#immigrationlaw

Houston Lawyers have looked forward to receiving each new issue of the Houston Lawyer (THL) magazine for the past 60 years. This episode celebrates both the rich, engaging, and award-winning content from our authors and the lawyers and staff members who have been a part of this publication. 

1. A Conversation with 1974-75 EIC Jim Perdue: A Seasoned Storyteller and Trial Trailblazer

Jim Perdue of Perdue and Kidd is one of the earliest editors in chief of THL and a legal legend known for pioneering many modern evidentiary techniques who is often referred to as the "Father of Texas Courtroom Storytelling." He discusses his time as EIC and provides some great advice for younger lawyers.

2. Spotlight on Dustin Rynders, Award-Winning Author of "Supporting Adults with Disabilities to Avoid Unnecessary Guardianship" (Jan./Feb. 2018)

Interviewer: Rachael Thompson of Winston & Strawn

Dustin Rynders, the Director of the Criminal Legal Program at Texas Civil Rights Project, discusses the substance of his 2018 article about Texas’s law relating to adult guardianship and provides an update and practical examples such as the very-public Brittney Spears case. He also discusses his work with Texas Civil Rights Project and pro bono opportunities.

3. Thank You, Round One

4. A Conversation with 2011-12 EIC Tamara Stiner Toomer: A THL Trailblazer

Tamara Stiner Toomer of Johnsen Law is the first Black EIC of THL. She discusses her time as an editor and some of the important legal issues the bar journal covered in 2011-12. 

5. Spotlight on Leigh Ganchan, Award-Winning Author of "Immigration & Naturalization Service Worksite Enforcement Operations Re-Emerge as National Security Priority" (2003)

Interviewer: Anietie Akpan of Royal Vopak

Leigh Ganchan, a Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, discusses her award-winning article from 2003, which covered shifting priorities on large workforce enforcement site operations post-9-11. She also provides an update on how the Government’s priorities have shifted in the twenty years since she wrote the article.

6. Thank You, Round Two.

7.   A Conversation with 2023-24 EIC Elizabeth Furlow Malpass: Our Current Leader

Elizabeth Malpass discusses how and why she got involved with the Editorial Board, the positions she has held, some of the articles she has worked on, what we can expect in future issues this year, and how YOU can get involved.

8.  Thank You, Round Three.

9. Working EIC Moms Making It Work: Not Superwoman, Not Perfect, But Everything Is Fine

Panelists:  Farrah Martinez, EIC 2017-18, Taunya Painter, EIC 2019-20, Brooksie Boutet, EIC 2022-23, Elizabeth Malpass, Current EIC

The women on this segment have all served as editors in chief of THL while also working as lawyers and being moms. They discuss the broad topics in "Working Moms Making It Work," a 2018 article that Anna Archer wrote for THL that is part of a series of articles that won an award from the State Bar. The women frankly discuss how they manage so many responsibilities, noting that nobody is actually Superwoman and it is okay to not be perfect. In fact, sometimes cupcakes from H-E-B are just fine. 

For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

Part One: Best Practices for Attorney Wellness (Segment One)

The first half of this episode is a panel discussion about best practices for attorney wellness featuring Amy Bice Larson, Managing Partner of BSP Law Houston, Elizabeth Stevens, HR Director of the Harris County District Attorney's Office, and Josie Morgan, COO of BoyarMiller.  These guests share the most successful attorney wellness initiatives in their offices or firms.  This panel discussion will be very interesting for attorneys who work in firm management or HR, or any attorney who is interested in what local legal employers are doing to make sure that the attorneys in their office stay well. They also take a deeper dive into wellness and address how attorneys need to look out for one another and specifically point out that the State Bar has programs that are of benefit to attorneys who are struggling with mental health issues.

Wellness Break: Slowing Down for Healing and Health: How Lawyers can Benefit from Restorative/Trauma-Informed Yoga (Segment Two)

The Wellness Break features Jessica Crutcher, who is a partner at Mayer Brown and also a yoga instructor. She shares how inclusive, trauma informed yoga and meditation classes can improve wellness in attorneys. 

Part Two: The Intersection of Law and Mental Health

This part of the episode focuses on the types of mental health issues that impact cases in different practice areas and how the lawyers deal manage these issues. It includes a lot of practical tips that will be particularly beneficial to younger lawyers.

The Intersection of Employment Law and Mental Health (Segment 3)

The third segment of this episode features Ashlee Grant, who is a partner at BakerHostetler and is and is board-certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  Ashlee discusses the intersection of employment law and mental health and provides practical advice for employment lawyers who are faced with mental health issues in their cases.

The Intersection of Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Mental Health (Segment 4)

The fourth segment of this episode features John B. Henry, III, of the Law Office of John B. Henry, III, PLLC, who is interviewed by Behind the Lines interviewer Anietie Akpan.  John is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in estate planning and probate law and is a certified elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation.  John addresses how mental health and wellbeing issues impact his practice, including mental incapacity issues in his cases and how he manages mental wellbeing issues that his clients are dealing with.

The intersection of Family and Immigration Law and Mental Health (Segment 5)

The final segment of this episode features Jody-Ann Greenwood, who is the founder and managing attorney of Greenwood Legal Advocacy Group, PLLC where she has been practicing family and immigration law since 2016.  Behind the Lines interviewer Anietie Akpan interviews Jody-Ann about the types of mental health issues she encounters in both her family law and immigration law practices and how she effectively handles these issues. 

Listeners who are HBA members can receive up to 1.75 hours of TX CLE credit for listening to this episode. Details available at hba.org.

For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

This special spotlight episode of Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast corresponds with the Section Spotlight feature of The Houston Lawyer magazine.

We are featuring the Houston Bar Association's (HBA) Law Practice Management Section in this episode.  The spotlighted program is a hybrid (online and in person) CLE presentation provided by the section in March 2022. The CLE, entitled "The Best of the ABA Techshow 2022," was presented by Ruby Powers. The ABA Techshow is an event where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology experts convene once a year to share ideas, talk trends, and improve the legal profession. Ms. Powers attended the entire conference and spoke on two panels. Her presentation provides the key takeaways from the three-day event and highlights the useful tips that law practice managers can instantly put into place.  Ms. Powers refers to some slides and websites in her presentation, and listeners can find those on the HBA's The Houston Lawyer webpage: www.hba.org/thehoustonlawyer. Note that because the podcast contains a recording of a live event, there is some unavoidable background noise. 

Ruby Powers is the owner and managing partner of Powers Law Group Immigration Law Firm in Houston.  She is an active member of the HBA Law Practice Management Section, and she is on the Editorial Board of The Houston Lawyer magazine.

"The Law Practice Management Section Provides information and resources to HBA members about building and managing law practices more effectively and successfully while maintaining the highest standards of the legal profession. CLE-approved programs focus on both fundamental principles and emerging trends related to building and enhancing client relationships; office management and supervisory issues; effective use of legal technology; billing and accounting practices; and professionalism." (Law Practice Management (hba.org)). John Meredith is the 2021-2022 Chair of the Section.

Thanks to Ms. Powers, Mr. Meredity, and the Law Practice Management for sharing your program with Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast listeners. 

Listeners who are also HBA members are eligible for 45 minutes of Texas CLE credit. Visit Continuing Legal Education (hba.org) for more information. 

For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

Houston attorney Anuj Shah provides his thoughts on recent developments in immigration law. This portion is accredited for CLE. Then, we spotlight the HBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee's summer clerkship program, with an overview from committee co-chair Daniella Martinez and shared experiences from law students Goldia Ezekwere and Silvia Chicas. Contact Daniella at dmartinez@bakerlaw.com for more information on participating as a law student or employer.

After listening to this episode, Houston Bar Association members can visit hba.org/watchcle for information to obtain CLE credit.

Views expressed by the participants of this program are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of The Houston Lawyer or the Houston Bar Association.

For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

Rich brings to The Common Bridge Immigration Expert Laura Collins. Collins and Helppie talk about the history of immigration policy, where we are today as a country, and what the future may hold.  This is a departure from the dueling talking points so prevalent in our news.

Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!