few hours of uninterrupted family time, find a way to step away from your practice. Your family and your own well-being deserve it. And trust me, when you return to the office you’ll be better for it
Pictured above:: Dylan (21), Lucca (10), Sebastian (11)
UPCOMING CLE’S AND EVENTS
EVENTS AND CLE’S
NEW YEARS DAY- JANUARY 1, 2025
BUSINESS LAW & COMMERCIAL
LITIGATION SECTION CLE-
JANUARY 15, 2025
BLACK ROBE RECEPTION:
CELEBRATING THE PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE- JANUARY 16, 2025
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY-
JANUARY 20, 2025
IMMIGRATION LAW SECTION CLE- JANUARY 24, 2025
FAMILY LAW SECTION CLE-
JANUARY 29, 2025
BILL OF RIGHTS CONFERENCEJANUARY 31, 2025
SECURE YOUR SPOT FOR OUR CLE'S AT WWW.HIDALGOBAR.ORG BEFORE THEY DISAPPEAR FASTER THAN A WINNING VERDICT.
SPACE IS AS LIMITED AS A COURTHOUSE PARKING SPOT, SO GRAB YOURS NOW!
BILLOFRIGHTSCONFERENCE
8:00AM8:25AM 8:25AM8:50AM
TheRahimiDecisionandItsImpactonthe2ndAmendment
TURLEY
FederalExportLawsforCriminalLawyers ANTHONY MATULEWICZ
Increased Exposure: Your logo and brand message will be prominently featured in our newsletter, reaching hundreds of potential customers. This exposure can lead to increased brand recognition and recall, as your business will be associated with valuable content and information.
Credibility and Trust: Our newsletter subscribers trust the information and recommendations we provide. By associating you’r brand with our content, you'll tap into this established credibility and earn the trust of potential customers.
Networking: Our newsletter community comprises leaders, professionals, and government officials. As a sponsor, you'll have the chance to connect with these individuals, fostering valuable relationships that could lead to collaborations, partnerships, or even business development.
Customized Approach: We understand that each business is unique. That's why we offer customizable sponsorship packages tailored to your goals and budget. Whether you're looking for a one-time boost or a long-term partnership, we can create a plan that suits your needs.
In a fast-paced business landscape, it's crucial to seize opportunities that can set you apart from the competition. By becoming a sponsor of our newsletter, you'll position your business for success and growth in the market.
BENENFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
Sections Offered
Appellate Law Section
Criminal Law Section
Estate Planning and Probate
Law Section
Family Law Section
Civil Trial Section
Immigration Law Section
Real Estate Law Section
Business Law & Commercial
Litigation Section
Women’s Bar Section
Networking Opportunities
Sections offer a platform to connect with fellow professionals who share your legal interests. This can lead to valuable connections, referrals, and collaborations within your field
Access to Experts
You gain direct access to leading experts and thought leaders in your practice area, allowing you to seek advice, guidance, and mentorship from those with extensive experience
Publications and Journals
Some sections publish newsletters and journals you have complete access to
All sections offer Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, which help you fulfill your mandatory requirements while staying informed about the latest legal development
Career Advancements
Being an active member of a law section can enhance your credibility and visibility within your practice area, potentially leading to increased career opportunities and recognition,
Leadership Opportunities
Joining a law section may provide opportunities for leadership roles, such as serving as on committees, participating in panel discussions, or even holding elected positions within the section
Salary: DOE, benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefits
Apply at office@daleklein.com
Duties/Responsibilities include meeting with clients, drafting discovery, keeping billable time records, managing file deadlines, participating in Docket Control Conferences, preparing files for hearings, coordinating depositions, assist in mediations and court hearings.
Job Type: Full-Time
Benefits:
Dental Insurance
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Vision Insurance
Schedule: Monday to Friday Weekends as needed
Work Location: In Person
We are Hiring!
Job Title: Litigation Associate
Location: McAllen
Applications Accepted by Email: scontreras@atlashall.com for inquiries contact 956-607-3005
Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez LLP is a full-service law firm in the Rio Grande Valley, ready to offer comprehensive legal counsel in corporate, litigation, and business law. The strength of our law firm is from the diverse fields of law we practice, which allows us to be the bridge that connects South Texas to regional, state, national and international entities. We have worked 70 years building a foundation from hard work, tenacity, and trust.
The firm is seeking to fill a litigation associate position that is open to attorneys with a minimum of 3 years of experience to work in its McAllen office.
Candidates should have experience in litigation work, for example, catastrophic injury, commercial litigation, construction law, construction litigation, financial institution litigation, personal injury litigation, premise liability, and insurance defense.
Among other duties, the candidate must investigate, analyze, strategize, and effectively manage matters and provide outstanding customer service to our clients, and teammates throughout the organization.
The candidate should have strong ties to the Rio Grande Valley
The firm offers:
Competitive compensation based on experience Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plan
