The committee is responsible for the editing and publishing of the magazine in cooperation with the HBA staff and sets editorial policies and procedures as approved by the HBA Board of Directors.
2024-2025 Editor in Chief
Andrew Pearce, BoyarMiller
2024-2025 Associate Editors
Articles: Nikki Morris, BakerHostetler LLP
Legal Trends: Lane Morrison, BSP Law
Committee & Section Spotlights: Sydney Huber Bateman, Horne Rota Moos L.L.P.
Off the Record: Braden Riley, Morrow & Sheppard LLP
Media Reviews: Kyle Steingreaber, Adams and Reese LLP
Podcast: Anna Archer, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
For more information on this committee, contact HBA Marketing and Communications Director and Houston Lawyer Managing Editor Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org or call (346) 471-3428.
Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast
Hosted by Anna Archer, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Read the current issue of The Houston Lawyer (July/August 2024) by clicking the image below
For questions about the magazine, please contact HBA Marketing and Communications Director Maggie Martin at maggiem@hba.org.
Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast
CLE Course Numbers for Recent Episodes of Behind the Lines:
- Nobody Puts These Lawyers in a Corner (of the World): Out-of-the Box Places and Ways to Practice Law: 174249532
- A Bright Constellation of Rights: Views from Houston on Freedom of Speech, Bearing Arms, Search and Seizure, and Jury Trials: 174243129
- The Bench-Bar Relationship: Going the Extra Mile: 174237804
- Celebrating Black History Month and Our Diverse Legal Community: History, Allyship, Legal Education, and Change: 174230463
- Celebrating 60 Years of The Houston Lawyer Magazine: 174222880
- Employment Law 2023: "There Is Nothing Permanent Except Change": 174215743
Latest Episode
'Nobody Puts These Lawyers in a Corner (of the World): Out-of-the Box Places and Ways to Practice Law'
In this episode, we escape the summer heat of Houston to explore out-of-the-box places and ways to practice law. Listeners will hear about combatting sex trafficking in Kenya, living in Puerto Vallarta while virtually practicing law in Houston, and engaging in immersive travel with one's family without experiencing interruptions in serving one’s clients here in Houston.
Segment One: There’s No Place Like Home (in Kenya): Combatting Sex Trafficking in Africa
Guests: Anna Swanson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, South District of Texas
Anna Swanson, who is now practicing in Houston, completed her work last year as the Manager of Security, Investigations, and Law Enforcement Development at International Justice Mission’s (“IJM”) field office in Mombasa, Kenya. In that position, Anna worked with government officials and law enforcement entities in different countries to train officials to use equipment and online investigation tools essential to investigate tips from the International Child Abduction Hotline digital world of evidence so that the evidence they obtained would be admissible in court. Anna discusses the types of child trafficking crimes in Kenya and how the court system there deals with defendants accused of such crimes. She also addresses the importance of collaboration and partnerships in achieving international legal goals – in this case protecting children. She also goes into some of the complexities of digital evidence and how the IJM and its partners were able to educate the investigators, prosecutors, and even courts in Kenya on its use.
Anna Swanson served as the Manager of Security, Investigations, and Law Enforcement Development at International Justice Mission’s (“IJM”) field office in Mombasa, Kenya from 2021-2023. Anna led IJM’s project in the Mombasa area (Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa counties) related to the training of law enforcement on the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases—specifically, the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Anna’s background is in law enforcement (she was a Houston Police Officer for 10 years), and currently she is a licensed attorney (licensed in Texas since 2016). As an attorney she clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Alfred H. Bennett, and worked for Rusty Hardin and Associates, and at the global law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP in the litigation section.
Segment Two: You Had Me at Hola! (in Puerto Vallarta): Practicing Law in Texas While Living Abroad
Guest: Nikita Lamar, Lamar Legal Group
Nikita Lamar of Lamar Legal Group joins us from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She has an almost fully virtual law practice as a Houston lawyer living elsewhere. Nikita discusses why attorneys sometimes need to pivot, such as burnout. She also addresses the logistics of changing your practice model so that you can move your practice out of the country, such as necessary changes to your client engagement letter, and talks about what lawyers moving abroad need to consider with regard to Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct 1.03 and 1.05. And, she touches on the importance of exploring Digital Nomad laws and tax implications of the locations you are considering and getting the advice of a tax professional before making a move. Nikita has started an online group called “Esquires Abroad” for lawyers who have virtual practices and live abroad.
Nikita Lamar's academic pursuits led her to earn a B.S. in Political Science from Tennessee State University, followed by an impressive career in the non-profit sector. Her work in areas like Breast Cancer, Infant Mortality, and HIV showcased her empathy, resilience, and resourcefulness. As a Compliance Coordinator, she nurtured collaborative relationships with government agencies, negotiated contracts, and managed complex operations across multiple locations.
Her life took an unexpected turn when the passing of her grandparents led her into a challenging probate litigation battle just before she started law school. This personal struggle fueled her interest in Estate Planning and Probate Litigation. In 2014, she earned her J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, and in 2016, she founded Lamar Legal Group, PLLC.
Nikita's commitment to preserving what clients have worked tirelessly to build is the cornerstone of her practice. Lamar Legal Group, PLLC, is dedicated to assisting families, individuals, and businesses with comprehensive estate plans. Nikita's personal experience with the legal system has imbued her with a profound understanding of the emotional and financial challenges that can arise, and she's driven to provide steadfast support and solutions.
As a proud member of the Family Law and LGBTQIA+ sectors of the State Bar of Texas, as well as Collaborative Divorce Texas, Nikita is deeply invested in advocating for diverse communities. Beyond her legal pursuits, she finds joy in cooking gourmet meals for both restaurants and private gatherings. Currently residing in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, Nikita seamlessly manages her law practice, frequently traveling to her principal office in Houston, Texas.
Segment Three: Adventure is Out There: Enjoying Geographic Freedom While Maintaining a Successful Law Practice
Guest: Arati Bhattacharya, AB Law
Arati Bhattacharya of AB Law talks with new Behind-the-Lines interviewer Rinku Ray about how Arati structured her law firm so that her family can engage in immersive travel experiences while she still maintains a successful legal practice in Houston. She provides pointers and encouragement for other lawyers who would like to take control of their lives and legal practices but may be afraid to do so.
Arati “Arti” Bhattacharya is the managing attorney of AB Law, a full-service business law and estate planning law firm in Houston, that services clients throughout Texas. AB Law is designed to be an education-based law firm for modern day businesses and families with transparent flat fee pricing.
Arati graduated from Texas A&M University followed by Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 2006. Prior to launching AB Law, Arati spent 10 years as a partner of a nationally reputed boutique law firm (with 5 years of additional experience prior to partnership).
In 2021, she opened AB Law to handle business law and estate planning matters for families, entrepreneurs, and small and mid-size businesses. The firm has enjoyed multiple successes since its inception and has a strong and loyal client base. AB Law prides itself on being experienced and relatable legal counsel with a modern-day approach.
Arati lives in Houston with her husband and two daughters. She is actively involved in her community and serves on various educational and philanthropic boards.
Members of the Houston Bar Association are eligible to receive .75 HRS CLE credits and .25 HRS of ethics credit for listening to this episode. Please self-report credit on the State Bar of Texas website, www.texasbar.com. Make sure to apply the date you watched the video.
If you need any assistance with reporting your credit, please contact the HBA at 713-759-1133.
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Please Note
The views expressed on Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast are those of the panelists only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Houston Bar Association, The Houston Lawyer editorial board, or the Podcast Committee.
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