STATE BAR DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT May 2023
Kimberly Naylor
Interview by Will Korn
Photo courtesy of Kimberly Naylor
Hometown: Burleson
Position:Partner in Naylor & Naylor in Fort Worth
Board Member: District 7, Place 1 Since 2021
I am most proud of my service on the Discipline and Client Attorney Assistance Program and the Client Security Fund Subcommittee. The DCAAP Committee monitors the policies, procedures, and practices of the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. The Client Security Fund is a fund used to protect the integrity of the legal profession through discretionary grants to clients who have been harmed by their lawyers’ conduct. This subcommittee evaluates, analyzes, and determines whether such application should be approved and payment made from the fund. Although it is difficult to see the number of clients that are harmed by lawyers, it is wonderful that the State Bar of Texas has this substantial fund to assist clients in recovering money that they are owed. In FY 2021-2022, the fund paid out over $126,000 to clients who were harmed by their lawyer’s conduct.
THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING A STATE BAR OF TEXAS
DIRECTOR IS GAINING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE STATE BAR
ACTUALLY DOES AND HOW THE MISSION IS TRULY CARRIED OUT.
The dedication and passion of the directors, executive The dedication
and passion of the directors, executive committee, executive director,
and all of the State Bar of Texas staff is truly inspirational. It has
been an incredible eye-opening experience, and going into my third year,
I am still continuing to learn! This year, I served on the Committee
Review Task Force and was able to meet with the chairs and vice chairs
of six committees that I didn’t know much about. The chairs provided me
with so much information on their committees, projects they are
currently working on, and plans for future projects. It was incredible
to hear about the dedication and hard work that these committees, which
consist of all volunteer members, are doing for Texas lawyers. My
experience as a director has definitely made me a better lawyer, a
better communicator, and a better resource for attorneys to learn about
what the State Bar of Texas is doing for them and how they can get
involved.
DIRECTORS REPRESENT ALL OF THE ATTORNEYS IN TEXAS,
INCLUDING THOSE WITH DIFFERING OPINIONS AND THOSE IN DIFFERENT PRACTICE.
AREAS. The State Bar of Texas cannot function without lawyers who are
willing to volunteer and dedicate their time to the bar. As directors,
we not only attend board meetings, but we serve on board committees, as
advisors to sections and advisors to standing committees.
I HAVE HAD MANY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES AS A DIRECTOR, BUT MY
MOSTMEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WAS THE FIRST MEETING THAT I
ATTENDED.
It was amazing to witness the exchange of ideas and dedication this
group of volunteers had toward helping lawyers in Texas. We end each
meeting by reciting the State Bar of Texas mission statement, and after
some long and sometimes contentious meetings, reading that mission
statement serves as a great reminder of why we are all doing this!
I PRACTICE EXCLUSIVELY FAMILY LAW, AND I AM CERTIFIED IN
FAMILY LAW BY THE TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION.
My advice to someone interested in practicing family law would be that
although it is difficult, it is extremely rewarding! A family law
attorney must have expertise in many different areas of law but must
also have the ability to interact daily with people who are going
through the worst time of their lives. Although it can be emotionally
stressful, when you see the impact that you can have on helping your
clients through these difficult times, it is very rewarding.
I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY HUSBAND, STEVE, AS MY LAW PARTNER
SO WE’RE ABLE TO SIT ON OUR PATIO AFTER WORK, TALK ABOUT OUR DAY, AND
TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OTHER IS GOING THROUGH.
I love spending time with my family and traveling. Steve and I are
members of First Baptist Burleson, and we serve the church in different
volunteer opportunities. We have also recently become empty nesters
after our daughter started college at Texas A&M so we are still
figuring out what to do with this next chapter of our lives. TBJ
