depar tments

By Benny Agosto, Jr. Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner

Choices

Every day we make choices, for the good of our family, our firms, our city and our country. And for our own good.

The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken our country. But even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise. Traditionally, spring is a time for growth and new beginnings. Even as we face turbulent times, I see our bar and our community coming together to adapt the way we live our daily lives, serve our clients and help those in our community who are in need. I assure you that the Houston Bar Association is committed to providing you with vital services to help you continue to effectively serve your clients. And we are gearing up to continue the service to our community that is the hallmark of our great association. Stay home orders, teleconferences, Zoom meetings, video depositions—all have changed the way we practice law and have become the new normal. How we adapt to Covid-19 is key. Change is never bad as long as we change for the better.

One of the changes I have made in my daily life is to make more time to read; not just legal reading, but reading to keep my mind and spirit well during these tough times. Recently, I have been reading about Cesar Chavez, the eminent Latino American civil rights activist, who would have celebrated his birthday on March 31. He taught us many core values that I believe can help us today. Chavez once said, “We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.” Today, I want to share with you these thoughts about the values that will get us through this uncertain time. • A preference to help the neediest among us –A concerted effort to support programs that reach the most needy, the forgotten people in society, no matter how difficult the challenge that choice may bring. • Service to others –Service that is predicated on empowering others, looking out for each other, supporting each other, and building a better future together. • Determination –Determination that is characterized by an attitude of faith, steadfast commitment, patience, and optimism that human beings can prevail against all odds.

You made a choice to be a member of the Houston Bar Association. Our pledge to you is that we will work hard to keep you up to date on developments that impact our profession, provide CLE and other programs that help you navigate changes in the way we practice law, and provide you with opportunities to use your legal expertise to help restore our community.

Please reach out to me and let me know how we can continue to work together to serve you and our community. Let’s make choices that will positively impact the people around us. I pray for the many friends and family of the HBA. Please stay well and stay safe. The Houston Bar Association is here for you.

I leave you with these words on choices from an unknown author. I Choose Love I choose Inclusion. I choose Empathy. Compassion.

Equality. Dignity. Diversity. I choose Community. Kindness. Integrity. Honesty. Respect. I choose Justice. I choose Facts. Peace. The Planet. I choose Humanity. I choose Love.

‘‘ The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken our country. But even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise. Traditionally, spring is a time for growth and new beginning.”