Bulletin November 2016
National Adoption Day Friday, November 18, 2016 8:30am Tarrant County Family Law Center 200 East Weatherford Street Fort Worth, 76196 g
More information on page 24
President’s
Page
A
Fall Activities are Underway
s this message is written in early October, I am thankful for the slightly cooler temperatures that we are now experiencing, that the Texas Rangers are again in the major league baseball playoffs, that the Dallas Cowboys are doing by Robert G. West well so far, and that the political campaigning is nearing an end so that the actual voting can be completed in early November and we can all get on with our lives! I admit that I am a political junkie–I love to watch the political debates and I enjoy reading or hearing the latest news reports on who is ahead in the polls, although I understand very well that poll results, bumper stickers, yard signs, and social media posts do not count as votes. The 2016 Presidential campaign has been particularly entertaining, and I personally expect that the last minute campaigning will get even more entertaining before the election is over. I hope that the voters will cast their ballots in a way that the winners and losers are clear at the end of election day and that we do not need lawsuits to determine the results of the election. Let me also mention that from my perspective as a transaction attorney, I have been pleased to see that my clients have not stopped or slowed their activities for this election, and that those clients are still aggressively pursuing their contracts and their closings without any pause. Most of my clients seem to want to get their deals completed before the end of the year in order to avoid whatever unknown changes may come in 2017 from having a new President or new court opinions on controversial issues or new legislative directions. As I stated at the end of my President’s Page message last month, whatever your political leaning may be, I encourage you to study the candidates and issues and to exercise your priceless right to vote. Voting is always more important than complaining! The Tarrant County Bar Association has many activities underway this fall. The Sections of the TCBA are
holding their periodic CLE luncheons and their networking mixers. I am particularly pleased to see the trend of sections cooperating together with joint events, which allows the attorneys to meet and interact with more people at one event. The November membership luncheon will be on Monday, November 7, at the City Club, with Talmage Boston providing the presentation. A bio on the speaker and his interesting topic can be found on page 8 in this issue of the Bar Bulletin. For your planning in future months, please place on your calendar Thursday evening, December 8, as the annual TCBA Holiday Party at the Bar Building. The Holiday Committee, under the guidance of Chair Julie Sladek and ChairElect Dana Manry, has been meeting for several months to plan this event, which will include great fun, food, games, and chatting, plus a number of nice door prizes. Between now and then be watching for stuffed bears and other stuffed friends (this excludes a few lawyers I know) to bring to the Holiday Party as your entry fee; those cuddly items will be used for National Adoption Day and in Family Court cases, and are always greatly appreciated by the children who receive them and by their families. For longer-range planning, please note now on your calendar and plan to attend the weekend of Friday, April 28, through Sunday, April 30, 2017, as the annual TCBA Bench Bar Conference, to be held again this year at the Hilton Rockwall Lakefront Resort on the east shore of Lake Ray Hubbard, only 45 minutes from downtown Fort Worth. The Bench Bar Committee under the leadership of Chair Leslie Barrows and Chair-Elect Kimberly Stoner-Brock also has been working for several months to plan this event to be the best Bench Bar Conference ever! I am trying to attend as many of the TCBA meetings and events as I am able, but there are simply too many opportunities available to be at everything. If I have not yet met you in person and you have a great idea to improve the TCBA, please take the initiative to contact me or one of the other current officers or directors of the TCBA. g
Bob West
November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 1
Tarrant County Bar Association
Contents
Features 3 Advocates for Justice 4 Golf Tournament 24 National Adoption Day Departments 1 President's Page 7 Calendar of Events 8 LegalLine 9 100 Club 10 YLA Snapshot 11 Membership Report 11 Benefits of Membership & Vendor List 13 Judicial Profile Judge Molly Jones 14 Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services 15 Lawyer Referral & Information Service News 16 Snippets 19 Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans 21 Other Association's News & Information 22 In Memoriam Jeffrey R. McCombs & C. Harold Brown 24 Lawyers on the Move & in the News
817.338.4092 ▪ Fax 817.335.9238 website: www.tarrantbar.org email: tcba@tarrantbar.org
8 15
Directors
Term Ends 2017
Tawana Gray Gary L. Medlin Jason C. N. Smith Term Ends 2018
Cody L. Cofer Veronica C. Law Lu Pham
2016-2017 Appointed Directors Raul A. Canez Julie A. Sladek
Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association President 2016 Fall
26
Advertiser's Index Alfred Santos.................................................................17 Bailey & Galyen...........................................10, 14, 20, 28 Deborah Adame...........................................................15 Falcon Document Solutions........................................6 Fort Worth JSB...............................................................27 JurisFabrilis...................................................................15 KoonsFuller.......................................Inside Front Cover Law Office of Jason Smith.........................................25 Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C............................18 LawPay...................................................................28 LexisNexis..........................................Inside Back Cover McGrath Mediations....................................Back Cover Parker Law Firm.............................................................12 Stephens Anderson & Cummings............................25 Texas Lawyers' Insurance Exchange.......................21 The Collie Firm..............................................................25 Tindall Square Office Complex................................21
2 www.tarrantbar.org ▪ November 2016
2016-2017 Officers President...............................Robert G. West President-Elect....................Nick Bettinger Vice President...........................Lance Evans Secretary-Treasurer...................John Cayce
Susan Smith 2017 Spring
Tennessee Walker
Immediate Past President David E. Keltner
Executive Director Patricia Graham, PLS, CLAS
Ex-Officio Members State Bar of Texas, Directors Gary L. Nickelson Curtis Pritchard ABA Delegate Janna Clarke
Bar Bulletin John F. Murphy Editor H. Dennis Kelly Assistant Editor April Holland Staff Editor/Graphics/Production The Tarrant County Bar Bulletin is a monthly publication of the Tarrant County Bar Association. Articles, photos, suggestions or comments should be directed to: april@tarrantbar.org 1315 Calhoun Street ▪ Fort Worth, TX 76102-6504 Deadline for submission is the 20th day of the month, two months prior the date of the issue (e.g. March 20 for the May issue). Items for publication may be emailed to april@tarrantbar.org in Word format. Articles published in the Bar Bulletin do not necessarily re�lect the opinions of the Tarrant County Bar Association, its of�icers, or the Board of Directors. Advertisements, and feature articles should not be considered an endorsement of any service, product, program, seminar or event.
Tarrant County Bar Foundation
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Champion of Justice
Texas A&M University School of Law
Guardian of Justice Cantey Hanger LLP Frost Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP KoonsFuller, P.C.
Patron of Justice
Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. McDonald Sanders, P.C. Waldron Companies Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC
Supporter of Justice
The Barrows Firm, P.C. Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Mattie Peterson Compton Haynes and Boone, L.L.P. David & Heather Poole Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP Patti Gearhart Turner Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Sharen Wilson
Donations
John B. McClane
November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 3
Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association and Tarrant County Bar Association
A
1st Place
2nd Place
s they say, the worst day of golf beats the best day of work. That motto rang true on Monday, September 26, 2016, as 25 teams from Tarrant County teed off at Mira Vista Country Club for the annual Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association/Tarrant County Bar Association Golf Tournament. The weather was amazing, the golf . . . well, it beat being at work. This was another successful golf tournament. We were able to raise $8,400 for the Tarrant County Bar Foundation. This money supports the Foundation’s fellowship program with Texas A&M University School of Law. Through the golf hole sponsorships, law students will receive a stipend for tuition and costs while working for the Bar Foundation’s pro bono programs. In addition, we partnered up with Tarrant County National Adoption Day and collected 50 stuffed animals that will be given to children at the National Adoption Day ceremony. We gave awards to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams and the Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin winners: 1st Place Team of Martin Garcia, Spencer Nilsson, Jeff Johnson, and Ryan Heath 2nd Place Team of Jeff Sanford, Mike Wurtz, Tom Carr, and Buddy Brock
3rd Place 3rd Place Team of Tennessee Walker, Cody Cofer, Brian Grossman, and Taylor Ferguson Closes to the Pin Rob McEwan Longest Drive Judge Jeffrey Cureton
We again would like to thank our sponsors, which are listed on the next page. Without you, we couldn’t have had as successful a tournament as we did. Also, special thanks to Trisha Graham, Sandy Tilley, April Holland, Megan Cooley and the TCBA staff, Blair Park (Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C.), Courtney Harbaugh & Dawn King (Law Firm of Diane Wanger), and Courtney Key & Katherine Adams (Texas A&M University School of Law – Career Services) for volunteering their time and talents for the tournament. Also, special thanks to David Barbarena of Falcon Document Solutions for donating the on-course signage. For those of you that didn’t play so well this year, we leave you with the inspirational words of The King – the late Arnold Palmer: “I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone’s game: It’s called an eraser.” Grip it and rip it - Clark Rucker & Adam Simmons, Co-Chairs. g
Closest to the Hole
Longest Drive
Thank you to Falcon Document Solutions for donating the on-course signage
Thank You Sponsors Banquet Sponsors
Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Dispute Resolution Services of North Texas Inc. Gardner & Smith PLLC Hutchison & Stoy PLLC Lone Star Ag Credit Parker Law Firm
Golf Hole Sponsors
Baker Monroe, PLLC Brown, Dean, Proctor & Howell LLP Decker Jones, P.C. Dispute Resolution Services of North Texas Inc. Drago4Judge - 348th District Court Findlaw, Part of Thomson Reuters Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. KoonsFuller Family Law McDonald Sanders, PC Patterson Law Group Principal Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. Stephens, Anderson & Cummings Supporters of Pro Bono - Trisha Graham & Aleed Rivera Texas A&M University School of Law The Barrows Firm PC & JurisFabrilis The First Tee of Fort Worth White Rhino Financial
Closest to the Hole Sponsor
Veritext Legal Solutions
Longest Drive Sponsor
Morrison Investigations
Cooler Sponsor
Circelli, Walter & Young, PLLC
Calendar ofEvents November 2016 7 9 9 10 11 15 15 16 17 17 17 18 24 25 29 29
CLE Membership Luncheon 11:45am, City Club, Speaker: Talmage Boston Corporate Counsel Section Luncheon 12pm, City Club Women Attorneys Section Bar Passers Reception 5:30pm - 7pm, Times Ten Cellars LegalLine 6pm - 8pm, TCBA Office Brown Bag Seminar "Real Estate" 12pm - 4pm, TCBA Office Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon 11:30am, Petroleum Club Real Estate Section Luncheon 12pm, City Club Transition to Practice Luncheon 12pm, TCBA Office Fort Worth Business & Estate Section Luncheon 11:30am, City Club Construction Law Section Luncheon 12pm, TCBA Office Elder Law Committee Meeting 12pm, TCBA Office National Adoption Day 8:30am, Tarrant County Family Law Center Thanksgiving Holiday Office Closed Thanksgiving Holiday Office Closed Last Tuesday CLE 1pm - 4pm, TCBA Office Solo & Small Firms Section Mixer 5pm - 7pm, Law Offices of Nancy A. Gordon, P.C.
December 2016 5 6 8 8 9 13 14 15 23 26
Bankruptcy Section Christmas Luncheon 12pm, Fort Worth Club Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon 11:30am, Petroleum Club Energy Law Section Luncheon 12pm, Petroleum Club Holiday Party 5pm - 7pm, TCBA Office Women Attorneys Section Holiday Luncheon 11am, City Club Last Tuesday CLE 1pm - 4pm, TCBA Office International & Immigration Law Section Luncheon 12pm, TCBA Office Construction Law Section Luncheon 12pm, TCBA Office Christmas Holiday Office Closed Christmas Holiday Office Closed
You can also visit our website for a list of upcoming events. www.tarrantbar.org
Holiday Party Santa's Workshop Thursday, December 8, 2016 5:00pm - 7:00pm TCBA Bar Center
Fun, Games, Photo Booth, Door Prizes, Drinks, Food and More. Bring your donation of stuffed animals or make a monetary contribution.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Bank of Texas
La Hacienda Treatment Center Merrill Lynch
Mike Schneider Thomson Reuters
Rodeo Gathering January 12, 2017
50 Year Lawyers February 7, 2017
Women in the Law February 28, 2017
March 25, 2017
Bench Bar COnference XXIV April 28-30, 2017
November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 7
CLE Membership Luncheon Monday, November 7 g City Club g 11:45am Keynote Speaker: Talmage Boston
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almage Boston has practiced law as a commercial trial and appellate litigator in Dallas, Texas, since 1978. He has been board certified in Civil Trial Law since 1988, as well as board certified in Civil Appellate Law since 1990, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Since 1997, he’s been a shareholder at Winstead PC. He has been recognized in Texas Monthly as a “Texas Super Lawyer” every year since 2003. He has also been recognized among the “Best Lawyers in America,” and “Top 100 Attorneys in Dallas/Fort Worth Region.” A leader of both the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association, Talmage has served as a State Bar of Texas director, as well as chair of the State Bar Litigation Section, Council of Chairs, and Annual Meeting Planning Committee. He has also served as the Dallas Bar Association advisory director and chair of the Dallas Bar’s Business Litigation Section. For his service, he received Presidential Citations from State Bar of Texas presidents every year from 2005 to 2011,
and from the Dallas Bar Association president in 2009. In addition to maintaining his full-time law practice, Talmage has written several books including Raising the Bar: The Crucial Role of the Lawyer in Society (TexasBarBooks 2012). Talmage has also written two critically acclaimed baseball history books, 1939: Baseball’s Tipping Point (foreword by John Grisham, Bright Sky Press, 2005) and Baseball and the Baby Boomer (foreword by Frank DeFord, Bright Sky Press, 2009). In September of this year, the edited transcripts of Talmage’s onstage interviews with some of the country’s most prominent presidential historians and presidential insiders was released as a TALMAGE BOSTON book entitled Cross-Examining History: A Lawyer Gets Answers From the Experts About Our Presidents (forward by Ken Burns, Bright Sky Press, 2016). Barnes & Noble will be selling this book on site. Talmage and his wife Claire live in Dallas, Texas, and have a son and a daughter. g
LegalLine Thank You Thank you to Martinez Hsu, P.C. for sponsoring the food for LegalLine on September 8.
8 www.tarrantbar.org ▪ November 2016
foreword by
KEN BURNS
817.335.1239
Please make note that the last LegalLine for 2016 will be on November 10 and will start back up again on January 12, 2017.
Members of the 2016-2017
100 Club
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, L.L.P. Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, PC Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Broude Smith & Jennings PC Brown, Dean, Wiseman, Proctor, Hart & Howell LLP Brown Pruitt Wambsganss Ferrill & Dean, P.C. Bruner & Pappas LLP Cantey Hanger LLP City Attorney's Office-City of Fort Worth Cook Children’s Health Care System Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P. Dawson Parrish, PC Dowell, Pham & Harrison, LLP Edison, McDowell & Hetherington, LLP Forshey & Prostok, L.L.P. Friedman, Suder & Cooke Gordon & Sykes, LLP Griffith, Jay & Michel, LLP Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. Haynes and Boone, L.L.P. Holland Johns & Penny LLP Jackson Walker, L.L.P. Jim Ross & Associates Joshua Graham & Associates, PLLC Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
Lacy Lyster Malone & Steppick, PLLC Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C. Lively & Associates, LLP Loe, Warren, Rosenfield, Kaitcer, Hibbs, Windsor, Lawrence & Wolffarth, PC McDonald Sanders Law Firm Mellina & Larson, P.C. Moses, Palmer & Howell, L.L.P. Murphy Mahon Keffler Farrier, LLP Naman Howell Smith & Lee, PLLC Noteboom Law Firm Padfield & Stout, LLP Paup, Shutt & Associates, P.C. Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly & Ray, L.L.P. Second Court of Appeals Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP Stephens, Anderson & Cummings Tarrant County CDA's Office Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, L.L.P. The Berenson Firm P.C. The Blum Firm, P.C. Thompson & Knight, LLP Underwood Law Firm Varghese Summersett, PLLC Wallach & Andrews, P.C. Watson Caraway Midkiff & Luningham L.L.P Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC Wick Phillips Winstead PC The Wolf Law Firm, 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 attorneys and attains 100% TCBA membership compliance for the 2016-2017 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/or-
ganization 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 Sandy Tilley at 817.338.4092 or email her at sandy@tarrantbar.org. g
YLA
Snapshot
Susan Smith, President TCYLA
H
appy Fall everyone! As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I cannot help but count TCYLA’s blessings. In September, the joint golf tournament between TCBA and TCYLA raised approximately $8,400 for the Tarrant County Bar Foundation with money left over to help TCYLA provide our members with future programming and events. Our “Fall Fete” in September was also a huge success at a new location, Bird Café. In October, TCYLA helped sponsor the guardianship seminar put on by Tarrant County
10 www.tarrantbar.org ▪ November 2016
Volunteer Services (“TVAS”). If you were not able to attend the seminar, a video recording will be available soon through the Tarrant County Bar Association office. Our members have also thoroughly enjoyed participating in the new “Professional Identity” course at Texas A&M School of Law, which is designed to help first-year law students gain insight into professional character development issues. This program gives all firstyear students a quick glimpse into scenarios in which we have all found ourselves at one point or another, including ethical dilemmas, professional decision-making, and other abstract concepts not usually found in a textbook. The feedback from both students and attorneys has been overwhelmingly positive, and TCYLA looks forward to partnering with the TAMU School of Law in the coming years! g
Membership Report
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hank you to all of our members who have renewed their memberships with us! It’s going to be a great year! Please check out our calendar on the TCBA website to see what we have going on in the next few months. (Santa will be visiting in just a few short weeks, and if you want to stay off his naughty list, you will definitely want to join us in his workshop at the Holiday Party). If you have any questions regarding your membership, please contact Sandy Tilley at the bar office or e-mail her at sandy@tarrantbar.org. g
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Benefits of Membership
hy be a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association? Besides wonderful networking opportunities and camaraderie in the legal community, membership has other benefits such as: 1. The TCBA has eighteen Substantive Law Sections offering CLE and networking with members interested in the same areas of law. 2. Reduced rates on CLE (Brown Bags, Luncheons, Section Meetings, Last Tuesday CLE). 3. Reduced rates on room rental at the TCBA Bar Center. 4. Monthly Bar Bulletin (by email or mail) and updates on upcoming events by e-mail. 5. Community Service Opportunities through the Foundation: LegalLine, Texas Lawyers for Texas VeteransTarrant County Chapter, Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services; and through community service committees: People’s Law School, Annual Food Drive, Blood Drive, Elder Law Committee, and others. 6. Reduced rates on advertising in the Bar Bulletin and on the TCBA website. 7. Mentoring or being mentored through the Transition to Practice program. 8. Reduced rates on office supplies, UPS, shredding documents, the Fort Worth Zoo, and more. 9. The all-important fun networking opportunities. So the next time someone asks you why join the TCBA, please let them know. We thank you for your continued membership. This Bar Association is great because of its members like YOU! If you have any questions regarding your membership, please contact Sandy at the bar office at 817.338.4092 or by email at sandy@tarrantbar.org. g
Welcome to Our New Members Attorneys Ashley Basnet B. Adam Drawhorn Jim Eggleston, Jr. Caitlyn Hubbard Garrett Blake Jackson Scott Larson Christy Lee Caitlin Neal Nirav Patel Manuel Ramos Lynn Rodriguez Jill Setzer Eric Swanson
Jared Wilkinson Zachary Wright Students Taylor Allan Stuart Campbell Zachary Ford Andrew Goodwyn Kristen Hill Paola Munoz Jessica Nguyen Denise Rosales Katie Stallcup Marilyn Wells
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 - $9.50 adult, $6.50 for child or senior. For tickets, contact sandy@tarrantbar.org or 817.338.4092. If mailing or charging tickets, add 50 cents. Texas Rangers Baseball discount tickets are available by going to www.texasrangers.com/tickets, selecting a game and entering the coupon code. Contact Sherry Jones for the coupon code by email at sherry@tarrantbar.org. 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 document-destruction service offering 40% off to TCBA members. Call the TCBA office for details. g
November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 11
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Changing your perception of personal injury lawyers. 2317 Plaza Parkway, Suite 100, Bedford, Texas 76021 Call me
O: 817.503.9200 C: 817.925.2272
JudicialProfile Judge Molly Jones
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udge Molly Jones Wood is in her seventeenth year as Judge of County Criminal Court Number 6. She has never faced an opponent in either the primary or general election during her entire service on the bench. Judge Jones was born in Corpus Christi and grew up in Harlingen, Texas. She came from a professional background as her mother was a pharmacist and her father was an attorney who practiced as a land man in the oil and gas industry. After graduating from Harlingen High School one year early, she chose Texas A&M for her undergraduate education because she was drawn to the camaraderie amongst students at the college and her father was an Aggie. She majored in English because she enjoyed writing and literature. After graduation in 1977, she once again followed her father’s footsteps by attending South Texas College of Law. Several professors during law school made impressions on her such as Gerald Treece who taught torts and Dr. Blood who taught wills and estates with his own textbook, “Blood on Wills.” One professor, Eugene Jones, was one of the “killer bees” who left Texas during a controversial legislative battle over redistricting. She recalled the first time he called on her in class. With her English and literary background, she took copious notes and recited the case at length. The professor responded, “do you have a writer’s cramp from writing all that down?” During law school, she was intrigued by and drawn to criminal law but her family and family friends who were attorneys convinced her that civil law was the way to go. During law school, she clerked for the firm of Hebinck and Associates in Houston and decided she would enjoy being a civil trial attorney. After graduation from law school in 1980, and taking the February 1981, bar she was offered a job with the firm of Coneway and Curtiss in her hometown of Harlingen at a salary that she could not turn down. One year later, she chose to return to Houston to work again for Hebinck and Associates. There she decided that she “wanted to be the world’s greatest civil trial lawyer.” Long hours in the law
by Perry J. Cockerell
library and limited appearances in court convinced her that she would be happier practicing criminal law and being in the courtroom more often. In 1982, when the recession hit the Houston market, she moved to Arlington to take a job with the City Attorney’s office in Dallas. Much of her practice was in the Dallas Municipal Court where she had to report to court by 8 am. One municipal judge threw attorneys in jail if they did not appear in court on time. After working in Dallas, she decided that she no longer needed a hectic and sometimes long commute with 8 am court appearances, she accepted a position with the City Attorney’s Office in Fort Worth. Wade Atkins was the City Attorney at that time. She held that position for two years before being appointed as Municipal Judge in 1986. Three years later in 1989 she became the Chief Municipal Judge, a position she would hold for one year. In 1990, she was appointed Tarrant County felony magistrate by the six felony court judges. The magistrates assist the judge in trying cases from the beginning by setting bail, conducting arraignments and voir dire. She held that position for the next eight years. In 1998, she decided to run for the County Criminal Court Number 6 after Judge Rufus Adcock announced that he would not seek reelection. She drew one opponent in the Republican primary who later decided to withdraw from the election prior to the primary and seek another court. She was sworn in in January 1999 and has held her judicial seat since then without opposition. “I’ve been blessed. I’ve really been blessed.” During her tenure on the bench, some notable professionals have appeared as jurors in her court. Terry Bradshaw, the former Pittsburgh Steeler, when he lived in Tarrant County, was the presiding juror on one of her criminal trials. The trial lasted two days. Bradshaw never left the building for lunch and cancelled a television commercial contract to fulfill his jury service. At the end of the trial he gave the judge a letter that read, “Dear Judge Molly, I want to thank you for a great two days in your court. Where is my $12? Terry Bradshaw.” While serving as Chief Justice of the Second Court of Appeals, the Honorable John Cayce served as presiding juror during one of her trials. He gave her one of his coffee mugs with a note: “Thank you for the opportunity to serve as a juror in your court. You are an outstanding Judge and I am proud to call you a colleague." For the past eleven years, Judge Jones has been married to Fort Worth criminal defense attorney Jerry Wood. They knew each other for years as friends before they married Continued on page 23
November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 13
Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services
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TVAS Holds Guardianship CLE with Probate Court #1
VAS held a guardianship CLE on October 26, 2016 that included a presentation by Judge King on the Role of the Ad Litem and other topics pertaining to serving as an ad litem in a guardianship proceeding. The CLE was sponsored by Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association and was free to TCYLA members and TVAS volunteers. The CLE provides sufficient credit for ad litem certification through the State Bar of Texas. It will be available for viewing at the Tarrant County Bar Association.
Save the Date: Free Family Law CLE TVAS is holding a free CLE in connection with its uncontested divorce clinic on November 17 from 3:00 p.m.
14 www.tarrantbar.org â–Ş November 2016
to 5:00 p.m. The CLE will cover the basics of filing an uncontested divorce and will offer 2.0 hours of participatory CLE credit. The CLE is free for TVAS volunteers and TCBA members. Participation in the CLE is not contingent on taking a pro bono case with TVAS. To register, contact Megan Cooley at megan@tarrantbar.org.
TVAS Needs Volunteers for its Uncontested Divorce Clinic TVAS will hold an uncontested divorce clinic with Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas on Tuesday, December 6, at 5:00 p.m. at the Tarrant County Bar Association. Volunteer attorneys are needed to accept income eligible cases for representation. Volunteers will meet with their clients at the clinic and have the opportunity to finalize and file their divorce pleadings. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Megan Cooley at megan@tarrantbar.org. g
T
hank you to all those who made a difference on North Texas Giving Day by donating to the Tarrant County Bar Foundation. We can't do it without you. Congratulations to the law firm of Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC and to all its members for being the largest supporter.
Lawyer Referral & Information Service
News
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he Lawyer Referral & Information Service would like to thank our LRIS attorneys who make it all possible with their referral fees: Shmyla Alam Jason Amon Monty Buhrow Courtney Burns Neal Callaway Andrea Casanova Bill Catterton Danielle Dulaney Todd Durden
Lacie Friday Earl Hargrave An Lee Hsu Breanne Lilley Dustin Lee Mansfield & Mansfield, PC Michael Martinez Michael Remme Amanda Rodriguez
Thank you to the LRIS staff, Carolina Ibarra and Brittany Gilbert, for all of your hard work and dedication to making this department run as smoothly as it does! g
November 2016 â–Ş TCBA BULLETIN 15
Snippets
Civil and Criminal by Judge Bob McCoy
WHO’S THAT STREET NAMED AFTER?
Short Street—William Short was a prominent lawyer with the firm Cantey, Hanger & Short. He joined the firm around 1900. He also was President of the Fort Worth School District for a number of years. —From Werner Magnus, Who Was Hulen? An Attempt to Find the Origins of Street Names in Fort Worth.
ASK JUDGE BOB
Judge Bob, what is an “adulterant or dilutant?" It is “any material that increases the bulk or quantity of a controlled substance, regardless of its effect on the chemical activity of the controlled substance.” Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.002(49).
MOSES’ AND RAMSES’ MONTHLY PARAPROSDAKIAN Moses
Ramses
(a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous) If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.
THE DANES’ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Once in a great while . . . the right person is fortunate enough to get the right dog, to have the time to take care of it, to connect with it in a profound way.” —Jon Katz, A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs and Me
CRIMINAL ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Obstructing Justice
“There is no requirement that the title of the investigation and evidence that was destroyed or concealed match.” Rabb v. State, 483 S.W.3d 16 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016).
2. Credit for Time Served
“The proper remedy to correct a judgment that incorrectly omitted credit for pre-sentence jail time is through a judgment nunc pro tunc and, if necessary, a writ of mandamus.” Ex parte Molina, 483 S.W.3d 24 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016).
3. Aggravated Assault
“Serious bodily injury may be established without a physi-
16 www.tarrantbar.org ▪ November 2016
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Co-Editor Lin Morrisett Associate Judge Probate Court No.2
County Criminal Court No. 3
cian’s testimony when the injury and its effects are obvious.” Ex parte Torres, 483 S.W.3d 35 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016)
4. Adulterants and Dilutants
“The State is not required to determine the amount of controlled substance and adulterant or dilutant that constitute the mixture. Instead, the State only has to prove that the aggregate weight of the controlled substance mixture, including any adulterants and dilutants, equals the alleged minimum weight.” Jackson v. State, 483 S.W.3d 78 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015).
5. Larceny
“When the owner of the property is testifying as to the value of the property, he or she may testify as to his or her opinion or estimate of the value of the property in general and commonly understood terms. . . . Because such testimony is an offer of the owner’s best knowledge of the value of his property, it is legally sufficient evidence for the trier of fact to make a determination as to value based on the owner’s credibility as a witness.” Lieber v. State, 483 S.W.3d 175 (Tex. App.— San Antonio 2015).
6. Confession and Avoidance
“If the defensive evidence does no more than attempt to negate an element of the offense, a defendant is not entitled to a defensive instruction on any defense that is subject to the doctrine of confession and avoidance. An instruction on a confession and avoidance is appropriate only when the defendant’s defensive evidence essentially admits to every element of the offense including the culpable mental state, but interposes the justification to excuse the otherwise criminal conduct.” Brown v. State, 483 S.W.3d 183 (Tex. App.—Austin 2015).
7. Miranda Warnings
“The failure to give timely Miranda warnings generally results in the State’s being required to forfeit the use of any statement obtained during that interrogation. Error in admitting an appellant’s statement is not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt if there is a reasonable likelihood that the error materially affected the jury’s deliberations.” Valencia v. State, 484 S.W.3d 238 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2016).
8. Theft
“It is well settled that the intent to commit theft may be inferred from the circumstances.” Stewart v. State, 484 S.W.3d 245 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2016).
CIVIL ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Civil Rights Claims
“A [Tex. Lab. Code Ann.] Chapter 21 claimant’s lawsuit, however, is limited to claims that were included in the administrative charge and to factually related claims that could reasonably be expected to grow out of the agency’s investigation of the claims stated in the charge. We liberally construe the administrative charge to determine whether it contains an adequate factual basis to put the employer on notice of the existence and nature of the charges. We may not construe the charge to include facts that the employee initially omitted.” Yeh v. Chesloff, 483 S.W.3d 108, 118 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2016).
2. New Trial
“In a mandamus proceeding, we may not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court. But neither may the trial court substitute its judgment for that of the jury in granting a new trial. The method for ensuring that the trial court does not substitute its judgment for that of the jury, is [for the appellate court] to confirm that the court’s reasons for granting a new trial are valid and correct, i.e., supported by the trial record.” In re State Farm Mut. Auto Ins., 483 S.W.3d 249, 262 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2016).
3. Easement by Necessity
“Whether a property owner is entitled to an easement by necessity is a question of law, although underlying factual issues may need to be resolved in order to reach the legal question.” Staley Family P’ship, v. Stiles, 483 S.W.3d 545, 548 (Tex. 2016).
6. No Tortious Interference with Inheritance
“In short, we agree with the Amarillo Court of Appeals that ‘neither this Court, the courts in Valdez, Clark, and Russell, nor the trial court below can legitimately recognize, in the first instance, a cause of action for tortiously interfering with one’s inheritance.’” Anderson v. Archer, 490 S.W.3d 175, 177 (Tex. App.—Austin 2016).
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true. —Robert Wilensky
LEGAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Good counsellors lack no clients. —William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
OLD NEWS
The year is 1912. Harry Brearly is trying to harden steel for rifle barrels so that the rifling does not wear out. He adds about 12% Chromium to his steel formula. It does not significantly harden the steel, so he adds it to his pile of failures. Months later, he sees that this particular sample has retained its luster while the others have all rusted. He approaches a friend Ernest Stuart, who, following an experiment provides the new alloy with its name: “Stainless Steel.” http://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2012/1005/The20-most-fascinating-accidental-inventions/Stainless-steel (June 29, 2016). g
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4. Same Type and Duration
“The ‘same type and duration’ means ‘the same amount of time.’ A trial court abuses its discretion under [Tex. Fam. Code] section 157.168 by awarding make-up time that is greater than those periods for which possession or access was denied.” In re Braden, 483 S.W.3d 659, 666 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2015).
Tarrant County Bar Association - Fort Worth Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans - Tarrant County Chapter
5. Forcible Detainer
“The sole issue in a forcible detainer suit is who has the right to immediate possession of the premises. Without a landlord-tenant relationship, a justice court cannot determine the issue of immediate possession without first determining who has title to the property. . . . . [A]n action for forcible detainer requires evidence of a landlord-tenant relationship because the lack of such evidence would necessarily require a determination of who has title to the property.” Goodman-Delany v. Grantham, 484 S.W.3d 171, 174 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2015).
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November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 17
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans
Tarrant County Chapter News from TLTV
T
TLTV Holds October Clinic at TCC South Campus
exas Lawyers for Texas Veterans – Tarrant County Chapter (TLTV) held its October legal clinics at Tarrant County College’s South Campus. TLTV thanks Naman Howell Smith & Lee, PLLC for its generous sponsorship of the clinic.
TLTV thanks the many volunteers who work together to provide legal assistance to veterans in the community.
November 11. The week will include events intended to promote pro bono efforts and legal aid assistance to veterans, including legal clinics, intake, legal informational workshops, and seminars. Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans – Tarrant County Chapter (TLTV) will participate in several events during Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week. It will also host its final monthly legal clinic for the year on November 18, 2016, at the VA Outpatient Facility in Fort Worth. Events occurring during TVLAW include: • 2016 Veterans Law Seminar at Texas A&M University School of Law on November 9, 2016, (Lecture Hall, 2nd Floor). The seminar will offer 6.5 MCLE (including .50 ethics) and cover topics like non-disclosures, military divorces, social security, employment law, and a veteran benefits overview. • A Veterans Day Legal Clinic at Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (November 11, 2016). Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is at 600 E. Weatherford Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Appointments for the clinic are available on a walk-in basis. g
Mark Your Calendar for the Next TLTV Clinic
November 18, 2016 Veterans Affairs Outpatient Facility 2201 SE Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76119
Thanks for Taking a Case Thanks to the following volunteer attorneys for taking a veteran’s pro bono case:
Marvin Champlin (Champlin Law) is assisting a veteran with a probate matter.
November Brings Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW) is a week-long, statewide campaign brought by Texas Access to Justice Foundation that centers on Veterans Day, Friday,
Ridge Dickey (H Eldridge Dickey LLC) is assisting a veteran from the September clinic with a probate matter. Zoe Meigs (The Law Office of Zoe Meigs, P.C.) is helping TLTV assist a veteran in a family law matter.
November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 19
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Other Associations’
News & Information
Arlington Bar Association Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. President, Ruth Lane. For location & information, email arlingtonbarassociation@yahoo. com or call 214.651.5622. 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 Albert Roberts by email at mr.albert.roberts@ gmail.com. MABA (Mexican American Bar Association) Meets on the last Thursday of each month at Rivas Mexican Restaurant, 5442 River Oaks Blvd., River Oaks, 76114. 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 Fred Howey at 817.835.0555 or fred.howey@howeylaw.com. Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCCDLA) Meets every 2nd Thursday at Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N. Commerce. For more information, contact President Brad Shaw at 817.237.1254 or bshawesq@sbcglobal.net. Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association Meets at noon on the 4th Tuesday of each month at the Family Law Center Assembly Room on the 2nd floor. For more information, contact president Kevin Schmid, 817.377.3000 or lawschmid@aol.com. Tarrant County Probate Bar Association Meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at the Petroleum Clubmembers free, guests $30. For more information, contact Lara Aman at 817.390.6040 or lara.fernandes@ustrust.com. Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association Meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Joe T. Garcia’s. For more information, contact Mark Anderson at 817.294.1900. Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association The 2016-2017 new TCYLA Year began September 1, 2016. If you need an application or meeting information, call 817.338.4092, email sandy@tarrantbar.org, or go to the website at tcyla.org.
Andy Cantiello, Underwriter
@TLIE_
facebook.com/TLIE01
Texas Association of Defense Council Meets for lunch every 4th Wednesday at Angelo’s. Contact George Haratsis, McDonald Sanders at 817.336.8651 for more information.
November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 21
In
Memoriam
Jerey Raymond McCombs
J
effrey Raymond McCombs, age 48, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, of a sudden heart attack. Although he died young, he lived a full life, packed with experience and wisdom many only dream of attaining. Jeffrey graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1985, then entered the United States Army, where he served in the 51st Chemical Company. He was a self-taught, skilled guitarist, who toured the state of Texas and beyond with loyal and caring band-mates. When Jeffrey decided a career in music was too grueling a life, he went to college at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a partial baseball scholarship for his pitching ability. After graduating with a degree in Philosophy, Jeffrey began his studies at Texas Tech Uni-
versity School of Law. Jeffrey was admitted to the Texas Bar in May of 1998. He was a named partner and was with Henderson, Smith and McCombs until 2007, when he opened up his own law firm. Jeffrey was also admitted to the New Mexico Bar, where he made the high score on the Bar Exam. In his personal life, Jeffrey traveled extensively, enjoying trips throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia. He was a trained gourmet chef who enjoyed displaying his talent for fusing different cuisines to his friends and family. To pair with his cooking, Jeffrey celebrated fine beer and wine from all regions of the world, but had a particular soft spot for French wines, earning him the nickname "Froggy." He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald McCombs and Linda Fields. Survivors: Jeffrey is survived by loving friends from all over the world who consider him a member of their families; his loving wife, Eileen Grimm McCombs; his stepmother, Bonnie Vick; step-father, Jeff Fields; his sisters, Melinda Dieringer and Rhonda McCombs; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. g
Obituary taken from the Fort Worth Star Telegram
C. Harold Brown
C
. Harold Brown, a Fort Worth civic leader and founder of Brown Pruitt Wambsganss Ferrill & Dean Law Firm, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. Mr. Brown was 85. Memorials: Consideration of contributions to Rials Creek United Methodist Church, 185 Rials Creek Rd, Mendenhall, Miss. 39114, in his memory, is suggested. Born in rural Mendenhall, Miss. on July 28, 1931, Harold was the son of Claud Solomon and Mildred Bush Brown. After the end of World War II, Brown moved with his parents to Memphis, Tenn., graduating from Central High School in 1951. As a stand-out athlete in high school, he set the Tennessee state record in the 100-meter hurdles and was elected captain of the track team. Brown also played football,
22 www.tarrantbar.org â–Ş November 2016
where his team won the state championship his senior year, and he was awarded first team All-City, first team All-State and first team All-American honors, as a two-way starter both as an offensive and defensive end. He accepted a football scholarship to Vanderbilt and played two years before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Warwhere he attained the rank of Staff Sgt. while serving in Panama. Following his military service, he returned to school where he helped lead Vanderbilt to its first bowl game appearance and bowl win, beating Auburn in the 1955 Gator Bowl. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Brown entered Vanderbilt Law School and then transferred to the University of Texas. He graduated in 1960 and started practicing law in Fort Worth for the McDonald Sanders Law Firm. In 1963, Brown served as president of the Fort Worth Junior Bar Association. In the early 70s, Brown and his fatherin-law, Sproesser Wynn, withdrew from McDonald Sanders and formed a new law firm with Elmo Irby, Milledge McConnico and Ted Mack, which later became Wynn, Brown, Mack, Renfro and Thompson. In 1991 Brown, Randy Thompson, Brown's son-in-law, Chris Pruitt, and Bill Peterson formed the law firm of Brown and Thompson. Brown practiced law for 51 years until he retired in 2012.
He served as a director of the Edna Gladney Home from 1963 to 1993, was a director of the National Committee for Adoption for 12 years and the Texas Association of Licensed Children's Services. He further served as chairman and director for the Tarrant County Convention Center of Fort Worth for 12 years, was chairman and a member of the Fort Worth Civil Service Commission for 14 years, past director of Fort Worth Council Camp Fire Girls and past chairman and director of the Southwestern Law Institute. Additionally, Brown served as director of the A.J. & Jessie Duncan Foundation, from 1960 until his death. He was the recipient of the Carnegie Hero Certificate issued by the Carnegie Hero Foundation Commission of 1972 and was voted 1976 Outstanding Young Texan. He was a life member and president of Moslah Temple Shrine Patrol and a member of Royal Order of Jesters, Court #32 and the Order of Constantine. He also served as a director and president of the American Brittany Club. Brown was an avid hunter. He also bred and trained Brittany Spaniel bird dogs, competing in state and national field trial competitions. He later became a well-known breeder of champion Tennessee Walking Horses. Brown is preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Carol Wynn. Survivors: In addition to his second wife, Alicia Whitworth Brown, Harold is survived by four children, Tracey Gwen Brown, Terry and her husband, Christopher J. Pruitt, Allison "Bunny" and her husband, J. Todd Snyder and Hal and his wife, Camille; two step-sons, Mark Whitworth and his wife, Jill and Todd Whitworth; and his beloved grandchildren, Mary Caroline Pruitt, Elizabeth Pruitt, Kirsten Pruitt, Colton Brown, Sarah Brown, Hallie Brown, Samantha Green, Haley Whitworth, Gavin Whitworth and Ryder Whitworth. g
Last Chance to Renew Membership for 2016-2017
T
his is the last chance to renew your membership for the 2016-2017 bar year. Please contact Sandy Tilley at 817.338.4092 or by email at sandy@tarrantbar.org. g
Special
Thank You to our October
Brown Bag Seminar Sponsors
Obituary taken from the Fort Worth Star Telegram
...Judicial Profile Continued From Page13 through her time on the Municipal Court bench and events held by the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and they lived close to each other prior to marriage. In 2006, after one year of marriage, she faced one of the most difficult challenges into their new marriage. On Friday, October 13, 2006, Jerry was severely injured in an accident while driving through Palo Pinto County after visiting a client in Wise County. His car spun out of control after dodging a deer, and his car fell 50 feet down into a ravine. A tree came through the window and into his neck and lungs, and he was stranded for the next three days before freeing himself and being rescued on Sunday. He miraculously survived the event. Judge Jones' advice to attorneys is to “feel free to ask questions of the Judges and attorneys in court and be open to learning from them. Here in Tarrant County, we are fortunate to have a criminal bar with friendly members who are willing to help.” g
If you would like the opportunity to sponsor an event, contact Sherry Jones at the bar office at 817.338.4092. November 2016 ▪ TCBA BULLETIN 23
Lawyers on the Move &
Tarrant County Adoption Day
in the News
Robyn Trosper is pleased to announce that she has moved to Joshua Graham & Associates, PLLC. She can be contacted at 817.789.4000 or by email at rltrosper@joshuagraham.com. Steve Hayes, a Fort Worth solo appellate practitioner and past Director of the TCBA, has become Chair of the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas for 2016-2017. Please contact Steve at his office at 817.371.8759 or by email at shayes@stevehayeslaw.com. The Underwood Law Firm, P.C. announces that Janet Bubert has joined their firm as a Shareholder. Janet can be contacted at 817.885.7529 or by email at janet.bubert@uwlaw.com. Kelly Hart & Hallman is pleased to announce that Phillip McCrury joins the firm as Senior Counsel in the Estate Planning & Probate Practice Group, Fort Worth office. Mr. McCrury’s practice focuses on wealth transfer strategies, asset protection planning and estate planning. Mr. McCrury can be contacted at 817.878.3598 or by email at phil.mccrury@kellyhart.com. g
Tarrant County District & County Clerk Civil E-Filing Fee
T
he Tarrant County Clerk’s office and the District Clerk’s office will no longer be charging a $2 e-filing fee. Tarrant County was allowed to cover part of its hardware costs under the last legislation. In order to comply with the statute, both the District Clerk and the County Clerk have ceased to collect this fee. This took effect October 1, 2016. Additional information on e-filing for the Tarrant County Clerk’s office can be found at http://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/ county-clerk/civil-courts/county-courts-at-law/efiling.html or the District Clerk’s office at http://access.tarrantcounty. com/content/dam/main/district-clerk/District_Clerk_Newsletter_October_2016.pdf. g
Correction In the September Issue, Rachel Hale is listed as the Chair for the Women Attorneys Section, but her email address was incorrect. Her corrected email is: rhale@pprhr.com. g 24 www.tarrantbar.org ▪ November 2016
E
Friday, November 18, 2016 8:30 am - Welcome Remarks 9:00am - Adoptions Begin Tarrant County Family Law Center
ach year at Tarrant County's Adoption Day, volunteers, attorneys, judges and community partners comes together to celebrate the joining of children from foster care with their new forever families. This year, Tarrant County will hold Adoption Day on November 18, 2016 at the Tarrant County Family Law Center. Over 70 children will be officially joining their new forever families in a fantastic celebration including necklaces for the adoption children donated by Kube’s Jewelry, welcome bags for the families, their first official family photograph and a new stuffed animal for every child in attendance. Adoption Day’s theme this year will again be super heroes and over 30 super heroes will join us from Heroic Inner Kids. A private donor also provided a cape for each child being adopted. 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. g
Law Offices of Jason Smith
Trials and Appeals Employment, Personal Injury, Insurance Board Certified Civil Appellate Law
Jason Smith 817.334.0880 600 8th Aveue Fort Worth, TX 76104
letsgotocourt.com
Amerian Board of Trial Advocates
GRIEVANCE DEFENSE When your license, livelihood, and reputation are at stake
GRIFFIN W. COLLIE 2514 BOLL STREET DALLAS, TEXAS 75204 214.484.4323 PHONE www.grievancedefensefortworth.com
November 2016 â–ª TCBA BULLETIN 25
"B
ench Bar is always a good time and a great opportunity to meet lawyers and judges that you wouldn’t normally get to spend a lot of time with outside of the courtroom or legal setting." – Judge Robb Catalano, Criminal District Court No. 3 and past Bench Bar Scholarship Recipient
"Y "I
ou really do get to know people on a more personal level and in a more relaxed setting." – Russell Devenport, McDonald Sanders
April 28-30, 2017 Hilton Lakefront Resort Rockwall, Texas If you are interested in being a vendor and/or sponsor, contact Sherry Jones at sherry@tarrantbar.org or Leslie Barrows at lbarrows@barrowsfirm.com.
W
hen I think back to my first Bench Bar, it always brings a smile to my face. It was my first real opportunity to meet the judges and other lawyers from many different areas of practice. Flash forward to today (many years later) and I’m still going to Bench Bar because it is the one event where I know I will learn a thing or two, return with a larger network of people, and I will bring back fun memories. If you have never been to Bench Bar, it’s a CLE event designed to bring the Judges, aka the Bench and the Attorneys, aka the Bar, together. You can go to Bench Bar without knowing anyone and leave with a whole new set of friends, mentors, and colleagues. We all get together at a location out of town, attend CLE, play golf or other games, and network. I have never met anyone who says they did not have fun at this event. You never know who you will meet, whether it’s a Texas Supreme Court Justice or a future mentor or a life-long friend. Plus, first-year scholarships are available to newbies so there is really no excuse to miss out on the opportunity. Also, for those of you who have not been to Bench Bar in a few years, we have added some new events to change things up and keep y’all entertained. Don’t worry, the extremely competitive Judge’s Cup Golf Tournament is still in place! So mark your calendars; your Bench Bar friends miss you, and we expect to see you again. Whether it’s your first time to attend or it’s just been a few years, come out to Bench Bar where friends, fun and education come together. Here is what some of the past Bench Bar Attendants had to say about it:
was very nervous because I knew I would be meeting lawyers from other areas of practice and I do not open up easy with other people. I did not know what to expect and worried I would not fit in and/or enjoy the program. I was thankful to have two friends attend with me; however, by the end of the program, we each had met other lawyers from other areas of law and took that opportunity to get to know them rather than stick to ourselves. I enjoyed myself more than I imagined and I came away realizing that lawyers from all areas have the same issues in their practice and I am not alone. Being around other lawyers who understand the difficulties of practicing law made me realize that I can cope because there is always someone willing to help." – Norma Bazan, The Law Office of Gary L. Nickelson and past Bench Bar Scholarship Recipient
"I
return to Bench Bar for the friendships and the ability to network with the entire bar. Sadly, weeks, turn into months before I see some of these folks, and it’s great to get together. Oh, and I need to defend my Judge’s Cup Title (2 years running)!" – John Harvey, John Harvey Mediation
"T
here are many benefits to attending the event, including seeing old friends and making new ones, as well as getting to spend some quality time with the judges away from the courthouse." –Steve Laird, Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C.
"I
’ve met attorneys who practice law in areas I am unfamiliar with. I am able to refer those cases out. I’ve met attorneys who offer help and suggestions in court or who I know I can reach out to, either at the court house or by picking up the phone." –Amanda Rodriguez, Friday Rodriguez, PLLC and past Bench Bar Scholarship Recipient In closing, I’d like to share a quote shared with us by Ben Barlow from Barlow, Garsek, & Simon, LLP “There’s not a word yet for old friends who’ve just met.” – Jim Henson. g Article written by: Leslie Barrows The Barrows Firm and Chair of Bench Bar 2017
2017
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Christmas • Holiday • 2017 Calendar Cards • Thanksgiving Birthday • Sympathy • Welcome • Thank You • Get Well • Congratulations • and more!
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Fort Worth JSB offers a to TCBA members on holiday card orders placed online by November 15, 2016. We have a huge selection of cards available on two websites: www.ftworthjsb.cceasy.com www.holidaycardwebsite.com/ftworthjsb
When you place your order, enter “TCBA” in the special instructions field of the order form and include an e-mail address or fax number in your contact information; when we charge your creit card, we will deduct 20% from the pre-tax total and e-mail or fax a copy of your credit card receipt so you can verify that the discount has been applied to your order. For assistance call 817-577-0572 for e-mail us at ftworthjsb@aol.com
28 www.tarrantbar.org â–Ş November 2016
32 www.tarrantbar.org â–Ş September 2016
Bar Bulletin ▪ November 2016 Tarrant County Bar Association 1315 Calhoun Street Fort Worth, TX 76102-6504 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED STANDARD U. S. POSTAGE PAID FORT WORTH, TX PERMIT 1807
If any of your contact information is incorrect, please submit the corrected information to Sandy at the TCBA of�ice at 817.338.4092, fax to 817.335.9238 or email to sandy@tarrantbar.org
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