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January 2016 Newsletter

President's Message
 
Happy New Year!  The start of the New Year has always been a popular time to set resolutions for ways we can better ourselves.  After all, the holidays are often the perfect time to slow down to reflect on the past year and the steps we can take to improve in the coming year.  This year consider a few great resolutions to improve your practice as well.  After all, what's good for you is often just what your practice needs too!
 
Our January meeting will offer a wonderful opportunity to get a jump start on your resolutions.  Kendra Culpepper, Chair of the State Bar of Texas' Professionalism Committee, will join us to talk about the State Bar's Transition to Practice: A Mentoring Initiative.  Mentoring is an integral role each of us, as lawyers, should embrace, for it is an important part of giving back to the profession and the community.  Roland Johnson (2009-2010 Texas State Bar President) noted during his tenure - "as a profession, we need to connect with young lawyers as early in their career as possible to ensure that they are prepared for the responsible practice of law and are committed to professionalism."  In 2016, I challenge each of you to reconfirm your commitment to professionalism and please start by joining us next Thursday at our monthly meeting.
 
Kelly M. Haas
President, Galveston County Bar Association
January Meeting
Please join us at noon on Thursday, January 21st, at the San Luis Resort as we welcome, Kendra Culpepper, Chair of the State Bar of Texas' Professionalism Committee, as our guest speaker to talk about the State Bar's Transition to Practice: A Mentoring Initiative In office since November, 2008, Kenda Culpepper is the Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney and the first woman in the history of the North Texas area to take office as a Criminal District Attorney.
 
The meeting is already approved for 0.75 hours of ethics CLE credit.  Please be sure to RSVP if you plan to attend the lunch meeting and include your correct Texas bar number, to ensure credit for attending.  If you attend without pre-registering online, you will need to self-report on your own "My Bar Page" section of TexasBar.com.
 
Please remember that the GCBA guarantees payment for a minimum number of lunches depending on the responses. If you can no longer attend the event, please send a short notice to  contact@galvestoncountybar.org .
 
Non-member guests can attend for $25, payable at the event.

GCBA Happy Hour

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Annual Holiday Party
The GCBA Annual Holiday Party was a huge success!  We had almost one hundred people in attendance and the Young Lawyers Section raised nearly $2,500 through its silent auction.
 
Laura Hughes (GCYLS President) and Joe Cavanagh (GCYLS President-Elect)
 
We would like to thank the numerous donors that generously gave wonderful items to be auctions in order to raise scholarship funds for Galveston County high school seniors.  One of our most successful items to raise funds was a print taken by GCBA member, Richard Lionberger.
 
Our Toys for Tots Toy Drive was also a huge success!  We were able to fill two large donation boxes with great toys thanks to all of you and received recognition for our outstanding support!
 
Mark your calendars early to ensure you can join us this year for another wonderful event.  The 2016 GCBA holiday party will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Viewfinders Room at Moody Gardens Hotel.

Galveston County Young Lawyers

At the Bar's holiday party in December, the Young Lawyers Section raised nearly $2,500 through its silent auction. These proceeds fund scholarships for deserving Galveston County high school seniors interested in the law, and will be awarded at our Law Day celebration in the spring. The theme for Law Day this year is "Miranda: More Than Words."

On behalf of the Young Lawyers Section, I wanted to take this opportunity and thank a
ll of the bar members, individuals and local businesses who helped make the silent auction a success by donating an item, soliciting a donation or bidding in the silent auction. Because of your generosity, the Bar is able to continue its scholarship program and a group of dedicated seniors is able to receive financial assistance towards college tuition. Again, thank you for your support in this endeavor to benefit our community.
 
The Young Lawyers Section has a number of upcoming lunches, happy hours and projects.
 
  • Thursday, February 11, 2016 (5pm) - Happy Hour at TBD Location
  • Wednesday, March 9, 2016 (noon) - Lunch Meeting at Olympia 21
  • Thursday, April 28, 2016 (noon) - Annual Law Day Program
Laura Hughes
 
If you have any questions or are interested in learning more details about an y particular event, please contact me at laura.hughes@americannational.com .
 

Thank you!
 
Laura Hughes
GCYLS President 2015-2016

Upcoming Veteran's Clinic

TLTV
The next Veteran's Clinic will take place from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday F ebruar y 27th at the Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic, located at 9850 Emmett F Lowry Expressway.  If you able to attend please register in advance and arrive a little early on the day of the clinic for a brief orientation on how to best help the veterans in attendance.  Andrew Lehmann, Staff Attorney - Veterans at Houston Volunteer Lawyers can answer any questions and can be reached at 713.275.0137 or Andrew.Lehmann@hvlp.org .


Volunteer's Needed for the Texas City High School 
TFA Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament
 
Texas City High School is the host for this tournament, which includes schools from Galveston and surrounding counties.  In order for the tournament to be successful volunteers are needed.  For a list of the various competition areas see attached  description of events offered.  If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the  judge's sign-up sheet and return it to  Victoria Graves, the Debate Tournament Coordinator at Texas City High School.

Friends of Alvin Saenz and Family
 
As many of you know, attorney Alvin Saenz passed away recently in a bicycle accident.  He is survived by his wife, Linda, and two school age sons; he was the primary breadwinner.  Apparently, Alvin did not have a will nor did he have life insurance. Many of you have contributed to the financial needs of his family through a Gofundme effort.  The family is very grateful for the assistance.  As they deal with the realities of his loss and the daunting task of a dependent administration, any financial contribution at this time will be helpful.  To make a donation, go to gofundme.com and search for "Friends of Alvin Saenz and Family."


Texas Women Lawyer's Annual CLE
 
Texas Women Lawyers
Friday, February 19, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (CST)
St. Mary's Law School, San Antonio, TX
MCLE Credit | 5.25 hours (1 hour Ethics)


Follow us on Facebook!
 
Facebook has become the most popular social networking site on the internet.  Sharing photos and information between friends and family members has never been easier with the rise in popularity of Facebook.  Please follow us on Facebook and share your photos with fellow members from our upcoming events.  You can find our page at:  https://www.facebook.com/GalvestonCountyBarAssociation