100 Club

from Tarrant County Bar Association Bar Bulletin (January–March 2022)

by Tarrant County Bar Association Bar Bulletin

Snippets

Members of the 2021–2022 100 Club

*List Reflected Below is as of February 11, 2022

Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C. Anderson & Cummings, LLP Baker Monroe, PLLC Barlow Garsek & Simon, LLP Blaies & Hightower, LLP Bonds Ellis Eppich Schafer Jones, LLP 100 Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C. Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Broude Smith Jennings & McGlinchey, P.C. Brown, Proctor & Howell, LLP Curnutt & Hafer, LLP Decker Jones, P.C. Dismuke & Waters, P.C. Forshey & Prostok, LLP Club Freeman Mills P.C. Friedman, Suder & Cooke, P.C. Griffith, Jay & Michel, LLP Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. Harrison Steck, P.C. Haynes and Boone, LLP Holland, Johns & Penny, LLP Jackson Walker, LLP K&L Gates LLP Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP Killen & Dennis, P.C. KoonsFuller, P.C. Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Lively & Associates, PLLC McDonald Sanders, 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 Seltzer & Dally, PLLC Sharen Wilson, Criminal District Attorney's Office Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, LLP The Blum Firm, P.C. The Colaneri Firm, P.C. The Second Court of Appeals Thompson & Knight, LLP Udeshi Law Firm, PLLC Underwood Law Firm, PLLC Varghese Summersett, PLLC Watson, Caraway, Midkiff & Luningham, LLP Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz, PLLC Whitley Penn, LLP Wick Phillips Winstead, P.C.

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 2021–2022 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 Lauren St. Clair at 817.338.4092 or email her at laurensc@tarrantbar.org. g

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Get to Know the TCBA Staff

The TCBA is over halfway through the Bar year and very little looks the same as it did when the year started in July 2021. Former Executive Director and my predecessor, Megan Cooley, became the General Counsel for Texas Wesleyan University on October 1. That was also my first day as the Interim Executive Director, while continuing as Pro Bono Programs Director. October and November were a whirlwind. There was a swearing in ceremony for newly licensed attorneys, Advocates for Justice Luncheon, Law Day Luncheon, and five pro bono clinics in the span of about 8 weeks.

When I started as Interim, I fully intended to hand off the post to the new Executive Director at the end of the 90-day period, but something happened that I could not have anticipated. The TCBA team is made up of energetic committee members, devoted board members, and invaluable staff. Together we work to provide meaningful life moments for others, celebrate what it means to be part of the Tarrant County legal community, and create a place of growth and belonging for judges, lawyers, paralegals, law students, and others. In my first 45 days as Interim, I realized my enthusiasm and passion for bridging the judice gap through pro bono services mirrors my desire to increase togetherness within the Bar. This epiphany motivated me to throw my metaphorical hat in the ring, and on December 1, I became the permanent Executive Director of the Bar Association and Bar Foundation, while still serving as the Interim Pro Bono Director.

I care deeply for the success of the TCBA and the TCBF, and I am enthusiastically approaching the role of ED as a willing learner and listener. I graduated from Texas A&M University School of Law in 2016, and I am thankful for the close collaborations between the Bar and the Law school. The work of the Foundation and the Association are integral to the legal community and to the public’s well-being. It is made possible by all the members, but also by the staff. My appreciation for the current TCBA staff grows with each day. Here’s my two cents about the stellar team: ➢ CAROLINA – the veteran and backbone of the TCBA.

Carolina is the longtime director of LRIS, but more recently she has adopted the title of office piñata creator.

She has more experience at the TCBA then the rest of the staff combined and has an unrivaled memory. Her over 20 years of service to the Bar deserves more kudos than

I can articulate.

➢ ELIZABETH – award winning communications director and chief officer of making the office smell incredible.

Elizabeth makes the Bar look good through the bimonthly bulletin, weekly emails, and signage/programs/anything designed at all events. She is easily the most even keeled in the office, even when balancing countless deadlines. ➢ JEN – administrative assistant and jill-of-all-trades. Jen is the go-to woman and ultimate helper for every event, but you will likely speak to her most as the Attorney ID badge guru. Her willingness and excitement for making other’s jobs easier sets her apart. Stop by her office to see adorable pictures of her pets. ➢ LAURA – bookkeeper and resident motivational speaker.

Laura approaches each day and situation with optimism and excitement. She is patient and thoughtful – unique traits for someone who loves numbers as much as her.

She is a steady source of encouragement and continues to make the team better with her sunny disposition. ➢ LAUREN – fearless membership director, tech wizard, and second wittiest in the office. Lauren tenaciously approaches each task or event. She is insanely well-read and likely has an opinion about your favorite book. Her constant resilience has been instrumental to the success of the staff, as her contributions extend far past her membership fiefdom. ➢ SARAH – pro bono programs director and the most recent addition to our team. Sarah’s enthusiasm for the role,

TCBA team, and Tarrant County community set her apart.

She is intelligent, resourceful, brave, and poised, and on top of all of that, she bakes. Reach out to Sarah and ask how you can volunteer today! ➢ TRACY – office manager and self-appointed Mom of the staff. She ensures we stop for lunch, has a laugh you can hear through the halls, and can somehow do four things at once. She is the director of first impressions here as she answers the phones, door, mail, etc. Tracy has bottomless

It is our goal at the Bar Association to support our members in their legal and professional practice, as well as in their day-to-day lives. We continue to investigate ways to improve your experience as a member, and the benefits we offer you. If I haven’t already, I hope to meet you and learn how the Bar Association can help you and our profession.

STAFF PROFILES

Name: Kayla Dailey Title:Executive Director of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Tarrant County Bar Foundation TCBA Start Date: 08/12/2019 Hobbies: Running and reading – I ran my first (and potentially only) marathon last year.

Standout TCBA memory:

The October 2021 swearing-in ceremony got planned at breakneck speed, because the results came out a month earlier than normal. About 10 minutes after results were released, the staff decided we were going to make it happen. The Justices’ excitement and the staff’s adaptability fueled the event. I won’t soon forget the feeling of seeing the new lawyers and their families celebrate their accomplishments at an event that almost wasn’t.

Name: Carolina Ibarra Title:Lawyer Referral & Information Service Director TCBA Start Date: 05/03/1999 Hobbies: Helping the family make piñatas and traveling

Standout TCBA memories:

Having the opportunity to spend a week in Costa Rica with judges and lawyers in 1999; When the TCBA ladies hit the first piñatas in 2021.

Name: Elizabeth Banda Title:Communications Director TCBA Start Date: 06/21/2017 Hobbies: spending time with my dogs and cat, listening to podcasts, fantasy sports, knitting, self-described news junkie and tech enthusiast

Standout TCBA memory:

The standout memory I have is early 2020 when TCBA’s new website and database launched during the peak of COVID-19. Staff made a cooperative effort learning the new system while working remotely and simultaneously transitioning all events from in-person to virtual. 8 www.tarrantbar.org ▪ MARCH 2022 in a very strong chain. Name: Jennifer Fenaughty Title:Administrative Assistant TCBA Start Date: 11/17/2021 Hobbies: Traveling; studying the paranormal

Standout TCBA memory:

Everyday is a standout memory, as everyday we come together as a team. We laugh together, stress together and celebrate together, all while getting the job done. We are all links

Name: Laura Wiley Title:Bookkeeper TCBA Start Date: 11/22/2021 Hobbies: Baking, spending time with family and reading up on old Texas history.

Standout TCBA memory:

With only being here less than 3 months, my standout memory would be our team Christmas party and getting to know one another. And smashing my first piñata was also fun.

Name: Lauren St. Clair Title:Membership Director TCBA Start Date: 02/18/2020 Hobbies: reading and hanging out with my dog, Barney, who was recently Canine Good Citizen certified!

Standout TCBA memory:

Hands down, the standout memory of my time so far with the TCBA was the October 2021 Swearing-In Ceremony. Bar exam results from the State Bar were released surprisingly early, and the entire staff immediately went to work on planning the event to ensure the recent bar passers were celebrated. We saw a record-turnout of new attorneys along with their families at the event as well as an outpouring of support from the TCBA leadership in attendance and Justices from the Second Court of Appeals. It was an event that I won’t soon forget after hearing the inspiring words from the justices and TCBA leadership as well as witnessing the overwhelming support and emotional moments from the new attorneys and their families.

CONTACT STAFF

kayla@tarrantbar.org carolina@tarrantbar.org elizabeth@tarrantbar.org jennifer@tarrantbar.org laura@tarrantbar.org laurensc@tarrantbar.org sarah@tarrantbar.org tracy@tarrantbar.org

Name: Sarah Hoffman Title:Pro Bono Programs Director TCBA Start Date: 02/08/2022 Hobbies: I enjoy listening to audio books and true crime podcasts, and I also enjoy going to hot yoga classes.

Name: Tracy Card Title:Office Manager TCBA Start Date: 06/15/2021 Hobbies: Spoiling my grandchildren, family and friends

Standout TCBA memory:

It is hard to select just one favorite memory within my short time thus far at the Bar Association. The sense of accomplishment and pride with helping run the Advocates for Justice luncheon followed by a week later with the Law Day Awards luncheon makes me smile and know that as a team we can do anything we set our minds to. Being able to assist with the Swearing-In Ceremony and getting to witness the nervousness and excitement of the new attorney’s as they embark on their new accomplishment as well as the pride found on their families faces as they watched their family member achieved their goals was such a feeling of success. Getting to break our COVID piñata last fall was a fun team building experience that makes me laugh. All of these reassure me in knowing that I have found the right fit for my career path and being able to be part of this great group! I look forward to 2022 and getting to see what great things lie ahead of us all.

Report of the 2021–2022 Election Committee

Pursuant to Article 9 of the Bylaws of the Tarrant County Bar Association and upon approval of a majority of the Board of Directors, the 2021–2022 Election Committee presents the following nominations to be placed on the 2022–2023 Election Ballot.