Bench Bar Conference Purpose
The HBA Bench Bar Conference Committee encourages cooperation between the bench and the bar in Harris County, creates opportunity for communication, and addresses issues of mutual concern. Since 1992, the Bench Bar Conference Committee has coordinated an annual Bench Bar Conference for attorneys and the judiciary.
The Bench Bar Conference features both general sessions, which address issues common to all who practice in specific courts, and small group sessions, which focus on specific legal topics of interest to both the bench and the bar. The Bench Bar Conference has featured networking opportunities through social activities, team-building exercises and shared meals.
The Bench Bar Conference is designed to bring attorneys and judges together in an informal atmosphere where we can identify and solve challenges faced by the Bench and Bar. Group meetings and small break-out sessions can focus on issues relating to how we can work together to accomplish our mutual goals; social and networking events will promote camaraderie and friendship. The overall benefits include more effective communication among lawyers and judges, and the promise of a system that works better for all of us.
2024-2025 Bench Bar Conference Co-Chairs
Andrea Chan, Olson & Olson LLP
Todd Frankfort, O’Neil Wysocki, P.C.
Hon. Tanya Garrison, 157th District Court
Hon. Beau Miller, 190th District Court
Donna Thomisee, Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard
For more information on this committee, contact Ashley Gagnon Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or 346-471-3431.
On April 12, members of the Houston legal community gathered at the Hotel ZaZa Museum District for engaging discussions across various legal practices, networking opportunities, and a reflection on civility within the law. Thanks to the participation of attendees, our esteemed speakers, and generous sponsors, the event was a resounding success! (Scroll down to discover the impressive lineup of panelists and sponsors.)
This course was approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for certification and recertification continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and paralegals in the following specialty fields: Child Welfare Law, Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Criminal Appellate, Criminal Law, Estate Planning and Probate Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury Trial Law. Each specialty field is approved for 5.75 hours. Video recordings coming soon..
Thank you to all of our 2024 Bench Bar Conference Speakers!
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. |
Welcome and Opening Remarks Diana Gomez, HBA President |
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. |
Plenary Session: Lawyering in the Modern World: Where Are We, Where Are We Headed, and How Do We Save Ourselves Hon. Al Bennett, U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Texas Moderated by Kelly Sandill, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP |
10:15 – 11:00 a.m. |
Breakout Session 1: Lawyering in the Modern World Roundtable discussion about plenary topic |
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. | Break |
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. |
Track Sessions Track 1: Don't Rely on AI if You Want to Stay Out of Trouble Hon. Kelli Johnson, Judge, 178th District Court Track 2: Pitfalls to Avoid in Family Jury Trial Hon. Angela Graves-Harrington, Family Division Administrative Judge, 246th District Court Track 3: When Life Unexpectedly Happens and How to Handle Your Practice Amidst It All Jared Caplan, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Track 4: Out with the Old: Hand Me Down Trial Tips That No Longer Work Hon. Lee Rosenthal, U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Texas Track 5: Probate Perspectives: How Judges Want You to Handle Things Hon. Jerry Simoneaux, Probate Division Administrative Judge, Harris County Probate Court No. I |
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch |
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. |
Plenary Session: The AI Train: Get Onboard or Get Run Over Christina Crozier, Haynes and Boone, LLP Moderated by Hon. Beau Miller, Judge, 190th District Court |
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. |
Breakout Session 2: The AI Train Roundtable discussion about plenary topic |
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. | Break |
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. |
Track Sessions Track 1: Investigation through Sentencing: How to Get the Best Outcome for Your Client Hon. Charles Eskridge, U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Texas Track 2: Understanding the UCCJEA Hon. Gloria Lopez, Judge, 308th District Court Track 3: Appellate Update Hon. Brett Busby, Justice, Supreme Court of Texas Track 4: Roundtable with the Civil Judges Hon. Drew Tipton, U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Texas Track 5: Roundtable with the Criminal Judges Hon. Hazel Jones, Criminal Division Administrative Judge, 174th District Court |
4:30 – 5:00 p.m. |
Door Prizes and Closing Remarks Hon. Dena Palermo, Co-Chair, Bench Bar Conference Committee |
5:00 p.m. | Bites and Beverages for the Bar (to be held outdoors by pool area) |
Thank you to our sponsors!
Diamond Sponsors
Emerald Sponsors
Ruby Sponsors
Gold Sponsors | Silver Sponsors | Bronze Sponsors |
ADR Of Counsel (ADROC) | Halbach Dispute Resolution Services | Justice Margaret Poissant |
Asset Preservation, Inc. | Houston Trial Lawyers Association | Schirrmeister Diaz-Arrastia Brem LLP |
ezBriefs | John S. Torigian, P.C. | Gwen W. Tipton / McDonald Worley PC |
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP | Law Offices of Diane St. Yves, PLLC | |
LexisNexis | LuncefordADR, LLC | |
Matthiesen & Associates | Siltstone Capital, LLC | |
SmartStart | The Oweyssi Law Firm, PLLC |
The HBA adopted the following policy for judicial campaigning at HBA events:
There should be no active campaigning, no literature distributed, no buttons worn, essentially nothing to indicate that a judge is in a contested race, and certainly nothing urging a favorable vote. Judges and judicial candidates may serve on HBA committee(s) and appear in HBA programs.
The Houston Bar Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. EIN #76-002959.
Please contact Ashley Gagnon Steininger at ashleyg@hba.org or 346-471-3431 for more information.