State Bar of Texas Podcast
The State Bar of Texas Podcast is a monthly show featuring news and discussions relevant to the legal profession, from the latest industry trends and caselaw to practice tips and State Bar programs. Host Rocky Dhir, attorney and CEO of Dallas-based Atlas Legal Research, invites thought leaders and innovators to share their insight and knowledge on what matters to practitioners. To subscribe, go to iTunes or Google Play.
Episode
46: Now What? — Tips for the Transition from Law School to Legal
Practice
In May and December each year, new graduates fresh from law school have
to make the shift from student to legal practitioner. This often seems
like a daunting task, but new grads don’t have to do it alone! The
Dallas Bar Association’s Transition to Law Practice Program provides
mentors to newly licensed attorneys that help them develop a network of
contacts in their area of interest. State Bar of Texas Podcast host
Rocky Dhir talks with Anna Rol, who entered the program as a mentee and
now serves as a mentor and previously co-chaired the program.
Episode
45: The State Bar of Texas’ 2019 Year in Review Episode
With 2019 rapidly coming to a close, State Bar of Texas Podcast
host Rocky Dhir takes a moment to review the latest changes in the legal
landscape. It may not exactly be Dickens’ A Christmas
Carol, but Dhir is in fact visited by three guests explaining big
cases and other developments from the past year, highlighting issues
lawyers should be aware of today and even providing a glimpse of what
may be coming in the future. Helping guide Dhir through this process are
special guests Shawn Tuma, providing insights on cyber-law and data
security; Warren Harris, sharing the latest on appellate practice; and
Beth Johnson, discussing developments in family law.
Episode
44: The Texas Lawyer’s Creed: Conduct Above
Reproach
The Texas Lawyer’s Creed has been a source of aspirational guidance
for
Texas lawyers for the past thirty years, and when it was reaffirmed by
the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2013,
lawyers were reminded of its continued relevance. But how exactly did
this document come to be, and how has it helped Texas lawyers? In this
edition of the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir
welcomes State Bar of Texas Past President Buck Files and Rockwall
County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper to discuss the
history
of the creed and its aim to help lawyers conduct themselves with the
highest degree of professionalism.
Episode 43: Branding for Lawyers: What You
Should and Shouldn’t Do
What can you do to stand out to consumers in your
community? State Bar of Texas Podcast
host Rocky Dhir talks to Amy Boardman Hunt, a content
marketing and public relations pro, and Gene Major, a state bar
compliance officer, about their unique perspectives on branding for
lawyers. Hunt offers advice for effective approaches to legal marketing,
and Major goes over what lawyers need to keep in mind to ensure their
marketing adheres to compliance rules. They also discuss how the Texas
Senate’s newly enacted SB Bill 1189 (addressing deceptive
advertising of legal services) is intended to provide greater clarity
and protection for consumers.
Episode
42: Suicide in the Law: A Problem We Can’t Keep
Ignoring
Mental health issues disproportionately affect the legal profession,
and stark data on suicide rates among attorneys calls our attention
to
the great need for increased awareness. In this episode of
the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky
Dhir talks to Dallas attorney and mental health advocate Terry
Bentley Hill and Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program Director
Chris
Ritter about their passion for helping attorneys learn how to
recognize
and get help for mental health issues. Hill and Ritter openly share
their painful personal experiences with these matters, shedding light
on the types of symptoms in yourself, colleagues, or loved ones that
signal a need for intervention. They discuss the services offered
through the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program and
encourage lawyers to seek confidential support at 1-800-343-TLAP
(8527).
Episode
41: Bar Leaders Conference 2019: Q&A with Leaders
of TYLA
From the State Bar of Texas Bar Leaders Conference, Texas Young
Lawyers
Association President Victor Flores hosts
a Q&A with President-elect Britney
Harrison and Immediate Past
President Sally
Pretorius. They answer questions submitted by new
lawyers at
the bar’s New Lawyers Induction Ceremony—providing helpful tips
on litigation preparation, work-life balance, and overcoming fears as
a
new lawyer.
EPISODE
40: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019: Forms of Address with Judge
Roy Ferguson
Getting a rare peek into an often overlooked corner of the legal
profession, State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky
Dhir sits down with Judge Roy B. Ferguson, of the 394th Judicial
District Court, to discuss the social challenges that arise after
becoming a judge. Ranging from how lawyers and laypeople should address
a judge in public to the impacts ascending to the bench has on friends
and family, Judge Ferguson talks about the lesser known impacts that
most new judges don’t anticipate and few outsiders can
truly understand.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
39: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - Josh Team and the
Adaptable Lawyer
Smaller firms and solo practitioners may think big companies like
Keller Williams Realty are out of their reach, but these companies
are
more eager for their help than they realize. State Bar of Texas
Podcast host Rocky Dhir sits down with Keller Williams Realty
President Josh Team in front of a live audience at the State Bar of
Texas Annual Meeting 2019 to discuss the impacts of disruption across
all industries, why an organization like Keller Williams needs
attorneys
to help them keep pace with changing technologies, and the best ways
lawyers can get noticed by large corporations. This episode qualifies
as one hour of self-study MCLE credit for State Bar of Texas members.
(To claim self-study, attorneys should log in to My Bar Page at www.texasbar.com and click on the
link to “View/Report MCLE Hours.” From the MCLE homepage,
click on “Add Attendance” and go to the tab to add
self-study.)
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
38: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - State Bar President
Randy
Sorrels and Benny Agosto Jr.
State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir is joined by
special guest co-host Texas Young Lawyers Association President Victor
Flores to interview State Bar of Texas President Randy
Sorrels and Houston Bar Association President Benny Agosto, Jr. at
the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019. They
cover some of the initiatives the new presidents will aim to
accomplish
during their tenure as well as why they’re so passionate about
developing a more diverse bar.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
37: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - Conversation with keynote
speaker Asha Rangappa
Asha Rangappa, senior lecturer at Yale University and former FBI
counterintelligence special agent, sees the rise and impact of
disinformation in America as a symptom of an increase in tribalism
within our society. She and State Bar of Texas Podcast host
Rocky Dhir sit down at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 to
discuss how we came to this point; how, if left unchecked, this could
undermine our democracy; and how we can still come together to protect
ourselves and our country.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
36: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - Bench Bar Breakfast with
Wil Haygood
At the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019, State Bar of Texas
Podcast and Legal Talk Network producer Laurence Colletti sits down
with award-winning
American author Wil Haygood to hear about everything going on in his
life and his writing. They take a journey down memory lane through the
books he has written, but dive deepest into Showdown, a book
about famed
lawyer and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and his impact on
America. Haygood gives an in-depth look at key parts of his book, why he
chose it for his presentation, and shares anecdotes about the good
fortune he's received since writing it.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
35: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - Fooding in
Austin
We hope you’re hungry because in this special edition, State
Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir sits down with staffers
from the State Bar of Texas for insider tips on the best spots to eat
in Austin. They cover the top places for Asian comfort fusion food,
classic burgers, next level tacos, and the best sweets you can find,
such as gourmet doughnuts and specialty chocolate confections. And, no
shock here, they definitely cover the food truck scene. Tune in for a
mouth-watering conversation recorded at the State Bar of Texas Annual
Meeting 2019with Amy Starnes, Hannah Allison, Jennifer Dunham, and Eric
Quitugua.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
34: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - Ted Boutrous and Tom
Leatherbury on Open Government Law and Fake News
Half of Americans perceive made-up news as a big problem for our
country; fewer are as worried about the effects of racism. Tom
Leatherbury, co-leader of Vinson & Elkins’ Appellate Practice
Group, and Ted Boutrous, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, sit
down with State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir following
their panel at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 to discuss
the legal ramifications of “fake news,” the factors leading
to the overuse of the phrase, and how more transparency both in
government and journalism could help undercut this worrying trend.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
33: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - ‘Get Paid and Have a Life’
with Judge Audrey Moorehead
State Bar of Texas Podcast guests hosts Sally Pretorius and
Baili
Rhodes sit down with Judge Audrey Moorehead, of Dallas County Criminal
Court #3, to share the lessons she’s learned over her years of
practice on how to “Get Paid and Have a Life.” They cover
how juggling bar service, networking, and a career can lead not only to
more clients but also better paying clients; how young lawyers should
value
their work; and how to do a better job selling your services. All that
and more from this year’s State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting
2019.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
32: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - Ethical Use of Contract
Lawyers with Penny Robe
How can you ethically use a contract lawyer? State Bar of Texas
Podcast host Rocky Dhir talks to Penny Robe at the State Bar of
Texas Annual Meeting 2019, principal attorney at Robe Law Firm, about
what it means to be a contract lawyer. The two discuss how her interest
in
law practice management inspired her to become a contract lawyer, how
the ABA and Texas rules differ, and the appropriate steps to legally
and ethically bring on a contract lawyer.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
31: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - The US National Debt with
Larry Gibbs
The US national debt today is about 22 trillion dollars and each day
it continues to rise. State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky
Dhir recording from the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 is
joined
by Larry Gibbs, senior counsel at Miller & Chevalier, to talk about
America’s national debt crisis. They discuss the difference
between the national deficit and the national debt; how other
countries, such as China, are financing our debt (for now); and what
could happen if we default on our loans. Gibbs strongly urges our
listeners and everyone out there to educate themselves about our debts,
deficits, and spending programs and to reach out to their politicians
and to make our debt a principle issue in this country.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
30: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - The Science of Speaking
With Noah Zandan
Legal Talk Network producer Laurence Coletti and Noah Zandan, CEO of
Quantified Communications, talk communications during an episode of the
State Bar of Texas Podcast recorded at the State Bar of Texas
Annual Meeting 2019. They discuss how Zandan’s frustration over the lack
of data in measuring the effectiveness of communication led him to start
a company that applies data and advanced AI to help communicators become
more effective and engaging.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
29: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019 - Representing Diverse
Clients
Recording at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2019, State
Bar
of Texas Podcast host Rocky
Dhir sits down with panelists Lia S. Davis, senior litigation attorney
at Disability Rights Texas, and Jake Monty, managing partner at Monty
& Ramirez, fresh off the stage from their presentation
titled “Representing Diverse Clients: Issues of Culture,
Disability, and
Lifestyle.” Together, they cover common mistakes people make when
dealing
with disabled clients and the issues that frequently arise when
businesses hire minorities.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
28: Fostering a Stronger State Bar through Social Media
In a state with roughly one hundred thousand lawyers, one might be
surprised how disconnected and alone a practitioner can feel in Texas.
But when you spread those numbers across more than a quarter million
square miles, it becomes easy to understand why many attorneys
struggle to connect with the larger community, find mentors, or
receive
meaningful support from an understanding community. Leveraging the
power of social media, attorneys Andrew Tolchin and Michelle Cheng
help to bridge the chasm by operating the Texas Lawyers Facebook group,
which currently counts more than twelve thousand active Texas
attorneys in its membership. State Bar of Texas Podcast host
Rocky Dhir speaks with Tolchin and Cheng to discuss the meaning of such
a large, connected community, why it has succeeded, and some of the
surprising things they’ve learned along the way.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
27: The Life and Lessons of Sandra Day O’Connor
Author, historian, and journalist Evan Thomas was afforded
unprecedented access to the personal and professional life of a Supreme
Court Justice to write his authoritative biography of the first woman to
serve on the Supreme Court. In this episode of the State Bar of
Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir talks to the New York
Times best-selling author about what he learned writing First:
Sandra Day O’Connor. Thomas shares anecdotes and lessons
learned from his deep dive into her work and private life.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
26: State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting & Celebrating the Bar’s Long
Serving Members
In this episode of the State Bar of Texas Podcast,
host Rocky Dhir welcomes State Bar of Texas President Joe K.
Longley who, at the bar’s upcoming annual meeting, will be one of
the many honored for their 50 years of membership. Longley discusses
the significance of this achievement and shares anecdotes from his long
and colorful career. Also joining Dhir is State Bar Executive Director
Trey Apffel, who gives more information about what attendees can expect
at this year’s event.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
25: Workplace Discrimination – From Investigation to
Litigation
In this episode of the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host
Rocky Dhir talks to Suzanne Anderson about her career as a trial
attorney with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, or EEOC. They discuss how the office investigates claims
and
the processes that lead to litigation. Anderson gives examples of
cases
the EEOC has dealt with and gives her perspective on the current
state
of discrimination in the workplace.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
24: Legal Writing Nerd — Tips for Exceptional
Writing Skills
Legal writing is difficult for some lawyers to navigate. Is there a
shift away from archaic flourishes to plain language, or does it still
have its place? In this episode of the State Bar of Texas
Podcast, host Rocky Dhir talks to Wayne Schiess, author and
legal
writing professor. They discuss his most recent book, Legal
Writing Nerd: Be One, and give tips on what lawyers can
incorporate to better their writing skills.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
23: Lawyer to Author — A Look at Mike Farris’
Interesting Career
Lawyers are storytellers, and the shift from legalese to prose may
not
be too far a leap for some. In this episode of the State Bar
of
Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir talks
to Mike Farris about his career as an entertainment lawyer
and book author. They discuss the inspiration behind his books and
delve into Farris' writing process. They also talk about the
“Fifty Shades of Grey” Texas lawsuit in which Farris
represented the plaintiff, which then led to a nonfiction book
co-authored with his client.
Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay.
EPISODE
22: The Need to Lead: Revamping Legal Ed to Grow Better
Leaders
Law schools should be a training ground for leaders, but are the
concepts of leadership actually being taught? In this episode of the
State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir talks
to Leah Teague, associate dean at Baylor Law School,
about how law schools need to revamp their programs to include
leadership training for students. Teague discusses how leadership
training prepares law students to be able to fulfill their obligation
as professional problem solvers and helps create a path to higher
leadership roles in the future.
EPISODE
21: Year in Review: A Look Back at the Episodes of 2018
What’s your New Year’s resolution? The State Bar
of Texas Podcast is resolved to continue bringing lawyers
quality content that will improve their lives and practices. In this
episode, host Rocky Dhir looks back at some key moments from
the podcast throughout 2018. Tune in for highlights from the wide
array
of fascinating guests and topics covered this year, including clips
from episodes with Anthony Graves, Brian Cuban, the lawyers behind
Twitter’s @ladylawyerdiary, and more!
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