President's Page • October 2026

Bringing the Bar Home to Those in Need

“The poor and people of limited means cannot afford lawyers, and so they are denied justice.” —Retired Supreme Court of Texas Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht’s comments to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 2024

This year, we are emphasizing bringing the bar home to those we serve—all residents of Texas, not just those who can afford to pay. Families torn by violence, children facing uncertain futures, veterans denied benefits—all should have justice, not just those who can afford a ticket to the courthouse.

The need is great. Ninety-two percent of those who qualify for legal aid do not get their basic legal needs addressed. Texas ranks 46th in the nation in providing for our most vulnerable citizens’ essential civil legal needs. We can do better. The deeply committed lawyers and support personnel at our legal service organizations are doing all they can with the resources they have. They need our help.

How do we bring the bar home to assist people in need? First, we volunteer. Pro Bono Texas is a hub for volunteer services maintained by April Faith-Slaker and her team in the State Bar’s Legal Access Department. Lawyers can sign up to accept a pro bono case. For those who need guidance, there is a mentorship program that provides training and support. There is no reason not to volunteer! The QR code on this page links to Pro Bono Texas.

We have other programs, such as the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator (TOJI), which helps lawyers establish a practice. In exchange, they agree to help low-and moderate-income Texans. The New Opportunities Volunteer Attorney (NOVA) program allows inactive and out-of-state attorneys to provide pro bono services. The Take One campaign led by Past State Bar of Texas President Terry Tottenham provides services to veterans in need. All of these allow for increased volunteer attorney provision of legal services.

As an incentive, the Supreme Court of Texas entered an order effective January 1, 2027, allowing Texas lawyers to claim up to three hours of CLE credit for qualifying pro bono work. Details will be forthcoming shortly.

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation, led by Chair Deborah Hankinson and Executive Director Betty Balli Torres, and the Texas Access to Justice Commission, headed by Chair Harriet Miers and Executive Director Nina Hess Hsu, are hard at work to get legal services into rural areas (sometimes called “legal deserts”) where the need is great and lawyers are scarce. These organizations are working with legal service providers to create outposts in underserved rural areas to address the basic civil legal needs of low-income Texans who live there.

The Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA), headed by President Armin Salek, is spearheading pro bono efforts by answering questions posted by low-income Texans on Texas Free Legal Answers, volunteering at legal clinics in each host city for their board meetings, and providing a bar scholarship to 3L students demonstrating an exceptional commitment to public service.

We encourage all attorneys to give as much as they can in pro bono service. Every question answered, every client served, and every case accepted helps narrow the justice gap for a fellow Texan in your community.

That’s what “Bringing It Home” means to me. Strong communities depend on lawyers who are willing to share their skills, experience, and time to help others. Whether you’re volunteering on a pro bono matter, mentoring another attorney, supporting legal aid, or answering a question through Texas Free Legal Answers, your service makes a difference.

Together, we can bring access to justice closer to home.

Go to www.probonotexas.org or scan the QR code below to visit the Pro Bono Texas hub for volunteers.

G. DAVID SMITH
President, 2026-2027
State Bar of Texas