Update on Austin Bar’s Hilgers House

“When are you moving?” This is the number one question being asked of Austin Bar staff lately. When indeed?

The summer was spent going through office closets, throwing some things away, moving others to a storage unit, emptying out file cabinets, and preparing to pack up offices. Meanwhile, the house has seen a steady stream of carpenters, plumbers, electricians, handymen, carpet layers, floor refinishers, landscapers, and a whole host of other workers, filing in and out daily. Furniture was moved in, and meetings were held with architects and contractors. Plans are being drawn up to add an ADA-compliant ramp and to convert the Carriage House into a functional and comfortable conference room.

Simultaneously, permit requests are going through the proper channels at City Hall. As soon as the Certificate of Occupancy is granted by the City of Austin, we will officially move into our new home at 712 W. 16 th Street. As of this printing, we are planning to move at the end of September. If everything goes as planned, we will be in our new home by early October.

Throughout the month of September, all meetings and events currently scheduled to be held in our office will be held at 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700. Beginning in October, smaller meetings will be held at Hilgers House, while larger meetings will be held offsite. We are coordinating with the Austin Club to host many of our larger section meetings. If your section or committee needs a space to meet, please contact the Austin Bar staff for assistance in making those arrangements.

Once the Carriage House has been converted into a conference room—we hope by the end of the year—even more meetings can be held at Hilgers House. Please check the Austin Bar website at austinbar.org to confirm the location of meetings or events during this time of transition. AL

DONATE TODAY FOR THE LLOYD LOCHRIDGE CONFERENCE ROOM

Most of the named spaces in Hilgers House have been claimed—except for the conference room in the Carriage House. Thanks to Jo Ann Merica, Dirk Jordan, and Karen Burgess, a campaign is underway to raise enough money to name this meeting space in honor of Lloyd Lochridge.

In Merica’s words, “Don’t you think it feels right to honor Mr. Lochridge by ensuring that generations of future attorneys meet in the Lochridge Conference Room? Many of us have benefited from his guidance, wisdom, and example, and we can think of no better way to thank him than by enshrining his values in the Austin Bar’s new home. If you’ve been waiting to support the “Our Home on Judges Hill” campaign until something truly spoke to you—we hope that this is it. This is an opportunity for all of us to sign our own names— permanently—to this legacy for our colleague, mentor, and friend. I hope you’ll join us in ensuring that Mr. Lochridge’s name is remembered anytime attorneys gather to learn from each other.”

To make a gift, go to www.ourhomeonjudgeshill.com and enter “LOCHRIDGE” to designate your gift in honor of Mr. Lochridge. You can also write a check to the Austin Bar Foundation, with “LOCHRIDGE” in the memo line, and mail it to the Austin Bar at 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700, Austin, TX 78701. All gifts to the Lochridge Conference Room campaign can be payable over five years and may be claimed as a charitable tax deduction.