TBJ JANUARY 2023
‘To Whom Much Is Given,
Much More Is Required’
Texas’ newest attorneys officially
join the profession.
Written by Will Korn

ABOVE: Alexander Jablonski (center), the high scorer of the July 2022
Texas Bar Examination and a graduate of Texas A&M University School
of Law, with (from left) Texas Board of Law Examiners Chair Augustin
Rivera Jr., Texas Supreme Court Justice Brett Busby, Texas Supreme Court
Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, and Texas Board of Law Examiners
Executive Director Nahdiah Hoang. Photo by Will Korn.
In the
presence of family and friends, the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court
of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Board of Law Examiners, and members of
the State Bar of Texas, newly licensed attorneys were officially
welcomed into their new careers during the New Lawyers Induction
Ceremony on November 14 at Bass Concert Hall in Austin.
Speakers at the ceremony included State Bar of Texas President Laura
Gibson; Texas Young Lawyers Association President Michael J. Ritter;
Texas Board of Law Examiners Chair Augustin Rivera Jr.; the July 2022
bar exam’s top scorer, Alexander Jablonski, a May 2022 graduate of Texas
A&M University School of Law; and Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice
Nathan L. Hecht, who led the new attorney class through the lawyer’s
oath.
Gibson spoke to the group about the importance of seeking out
mentors as they begin their careers in law. She praised their resiliency
in preparing for and passing the July bar exam in the face of several
challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and reminded them of the
great responsibility they now hold in their new field. “To whom much is
given, much more is required,” Gibson said. “Along this journey, you
will need to identify mentors—lawyers who inspire you, who can help
guide you. Don’t be shy. I also want you to be inspired and remember
that you are an inspiration to others.”
Ritter addressed the group on the multiple benefits available to
them as new members of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Young
Lawyers Association, or TYLA. He stressed the importance of fostering
professional relationships with colleagues and outlined the many helpful
resources offered by TYLA.
Jablonski congratulated all his new colleagues and urged them to
practice with morality in mind and an eye toward community service.
“Today is an exciting day that we finally become attorneys,” he said.
“We’ve spent years on this goal, and really, it’s just the beginning as
we enter a new career in the practice of law. Let’s remember to operate
with integrity and to give back to our communities. We also must
acknowledge that we did not make it here alone. I believe I can speak
for all the attorneys here today in saying thank you to everyone who
came out in support today.”
Rivera then presented the list of successful examinees to Hecht, who
followed by leading the new class through the lawyer’s oath. He
highlighted the importance of honoring both the U.S. and Texas
constitutions, practicing with integrity, discharging duties ethically
to clients, and operating with civility in court proceedings. “You
therefore have a special responsibility not only to those you represent,
but to our profession, and to this great experiment in democracy,” Hecht
said, while congratulating the class. “I hope your practice will be
meaningful, and that in the words of the great justice Oliver Wendell
Holmes, ‘You will live greatly in the law.’” TBJ
July 2022 Bar Exam Pass Rate Information
The table below shows the number of graduates from each accredited Texas law school who took the bar exam for the first time in July, the number that passed, and the percentage that passed.
Law School |
Tested |
Passed |
Pass Rate |
Baylor |
99 |
95 |
95.96% |
SMU |
246 |
213 |
86.59% |
South Texas |
225 |
182 |
80.89% |
St. Mary's |
191 |
137 |
71.73% |
Texas A&M |
154 |
137 |
88.96% |
Texas Southern |
108 |
55 |
50.93% |
Texas Tech |
107 |
87 |
81.31% |
U. of Houston |
176 |
149 |
84.66% |
U. of North Texas |
95 |
58 |
61.05% |
U. of Texas |
207 |
181 |
87.44% |
Total |
1608 |
1294 |
80.47% |