Tarrant County Bar Association Bar Bulletin (November/December 2019)

Bulletin November/December 2019

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President’s Page On Being “First” First: Sandra Day O’Connor

On Wednesday, November 13, the TCBA will host Evan Thomas, the award-winning author of “First: Sandra Day O’Connor,” the biography of the first woman to sit on the U. S. Supreme Court.

Justice O’Connor’s son, Jay, will also headline the

by JOHN CAYCE luncheon and discuss his mother’s extraordinary life and career.

As you may recall, late last year Justice O’Connor issued a statement announcing that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It was a poignant moment, a reminder that for decades Justice O’Connor was considered the most powerful woman in America. Her biography tells of the responsibility she felt being the first woman on the nation’s highest court. “It’s wonderful to be the first to do something, but I didn’t want to be the last,” she once said, fearing that any misstep could be fatal for women’s prospects all over the country. By any standard, Justice O’Connor carried that historic burden successfully during her time on the Court.

This is a membership luncheon program you do not want to miss. For more details go to page 3. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit iCivics, founded by Justice O’Connor, the nation’s leading provider of free civic education resources.

“Firsts” in the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office

Late last month I had the privilege of making remarks on behalf of the TCBA at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office Centennial Celebration. It was an inspiring and entertaining event that reminded me of how important our CDA’s Office has been to our bar’s legacy of excellence.

Many of our profession’s finest judges and lawyers began their careers as prosecutors in the office. Some of them like Tim Curry, Tim Evans, and Judge Billy Mills are legal legends.

The CDA’s Office also has many important “firsts” of which to be proud, including: • First African-American prosecutor in the South, Ollice Maloy.

• First female assistant prosecutor in Texas, Eva Barnes, who would later become the first elected female district judge in Texas.

• First open file policy, pre-dating the statutory Michael Morton Act by about 30 years.

And, of course, our current CDA, Sharen Wilson, became the first woman to hold the office in its 100 year

history. Along with other accomplishments, Sharen created the first ever Conviction Integrity Unit in Tarrant County, designated a much needed community outreach director, and made reforms to the office’s transparency and accountability that have been adopted by other prosecutor offices in the state. Thanks to Sharen, Criminal Division Chief Larry Moore, and many others, the Tarrant County CDA is the top prosecutor’s office in the state.

Bar Foundation Recognizes a Legendary “First” at its First Annual Gala.

By the time most of you will have had an opportunity to read this, another “first” will have been recognized at the Tarrant County Bar Foundation’s first annual “Justice for All Gala.” Judge L. Clifford Davis was selected, along with Tillie Burgin of Mission Arlington, as a recipient of the Bar Foundation’s first Lifetime Community Service Award.

Judge Davis was the first African-American male to be elected as a judge in Tarrant County in 1984. As a past recipient of the TCBA’s prestigious Blackstone and Silver Gavel Awards, we once again congratulate Judge Davis on yet another honor bestowed on him for his enduring and significant impact on the Tarrant County community.

Other Upcoming Fall Events

Our next Docket Call social will be held at Blackland Distillery on Thursday, November 7. Blackland’s proprietor is Fort Worth lawyer Markus Kypreos. Recent bar passers will be honored at this event. Come on over after work and meet up with friends and make new friends. More information is on page 32, and visit www.blacklandfw.com to learn more about the distillery.

Opening ceremonies for National Adoption Day will begin on November 15 at 8:45 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Tarrant County Family Law Center. Adoptions will begin at 9:00 am for several families to finalize and make permanent their new family members. Stuffed animals are still being accepted at the drop off box located in the Lawyers’ Lounge at the Family Court Building. See page 12 for more details.

On November 18, oaths will be administered by the Second Court of Appeals to newly-licensed attorneys. If you are newly-licensed, I highly recommend that you participate in this event. The words of advice offered by each of the Justices will provide you with invaluable guidance as you launch your new legal career. Information about that event is on page 22.

Tis’ Nearly the Season

The planning for the annual Holiday Party has been in progress since the Summer. The Holiday Who-Bilation will be on Tuesday, December 10. See page 23 for more details about the party. g Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season and I’ll see you in 2020!

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Contents Features

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12 Tarrant County Adoption Day 23 TCBA’s Annual Holiday Party Who-Bilation!

24 2019 Charity Golf Tournament

Advertisers' Index

Directors Term Ends 2020

29

Autumn Ridge Counseling and Wellness.......................4 BPW Law....................................................................15 Deborah Adame.........................................................31 Dispute Resolution Services........................................29 Edward Jones.............................................................14 Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C.......Inside Front Cover LawPay....................................................................31 Noteboom - The Law Firm............................................12 Parker Law Firm.........................................................20 Pyke & Associates, P.C..................................................14 Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange............................30 Tindall Square Office Complex....................................30

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817.338.4092 ▪ Fax 817.335.9238 website: www.tarrantbar.org email: tcba@tarrantbar.org

2019–2020 Officers President................................................John Cayce President-Elect...................................Gary Medlin Vice President...............................Kimberly Naylor Secretary-Treasurer..................Karen Denney

Departments 1 President’s Page 4 YLA Snapshot 5 Calendar of Events 6 100 Club 7 Judicial Profile 13 Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans 13 Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services 16 Snippets 18 Lawyers on the Move & in the News 19 Membership Report 26 Benefits of Membership 28 LegalLine 28 CLE Corner 30 Vendor List 31 Lawyer Referral & Information Service News 32 In Memoriam 33 It’s All Happening Around the Bar

Tarrant County Bar Association

Director.........................................Cody Cofer Director.................................Veronica C. Law Director..............................................Lu Pham

Term Ends 2021

Director..............................Sherry Armstrong Director.............................Katherine Hopkins Director......................................Scott Lindsey

2019–2020 Appointed Directors Appointed Director..........................Sue Allen Appointed Director......................David Cook Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Fall 2019 President....................Martin Garcia Fall 2020 President..................Andrea Palmer

Immediate Past President..................Lance Evans Executive Director..........................Megan Cooley Ex-Officio Members State Bar of Texas Director.......................................Steve Naylor Director................................Jason C.N. Smith Bar Bulletin Editor..............................................John F. Murphy Graphics/Production..................Elizabeth Banda The Tarrant County Bar Bulletin is a bi-monthly publication of the Tarrant County Bar Association.

Articles, photos, suggestions or comments should be directed to: elizabeth@tarrantbar.org 1315 Calhoun Street ▪ Fort Worth, TX 76102-6504 Deadline for submission: December 1........................................January/February February 1...................................................March/April April 1...............................................................May/June June 1.............................................................July/August August 1..........................................September/October October 1.....................................November/December Articles published in the Bar Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Tarrant County Bar Association, its officers or the Board of Directors.

Advertisements and feature articles should not be considered an endorsement of any service, product, program, seminar or event.

YLA Snapshot Martin Garcia, President TCYLA

I

’m really not one for clichés, but time really is flying. It’s my pleasure to come before the legal community, once again, in this capacity; it seems like I was just asked to submit my inaugural write-up. At this time, I want to take a moment to take us back to our roots and re-visit our purpose. If you visit our website, TCYLA.org, you’ll notice that we highlight, quite simply, what we’re all about: The Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association engages in community service projects, holds CLEs, and offers networking and mentoring opportunities for young lawyers.

Consider these the three branches of the TCYLA “governance.” They might not sound like a lot on paper, but anyone who generously and selflessly gives up their own time for the benefit of others knows that it’s no small task. So at this time, I’d also invite you to continue familiarizing yourself with our new, dynamic board that’s here to serve: http://www.tcyla. org/officers-directors/.

We know how to keep you engaged and how to have a little fun, but our most purposeful branch (in my opinion), the community service arena, already has a slate full of opportunities to serve and to give back soon. We’ve recently inked our return to the Ronald McDonald house the

morning of January 4. Stay tuned for more information on that and for future outings with the Big Brothers Big Sisters and with the Methodist Justice Ministries.

Last, I’m going to come out and say it: one of my top priorities is to increase membership. I want to leave office knowing that the TCYLA had record-breaking membership numbers. If you’re a qualifying young lawyer (and you haven’t already done so), renew your membership TODAY. http://www.tcyla.org/wp-content/uploads/20192020-TCYLA-Membership-Application.pdf Special thanks to everyone who participated in our very first Happy Hour “Lite” Taco Tuesday at Taco Heads in Fort Worth and our annual, Fall Fete. These events were pivotal in getting our numbers the head start they needed.

We’ll circle back after the holidays. Cheers! g

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Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association @TCYLA If you need an application or meeting information, call 817.338.4092 or email kimmie@tarrantbar.org.

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Calendar of Events

November 2019 5 Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon 11:30 am, Petroleum Club Topic: Estate Planning for Professionals

7 HEROES Wills Clinic 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Texas A&M University School of Law 7 Docket Call Social 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Blackland Distillery 2616 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, TX 76107 8 Appointment Wheel CLE – Juvenile Law 11:30 am - 4:15 pm Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center, 2701 Kimbo Road 4 hours MCLE credit 13 Membership Luncheon 11:45 am - 1:00 pm, City Club First: Sandra Day O’Connor – A Conversation between Evan Thomas and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s son, Jay O’Connor .75 hour CLE requested 14 LegalLine 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, TCBA Office Volunteers needed. Light dinner served at 5 pm.

15 National Adoption Day 8:45 am, Tarrant County Family Law Center 4th Floor 15 Brown Bag Seminar – Justice and Municipal Court 12:00 pm - 3:45 pm, TCBA Office 3 hours CLE requested 15 TLTV Clinic 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Veterans Affairs Outpatient Facility 2201 SE Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76119 18 Swearing-In Ceremony for Newly Licensed Attorneys 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, Second Court of Appeals 19 Real Estate Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club Topic: Intersections of Real Property and Business Entity Formation Law in Texas Speaker: J.B. Strong, Assistant City Attorney II, City Attorney's Office .75 hour CLE requested 21 Fort Worth Business & Estate Section Luncheon 11:30 am, City Club Topic: AGRILegacy Program: Estate and Succession Planning for Ranches and Farms; Speaker: Galen Dody, AGRILegacy Sponsored by May Financial Solutions 1 hour CLE requested 21 Construction Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, TCBA Office Topic: New Technologies Being Used to Manage Projects Speaker: Gene Blanton, Slates Harwell, LLP .75 hour CLE requested

21 Magic Shred Event 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, TCBA Lot (Free) 22 Appellate Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, Petroleum Club Speakers: Supreme Court of Texas Justices Jane Bland and Debra Lehrmann 28 Thanksgiving Holidays Office Closed 29 Thanksgiving Holidays Office Closed

December 2019 10 Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon 11:30 am, Petroleum Club Topic: Client or Non-Client?

10 TCBA Annual Holiday Party Who-Bilation 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, TCBA Office 12 Corporate Counsel Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club 12 Energy Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, Joe T. Garcia’s 12 LegalLine 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, TCBA Office Volunteers needed. Light dinner served at 5 pm.

13 Women Attorneys Section Holiday Shopping Luncheon 11:00 am, City Club 17 Labor & Employment Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club Topic: Cannabis Products’ Impact on Labor & Employment Speaker: Richard Y. Cheng, DLA Piper 24 Christmas Holidays Office Closed 25 Christmas Holidays Office Closed

Wellness Connections Committee Nutrition Guest Speaker: Wade Kemmel of Harris Hospital Friday, December 6, 2019 Presentation from 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

Committee business to be conducted after presentation

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Members of the 2019–2020

100 Club

*List Reflected Below is as of October 28, 2019 Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C Albert Neely & Kuhlmann, LLP Allmand Law Firm, PLLC Anderson & Riddle, LLP Baker Monroe, PLLC Barlow Garsek & Simon, LLP Blaies & Hightower, LLP Bonds Ellis Eppich Schafer Jones, LLP Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C. Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Broude, Smith, Jennings, & McGlinchey P.C. Brown, Proctor & Howell, LLP Bruner & Bruner, P.C. Cantey Hanger LLP City Attorney's Office - Fort Worth Cook Children's Health Care System Curnutt & Hafer, LLP Dawson Parrish, P.C. Decker Jones, P.C. Forshey Prostok, LLP Freeman Mills, P.C. Friedman, Suder & Cooke, P.C. Frost Bank Gardner & Smith, PLLC Griffith, Jay & Michel, LLP Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. Harrison Steck, P.C. Haynes and Boone, LLP Holland, Johns & Penny, LLP Hutchison & Stoy, PLLC Jackson Walker, LLP JP Morgan Chase Bank K&L Gates

Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP KoonsFuller, P.C. Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C. Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Lively and Associates, PLLC McDonald Sanders, P.C. Mellina & Larson, P.C. Moses, Palmer & Howell, LLP Murphy Mahon Keffler & Farrier, LLP Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC Nelson Bumgardner Albritton, P.C. Noteboom Law Firm Padfield & Stout, LLP Pham Harrison, LLP Phelps Dunbar, LLP Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly & Taplett, LLP Second Court of Appeals Seltzer & Dally, PLLC Sharen Wilson, Criminal District Attorney’s Office Stephens, Anderson & Cummings, LLP Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, LLP The Blum Firm The Colaneri Firm, P.C. Thompson & Knight, LLP Udeshi Law Firm U.S. Trust, Bank of America Varghese Summersett, PLLC Watson, Caraway, Midkiff & Luningham, LLP Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz, PLLC Whitley Penn, LLP Wick Phillips Winstead, P.C.

100 Club

To be eligible for the 100 Club, any law firm, government agency, law school, or corporate legal department that has four or more members and attains 100% TCBA membership compliance for the 2019–2020 bar year qualifies for the “100 Club.” The firms/organizations listed (above) have already paid their membership dues and qualify for 100 Club membership for the new bar year. Any firm/organization

that qualifies in the future will have its name published in every issue of the Bar Bulletin for this bar year.

TCBA is proud of the participation of these law firms and other groups. The new bar year began on July 1; if you have not paid your renewal invoice, contact our Membership Director, Kimmie Hack, at 817.338.4092 or email her at kimmie@tarrantbar.org. g

Judicial Profile

M

any changes came to the federal, state, and appellate benches in Tarrant County over the last three years. We will continue to provide our profiles to you to keep up with the changes in the courts in Tarrant County.

Federal Courts

In August 2019, Mark Pittman, formerly Associate Justice of the Second Court of Appeals, was sworn in as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Pittman previously served as judge of the 352nd District Court. Pittman succeeds Judge John McBryde.

In May 2019, Lee Morris was sworn in as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division. Morris practiced bankruptcy law for twenty five years in Dallas prior to assuming the bench. Morris succeeds Judge Russell Nelms.

Second Court of Appeals

In September 2019, Mike Wallach, formerly Judge of the 348th District Court, was sworn in as Associate Justice of the Second Court of Appeals after appointment by Gov. Greg Abbott.

In January 2019, Dana Womack was appointed as Associate Justice of the Second Court of Appeals, Place 2 by Gov. Greg Abbott. Prior to her appointment, Womack served as Judge of the 348th Judicial District Court for 20 years.

In November 2018, Dabney Bassell was elected as Associate Justice to the Second Court of Appeals, Place 5.

Justice Bassell is a graduate of Baylor University School of Law. Prior to joining the bench, he spent 20 years with the firm of Law, Snakard, and Gambill, handling civil litigation and appeals. He is board certified in Civil Appellate Law. In November 2017, Wade Birdwell was appointed as Associate Justice to the Second Court of Appeals, Place 4.

Justice Birdwell served as judge of the 342nd District Court.

He is board certified in Civil Appellate Law.

Criminal Courts

Phil Sorrells was elected judge of the Tarrant County Criminal Court Number 10 in November 2018. Sorrells faced no opponent in either the republican primary or general elections. Sorrells is a 1991 graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law. Deborah Nekhom was elected judge of County Criminal Court Number 4 in November 2018, facing no opposition in the general election. Nekhom is a 1988 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. In October 2018, Chris Wolfe was sworn in as judge of the 213th District Court after appointment by Gov. Greg Abbott. He follows Judge Louis Sturns, who retired. Wolfe

By Perry Cockerell

served as the deputy branch manager of the United States attorney’s office for the Norther District of Texas. Wolfe is a 1998 graduate of Baylor University Law School.

Civil Courts

In September 2019, Megan Fahey was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to serve as Judge of the 348th District Court to succeed Mike Wallach. Fahey graduated from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She worked as an assistant U.S. Attorney in both the civil and criminal divisions and was an attorney with Bracewell, LLP and Jenner & Block, LLC. In November 2018, Kimberly Fitzpatrick was elected as judge of the 342nd District Court, facing no opponent in the general election in November 2018. Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Texas A&M University School of Law.

Family Courts

In January 2019, Sean Cook became the Associate Judge of the IV-D Court No.3.

In November 2018, Kenneth E. Newell was elected judge of the 233rd District Court, facing no opposition in the general election. Newell is a 2011 graduate of Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Kate Stone was appointed to serve as Associate Judge of the 233rd District Court. Stone is a 2011 graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. In November 2018, James Munford was elected as judge of the 322nd District Court. Munford is a 1981 graduate of South Texas College of Law. Jeffrey Kaitcer was appointed to serve as Associate Judge of the court. Kaitcer is a 1979 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. In May 2018, Lori DeAngelis was sworn in as the Associate Judge of the 325th District Court.

In April 2018, Casey Conine became the Associate Judge of the IV-D Court No. 1.

Probate Court

In November 2018, Chris Ponder was elected judge of the Tarrant County Probate Court No. 1. He faced no opposition in the general election. Judge Ponder is a 2003 graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.

Justice of the Peace Courts

In November 2018, Christopher Gregory was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Jason Charbonnet was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6, and Kenneth Sanders was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7.

William Brandt won the Republican nomination for Justice of Peace, Precinct 3 in March 2018 and was appointed by the county commissioners to fulfil the remaining term of the incumbent. g

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Judge L. Clifford Davis and Tillie Burgin are the first-time award recipients of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation’s Lifetime Community Service Award for their long and dedicated record of service to the citizens of Tarrant County.

Judge L. Clifford Davis

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udge Davis is a legendary civil rights lawyer and first elected black judge in Tarrant County. He served as a judge in this county for over 20 years. In addition to his legal career, Judge Davis worked to establish the Tarrant County Junior College now known as Tarrant County College. Over the years, he has served as a trusted mentor to countless lawyers and judges throughout the State of Texas. Judge Davis strongly believes that “education is a pathway to a world of opportunity.” In 2002, the L. Clifford Davis Elementary School was named in his honor. Judge Davis has been awarded numerous awards including the Blackstone Award (the highest award bestowed by the Tarrant County Bar Association), the Silver Gavel Award, the NAACP William Robert Ming Advocacy Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Lawyer, the Multicultural Alliance Award and has been inducted into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame.

Judge L. Clifford Davis was born in Wilton, Arkansas, on October 12, 1924. He grew up with six other siblings on a forty-acre family farm. Judge Davis’s parents firmly believed in a good education for their children. Since the town’s educational opportunities for black students ended at eighth grade, the Davis family rented a home in Little Rock so that their children could attend high school.

After graduating from high school, Judge Davis attended Philander Smith College where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. In 1945, he began his legal education at Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C. In the spring of 1946, he learned about Heman Marion Sweatt, a black man who applied for admission to the University of Texas School of Law but was denied admission even though he possessed every essential qualification. This case later evolved into the landmark decision in Sweatt v. Painter, 399 U.S. 629 (1950), in which the Supreme Court decided that the educational opportunities offered to white and black law students by the state of Texas were not substantially equal, and that the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment required that Sweatt be admitted to the University of Texas

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Law School. In an effort to follow in Sweatt’s footsteps, Judge Davis applied to the University of Arkansas Law School as a form of protest against its segregationist policies. Due to his race, he was also denied admission.

Judge Davis attended Atlanta University during 194647 for graduate studies in economics. He returned to Howard Law School and continued his advocacy for admission to the University of Arkansas Law School. Judge Davis later received a letter from the dean of the University of Arkansas Law School stating that he would be accepted, but only on the condition that he pay tuition in advance and not enter a room with white students in it, including classrooms, the library and the restrooms. Judge Davis wrote a letter to the dean and declined the offer, explaining that since no other student was required to pay tuition in advance, he would not do so either.

Judge Davis graduated from Howard Law School in 1949 and was admitted to the Arkansas Bar. Judge Davis knew he wanted to practice in the area of civil rights litigation. At the time, the case of Brown v. Board of Education was pending before the United States District Court in Kansas, and several other integration lawsuits were also pending in other states.

He was invited by W. Harold Flowers, a noted civil rights attorney in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to join his firm. He accepted employment and began working with Flowers in 1949.

Judge Davis recalls Flowers as being “a taskmaster” who provided him with several significant opportunities.

He handed Judge Davis a copy of a lawsuit filed in South Carolina to desegregate public schools. He instructed Judge Davis to draft a similar lawsuit to desegregate Arkansas public schools, which he did.

Flowers also had Judge Davis handle a death penalty case before the Arkansas Supreme Court involving a black man convicted of raping a white woman. On appeal, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and held that the defendant was entitled to a continuance on grounds of insufficient time to prepare a defense. Maxwell v. State, 225 S.W.2d 687 (Ark. 1950). The defendant was retried and convicted. Judge Davis also worked on the second appeal. In that appeal, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial on the grounds that the defendant’s motion to quash the original jury panel, consisting of no black jurors, should have been granted. Maxwell v. State, 232 S.W.2d 982 (Ark. 1950).

At the end of these two successful appeals, Judge Davis’s budding legal career as a noted Arkansas criminal defense lawyer was firmly established.

Judge Davis later moved to Camden, Arkansas, and opened his own law practice. He was joined by Shepperson Wilburn, a law school classmate who practiced in Helena. Together, they filed suits to desegregate school districts throughout Arkansas. Wilburn settled his civil rights lawsuit against the Helena School district when the district built a new school. Judge Davis waited for the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 43 (1954) and successfully used that case to desegregate the public schools in Bearden, Arkansas.

In 1952, Judge Davis moved to Waco, Texas. He briefly taught business administration at Paul Quinn College while awaiting his bar exam results, and he was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1953. He moved to Fort Worth in 1954 to start a practice, but immediately received a military draft notice.

He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1955.

In the same year, he moved back to Fort Worth and opened his own law office at the Fraternal Bank and Trust Company. He began a general civil and criminal practice, including personal injury, probate and real estate transactions. He later married Ethel Raye Davis, and moved to the Como section of Fort Worth, where they lived until 1957, when they moved to the Carver Heights Addition in east Fort Worth.

By the late 1950s, Judge Davis had a diverse practice handling employment litigation and civil rights cases.

During that time, he successfully handled lawsuits to establish single member districts in public elections and lawsuits to desegregate the Fort Worth and Mansfield school districts. He also continued to work on criminal death penalty cases. Despite Judge Davis’s stellar legal career, he was unable to join the Tarrant County Bar Association because it was still segregated. Undeterred, Judge Davis organized the Fort Worth Black Bar Association in 1977.

In 1983, Governor Mark White appointed Judge Davis as judge of Criminal District Court No. 2. Judge Davis was confirmed by the Texas Senate in 1983, and in 1984 was the first black man to be elected as a judge in Tarrant County following a contested judicial race.

After his term ended in 1988, Judge Davis continued to serve as a visiting judge from 1989 to 2004, until his retirement. He also worked part-time as a visiting judge in twelve different counties throughout Texas. He later joined the firm of Johnson, Vaughn & Heiskell. Although retired, Judge Davis—at 95 years of age—still goes to the office every day to visit with the staff and to mentor young lawyers.

Over the course of his career, Judge Davis has been very active in the Tarrant County community and has received numerous awards. In 2017, the University of Arkansas Law School awarded Judge Davis an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree—71 years after it refused to admit him.

Judge Davis’s wife, Ethel Raye Davis, passed away in 2015. Judge Davis was married to Ethel for fifty-nine years and seven months, and has two daughters.

Over the years, Judge Davis has been a mentor and counselor to judges and lawyers throughout the State of Texas. As Fort Worth attorney Michael Heiskell of the firm Johnson, Vaugn & Heiskell stated, “Judge Davis is one of my heroes. His trailblazing work in the legal profession is to be held in awe as he overcame so much more than any of us will ever experience. Each day I feel blessed to have him in my office as my mentor and one of my closest friends. He is a treasure to the legal community and the community as a whole.”

Similarly, Fort Worth attorney Bobbie Edmonds exclaimed, “He is man of wisdom, knowledge, courage and inspiration for us all.”

Former Texas House Representative 95th District and Presiding Municipal Judge in Forest Hill Glenn O. Lewis stated that “I was greatly influenced by Judge Davis to become a lawyer. If Judge Davis had not chosen to come to Fort Worth, Texas I would probably not be a lawyer today. He was the only lawyer I knew.”

Judge Davis is a living legal legend in our community, and the Tarrant County Bar Foundation honors him for his enduring and significant impact on Tarrant County, the State of Texas and to the United States of America.

Tillie Burgin

T

illie Burgin is the founder and Executive Director of Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, a charitable foundation based in Arlington, Texas. The Mission consists of a charitable network linking multiple churches around Tarrant County, throughout the nation, and across all denominations. Its purpose is to provide spiritual, emotional and social assistance to those in need. The Mission has over 4,000 volunteers from eleven states, and has expanded from its inception in Arlington, Texas, to serve thirty-eight Texas cities.

In 2018 alone, the Mission directly impacted over 370,000 families and individuals throughout Texas. It facilitated the provision of over $2.3 million in free health care and $1.1 million in free dental care. Through the Mission, 160,000 people received clothes, household items, and multiple-day supplies of food. During the school year, the Mission donated school supplies to over 10,000 students. The Mission also provides after-school care to over 3,200 children. Volunteers help children and youth with after school homework at an average of 1,600 students per week. The Mission hosts seven summer camps as well as Bible studies in 354 congregations that average 3,250 people per week. During the Christmas

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holidays, it donated gifts to over 32,000 children.

Tillie Burgin was born in Arlington, Texas, only one block away from the Mission she now runs. She graduated from Arlington High School and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Texas State University.

Following graduation, she tutored children in Arlington, Texas. Ms. Burgin then relocated to South Korea, where she served as a missionary and educator for a decade.

During her time in South Korea, Ms. Burgin repeatedly thought about returning to her hometown and starting a mission in Texas. As she said, “If we could do missions in Korea, why can’t we do missions in Arlington?” In 1978, she returned home to Texas. For seven years, Ms. Burgin reflected on how best to put into practice her lifelong philosophy of following the example of Christ and extending a helping hand to each person at their point of need. In 1986, Ms. Burgin founded Mission Arlington.

Every ministry working under Mission Arlington begins with the simple idea of meeting the needs of each person who comes through its doors: medical and dental service, child and adult day care, clothing, food, furniture, transportation, counseling and Bible study. “I just want to be of help,” Ms. Burgin explains. “I don’t know anything other than God’s plan. John 3:16 says it all.” The scripture reads: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” In 1990, Ms. Burgin founded Mission Metroplex, a supplementary arm of Mission Arlington, designed to support the original organization through funding and supplying of non-monetary resources.

For her lifelong and dedicated record of service to those in need, Ms. Burgin has received numerous accolades and countless awards from two Texas governors, the Texas

Legislature, the City of Arlington and many other organizations. In 1999, the Texas Senate passed Resolution 350, commending Ms. Burgin “for her achievements and for initiating and creating a great success with Mission Metroplex.”

Ms. Burgin has received the City of Arlington Award (2008), the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sharing the Dream Award (2009), the Community Hero Award from the Texas Campus Compact (2009), the 2nd Half Champion Award from Wells Fargo Bank (2010), the Arlington Chamber Star Award (2011), the Anson Jones Award from the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation (2012), the Tom Landry Award from Dallas Baptist University (2013), the Art of Giving Award from the Fort Worth City Magazine (2014). Most recently, she received the Great Women of Texas Award from the Fort Worth Business Press (2016), for “helping empower others,” as well as the Bill and Shari Bowie Community Leadership Award from the Arlington YMCA (2019), for putting “Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy Spirit, Mind and Body for all.” Ms. Burgin received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Dallas Baptist University.

As Congressman Ron Wright noted, “Tillie Burgin’s works during the past thirty years through Mission Arlington and Mission Metroplex have impacted countless families in Tarrant County and beyond. She is a pillar of the community and an example of true servant leadership.”

Ms. Burgin has led a remarkable life of service to those in need in our community, and the Tarrant County Bar Foundation honors her for her enduring and significant impact on Tarrant County, the State of Texas and to the United States of America. g

CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C. Bell Helicopter Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Cantey Hanger LLP Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. Haynes and Boone, LLP Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP McDonald Sanders, P.C.

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▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE Lockheed Martin

PATRONS OF JUSTICE

American Airlines Blaies & Hightower, LLP BNSF Railway Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C. Decker Jones, P.C. Kearney Law Firm Parker Law Firm Sharen Wilson, Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office The Miles Foundation Community Fund at the North Texas Community Foundation Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC

ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE

Ben E. Keith Mattie Peterson Compton First Financial Trust Frost Bank Harris Cook, LLP Higginbotham Insurance & Financial Services Law Office of Francisco Hernandez Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC Pham Harrison LLP Texas A&M University School of Law Texas Lawyers' Insurance Exchange The Brender Law Firm The Medlin Law Firm Patti Gearhart Turner Winstead PC

DONATIONS

Amon G. Carter Foundation Evans, Daniel, Moore, Evans, Biggs and Decker Gus Bates Insurance & Investments KoonsFuller, P.C. Tarrant County Bar Foundation Board of Directors The Law Office of David R. Casey

LIVE AUCTION SPONSORS

Dickies Arena and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Greenwood Office Outfitters Inventus Juris Fabrilis & The Barrows Firm, P.C. M.L. Leddy's Boots & Saddlery Silver West Limousine Service Steve Gordon and Associates Texas Rangers

SPONSORS

Falcon Document Solutions Noteboom Law Firm NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

▪ TCBA BULLETIN 11

Tarrant County Adoption Day Friday, November 15, 2019 8:45 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies 9:00 a.m. – Adoptions begin Tarrant County Family Law Center 4th Floor

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dorned with cape-wearing characters and adoption decree wielding heroes, National Adoption Day in 2018 completed 47 adoptions at Tarrant County’s Family Law Center. We expect the same experience this year on November 15, 2019, as families, volunteers, attorneys, judges, and other community partners come together for this joyous celebration. As children officially join their forever families, they will be greeted with a family bag with information on post-adoption services, superhero coloring books, and other fun surprises. Throughout the event the family will receive gifts of books and bears, capes, their first official family photograph, the pen used to sign the decree, gifts for the parents, and yellow roses for all the moms.

To find out more information about Tarrant County’s Adoption Day, please visit www.tarrantcountynad.com. You can register to volunteer, find out how to make a financial contribution and find information on other ways you can become involved in the event.

Please also remember that adoptions occur year round, so continue to donate your stuffed animals to the bar office or the Family Law Center. g

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▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans

Tarrant County Chapter

TLTV Sponsorship Opportunities

W

ould you or your firm like to support Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans? We are currently scheduling clinics for 2020 and looking for sponsors. There are 10 monthly veterans clinic, held on the third Friday of every month, except March and December.

In addition, we will hold a Heroes Wills Clinic in May and November. We are seeking a sponsor for each clinic. The cost of the sponsorship is $1000.

In recognition of your sponsorship, we include your logo on the monthly flyer that gets distributed on social media, our website, and via email. In addition there is signage at the clinic and recognition in our bimonthly bar bulletin. The bulletin is available in print and on our website.

The bulletin is also emailed out to all Tarrant County Bar Association Members and shared on social media. All clinic

sponsors are recognized in the Pro Bono Awards Luncheon Program as well as the Texas Access to Justice Luncheon Program.

Money from sponsorships helps stretch TLTV’s grant money so the program can provide as many veterans as possible with legal assistance. In addition, when a law firm sponsors a clinic we invite the firm’s attorneys to help staff the clinic to see the impact the sponsorship has on the veteran community. Staffing the clinic is required for sponsorship, but it is a hands-on way to increase your firm’s impact on the veteran community. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Kayla Dailey at kayla@tarrantbar.org. g Kayla Dailey Pro Bono Programs Director

TLTV Clinic Friday, November 15, 2019 | 2 p.m.–5 p.m. | Veterans Affairs Outpatient Facility 2201 SE Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76119. Contact kayla@tarrantbar.org for details.

Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services TVAS Continues Partnership with The Gatehouse

S

ince Spring 2017, Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services (TVAS) has partnered with Kelly Hart and The Gatehouse in Grapevine, Texas to hold two clinics a year to provide wills and end of life planning documents for residents. The Gatehouse is a privately funded community where women and children end cycles of abuse and poverty and discover new paths for permanent change. The Gatehouse does not function as a shelter. Its mission is to create a permanent change in the lives of single women and/or mothers who have experienced abuse or trauma and assist them to transition into independence.

Under the leadership of Jeff Whitfield, Kelly Hart sponsors the clinics held at The Gatehouse and provides the attorneys and training for the attorneys to prepare wills and end-of-life planning documents for participants. It takes a

team of volunteers to make the clinic a success. The Fort Worth Paralegal Association provides paralegal support and notaries. Community volunteers, many from NCL, act as witnesses. Each attendee requires a minimum of 5 volunteers for the will execution ceremony. The September clinic was a success, and another clinic is already planned for the spring.

Kelly Hart also sponsored a General Advice Clinic in collaboration with Presbyterian Night Shelter during National Pro Bono Week in October. If you or your firm is interested in sponsoring or volunteering at a TVAS clinic in 2020, please contact Kayla Dailey at kayla@tarrantbar.org. g Kayla Dailey

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

▪ TCBA BULLETIN 13

RSVP with Sherry Jones at sherry@tarrantbar.org or 817.338.4092.

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â–ª NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

â–ª TCBA BULLETIN 15

Snippets

Co-Editor Judge Carey Walker, County Criminal Court No. 2

Civil and Criminal

by Judge Bob McCoy g County Criminal Court No. 3

ASK JUDGE BOB

Judge Bob, what is the difference between “consequential” and “direct” damages?

Direct damages are damages a defendant is “conclusively presumed” to have foreseen as a result of its breach because they are the necessary and usual result of, and flow naturally and necessarily from, that wrongful act. By contrast, consequential damages result naturally, but not necessarily, from the defendant’s breach, and are not the usual result of the wrong.

Int’l Airport Bd. v. Vizant, 576 S.W.3d 362, 373 (Tex. 2019).

counsel during questioning, interrogation must cease until counsel has been provided or the suspect reinitiates a dialogue. Not every mention of a lawyer, however, constitutes an invocation of the right to counsel; an ambiguous or equivocal statement does not require officers to halt an interrogation or even seek clarification. Whether a particular mention of a lawyer constitutes a clear invocation depends upon the contents of the statement itself and the totality of the surrounding circumstances. The test is objective in nature, i.e., “the suspect must articulate a desire to have counsel present sufficiently clearly that a reasonable police officer in the circumstances would understand the statement to be a request for an attorney.”

State v. Norris, 541 S.W.3d 862 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2017).

MOSES’ AND NOAH’S MONTHLY PARAPROSDAKIAN (a figure 3. Proof of Insurance

Moses

of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous)

I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure.

DANES’ QUOTE OF THE MONTH Happiness is a warm puppy!

Noah

— Charles Schultz, Peanuts

CRIMINAL ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Motions for New Trial

An appellate court reviews a trial court’s denial of a motion for new trial for an abuse of discretion, reversing only if no reasonable view of the record could support the trial court’s ruling. This is a deferential standard of review that requires appellate courts to view the evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling. In determining whether the trial court abused its discretion, an appellate court must not substitute its own judgment for that of the trial court, and it must uphold the trial court’s ruling if it is within the zone of reasonable disagreement.

Burch v. State, 541 S.W.3d 816 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017).

2. Fifth Amendment

Once a suspect invokes the Fifth Amendment right to

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State vehicle insurance database’s indication that defendant’s vehicle may not have had liability insurance did not provide reasonable suspicion for police officer to stop defendant, where database was sole basis for stop, and officer estimated, based on his experience, database’s error rate ranged from 33% to 100%.

State v. Brinkley, 541 S.W.3d 923 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2018).

4. Prosecutorial Misconduct

When a prosecutor willfully withholds evidence in violation of a discovery order, exclusion of the evidence is the proper remedy. Exclusion of evidence in this context is in the nature of a “court-fashioned sanction” for prosecutorial misconduct. In other words, even though lesser remedies might suffice to cure harm, exclusion is required if the record shows the prosecutor intentionally violated the order in a calculated effort to frustrate the defense.

Briscoe v. State, 542 S.W.3d 100 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2018).

5. Search & Seizure

In the context of a traffic stop, police officers are justified in stopping a vehicle when the officers have reasonable suspicion to believe that a traffic violation has occurred. A traffic stop made for the purpose of investigating a traffic violation must be reasonably related to that purpose and may not be prolonged beyond the time to complete the tasks associated with the traffic stop. During a traffic stop the officer may request certain information from a driver, such as the driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of

▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

insurance, and run a computer check on that information.

Lerma v. State, 543 S.W.3d 184 (Tex. Crim. App. 2018).

6. Lesser-Included Offenses

Whether a defendant is entitled to a jury instruction on a lesser-included offense involves a two-step analysis. The first stop of the lesser-included offense analysis asks “whether the lesser-included offense is included within the proof necessary to establish the offense charged.” This is a question of law, and it does not depend on the evidence to be produced at trial. The second step of the lesser-included offense analysis is to determine whether there is some evidence in the record that would permit a jury to rationally find that, if the defendant is guilty, he is guilty only of the lesser-included offense.

Safian v. State, 543 S.W.3d 216 (Tex. Crim. App. 2018).

7. Provoking the Difficulty

Provoking the difficulty is a limitation on a defendant’s right to self-defense. The rule of law is that if the defendant provoked another to make an attack on him, so that the defendant would have a pretext for killing the other under the guise of self-defense, the defendant forfeits his right of self-defense.

Torres v. State, 543 S.W.3d 404 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2018).

CIVIL ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Transferred Appeal

Under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, a court of appeals to whom an appeal has been transferred must decide the case in accordance with the precedent of the transfer or court under principles of stare decisis if the transferee court’s decision otherwise would have been inconsistent with the precedent of the transferor court.

Brazos Elec. Power v. Comm’n, 576 S.W.3d 374, 382 (Tex. 2019).

2. “Implied” and “Express” Contracts

The difference between implied and express contracts is the “character and manner of proof required to establish them.”

Both express and implied contracts require the element of mutual agreement, “which, in the case of an implied contract, is inferred from the circumstances.” “The conception is that of a meeting of the minds of the parties as implied from and evidenced by their conduct and course of dealing, … the essence of which is consent to be bound.”

McAllen Hosps., L.P. v. Lopez., 576 S.W.3d 389, 392 (Tex. 2019).

3. Material Terms

In a contract to loan money, the material terms will generally be the amount to be loaned, the maturity date, the interest rate, and the repayment terms. Generally, if the parties fail to specifically agree on a material term, their contract is unenforceable. However, the law disfavors

forfeitures, and contracts are construed to avoid them, especially when the parties have performed in full or in part.

Smith v. Barnhart, 576 S.W.3d 407, 417 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2019).

4. Subject-Matter Jurisdiction/Religious Liberty

A party may raise lack of subject-matter jurisdiction via a plea to the jurisdiction “when religious-liberty grounds form the basis for the jurisdictional challenge.”

In re Alief Vietnamese Alliance Church, 576 S.W.3d 421, 427 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2019).

5. Tort Claims Act

Subject to a narrow exception, a governmental unit does not use personal property merely by providing, furnishing, or allowing another to use it. . . . The exception to this general rule applies to situations in which the government provides the plaintiff with personal property that lacks an integral safety component and the safety component’s absence causes the plaintiff ’s injury.

Univ. of Tex. MD Anderson Cancer Ctr. v. Contreras, 576 S.W.3d 439, 443 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2019).

6. Wills and Estates

Standing “focuses on whether a party has a sufficient relationship with the lawsuit so as to have a ‘justiciable interest’ in its outcome.” A party whose standing has been challenged must prove that he has an interest in the estate.

Estate of Daniels., 575 S.W.3d 841, 844 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2019).

LEGAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The only reason the crime rate was so low in rural areas such as this was the close-knit social structure. When everyone knew everyone else, crime was either difficult or desperate.

—John Fowles

OLD NEWS

“Ma” Ferguson Miriam Amanda Ferguson, often referred to as “Ma” because of her initials and her devotion to her family, became the first female governor of Texas in 1925. Her first term was filled with controversy and a failed impeachment attempt. She was elected to a second term in 1932. Miriam Ferguson died in Austin on June 25, 1961. g

Happy Holidays from the Tarrant County Bar Association Staff!

Anne, Carolina, Elizabeth, Kayla, Kimmie, Megan, Rae, Sandi, and Sherry NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

▪ TCBA BULLETIN 17

Welcome New Members of the TCBA: ATTORNEYS

Joseph Austin Chris Barber Cash Barker Helena Bird Grant Hamilton Courtney Hanson Colin Heinrich Andrew Homer C. Reed Loftis Lacy McKinney Dylan T. Ross Zachary Scott Ryan Tina Campbell Smith Michael “Paul” Wright Wendy Duprey Hannah Wagner

ASSOCIATES Paul Duncan Lance Frank Margaret Ann Goeke Sean Miller

PARALEGAL Gina Landingham Donna Williams

MEMBERSHIP

It's not too late to join or renew your membership with the TCBA this year.

Contact Kimmie Hack, Membership Director, for more details.

817.338.4092

Lawyers on the Move & Scharar Law Firm, PC is pleased to announce that Ryan E. Scharar, JD, CPA, MBA has been named a 2019 “40 Under 40” national award recipient by CPA Practice Advisor magazine which spotlights the top practicing public accountants and thought leaders in the profession. Mr. Scharar has a dual practice in law and accounting, with an emphasis on taxation, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Society of CPA’s (TXCPA) and as Treasurer of the Fort Worth Chapter of TXCPA. Kelly Hart welcomes associates Joanna Raines, and Mason Smith to its Fort Worth office.

Joanna Raines joins the firm as an associate in the Appellate section. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Raines served as a law clerk for the Honorable Jeffrey Boyd at the Texas Supreme Court. Ms. Raines graduated first in her class from Baylor University School of Law in 2019 and served as an editor of the Baylor Law Review. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A., magna cum laude, in Communication Honors.

Mason Smith joins the firm as an associate in the Oil & Gas/Energy section. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Smith served as a law clerk for the Honorable Jeffrey Boyd at the Texas Supreme Court. Mr. Smith earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2018. He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a B.B.A., summa cum laude, in Management.

Moore Family Law Firm has relocated its office to 1615 W. Abram Street, Suite 101, Arlington, Texas 76013.

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▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

in the News

Kelly E. DeBerry, previously with Griffith, Jay & Michel, LLP, is now practicing at Norman & Norman, P.C., 3200 Riverfront Dr., Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76107. She can be reached at kelly@normanestatelaw.com or 817.335.5000.

Boyd, Powers & Williamson would like to welcome Scott Lindsey, formerly with Gardner & Smith PLLC. Scott is now Of Counsel at Boyd, Powers & Williamson’s new Fort Worth location. Scott focuses on civil appeals and he consults with trial lawyers before, during, and after trial.

Scott may be reached at slindsey@bpwlaw.com, 817.887.8147, 201 Main St., Suite 600, Fort Worth, TX 76102.

The Medlin Law Firm, PLLC proudly announces that Will Gallagher, former Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney, has joined the firm. He can be reached at will @medlinfirm.com or 817.900.6000.

Blaies & Hightower, LLP is pleased to announce Andrew B. Etter has been elected partner of the firm. Mr. Etter can be reached at 420 Thockmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, TX 76102, 817.334.0800.

Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. is pleased to announce that Matthew T. Loeffelholz and Kyle K. Weldon have joined the firm in its Business and Litigation Sections, respectively. Matthew is a 2016 graduate of Creighton University School of Law, and Kyle is a 2018 graduate of Texas A&M University School of Law. Jessica Sangsvang, previously with the City of Fort Worth, is now working for Oncor as Counsel focusing primarily on real estate law.

Bourland, Wall & Wenzel would like to welcome our newest associate attorney, Devin M. Arnold. Mr. Arnold graduated with honors from Texas Tech University School of Law and was admitted into the State Bar of Texas in 2015. His practice focuses primarily on commercial real estate and business transactions. Mr. Arnold also has experience in mergers and acquisitions and international transactions. Mr. Arnold can be reached at 301 Commerce Street, Suite 1500, Fort Worth, TX 76102, 817.877.1088.

Frank X. Jacobini is leaving solo practice and joining the firm of Cotten Schmidt. Effective November 1, 2019, Frank can be reached at Cotten Schmidt, 100 Energy Way, Suite 2000, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Frank's email address remains fxj.law@sbcglobal.net, or call 817.338.4500.

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Brackett & Ellis is pleased to announce the recent addition of our new associate, Logan D. Cochran.

Mr. Cochran received his Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University School of Law and earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia. Logan practices primarily in the areas of insurance defense, real estate litigation, and professional liability defense. g If you are a TCBA member and would like to place an announcement in the Bar Bulletin, we would like to hear from you. Please submit information by email to elizabeth@tarrantbar.org.

Membership Report

bout this time of year is when we gather around to give thanks and pay forward from our successes. As we reflect on 2019 and what 2020 has in store, I am thankful for you, our members, who strive to make a positive difference.

Please help us welcome over 170 1L students with the Texas A&M Law School into our community and TCBA family.

Chad Robbins Cheyenne Haley Chris Cundiff Collin Snyder Connor A. Scott Connor Pabich Crystal Hernandez Daeja Pemberton Dakota Foster Damon King David Morrison Debany Davila Dillon Luna Dominick Chionchio Dylan Campbell Ana-Victoria Moreno Scherer Edmond Beal Elizabeth Hinz Aneeta Alex Elizabeth Margolis Anna Grace Miller Elizabeth Sheehan-Vela Anna Rose Isbell Emily Marie Teel Anna Zimmerman Erin Moloney Elms Annie Birdsong April Gabrielle Quiroz Erin Rutherford Evan Bell Ashana Stanley Evelyn Y. Garcia Lopez Austin Franco Faith Lee Averi Hull Faviola Tavera Avery Moyle Germaine Jones Bailey Buchmeyer Gregory Saltz Bethany Clinton Griffin Tolle Blair Duroy Haley Varnadoe Blake Newberry Hope Corey Brennan Lafferty Isabella Marrone Brian Romero Isabelle Chapman Brooke Willis Jacob Garcia Bryan Berens Jacob Moan Caitlin Davis Aaron Leiter Aaron Sigal Abigail Adkins Abigail Butts Abigail Davis Alaina Llamas Alex Turung Alexander Jablonski Alexandra Elwell Alexandria M. Yanez Alexis Ritzer Alicia Moore Alysha Hobbs Amanda B. Cervantes Amanda DeGroote

Kimmie Hack Membership Director Janson Westmoreland Jared Thacker Jay McKiever Jeffrey Pietryka Jeffrey Shearer Jenna Lusk Jenna Sutton Jeremy Campbell Jesse Lee Gaines II Jessica Alt Johann Rupp Jonah Fritz Jonathan Dodson Jonathan King Jonathan Lyle Joseph Dakota Frizzell Joseph Glover Joshua Stephens Julia Muzquiz Justin Cias Kailen Grant Kailey Muir Kaleb Teverbaugh Kali Cain Kamerine Keithley Katelynn Hickey Kevin L. Pressley Kevin Survance Kianna L. Sitarski Kianna Lauren Sitarski Kobe Landry Lauren Trevino Lexie Ford Lillian Goebel Lindsay George

Madeline Bergstrom Madeline Bostic Madeline Marsh Madison Feyrer-Melk Madison Ledoux Madison Walker Maitlyn V. Lydahl Maria D. Bravo-Escoto Maria Jose Rosales Lagos Maria Martinez Marisela Gonzales Marissa Mathews Mary Hubert Mason Beck Mason Rodriguez Matthew Cashiola Matthew Maslanka Meaganne Lewellyn Meghan Collier Melanie Hogan Mia A. Blankenship Michael S. Collier Minta Spears Mitchell Crook Munis Safajou Myah Alexi Pickens Natalie Irwin Nathaniel Johnson Nhu-Thinh Nguyen Nicholas Roide Olivia Hall Paloma Perez Rachel Taylor Ramses Betancourt Rebekah Bratcher

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

Reese D. Bastian Reese Griffin Reynaldo Garza Rocky Howard Rouel F. Rothenberger IV Samantha Elliott Sameer Assanie Samuel B. Sheffer Samuel Stolz Sara Correa Sarah Abdel-Motaleb Sarah Petrus Sidney Webb Silas P. Montgomery Skyler Vanderwerken Spencer R. Lockwood Tanner J. Wadsworth Tayler Berlin Taylor Garner Taylor R. Matthews Tiffany Daniels Todd Lane Stone Jr. Travis Hammack Trevor Consoliver Trevor Paul Tucker McGill Tyler Phillips Valene Berger Victoria LaFleur Victoria Strickland Wei Wu William Chase Archer

â–Ş TCBA BULLETIN 19

Refer your clients with confidence.

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WRONGFUL DEATH • SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY • TRUCKING AND AUTO ACCIDENTS

As a highly respected attorney in your field of law, clients look to you for the best legal counsel possible. For those personal injury issues that lie outside your expertise, place your valued clients in capable hands. My firm will give them the personal attention they deserve and keep you fully informed as the case progresses. We honor all referral agreements.

Trust us to treat your personal injury referral with the same care and tenacity as you would.

2317 Plaza Parkway, Ste. 100 Bedford, Texas 76021 parkerlawfirm.com

Call Me: O: 817.438.2600 C: 817.925.2272

JUVENILE LAW CLE November 8, 2019

Moderator: Angel Williams, Assistant CDA

11:30 am

Check In

12:00 pm

Words from Bench Judge Alex Kim, 323rd District Court

12:15 pm

Legisla�ve Update & Contempt of Court Riley Shaw, Tarrant County CDA

1:00 pm

School Discipline & Juvenile Court—When Two Worlds Collide!

Eric Ransleben, The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben

Wheel

1:30 pm

Juvenile Disposi�ons Frank Adler, Law Office of Frank Adler

CLE

2:00 pm

BREAK

2:15 pm

Overview of Tarrant County Juvenile Services Bennie Medlin, Tarrant County Juvenile Services

2:30 pm

Juvenile Sex Offences Molly Davis, Tarrant County CDA Brian Willett, Willett Law, PLLC

3:00 pm

Crimmigra�on Law Francisco Hernandez, Law Office of Francisco Hernandez

3:30pm

CPS Appeals, Juvenile Appeals and Writs Panel Katherine Allen, Allen & Weaver, P.C. Andrea Jacobs, Tarrant County CDA Brian Newman, Law Office of Brian J. Newman

Appointment

Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center 2701 Kimbo Road Fort Worth, 76111

4 hours of CLE credit has been requested

4:15 pm ADJOURN _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Appointment Wheel CLE: Juvenile Law November 8, 2019 _____ $70 TCBA Member _____ $95 non-TCBA Member _____ $35 TCBA Member Staff _____ $12 for a boxed lunch Add $5 if registering after November 6 Please complete this form and return to the TCBA office at 1315 Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 with a check payable to TCBA or with credit card information. If you have questions, please call Sherry Jones at 817-338-4092 (Fax: 817-335-9238).

Name: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ Billing Zip: _____________ Method of Payment: _____ Check

_______ Check Number

______ MC

______ Visa

_____ Am Ex

Credit Card Number ________________________________________________ Expiration ______________________ Name on Card _____________________________________________________ Security Code ___________________

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

▪ TCBA BULLETIN 21

Tuesday, December 10 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

TCBA Bar Center

Fun, Games, Photo Booth, Door Prizes, Drinks, Food and More.

Bring your donation of stuffed animals to benefit National Adoption Day.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

John J. Corbin Law Office

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

â–ª TCBA BULLETIN 23

TARRANT COUNTY YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION & TARRANT COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

1st Place

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INE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED FOURTEEN dollars (give or a take a few as the final calculations are made). That’s what the Tarrant County Young Lawyers and its generous sponsors were able to send to the Tarrant County Bar Foundation as a result of yet another successful golf tournament. The scenic Mira Vista Country Club hosted the autumn annual for us again, and it didn’t disappoint. Seventy-eight golfers suited up on the warm, fall afternoon to test their skills against some of the most protected greens in the area. It went down to the wire before the TCYLA was able to crown a new champion and give its 3-time defending champion a rest. Two of our foursomes actually tied their respective rounds of eighteen holes, but instead of battling it out in a Phil Mickelson/Tiger Woods-style tie breaker, we had to resort to local rules (and the USGA’s recommendation) of handing the championship to the low back nine total.

Without further ado, it is my distinct pleasure in recognizing 2019’s top three groups!

24 www.tarrantbar.org

First Place (53 total; 26 back nine) Joe Drago, Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Michael Hupf, Brackett & Ellis, P.C., Andrew Robinson Mike Sweet, Brackett & Ellis, P.C.

Second Place (53 total; 27 back nine)

Collin Ashworth, Tarrant County CDA’s Office Will Gallagher, The Medlin Law Firm John Newbern, Tarrant County CDA’s Office Nick Vincent, Tarrant County CDA’s Office

Third Place (54 total)

Phil Benson, Chris Drumm, and Brent Ford Thanks, again, to all of our sponsors, to Mira Vista Country Club, and to our very own, Kimmie Hack. It is because of you all that this is possible. - Martin A. Garcia, TCYLA President g

▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors.

Thank You, Sponsors Banquet Sponsors

Forshey Prostok, LLP Parker Law Firm Sharen Wilson - Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office The Medlin Law Firm

Golf Hole Sponsors

Barrow Law Brackett & Ellis, P.C Charity Golf International Dollar Driver Club - Hole Sponsor In-Kind J. A. Garrison & Co., CPA’s John S. Jose, Managing Partner, Fort Worth Office Slack Davis Sanger LLP Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP Law Office of Darren Wolf, P.C. McDonald Sanders, P.C. Patterson Law Group Puls Haney Lyster, PLLC Robert L. Henry Attorney at Law, P.C. Texas A&M University School of Law The Brender Law Firm The Medlin Law Firm Varghese Summersett, PLLC Walker Turney – Christie’s International Real Estate - Ulterre Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC

In-Kind Sponsor

Falcon Document Solutions Also, a special thanks to the staff at Mira Vista Country Club.

Once again, MVCC was a fabulous host for the tournament.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

▪ TCBA BULLETIN 25

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Follow us on social media Tarrant County Bar Association - Fort Worth @tarrantbar @tarrantcountybar

The 2019–2020 TCBA Bar Year has begun!

The Tarrant County Bar Association is comprised of over 2600 members and offers the best way to connect with the legal community in Tarrant County.

Membership benefits include: • • • • • •

Free and reduced cost CLE events offered through the TCBA's 18 substantive law sections, Brown Bag CLE pass, and other CLE events. In addition, TCBA offers many of its CLE events online at a discounted rate for its members.

Exclusive networking events, including Docket Calls, Breakfast with the Judiciary, Women in the Law Luncheon, and the annual Bench Bar Conference.

Professional development and law practice management programs, including free Transition to Practice seminars, technology classes, and mentorship opportunities.

Access to discounts and free professional services, including free document shredding, a discount for Lawyer Referral & Information Services (LRIS) membership, and discounts on meeting space rentals at the TCBA. An online subscription to the Bar Bulletin, the TCBA’s bi-monthly magazine, and weekly emails detailing news and events in the Tarrant County legal community.

Opportunities for community service at annual events like National Adoption Day, People's Law School, and the Blood Drive. The TCBA also provides pro bono volunteer opportunities at legal clinics through Volunteer Attorney Services (TVAS) and Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans- Tarrant County Chapter (TLTV).

Visit the website to learn more about all the great things the TCBA is doing for its members and the community. www.tarrantbar.org

We thank you for your continued support of our organization. If you have not renewed for the 2019–2020 bar year, please contact Kimmie Hack at the bar office at 817.338.4092 or by email at kimmie@tarrantbar.org.

TARRANT COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION PRESENTS Brown Bag

JUSTICE & MUNICIPAL COURT

Seminar Series

NOVEMBER 15, 2019

Join us for CLE credit at Tarrant County Bar Association Office, 1315 Calhoun Street, Fort Worth Moderator: Sam Johndroe, Johndroe Law, PLLC

Noon

Check In

12:30 pm

Debt Defense in JP Courts James (Tony) Foley, Law Office of James Foley

1:00 pm

Commercial Landlord/Tenant Practice Caleb Moore, Law Firm of Caleb Moore PLLC

1:30 pm

Appeals to the County Court at Law Judge Don Pierson, County Court at Law #1

2:00 pm

Break

2:15 pm

Municipal Court Legislative Update Andrea Russell & Stacie White, Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla Elam L.L.P.

2:45 pm

Municipal Court Panel Judge Raquel Brown, City of Fort Worth Municipal Court/Truancy Court Judge Erin Jackson, Arlington Municipal Court

3:15 pm

JP Court Panel Judge Kenneth Sanders, JP Court #7, Judge Sergio DeLeon, JP Court #3, Judge Jason Charbonnet, JP Court #6

3:45 pm

Adjourn

3 hours of CLE credit requested (This program will be videoed for showing throughout the year.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brown Bag Registration: November 15, 2019

_____ $70 TCBA Member

_____ $95 non-TCBA Member

_____ Brown Bag Season Pass Holder

_____ $35 TCBA Member Staff

_____ $12 for a boxed lunch

Add $5 if registering after November 13 Please complete this form and return to the TCBA office at 1315 Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 with a check payable to TCBA or with credit card information. If you have questions, please call Sherry Jones at 817-338-4092 (Fax: 817-335-9238).

Name: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ Billing Zip: _____________ Method of Payment: _____ Check

_______ Check Number

______ MC

______ Visa

_____ Am Ex

Credit Card Number ________________________________________________ Expiration ______________________ Name on Card _____________________________________________________ Security Code ___________________

LegalLine

CLE

Corner

T

hank you to the following attorneys and law students for volunteering their time with LegalLine.

Sherry Jones Associate Executive Director

September 26, 2019 Attorneys: Norma Bazán, Nick Bettinger, Andrea Casanova, Sarah Kline, Lynn Rodriguez, Ty Taylor

T

he Brown Bag Seminar Committee has determined the topics for all the upcoming seminars for this bar year. Topics are:

Food Sponsor:

Justice and Municipal Court - including Landlord/Tenant & Debt Defense

November 15, 2019 Appellate Law

January 24, 2020 Business Organizations and Transactional Law Topics

October 10, 2019 Attorneys: Norma Bazán, Nick Bettinger, Julie Camacho, Taryn Horton, Bryce King, and Scott Phillips

February 21, 2020

Real Estate Law - including Construction & Appraisal Topics

Food Sponsor:

March 27, 2020

Immigration, Bankruptcy and Criminal Law

May 8, 2020

The cost for a Brown Bag Season Pass is $135. That will get you into all the Brown Bag Seminars for the bar year. Lunch is at an additional fee. If you miss a live session, we have each seminar recorded and you can watch the recording at no additional charge. You may purchase a Pass at any time during the year. g

LegalLine is conducted on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. except December. To volunteer, please contact Carolina Ibarra at carolina@tarrantbar.org. g

Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans Tarrant County Chapter Thank you to the Rotary Club of Fort Worth for sponsoring October’s Free Legal Advice Clinic For Veterans.

28 www.tarrantbar.org

▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

Volunteers Needed for High School Mock Trial Mock Trial Competition Date Saturday, January 11, 2020 www.texashighschoolmocktrial.com

T

Wade Barrow

he Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court is hosting the regional rounds of the Texas High School Mock Trial Competition and needs attorney volunteers to serve as judges for the competition.

Volunteer slots are available: Saturday, January 11, 2020 (for three rounds throughout the day)

Friday, January 17, 2020 (in the afternoon) Location: Tarrant County Family Court Building 200 E Weatherford Street To volunteer or for more information, contact: elizabeth@tarrantbar.org.

Fort Worth, TX 76196

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

â–Ş TCBA BULLETIN 29

Space For Lease

Member Benefits Vendor List TCBA members may take advantage of discounts provided by the following vendors:

ABA Retirement Funds Program provides full-service 401(k) plans to benefit the legal community. To learn more, contact local rep. Jacob Millican at 817.451.5020 or visit www.abaretirement.com.

AMO Office Supply offers TCBA members the lowest price guaranteed on office supplies, with next-day delivery and free shipping! Call 800.420.6421.

Falcon Litigation Solutions offers discounts on copying, litigation displays, trial boards, etc. Call 817.870.0330.

Fort Worth JSB Co., Inc., offers a 10% discount to TCBA members on printed material - business cards, letterhead, envelopes, business forms, brochures, flyers, and more. For a quote, call 817.577.0572.

Fort Worth Zoo discount tickets - $11.00 adult, $8 for child or senior. For tickets, contact anne@tarrantbar.org or 817.338.4092. If mailing or charging tickets, add 50 cents.

UPS - TCBA has signed an agreement with UPS for TCBA members to receive discounts on shipping. The discounts vary according to the type of shipment, so check out UPS for your needs at www.ups.com or 1.800.PICK.UPS. For IT Help: Juris Fabrilis - Cool Tools for Lawyers offers members discounted rates on web-based tools to help you manage your law practice. 817.481.1573 ext. 101.

For Shredding and Document Disposal: Magic Shred is a secure shredding business that shreds your documents on-site. Magic Shred offers a 10% discount to TCBA members. Call the TCBA office for details.

Expanco is N.A.I.D. AAA-Certified documentdestruction service offering 40% off to TCBA members.

Mention your TCBA membership when scheduling an appointment to receive this discount on your invoice.

Thomson Reuters Exclusive TCBA offer of 10% off Firm Central subscriptions to Bar members* Please contact Amanda Olson, your local Account Executive, for more information at: Amanda.Olson@tr.com. g

30 www.tarrantbar.org

▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

in the historic

Tindall Square Office Complex in Downtown Fort Worth

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Parking available Up to 10,000 square feet of office space available with rates starting at $19.50 psf.

Current office tenant base includes attorneys, private investment firms and accountants.

Executive suites for attorneys available, call for details.

Secure record storage facility conveniently located on site with rates as low as $120/month Within walking distance to local restaurants and Sundance Square Office Space and Record Storage Space Available Immediately

Contact Debara Herring ■ 682.316.2072 dherring@rochester-group.com 500 East 4th Street, Suite 175 ■ Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Lawyer Referral &

Information Service

F

News

rom July 1 through September 30, 2019, we have received $57,516.89. SPECIAL THANKS to our members who have paid referral fees: Jason Amon John Barber Andrea Casanova Anthony Cuesta Anita Cutrer Bill Catterton Douglas Hafer Carter Hampton Earl Hargrave Brandon Herrmann Kelcie Hibbs Mark Humphreys Christian Jenkins Bryce King Stephen Lawrence

Bruce Mansfield Mark Mansfield Edwardo Meza James Miller Josh Norrell Ben Perez Will Pruitt David Robinson Leigh Ann Schenk Andrew Seibert Sarah Seltzer Daniel Smith Carey Thompson Laurie Weir Bill White

If you have not yet joined our Referral Service and would like to, please send an email to carolina@tarrantbar.org or call 817.338.4092. g

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

â–Ş TCBA BULLETIN 31

In

Memoriam

Mary Ann Rapp Ince 1947–2019

M

ary Ann Rapp Ince passed away July 22, 2019 after losing a courageous battle against an aggressive form of cancer. She

was 72.

Mary Ann, born to Christian Joseph "Joe" Rapp and Mary Margaret Rapp on May 31, 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the oldest of 6 siblings. She was a loving mother and wife, an established appellate lawyer, a pianist, a mentor, and a good friend to many.

Mary Ann received her music degree from Loyola University of New Orleans, specializing in piano and graduated from Duquesne University Law School with a Juris Doctorate. She started her law career with the District Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh. After a period in private practice she joined the Pennsylvania Superior Court. In 1990 she joined the Maryland Attorney General’s office, from which she retired as the Deputy Attorney General of the Maryland Criminal Division in 2018. She was awarded the J. Joseph Curran, Jr. Exceptional Career Service Award.

Mary Ann’s love for advocacy resulted in her joining The Order of Barristers, an organization that encourages oral advocacy and brief writing at Duquesne University. In Maryland alone, she wrote over 1,000 briefs in the appellate courts and represented the State in nearly 200 cases that resulted in reported opinions. A small sample of the impact she has made includes: defending the State in Scott v. State, the seminal Court of Appeals case defining the “law of the case doctrine”; successfully challenging the Court of Special Appeals’ opinion in State v. San Martin Prado saving hundreds of convictions from reversal; and convincing the US Supreme Court to summarily reverse the Court of Appeals in Maryland v. Kulbicki.

She held license to practice law in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and at the Federal level the US Supreme Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the MD District Court. She was also a member of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court and Tarrant County Bar Association.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband Ilhan Ince; daughter Aylin Ince; mother Mary Margaret Rapp; and siblings Kathleen Smith, Joan Owen, Chris Harvey, Joseph Rapp and Margaret Slade. g

John Thomas Chidgey 1947–2019

J

ohn Thomas Chidgey, 72, died Thursday, September 12, 2019.

John was born in San Antonio, to John George Chidgey and Viola Roberta Holder. He graduated from Nolan Catholic High School and earned his Bachelors and Juris Doctor from St. Mary's University. He also earned his Master's from the University of North Texas. He was a successful Texas Trial Lawyer, Liberal Democrat, and Friend to many. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 30 years, Debbie Ann Greer.

SURVIVORS: Brothers, Robert and William; children, Jennifer Gerri Chidgey and wife, Jennifer Miller, John-Paul Chidgey and wife, Amanda, Julia Paur and husband, Kyle; step-son, Marty Griffith; grandchildren, Katie, John-Luke and Tex Chidgey, Eve Kroh and Sophia-Jean Paur. g

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from July 27 to July 28, 2019

Published in Star-Telegram on September 15, 2019

Docket Call Social Thursday, November 7 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Blackland Distillery 2616 Weisenberger Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Recent Bar Passers

will be recognized at the event.

Sponsors:

Evans, Daniel, Moore, Evans, Biggs and Decker KoonsFuller, P.C. Lacy, Malone, Steppick, Ryder & Menefee, PLLC

32 www.tarrantbar.org

▪ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

It’s All Happening Around the Bar September Membership Luncheon

Author Steve Luxenberg and Book Club Members

Justice Wallach Investiture

Breakfast with the Judiciary

Free Member Friday

1L Welcome Breakfast

TCYLA Fall Fête NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

▪ TCBA BULLETIN 33

Bar Bulletin ▪ November/December 2019 PRESORTED Other Associations’ STANDARD Tarrant County Bar Association U. S. POSTAGE PAID Calhoun Street News & Information 1315 FORT WORTH, TX Fort Worth, TX 76102-6504 Arlington Bar Association

Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. President, Jonathan Heeps. For location & information, email arlingtonbarassociation@ yahoo.com or call 682.738.6415.

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PERMIT 1807

Arlington Young Lawyers Association

For meetings and information, contact President Jane Fowler at 817.560.1878 or jane@janefowlerlaw.com.

Black Women Lawyers Association

For meetings and information, contact Judge Maryellen Hicks, President, at 817.451.7100 or hicks8776@sbcglobal.net.

Dee J. Kelly Law Library Welcomes Bar Members!

For the latest Texas A&M University School of Law library hours and information, please visit http://law.tamu.edu or call 817.212.3800.

Fort Worth Chapter Association of Legal Administrators

Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the City Club, 301 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, 76102. For more information, contact Lisa Boyd at 817.339.2478 or LBoyd@BELaw.com.

Fort Worth Paralegal Association

General Membership Meetings are held at noon every 4th Thursday of the month at Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N. Commerce. FWPA Board of Directors meets at noon every 1st Tuesday of the month at the Bar Center. For more information, go to www.fwpa.org.

L. Clifford Davis Legal Association

(f/k/a/ Tarrant County Black Bar Association) holds its meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm. For more information, contact President Bethel T. Zehaie at 817.303.2161.

MABA (Mexican American Bar Association)

Meets on the last Thursday of each month with location to be announced. For more information, contact President Eloy Sepulveda at 817.332.1285.

Northeast Tarrant County Bar Association (NETCBA)

Meets for CLE luncheons on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at La Hacienda Restaurant, Hwy. 121. Contact President Cynthia Williams at 817.318.0523 or cynthia@cynthiawilliamslaw.com.

Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCCDLA)

If any of your contact information is incorrect, please submit the corrected information to the TCBA office at 817.338.4092, fax to 817.335.9238 or email to tcba@tarrantbar.org.

Classified Advertising NOTICE Classified Ads no longer appear in the Bulletin.

They can be found on our website at www.tarrantbar.org.

Stay CONNECTED to Us

Meets every 2nd Thursday at Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N. Commerce.

For more information, contact President Rose Anna Salinas at 817.624.9733 or roseannasalinas@aol.com.

Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association

Meets at noon on the 4th Tuesday of each month, with location to be announced. For more information, contact president Dana Manry of KoonsFuller PC at 817.481.2710 or dana@koonsfuller.com.

Facebook

Tarrant County Probate Bar Association

Meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at the Petroleum Clubmembers free, guests $30. For more information, contact Jeffrey N. Myers at 817.877.1088 or jmyers@bwwlaw.com.

Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association

Meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Joe T. Garcia’s. For more information, contact Mike Freden at 817.726.1636.

Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association

The 2019–2020 TCYLA year began September 1, 2019. If you need an application or meeting information, call 817.338.4092, email kimmie@tarrantbar.org, or go to the website at tcyla.org.

Texas Association of Defense Counsel

This civil defense organization offers local lunches and happy hours, as well as CLEs geared toward the defense practice. Contact Brittani Rollen of McDonald Sanders at 817-336-8651 or visit www.tadc.org.

Tarrant County Bar Association - Fort Worth Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans - Tarrant County Chapter

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@TLTVinTarrant

Instagram @TarrantCountyBar

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