Article Contents
The State Bar of Texas is an agency of the Texas judiciary responsible for overseeing all attorneys licensed to practice law in Texas.
The State Bar is unique among state occupational licensing agencies in that it combines an oversight role with activities typical of a professional association. All attorneys practicing in Texas are required by law to be members of the State Bar.
Main Functions
- Regulating the legal profession: The State Bar sets rules and standards for the practice of law in Texas, ensuring that attorneys maintain professional and ethical conduct.
- Licensing attorneys: The State Bar oversees the process for admitting new attorneys to practice law in Texas, including administering the bar exam and verifying qualifications.
- Disciplinary actions: It investigates complaints about attorney misconduct and takes disciplinary actions, which may include sanctions, suspension, or disbarment.
- Continuing legal education (CLE): The State Bar provides and mandates ongoing education for attorneys to ensure they stay current on legal developments and maintain competence in their areas of practice.
- Providing resources and support for attorneys: It offers various services, including practice management tools, career development, and wellness programs for lawyers.
- Pro bono legal aid: The Bar promotes access to justice through pro bono initiatives, legal aid resources, and public education on legal issues.
- Advocacy and policy: The State Bar advocates for the legal profession and justice system, including shaping state policies and legislation that affect the practice of law.
- Lawyer referral services: It operates services to help the public find appropriate legal representation for specific legal matters.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion: The State Bar works to foster diversity in the legal profession, ensuring equal opportunities for attorneys of all backgrounds.
- Public outreach and education: It provides resources and programs to educate the public about legal rights and responsibilities.
“The mission of the State Bar of Texas is to support the administration of the legal system, assure all citizens equal access to justice, foster high standards of ethical conduct for lawyers, enable its members to better serve their clients and the public, educate the public about the rule of law and promote diversity in the administration of justice and the practice of law.“
Mission Statement of the State Bar of Texas
Attorney Services
The State Bar provides the following services to its members:
- continuing legal education courses so that attorneys can keep up-to-speed on changes in the law or changes in different practice areas;
- coordinates the Texas Bar Private Insurance Exchange, which offers insurance products to attorneys and law firms;
- runs a free ethics help line operated by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s Office; and
- offers members access to a legal research service and law library.
The Bar also conducts disciplinary proceedings against Texas attorneys who face complaints about their professional conduct.
Services for the Public
The Bar provides a number of free services to the public, including free or low-cost legal assistance, pamphlets and other information resources, and online databases of attorneys’ disciplinary records and licensing information.
Structure and Oversight
The State Bar of Texas is governed by a volunteer board of directors with 46 voting members from across the state. The voting members include:
- 3 officers elected statewide by State Bar members (president, president-elect, and immediate past president),
- 30 attorneys elected from 17 geographical districts,
- 6 public (non-attorney) members appointed by the Supreme Court,
- 4 at-large directors appointed by the State Bar president, and
- 3 officers elected statewide by Texas Young Lawyers Association members (president, president-elect, and immediate past president).
Fourteen nonvoting, ex-officio members also serve on the State Bar board, including the immediate past board chair and liaisons representing the judiciary, State Bar sections, and out-of-state members.
On a day-to-day basis, the State Bar is run by an executive director.
Address and Website
- Headquarters: 1414 Colorado Street, Austin (map).
- Website: texasbar.com
