2008 Diversity Report Card
May 16, 2008
In June 2006, the Houston Multi-Bar Committee formed—bringing together the Houston Lawyers Association, the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston, the Mexican American Bar Association or Houston, and the Asian American Bar Association of Houston—in order to evaluate the racial and ethnic make-up of Houston’s largest law firms. In furtherance of this purpose, in July 2006, the Committee surveyed 21 of the largest laws firms in Houston (as identified in the 2005 Legal Almanac) regarding, among other things, the number of minority attorneys at each of the respective firms. All 21 firms approached participated in the survey. It is the response to these surveys that serve as the basis for this Law Firm Diversity Report Card.
National Bar Association 83rd Annual Convention & Exhibits
May 16, 2008
The National Bar Association
83rd Annual Convention is coming to Houston!
The Houston Lawyers Association, an affiliate chapter of the National Bar Association, will host the National Bar Association’s 83rd Annual Convention in Houston, Texas from July 26 - August 2, 2008. The Convention will take place at the Westin Galleria and the Westin Oaks hotels. Ms. E. Jean Johnson, Esquire, serves as chairperson of the Convention.
The National Bar Association was organized in 1925, consisting primarily of African-American attorneys in the United Sates. It is the principal advocate for the interests of African-American lawyers, judges and law students. Over the years, the National Bar Association has grown enormously in size and influence, and currently has a network within the United States of over 30,000 lawyers, judges, educators and law students. It has 84 affiliate chapter institutions throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Africa and the Caribbean. For over 30 years, its National Office in Washington, D.C. has been led by Mr. John Crump, Esquire, a native Houstonian.
The purpose of the National Bar Association is “… to advance the science of jurisprudence; improve the administration of justice; preserve the independence of the judiciary and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession; to promote professional and social intercourse among the members of the American and the international bars; to promote legislation that will improve the economic condition of all American citizens, regardless of race, sex or creed in their effort to secure a free and untrammeled use of the franchise guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States; and to protect the civil and political rights of the citizens and residents of the United States.” Consistent with that purpose, the National Bar Association has made considerable contributions over the years to help foster social, political and economic development around the world.
This year’s theme is Carrying the Torch: Power through Collaboration. Over 4000 lawyers, judges, and law students from around the world are expected to attend. And with more than 40 seminars and 100 hours of Continuing Legal Education to choose from, attendees will be exposed to a variety of educational enhancements and seminar topics that will cover many legal disciplines, including ethics and practice management.
The Convention is being sponsored by many individuals, organizations, and corporations, including the State Bar of Texas, which is a Bronze Sponsor.
The Houston Lawyers Association welcomes the opportunity to host the Convention and extends a warm welcome to all lawyers, judges, law students and any other persons who are interested in participating in this upcoming Convention. For more information about the Convention, please visit www.nationalbar.org or contact Ms. E. Jean Johnson at (281) 300-8282.
HLA Meet With Top Election Official for Count Every Vote Campaign
May 15, 2008