Executive Director's Page
Texas Generosity Shines Through a Deep Freeze
When disaster strikes, Texans always pull together. There were individual and collective acts of kindness during and after the historic winter storm that plunged most of our state into frigid darkness. Athletes, politicians, and entertainers raised funds. Businesses offered shelter. Plumbers volunteered their services. Organizations washed laundry and distributed food. A Dallas law firm even helped drive nurses, doctors, and shelter workers to and from their jobs. The list of our blessings is long.
The State Bar of Texas and legal service organizations across the state
convened to prepare for the long haul. Recovery from a disaster as
immense as this winter storm will take months, and it will involve
assisting Texans with insurance claims, federal benefit appeals, title
curing, and many other legal needs.
The State Bar operates a disaster legal services
hotline—800-504-7030—that connects low-income Texans,
who need help with civil legal problems but are unsure of where to turn,
with legal aid providers Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Lone Star Legal Aid,
or Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas. These organizations help Texans with
basic civil legal needs like those mentioned above as well as debt
collection matters, public benefits problems, unemployment appeals,
landlord-tenant disputes, and many other matters.
These and other legal service organizations often need volunteer lawyers
to take on cases that may seem small in scope but make a giant impact on
the lives of those in need. Just before the storm, the bar’s Legal
Access Division launched a statewide online portal—pbtx.joinpaladin.com.
This portal couldn’t come at a better time. It allows legal service
providers to post their needs and aids volunteer lawyers searching for
the right opportunities to match their skills.
It is through these and other efforts that the State Bar of Texas
upholds its purpose “to foster the role of the legal profession in
serving the public” as set out in the State Bar Act.
To assist Texas lawyers, TexasBarCLE created a free webcast: Dealing
with Claims Arising from Freezes, Power Outages, & Broken
Pipes, which offers one hour of MCLE credit. You can find it in the
free online courses section of texasbarcle.com.
And for lawyers struggling with the effects of any disaster, the State
Bar’s SOLACE program is available to help. The SOLACE program connects
those in the Texas legal community who are experiencing hardship with
those willing and able to help. If you need help or are able to offer
it, please go to texasbar.com/solace
to learn more.
We are acutely aware that the winter storm was truly a disaster within a
disaster. Our state and nation continue to struggle from the effects of
the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has devastated families and
businesses, and continues to exact a toll on our collective mental
health.
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s February webinar How Lawyers
Can Recover from Survival Mode is available for viewing online
at
texasbarcle.com. The webinar provides one hour of free
ethics MCLE credit.
As always TLAP’s confidential services are available 24/7 to those who
call or text 800-343-TLAP. TLAP has a wealth of
resources related to mental health, substance use, and general wellness
concerns at tlaphelps.org.
We can’t say it enough: In this difficult time, we implore you to take
care of yourself and each other. Help someone if you can. Ask for help
if you need it. Reach out if you aren’t sure where to turn. There are
brighter days ahead.
Sincerely,
TREY APFFEL
Executive Director,
State Bar of Texas
Editor-in-Chief,
Texas Bar Journal
Trey Apffel can be reached at 512-427-1500, trey.apffel@texasbar.com or
@ApffelT on
Twitter.
