The DBA’s Home and the Beginning of Headnotes

BY JESSICA D. SMITH

In previous articles in this series, we have focused on lager spans of time. However, this month’s article is going to focus on three years short, but busy years.

For several years prior to the 1970s, discussion had focused on finding a permanent home for the Dallas Bar Association. One where members could gather, engage, and continue their legal education. In 1976, the DBA Board of Directors began to seriously discuss a move and finding a true home of their own for the growing membership. The leaders knew that if they could not accommodate meeting space for their quickly growing membership, those members would go elsewhere. And thus, serious discussion commenced on purchasing what was known then as the Belo Mansion.

As discussions continued, it was also noted that a better way to communicate with members was needed, not only to keep members engaged, but also informed about the DBA’s growing programs and relevant legal news. The association was printing a short Weekly Newsletter, but felt more was needed. That “more” debuted on January 24, 1977—and the first issue of the DBA’s monthly member newsletter, Headnotes, was created. DBA President Phil Burleson introduced the newsletter on the front page of Volume 1, Number 1, essentially writing the first President’s Column. Though it looked much different then—a small 12-page newsletter mailed out and addressed to the 3,000 members of the DBA using the newly purchased Addressograph—Headnotes goal was to include: “Legal articles and better communication of what the DBA is doing…and…that the DBA should furnish as many benefits as possible to the member.”

While the look, length, and content of Headnotes has evolved over the years, that original goal has not. Headnotes continues to be one of the most popular member benefits—providing member news, relevant legal news, and notices of upcoming CLEs, Committee meetings, and more. It is a multiple award-winning publication that garners not only local and statewide awards, but also national awards. You can view current and archived issues of Headnotes online at www.dallasbar.org/Headnotes.

Deliberations continued regarding the purchasing of the Mansion, but discussion turned to action on September 15, 1977, when the DBA purchased the Mansion.

While there was a lot of support for this