Houston Bar Association e-Bulletin
Monday, March 30, 2020
A Message from HBA President Benny Agosto, Jr.
April is traditionally a month for growth and new beginnings. Even as we face turbulent times, I see our bar and our community coming together to adapt the way we live our daily lives, serve our clients and help those in our community who are in need. I assure you that the Houston Bar Association is moving forward to provide vital services to help you continue to effectively serve your clients. And we are gearing up to continue the service to our community that is the hallmark of our great association. Here are some of the ways we continue to work for you and the Greater Houston area:
  • Last Friday, in the span of less than one day, we organized and presented a livestream seminar featuring experts on conducting video depositions. We are offering this program free to our members and to the legal community at large. Click here to watch the CLE-accredited video.
  • Our website, hba.org/updates, is updated daily with carefully curated posts and resources to keep you informed on the courts; county, state and federal acts and orders; legal updates; and association news. We also have a special page, hba.org/wellness, to help you stay healthy in mind, body and spirit.
  • Volunteers are needed to provide legal advice to members of the public through the HBA's LegalLine program. See below for more information. Please sign up using this form or contact Ashley Gagnon Steininger at [email protected] to volunteer.
  • The HBA is known nationwide for its commitment to public service, and we will continue to provide volunteer opportunities for our members. Our Houston Volunteer Lawyers is gearing up to meet an ever-growing need for pro bono legal services for wills, landlord/tenant issues, family law, employment law, and many other crucial services. I urge you to contact HVL at [email protected] to find out how you can volunteer from home to help meet these needs.

Please let me know how we can continue to serve you and our community. I pray for health, safety and peace. My continued thoughts are with the many friends and family of the Houston Bar Association and with our entire country during these stressful times. Please stay well. Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Important News on HBA Emails
You may have received a recent email with the subject, "Save Dawson." While it seems to have come from the HBA, it is a scam. The HBA did not and would not send members an email of that nature, directing you to a PayPal account.

However, the HBA did recently send you an email that came from [email protected].  The HBA has updated its online membership system to better serve our members. This transition requires that all HBA members set up new login credentials to access the online system and to take advantage of great members-only benefits, such as an extensive free CLE video library. Please check for that email and click the direct link that lets you update your login information, if you have not done so.

If you have any questions regarding your online membership account or need assistance setting up your online account, please contact Leo Skelly  in the HBA Membership Department   at [email protected]  or call (713) 759-1133.
Volunteer for LegalLine from Home to Help the Community
In these uncertain times, attorneys and legal advice are greatly needed. Please sign up to answer 20-minute calls from the public.  Volunteers are needed for a virtual LegalLine on the following dates from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
April 8; April 22; April 29; May 13; May 27.
Sign up using this form or contact Ashley Gagnon Steininger at [email protected] to volunteer on one of the following dates. 20 volunteers are needed on each date.

All volunteers will be provided with the caller's name, phone number, a brief description of the legal problem, and instructions to use *67 prior to dialing in order to retain the privacy of your identity. 
Give Legal Advice or Take a Pro Bono Case Through HVL
HVL will be conducting legal advice clinics remotely. We are seeking volunteer attorneys to call HVL applicants and provide legal advice and counsel over the phone on Friday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you're interested in volunteering for a Friday clinic, please email [email protected].

Take a case and help someone in our community who is seeking legal representation on HVL's waiting list. To find a pro bono case that is right for you, use HVL's Pro Bono Portal. Search a live list of cases; sort by law type; immediately download the documents you need; access legal resource materials, including digital forms; and contact the staff attorney mentor assigned to your case. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call (713) 275-0140.
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Daily Updates
The HBA is posting updates on the COVID-19 response every day at hba.org/updates.
Remote Depositions: A Free CLE Video from the HBA
Click here to watch!
Opportunities to Help Support the Community
The HBA supports the following community service organizations each year. If you are looking to support the community in some manner, please consider these wonderful organizations.
Award Nomination Deadline Extended to April 17
Click here for nomination forms and criteria for the Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards, the Justice Eugene A. Cook Professionalism Award, and the Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award.
Help HBF Support Access to Justice
The Houston Bar Foundation's Kay Sim Endowment helps promote access to justice for all in our community. Visit hba.org/endowment to learn more and make a contribution today.