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.

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