State Bar of Texas Office of Minority Affairs

Central to the State Bar of Texas’ mission is the promotion of diversity in the administration of justice and practice of law. As the second largest state bar association of active members in the United States, the State Bar of Texas is committed to working toward a legal profession that reflects the vast demographics of the population it represents, and where all attorneys can thrive and excel.

The State Bar’s Office of Minority Affairs develops and supports initiatives focused on enhancing and increasing diversity in the legal profession, and fostering allies of historically underrepresented groups. The programs are open to all attorneys.

This office works with the following State Bar of Texas committees and sections:

• Outreach and Engagement Committee

• Diversity in the Profession Committee

• Women in the Profession Committee

• African-American Lawyers Section

• Asian Pacific Interest Section

• Hispanic Issues Section

• LGBT Law Section

• Native American Law Section

• Women and the Law Section

Office of Minority Affairs Initiatives

CLE

• Texas Minority Counsel Program (TMCP): The Texas Minority Counsel Program (TMCP) is the premier client development, networking, and CLE event for attorneys in Texas. The mission of the TMCP is to increase opportunities for diverse attorneys who provide legal services to corporate and governmental clients, and to expose organizations to the legal talent of diverse attorneys in Texas. The program, which is open to all attorneys, aims to bolster the amount and significance of legal work obtained by minority, women, and LGBTQ+ attorneys, and attorneys of other groups historically underrepresented. Each year, approximately 600 attorneys participate in the TMCP. The conference’s unique format not only provides valuable CLE credit but also gives attendees an opportunity to participate in informational interviews called “Counsel Connections” to discuss outside counsel opportunities. The Networking Through Service project, spa retreat, golf tournament, dine-arounds, and receptions all maximize the opportunity for attorneys to connect and develop future professional relationships.

• Get current details on TMCP

• Texas Minority Attorney Program (TMAP): Join us for a one-day CLE seminar open to all attorneys to hear important updates on areas of law and current issues facing solo practitioners, small firms, and women and diverse lawyers.

• Get current details on TMAP

• Diversity Forum: An annual three-hour CLE presentation where participants learn about diversity in the legal profession from those at the top and those in the trenches.

• Visit the Annual Meeting website for more details.

• Diversity Summit: The Diversity Summit gives local bar leaders the opportunity to discover opportunities to increase diversity and inclusion within their local bar association and learn about programs already in place that can be utilized by their members.

• Visit the Bar Leaders Conference website for more details.

PIPELINE

• LeadershipSBOT: An initiative designed to increase diverse leadership participation within the legal community and the State Bar of Texas.

• Visit the LeadershipSBOT website for more details.

• Pipeline Program: Visit classrooms to encourage diverse students to pursue a career in the legal profession

• Visit the Law Related Education website for more details.

• Pre-Law Pipeline Programs in Texas:

• Visit the Pre-Law Pipeline Programs website for more details.

GET INVOLVED

• Speaker Interest Form: Express your interest in speaking on Outreach and Engagement topics

• Visit the Speaker Interest Form for more details.

• VOICES Project: The VOICES project encourages attorneys from backgrounds historically underrepresented to speak on State Bar of Texas programs, write articles for publications, and get involved in the many volunteer opportunities the Bar has to offer such as committees and sections.

• Get current details on the VOICES Project

• Committees: Serve on a State Bar of Texas standing committee.

• Visit the Committees website for more details.

RESOURCES

• Diversity Policy Resources

• Ten Minute Mentor Program: This popular program of the Texas Young Lawyers Association includes short audio presentations on diversity topics.

• Visit the Ten Minute Mentor website

• State Bar of Texas DEI Task Force Report: A 15-member Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was created to study and propose actions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the administration of justice and the practice of law. The task force issued its report in June 2021.

• Read the task force report

Contact Us

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Address

Office of Minority Affairs
State Bar of Texas
P.O. Box 12487
Austin, Texas 78711-2487

Email

minorityaffairs@texasbar.com

Phone

(512) 427-1538

Fax

(512) 427-4439

   

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