Frequently Asked Questions
(For Attorneys)

We’ve answered some questions commonly asked by attorneys. Looking for FAQs for the Public? Find them here.

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS?
Call us at 512-427-1463 or toll-free 800-204-2222, or click here to complete the online Contact Us form. To manage your State Bar of Texas membership, log into your My Bar Page at texasbar.com, or contact the Membership Department at 512-427-1383 or memmail@texasbar.com.

The State Bar of Texas is headquartered in the Texas Law Center, 1414 Colorado St., Austin, Texas 78701. The State Bar of Texas mailing address is P.O. Box 12487, Austin, TX 78711-2487.

WHAT DOES THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS DO FOR LAWYERS?
The State Bar of Texas has a statutory obligation to regulate the legal profession and improve the quality of legal services in Texas. Therefore, the State Bar provides members with resources to assist them in offering ethical, high-quality legal services to their clients and in building and maintaining efficient, effective, and productive law practices. Examples of benefits and services offered to State Bar of Texas members include:

To learn more about the mission of the State Bar of Texas and review its governing documents, go here.

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WHY IS STATE BAR MEMBERSHIP MANDATORY?
The Texas Bar Association, created in 1882, was a voluntary membership organization until the Texas Legislature made membership mandatory in 1939 in an effort to allow self-regulation over the ethical standards of legal practice. The State Bar of Texas is an administrative agency of the state’s judicial branch with a statutory obligation to regulate the legal profession and improve the quality of legal services in Texas.

HOW MANY LAWYERS ARE MEMBERS OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS?
As of December 31, 2024, there are 116,127 active members of the State Bar of Texas. Find State Bar of Texas demographic statistics and economic trends at texasbar.com/research.

WHAT DO LAWYERS GET FOR THEIR MEMBERSHIP DUES?
Membership dues help to fund the operations of the State Bar of Texas, which is an administrative arm of the judicial branch of state government. Through a State Bar membership, lawyers have the ability to practice law in a self-regulated profession with an independent grievance system. Since the bar’s inception, Texas lawyers have retained the right to approve proposed disciplinary rule changes in referenda elections and vote on members of the board of directors, which governs all manner of bar administration. In addition, the State Bar serves its members with continuing education and resources such as the Texas Bar Journal, Law Practice Management Program, Ethics Helpline, Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, Texas Bar Career Center, vLex Fastcase free legal research, TexasBarCLE (including scholarships for free CLE programs), Client-Attorney Assistance Program, and the Member Benefits and Services Program, which offers access to health insurance as well as discounts on a variety of services to help members with the practice of law. For more information on member benefits, go to texasbar.com/benefits or watch this video.

WHO MANAGES THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS?
The State Bar of Texas is administered by a board of directors with 46 voting members from across the state who volunteer their time and professional experience. The voting members include 30 attorneys elected from 17 geographical districts, six public (non-attorney) members appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas, four at-large directors appointed by the State Bar president, three officers (president, president-elect, and immediate past president) elected statewide by State Bar members, and three officers (president, president-elect, and immediate past president) elected statewide by Texas Young Lawyers Association members.

A president-elect is elected by the State Bar membership each year, and an executive director oversees day-to-day operations. As of 2024-2025, approximately 274 employees comprise the State Bar staff.

IS THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS SUBJECT TO OUTSIDE OVERSIGHT?
Yes. Since the State Bar of Texas is an administrative arm of the judicial branch of state government, the Supreme Court of Texas approves the State Bar budget and provides general oversight of bar operations.

Also, the mission and performance of the State Bar of Texas is reviewed every 12 years by the Texas Legislature as required under the Texas Sunset Act. The act provides that the Sunset Commission, composed of legislators and public members, periodically evaluates a state agency to determine if the agency is still needed and to explore ways to ensure that the agency’s funds are spent appropriately.

The State Bar of Texas successfully underwent the Sunset review process for the fourth time in 2017. Click here to read the 2016-17 Sunset Staff Report with Final Results. Learn more on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission’s webpage dedicated to the State Bar of Texas.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE STATE BAR PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT-ELECT POSITIONS?
The State Bar of Texas has a president, a president-elect, and an immediate past president who all serve as officers on the board of directors at the same time. 

Candidates run each spring for the president-elect position and are elected by the State Bar membership. A person elected to the office serves one year as president-elect, one year as president, and one year as immediate past president. Duties of the president-elect include serving as chair of the board’s budget committee and making appointments to State Bar committees. Duties of the president include representing the State Bar of Texas at meetings and other events and serving, along with the executive director, as the bar’s official spokesperson.* Duties of the immediate past president include serving as co-chair of the bar’s nominations and elections subcommittee.

*The State Bar of Texas does not purport to speak on behalf of all persons licensed to practice law in Texas.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED WITH THE STATE BAR?
There are many ways to get involved with the State Bar. You can:

HOW CAN I BE ELECTED TO STATE BAR LEADERSHIP?

  • Find information on how to run for a district director position here.

  • Find information on running for president-elect here.

  • Information about submitting a nomination for at-large director can be found here.

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DOES THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS TAKE POSITIONS ON POLITICAL ISSUES?
Consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedent, federal caselaw, and the State Bar Act, the State Bar of Texas may not take positions on political issues unless those issues involve regulation of the legal profession, improving the quality of legal services to the public, or the functioning of the state’s courts or legal system. The State Bar of Texas does not endorse or oppose political candidates.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE BAR MANAGES ITS FINANCES?
The State Bar’s annual budget is developed to advance the goals and objectives expressed in the State Bar Act and the State Bar of Texas Strategic Plan. The budget is subject to a public hearing and to approval by the State Bar Board of Directors and the Supreme Court of Texas. To view detailed financial reports, adopted budgets, and independent auditor’s reports, go to texasbar.com/finance.

WHERE CAN I READ THE STATE BAR ACT AND OTHER BAR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS?
To read the State Bar Act and other governing documents of the bar, go to texasbar.com/governingdocuments.

HOW CAN I REQUEST STATE BAR RECORDS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT?
The State Bar of Texas is committed to upholding the Texas Public Information Act and ensuring public access to its records. All State Bar of Texas records are available to the public unless an exception to disclosure listed in the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) or other law applies. Go to texasbar.com/publicinformation to learn how to request records

DOES THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS ADMINISTER THE BAR EXAM?
No. The Texas Board of Law Examiners, which is independent of the State Bar, is responsible for qualifying applicants for admission to the State Bar of Texas and administering the bar exam. Learn more about the Board of Law Examiners here.

DOES THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS ADMINISTER CERTIFICATIONS IN SPECIALTY PRACTICE AREAS?
No. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys and paralegals in select areas of law. The TBLS is the only organization authorized to provide this service to the citizens of Texas. Learn more here.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE SYSTEM?
The State Bar of Texas is dedicated to improving and advancing the quality of legal services to the public, protecting the public through the discipline system, and fostering integrity and ethical conduct in the legal profession. The Texas attorney discipline system is governed by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. The ethics rules define proper conduct for purposes of professional discipline. The procedural rules provide the mechanism by which grievances are processed, investigated, and prosecuted. Learn more about how the disciplinary process works here.

HOW CAN I GET HELP WITH AN ETHICAL DILEMMA?
If you are a Texas-licensed lawyer, you can call the State Bar of Texas Attorney Ethics Helpline—800-532-3947—if you are unsure about your ethical obligations in a particular situation. Staff ethics attorneys promptly return calls in the order they are received. Please note that this service is not confidential and is not binding on any local grievance committee panel. Learn more here.

WHAT TYPES OF LAWYER ADVERTISEMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW BY THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS?
Most public marketing efforts by lawyers must be submitted to the Advertising Review Committee as required by Part VII of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. But not all advertisements are required to be submitted for review. Read more at texasbar.com/adreview.

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WHAT STATUSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR TEXAS ATTORNEYS?
Two statuses are available for Texas attorneys: active and inactive. Active attorneys are eligible to assist anyone with their legal needs in Texas, and they are eligible to vote in State Bar elections. Active attorneys are required to pay active membership dues each year to remain in good standing, and they are required to pay the $65 legal services fee each year unless eligible for an exemption. 

If an active attorney has not engaged in the practice of law in Texas during their full MCLE compliance year, they may claim an MCLE non-practicing exemption. Active attorneys who have claimed this exemption are responsible for paying active membership dues, but they are exempt from paying the $65 legal services fee. An active attorney, who has claimed the MCLE non-practicing exemption, is not eligible to practice law in Texas, except on behalf of their immediate family members. Non-practicing active attorneys are eligible to vote in State Bar elections.  Learn more about MCLE exemptions here. 

An attorney who is eligible for active status but not engaged in the practice of law in Texas may elect inactive status. Membership dues are reduced for attorneys who are on inactive status for the full fiscal year (June 1 to May 31), and inactive attorneys are exempt from paying the $65 legal services fee. Inactive attorneys are not eligible to assist anyone with their legal needs in Texas, and if they have been on inactive status during their entire MCLE compliance year, they are exempt from MCLE requirements. Learn more about inactive status here.

HOW DO I REPORT MY MCLE HOURS?
Go to texasbar.com/mcle to learn how to accurately and timely report your minimum continuing legal education hours.

CAN I GET HELP FOR SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, OR OTHER WELLNESS ISSUES?
Yes. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program offers confidential substance use, mental health, and overall wellness assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges. TLAP’s helpline—800-343-8527 (TLAP)—is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The program is confidential by statute. Read more at tlaphelps.org.

HOW DO I DESIGNATE A CUSTODIAN ATTORNEY FOR MY PRACTICE?
The State Bar has created a Succession Planning Toolkit to help attorneys and other legal practitioners understand and apply the necessary elements to address the growing problem of unexpected and underprepared practice cessation. This comprehensive guide includes resources from the easiest and most essential—designating a custodian—to the more comprehensive, planning a transition out of practice. For additional succession planning resources, go to texasbar.com/succession.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY LAW PARTNER DIES, DISAPPEARS, OR BECOMES DISABLED?
The State Bar of Texas Law Practice Management program offers information on how to close an attorney’s practice. Whether you are considering how to wind down your law practice or you’ve been called upon to help close a practice, we have resources to help. For information, go to the Law Practice Management website or contact the program at 512-427-1300 or lpm@texasbar.com.

DO TEXAS LAWYERS HAVE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS?
Yes. The Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange is an online clearinghouse for comparing and purchasing products from leading health insurance providers. The exchange is available for individuals or employer groups and is open to members of the State Bar of Texas, their employees, local bar staff, and Texas law students, including spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.

ARE TEXAS LAWYERS REQUIRED TO DO PRO BONO WORK?
No. Texas lawyers engage voluntarily in pro bono work. It is not required In 1992, the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors established an aspirational goal of 50 hours of pro bono legal services to low-income individuals each year for each Texas attorney.

The State Bar of Texas periodically surveys attorneys about their pro bono work. To learn more about the survey, go to texasbar.com/research. For more information about pro bono—how to volunteer, locate a mentor, or find resources—go to probonotexas.org.

CAN I ACCESS THE TEXAS BAR JOURNAL ONLINE?
Yes. Read the current issue at texasbar.com/tbj. Search the complete Texas Bar Journal archives, from 1938 to the present, here.

To switch from a print subscription to a digital-only subscription, contact us by email at tbj@texasbar.com.

HOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THE TEXAS BAR JOURNAL?
Members may unsubscribe from the print edition of the Texas Bar Journal by email at tbj@texasbar.com.

The State Bar of Texas is required to distribute certain information to its members and uses the Texas Bar Journal to fulfill these obligations. For that reason, members who unsubscribe from the print edition will receive a digital-only edition by email each month that the Texas Bar Journal is published.

HOW DO I MANAGE MY TEXAS BAR JOURNAL SUBSCRIPTION?
Manage your Texas Bar Journal subscription by contacting the Texas Bar Journal by email at tbj@texasbar.com.

HOW CAN I ADVERTISE WITH THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS?
Go to texasbar.com/advertise to learn more about advertising opportunities with the State Bar of Texas.

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