STATE BAR DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT April 2022
Steve Fischer
Interview by Eric Quitugua
Photo courtesy of Steve Fischer
Hometown: El Paso
Position: Solo practitioner in El Paso
Board Member: District 17 since 2020
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO BECOME A
LAWYER?
I was 18, in jail over some protest—no funds and no living family except
an 82-year-old stepdad far away and ready to give up on me. Eventually,
I went to my dream school, Cal-Berkeley, and took the LSAT. One day, I
received a pile of mail. LSAT: “Wow. I can get into any law school. He
will be so proud!” Next was a legal letter informing me of his
death.
WHAT GOALS HAVE YOU SET AND ACCOMPLISHED?
Avoiding too much trouble, outsmarting my dogs, and being a leader among
lawyers. Did I accomplish them? “LOL. It’s complicated.” Wife Susan:
“Steve instantaneously does and says what he thinks is right and figures
the world will eventually conform. It can be hilarious—or shocking, but
never boring.”
WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF LAW?
I’m omnivorous. Started out with securities law in Beverly Hills,
California, but wanted something more “human” thus I descended into the
hell of family and criminal law. I do many things besides law. I’ve been
investing since high school, had a pistachio orchard, and love my
503-acre tree farm along the Columbia River in Washington, where I’ve
planted endangered coastal redwoods and giant sequoias.
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE STATE
BAR OF TEXAS? The 2010-2011 draconian bar referendum measures.
All demanded more work, and more rules for attorneys, but no benefits. I
helped lead the battle that defeated each and every one of them. I then
was elected director in contested races from the Corpus Christi-Victoria
district (2011) and El Paso (2020).
YOUR PROUDEST STATE BAR OF TEXAS-RELATED
ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
(1) Creating the concept of independent Facebook attorney discussion
groups. Texas Estate & Probate Lawyers (2012), Texas Family Lawyers
(2011), Texas Real Estate Lawyers (2012), Technology for Texas Lawyers,
and more. They now have 20,000 Texas attorneys. (2) Standing up for
Larry McDougal’s free (but foolish) speech and preventing the State Bar
from a free speech disaster. My efforts were indirectly referenced by
one of the judges during oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the 5th Circuit (at 44:10). (3) Garnering 5,622 petition signatures
at courthouses around the state in the 2012-2013 presidential election.
I’ve made court appearances in perhaps 80 courthouses, and I always run
into “friends.” (4) My dog “Shasharoosticus”—the only canine “presenter”
on a State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting agenda. (5) I’ve mostly failed at
“bar reform,” sworn grievances, etc. But in January 2022, I did persuade
our directors to unanimously pass my resolution in support of removing
impediments to remote hearings.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR DIRECTORS TO
UNDERSTAND?
That the automatic “Yes,” “Aye,” and “Baa” are not appropriate responses
for independent professionals. I sometimes give them hell, but many are
among the best lawyers in the state and dear, lifelong friends whom I
helped elect.
ADVICE TO NEW ATTORNEYS? (1) Maintain non-legal areas
of interest and revenue. (2) It’s counterintuitive, but the less you
charge clients, the more they will demand. (3) Opposing counsel today
may be your lifelong friend tomorrow.
“SHOUT-OUTS” (1) Former Texas Young Lawyers Association
President Cori Harbour-Valdez for rescuing her 14 dogs. (2) Jackson
Walker in San Antonio for the years they spent courting, assisting, and
hiring my son, Huey Rey Fischer. (3) The State Bar staff and CLE—great
programs while sacrificing revenue by allowing me and other attorneys to
present free CLE throughout the state.TBJ
