#thehoustonlawyer

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.

This episode corresponds with the Bench-Bar issue of The Houston Lawyer magazine, and it focuses on the service of four Houston area judges who serve the Bar and the citizens of Harris County both inside and outside of the courtroom.

An Interview with the Hon. Yvonne Ho, U.S. Magistrate Judge. In the first segment, which is approximately 30 minutes long, The Houston Lawyer Podcast Host Anna Archer talks with the newest federal Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Texas about her journey to the bench, her hopes regarding her relationship with the Bar, how she plans to continue mentoring now that she is a judge, and her views on diversity in the judiciary. Judge Ho also provides tips to lawyers who will be practicing in her court. 

Keeping the Wheels of Justice Turning: A Spotlight on Three Houston Area Administrative Judges. In the second segment, which is about 45 minutes long, The Houston Lawyer Podcast Host Anna Archer interviews the Hon. Kelli Johnson of the 178th Criminal District Court and Administrative Judge of the Felony Criminal Division, the Hon. Michelle Moore of the 314th District Court and Administrative Judge of the Juvenile Division, and the Hon. Angela Graves-Harrington of the 246th Family District Court and Administrative Judge of the Harris County Board of Family District Judges. The judges discuss the roles of administrative judges in Houston, how all of the recent disasters impacted our courts, and how the judges have worked with the Bar to keep the wheels of justice turning in Harris County after Hurricane Harvey, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Winter Storm Uri.  

Off the Record: Alex Weatherford’s Silver Linings After a Traumatic and Life-Changing Accident.   The third segment is a bonus segment. HBA President Jennifer Hasley interviews Alex Weatherford, who is featured in the Off the Record feature in this month’s magazine, about his road to recovery after a traumatic accident that dramatically changed his life, his experience with a groundbreaking surgery, and how his supportive family and firm environments have enabled him to continue to keep a positive attitude.

Listeners to the first two segments who are also HBA members are eligible for 1.25 hours of CLE credit, including .25 ethics. Visit the HBA's CLE page for more information.

Be sure to read this month's issue of The Houston Lawyer, which provides numerous articles highlighting the amenable professional relationships between Houston judges and members of the Bar. It will be available in early May at thehoustonlawyer.com. 

More information about the guests on this episode can be found on The Houston Lawyer Committee's HBA webpage, www.hba.org/thehoustonlawyer. 

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.