Texas Lawyers Overwhelmingly Respond to Call for Volunteers

Due to the generosity of Texas lawyers, the need for volunteers has been met this week. More than 350 Texas lawyers have responded to the call for volunteers to be available for appointment in legal proceedings filed in Eldorado, Texas. The State Bar has worked with the court-appointed ad litems in San Angelo to serve as a conduit to recruit qualified volunteers.

Attorneys who have not received an assignment should not go to San Angelo. There may be an additional need later in the month. Attorneys interested in volunteering can continue to do so through the State Bar website. Volunteers are asked to send their full name, address, phone number, email address, bar card number and a brief description of their background and experience.

“We are pleased that Texas lawyers have stepped up to the plate to ensure that our justice system is available to all our citizens,”  said State Bar President Gib Walton of Houston. “The logistics of this judicial proceeding are staggering and it is important that our judicial system meet this extraordinary challenge. We are confident that it will.”

• Since the news first broke, the State Bar has been providing free online training to all lawyers volunteering to serve as attorneys ad litem for the hundreds of children taken into state custody.

• Immediately upon hearing of the need, the State Bar of Texas, the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Commission on Children, Youth and Families, and the Family Law Section mobilized resources in an effort to ensure that qualified lawyers were identified, trained, and able to become part of a list made available to the court for appointments.

• Required training, available from the State Bar of Texas, was provided at no charge to those volunteering to serve as ad litems. A live training program was held in San Angelo for attorneys in need of certification, who were willing add their names to the potential appointment list.

• Current State Bar Director and former Family Law Section Chair Tom Vick worked to furnish names of qualified volunteers to be used by the court for appointments, in its discretion and as needed. State Bar Director Guy Choate from San Angelo is also “on the ground”   actively assisting in the volunteer efforts.

• A fund has been established to help offset the expenses of attorneys appointed to serve as ad litems. Donations can be made through either the Texas Access to Justice Foundation or the Texas Bar Foundation. “Many Texas lawyers and citizens may not be able to volunteer in this effort but would like to support those who are able,”   explained Walton. “Because these lawyers are volunteering with no expectation of payment, this fund will be available to help offset some of the costs and out-of-pocket expenses of representation.”  

“We recognize that this is an adversarial proceeding and all parties must have representation in the judicial process,”   said Walton. “The State Bar of Texas is not taking sides in this matter. Our efforts are all about access to justice and making sure all parties are fairly and adequately represented — so the rule of law and our justice system can function properly. The State Bar of Texas stands willing to assist in whatever way it can.”

Any lawyer who would like to volunteer should log on to My Bar Page at www.texasbar.com and see “What’s New.”   Further updates and information will be posted on www.texasbar.com.