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Bibliography of Books By and About Houston’s Legal Community

created by lori-Ann crAig and heAther holmeS

Literature by and about Houston lawyers is plentiful and varied. This bibliography is intended for all who want to explore the storied history of our city’s legal community as the Houston Bar Association celebrates its sesquicentennial. Titles range from memoirs and biographies to works of fiction, and the list includes a rich assortment of historical volumes that document the development of legal practice in Houston and the role the bar has played in shaping our city.

The works listed below cannot be found in a single collection. Researchers who need assistance finding copies are invited to contact a law librarian at the Harris County Law Library. Visit www.harriscountylawlibrary.org for contact options.

A Commitment to Public Service: The History of the Houston Bar Association In honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Houston Bar Association, the Harris County Law Library has partnered with the HBA to offer digital access to A Commitment to Public Service: The History of the Houston Bar Association. Eric L. Fredrickson’s 1992 seminal work provides an incomparable look at the history of our city’s legal community and the lawyers who guided Houston’s development toward becoming one of the nation’s leading cities. Until now, access to this treasure trove of information for researchers and historians was limited. Through our groundbreaking partnership, the book is now available as a searchable, digitized flipbook for free to all in an effort to support the work of attorneys and authors as they chronicle the history of the local legal community in local bar publications and beyond.

Find the digitized history today at www.haris countylawlibrary.org/hba-history.

books about houston Law Firms/organizations: 1. Craftsmanship and Character: A History of the

Vinson & Elkins Law Firm of Houston, 1917-1997 by Harold Melvin Hyman (1998) 2. Baker Botts in World War II by Dillon Anderson and Baker, Botts, Andrews, and Walne (1947) 3. Fulbright & Jaworski: 75 Years, 1919-1994 by

John H. Crooker and Gibson Gayle (1994) 4. The People of Baker Botts by JH Freeman (1992) 5. Baker Botts in the Development of Modern Houston by Kenneth J. Lipartito (1991) 6. V & E: A Story of Vinson & Elkins by Sidney S.

McClendon III (2010) 7. Andrews & Kurth: The First 100 Years of Excellence by Eric L. Fredrickson (2002) 8. The History of Lidell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill, & La-

Boon, L.L.P. by Charles Sapp (1996) 9. A Commitment to Public Service: The History of the Houston Bar Association by Eric L. Fredrickson (1992) 10. The Lawyers of Andrews Kurth: The Andrews

Years, 1902-1936 by Clinton F. Morse (199-) 11. “Serving The Community – Serving the Profession:” The History of the Houston Young Lawyers

Association and the Houston Junior Bar Association by Eric L. Fredrickson (1997) 12.Bless the Pure and Humble: Texas Lawyers and

Oil Regulation, 1919-1936 by Nicholas George

Malavis (1996)

Lawyer biographies/autobiographies: 1. Captain James A. Baker of Houston, 1857-1941 by

Kate Sayen Kirkland (2012) 2. J.S. Bracewell, Lawyer by Searcy Bracewell, Joseph Searcy Bracewell, Fentress Bracewell (2001) 3. Lawyer: My Trials and Jubilations by Joe Jamail and Mickey Herskowitz (2003) 4. Joseph D. Jamail: Stories and Career Highlights by

Joseph D. Jamail (1998) 5. After Fifteen Years by Leon Jaworski (1961) 6. Barbara Jordan: Congresswoman, Lawyer, Educator by Laura S. Jeffrey (1997) 7. William Pitt Ballinger: Texas Lawyer, Southern

Statesman, 1825-1888 by John Moretta (2004) 8. Tony Buzbee: Defining Moments by Michael Lee

Lanning (2014) 9. Harry M. Reasoner: An Oral History Interview by Harry M. Reasoner and Sheree Scarborough (2012) 10. King of the Courtroom: Percy Foreman for the Defense by Michael Dorman (1969) 11. Crossroads by Leon Jaworski and Dick Schneider (1981) 12.Confession and Avoidance: A Memoir by Leon Jaworkski and Mickey Herskowitz (1979)

books Written by houston Lawyers (history) Perhaps the most prolific writer on this list, Clarence Wharton was a dedicated documentarian of Texas history. This educator, writer, and lawyer from Tarrant County, Texas joined the law firm of Baker, Botts, Baker, and Lovett in 1901, becoming full partner in just 5 years. Mr. Wharton was an active member of the Harris County Historical Society and served as its vice president in 1923. His clear interest in the military, legal, and historical roots of Texas, along with his love of writing, inspired the many works cited below. 1. Wharton’s History of Fort Bend County by Clarence Wharton (1973) 2. Gail Borden, Pioneer by Clarence Wharton (1941) 3. A Renegade Son of the De Sha’s by Clarence

Wharton (1940) 4. The Republic of Texas by Clarence Wharton (1922) 5. What Became of Judge Baird by Clarence Wharton (1940) 6. L’Archeveque by Clarence Wharton (1941) 7. Texas by Clarence Wharton (1930) 8. The Phantom Dr. Harrison by Clarence Wharton (publication date not identified) 9. Early Municipal History of Texas by Clarence

Wharton (1930) 10. The Lone Star State: A School History by Clarence Wharton (1932) 11. The Baron de Bastrop, God-Father of Texas by

Clarence Wharton (publication with no date) 12.Ancient Gateways to Texas: Through Indio Chupadero Ranches, 1690-1760: Stories Told at the

Annual Hunt at Chupadero, December, 1939 by

Clarence Wharton (1939) 13. A DeSha of Old Kentucky by Clarence Wharton (1940) 14. Texas Under Many Flags by Clarence Wharton (1930) 15. Satanta, the Great Chief of the Kiowas and His

People by Clarence Wharton (1935) 16. Remember Goliad by Clarence Wharton and

JH Barnard (1968) 17. History of Texas by Clarence Wharton (1935) 18. San Jacinto: The Sixteenth Decisive Battle by

Clarence Wharton (2019) 19. The Isle of Mal Hado, and Other Sketches; Three

Hundred and Fifty Years of Texas History by

Clarence Wharton (1968) 20. El Presidente: A Sketch of General Santa Anna by

Clarence Wharton (1926) 21. Pictorial History of Texas by Clarence Wharton (1938?) 22.Texas Centennial in 1936 on the San Jacinto Battlefield by Clarence Wharton (1924?) 23.Republic of Texas: A Brief History of Texas From the First American Colonies in 1821 to Annexation in 1846 by Clarence Wharton (2015)

books Written by houston Lawyers (Fiction) 1. The Billingsley Papers by Dillon Anderson (1961) 2. I and Claudie by Dillon Anderson (2000) 3. A Quilt for Claudie by Dillon Anderson (1952) 4. Claudie’s Kinfolk by Dillon Anderson (1954) 5. The Trial by Larry D. Thompson (2011) 6. So Help Me God by Larry D. Thompson (2008) 7. Dark Money: A Jack Bryant Thriller by Larry D.

Thompson (2015) 8. The Insanity Plea by Larry D. Thompson (2014) 9. Dead Peasants: A Thriller by Larry D. Thompson (2013) 10. The Best People: A Tale of Trials and Errors, A

Novel by Marc Grossberg (2019) 11. Crosstown Park by Melanie Bragg (2013)

books by houston Lawyers (other): 1. The Lawyer in Society by Leon Jaworski (2007) 2. A Citizen’s Guide to Impeachment, by Barbara

Radnofsky (2017) 3. School Law’s Evolution – Reflections of a Texas

School Lawyer by Kelly Frels (2019).

Lori-Ann Craig is associate law librarian and Heather Holmes is assistant law librarian at the Harris County Law Library.

Legal Technology Must-Haves in the Virtual Home-Office

By rUBy l. powerS

As a law firm owner for 11 years, and having run my law firm remotely from Dubai nine years ago, I’ve come to understand the importance of good and reliable technology to ensure proper work output, not only for myself, but also my staff. With many of us working 100% remote, this article will cover key ways to make your firm more efficient and profitable through some key technology musthave suggestions.

Laptop: Any laptop will work just fine, as long as you make sure to update your laptop regularly. Usually it’s best to get a laptop that’s less than 5 years old. I own a Windows Surface laptop, and I would highly recommend this to anyone in need of a fast yet slim laptop with great camera quality and microphone clarity. It is easy to have on the go and has a detachable screen that works as a tablet.

usb Port: Many laptops have only 2-3 USB ports and I find having a 3-4 USB Port in stock allows you to connect headsets, extra devices, a mouse and more when the ones provided don’t suffice.

Wifi boosters: These are highly needed especially if you work around your house and/or have various others online during the business day.

Large Monitor: To avoid the use of paper, better multitasking, and help your eyes, it is best to have a large monitor you can connect to on a regular basis. For a good portable screen, I have found that the HP EliteDisplay S14 14-inch Portable Display monitor works the best for me. It is slim and connects via USB.

Printer: I found that my all in one printer/scanner gadget is too slow for me, so I usually print on my Brother HL-L2300D Personal Monochrome Laser Printer that I took from my office. If you have to print, make sure you have something reliable, and that you have the paper, drum and toner on hand when you are running low.

headset: I have found that the quality of use between various headsets changed between the video conference programs, Google Hangouts and Zoom. But my favorite headset is the Jabra Evolve 65 MS On Ear Headset. I love how I can connect the bluetooth on my phone and make Vonage calls for work, and flip over to using them for Zoom calls for consults, as well. Plus, I can usually walk and talk around my house as long as I keep the headset charged and in range. You might also want to buy some noise canceling headphones for when your partner, kids, etc. are making too much noise to concentrate. scanner: I generally love anything Fujitsu ScanSnap (I have owned too many to count), and if you don’t need the normal size scanner, consider the portable version or in a pinch, the app CamScanner, but watch for the privacy and confidentiality provisions depending on the version.

Desktop selfie ring Light: During COVID, all my speeches are online, and my firm is creating a lot of content online, as well. Early in COVID, I bought the LED 10.2” Desktop Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand & Remote Control &10 Brightness Level & 3 Light Modes and 120 Bulbs 6500k. The 360° rotation angle of the ring light allows you to find the ideal angle to illuminate your face or whole body , and has three lighting modes and 10 adjustable brightness levels for you to choose. You have to keep it plugged into an outlet even though it has a USB connection, but that hasn’t been an issue.

virtual background: Make a few professional virtual backgrounds using Canva.com or similar programs that are neutral for a professional setting and have your firm’s logo or contact information. This can be used for consultations, presentations, and other marketing purposes.

Make sure you and your staff have the tools you need to be as efficient as possible. Don’t skimp on the hardware or software for optimal results because time is everything in the professional services of the law practice. Regularly audit your firm’s technology; assess the programs, automations and integrations you use; and make sure to regularly check with each staff member to ensure they have what they need. Above all, know that technology is constantly changing, so never set it and forget it.

Ruby L. Powers is founder of Powers Law Group, P.C., a full-service immigration law firm, and she is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. She authored AILA’s “Build and Manage Your Successful Immigration Law Practice (Without Losing Your Mind)” and provides law practice management consulting services to attorneys. She is a former candidate for public office and an advocate for immigrants and her community at large.