Explore every episode of the podcast State Bar of Texas Podcast

There is no way to truly prepare a client for life following a criminal conviction, and the aftermath of a defendant’s guilty verdict can be incredibly complex. Rocky Dhir welcomes Professor Lee Kovarsky to learn from his wealth of expertise on post-conviction law, mitigation investigations, capital defense teams, and more. They discuss nuances in this area of the law to help attorneys understand processes and needs for clients navigating this segment of our justice system. Lee Kovarsky is the Bryant Smith Chair in Law and the Co-Director of the Capital Punishment Center at the University of Texas School of Law.

Lawyers long considered the legendary Clarence Darrow to be an attorney to emulate, but closer examination of his career shows a condemnable pattern of unethical tactics and empty courtroom arguments. To debunk the popular culture myths surrounding Darrow, Rocky Dhir welcomes author and attorney Mike Farris to discuss the facts in his book, Blowhard: Windbaggery and the Wretched Ethics of Clarence Darrow. Mike shares details from his research that uncover evidence of jury bribing, intimidating witnesses, and other unprincipled conduct throughout Darrow’s career in a time where ethics rules failed to hold him accountable.   Mike Farris is a writer and retired entertainment attorney in Dallas, Texas.

Emotions can run high in family law cases, but creating realistic expectations can help your client effectively navigate the ups and downs of their legal issue. Rocky Dhir welcomes Britney Harrison to discuss her session on client relationships at the Annual Meeting. Britney explains her processes with clients and offers insights for dealing with common assumptions and ensuring ethical practices in this very nuanced area of the law.

Terry Bentley Hill and Chris Ritter share their passion for helping attorneys learn how to recognize depression and get help for those at risk for self-harm.

In this State Bar of Texas Podcast, TYLA leaders Victor Flores, Britney Harrison, and Sally Pretorius answer questions submitted at the State Bar of Texas new lawyers swearing-in ceremony.

394th Judicial District Judge Roy Ferguson discusses the unanticipated social changes that judges have to contend with after ascending to the bench.

Josh Team, president of Keller Williams, addresses how lawyers can play an integral role in helping companies keep pace with the rapid pace of tech innovation.

State Bar of Texas president Randy Sorrels and Houston Bar Association president Benny Agosto, Jr. share what to expect from their terms in office and why they both prioritize developing a more diverse bar.

Asha Rangappa discusses the history, current status, and a possible solution to our country’s problems with disinformation and “fake news”.

Wil Haygood, award winning author, explores his book, Showdown, to give listeners an in depth perspective about why he wrote it.

Amy Starnes, Hannah Allison, Jennifer Dunham, and Eric Quitugua recommend their favorite places to eat in Austin.

Tom Leatherbury and Ted Boutrous explore the ramifications of the phrase “fake news” and what can be done to restore confidence in the press.

Judge Audrey Moorehead shares tips from her presentation on how to ‘Get Paid and Have a Life’

Currently, all sports betting in Texas is illegal, despite the fact that many people believe there is a gray area around app-based betting. In reality, Texas does not yet allow for sports betting, but potential legislation might legalize this type of gambling and change the state’s approach to this issue. Rocky Dhir talks with presenters Kevin Vela and Blake Hart to learn more about what regulations currently exist and what may change in the near future.

Penny Robe of Robe Law Firm discusses the ethical ways to bringing on a contract lawyer, and how the ABA and Texas rules differ.

Larry Gibbs of Miller & Chevalier discusses the matter of America’s rising national debt and urges citizens to take interest and take action to address it.

Elliot Mayén and Brent Turman discuss attributes of Kanye West as a rapper, has to help lawyers in the courtroom.

David McCraw of the New York Times discusses the state of the free press, the impact of new tech on journalism, and the challenges we face in the future.

Judge Roy Ferguson of the Texas 394th Judicial District talks with host Rocky Dhir about the mistakes he sees lawyers make that put their clients’ recovery at great risk.

Lia Davis and Jake Monty share their thoughts on how lawyers can better serve a diverse client base.

Noah Zandan of Quantified Communications joins Laurence Colletti at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting to discuss how his company uses advanced data analytics to help people better convey their ideas and messages.

Host Rocky Dhir speaks with Andrew and Michelle to discuss the meaning of such a large, connected community, why it has succeeded, and some of the surprising things they’ve learned along the way.

Author, historian, and journalist Evan Thomas was afforded unprecedented access to the personal and professional life of a Supreme Court Justice to write his authoritative biography of the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court. In this episode, host Rocky Dhir talks to the New York Times bestselling author about what he learned writing First: Sandra Day O’Connor. Evan shares anecdotes and lessons learned from his deep dive into her work and private life.

Host Rocky Dhir welcomes State Bar President Joe Longley who, at the Bar’s upcoming annual meeting, will be one of the many honored for their 50 years of membership. Joe discusses the significance of this achievement and shares anecdotes from his long and colorful career. Also, joining Rocky is State Bar executive director Trey Apffel, who gives more information about what attendees can expect at this year’s annual meeting.

Both the governor and legislature of Texas have hoped to drive more business to Texas, but previously, businesses have expressed concerns over the potential for difficulties in navigating courts across Texas’s 254 counties. Now, a centralized system of business courts will open September 1, 2024, to serve businesses in the most populous areas of the state. Judge Emily Miskel and Marcy Hogan Greer talk with Rocky Dhir in detail about how these courts will operate and what businesses and attorneys should expect. Judge Emily Miskel has served as judge of the 470th district court of Collin County, Texas, since the court was created in 2015. Marcy Hogan Greer is the managing partner of Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP, a nationally recognized appellate boutique firm.

In this episode, host Rocky Dhir talks to Suzanne Anderson about her career as a trial attorney with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They discuss how the office investigates claims and the processes that lead to litigation. Suzanne gives examples of cases the EEOC has dealt with and gives her perspective on the current state of discrimination in the workplace.

Legal writing is difficult for some lawyers to navigate. Is there a shift away from archaic flourishes to plain language, or does it still have its place? In this episode, host Rocky Dhir talks to Wayne Schiess, author and legal writing professor. They discuss his most recent book, “Legal Writing Nerd: Be One,” and give tips on what lawyers can incorporate to better their writing skills.

Lawyers are storytellers, and the shift from legalese to prose may not be too far a leap for some. In this episode, host Rocky Dhir talks to Mike Farris about his career as an entertainment lawyer and book author. They discuss the inspiration behind his books and delve into Mike’s writing process. They also talk about the “Fifty Shades of Grey” Texas lawsuit in which Mike represented the plaintiff, which then led to a non-fiction book co-authored with his client.

Law schools should be a training ground for leaders, but are the concepts of leadership actually being taught? In this episode of the State Bar of Texas Podcast, host Rocky Dhir talks to Leah Teague, associate dean at Baylor University Law School, about how law schools need to revamp their programs to include leadership training for students. Leah Teague is an associate dean at Baylor University Law School in Waco, TX Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay

What’s your New Year’s resolution? The State Bar of Texas Podcast is resolved to continue bringing lawyers quality content that will improve their lives and practices. In this episode, host Rocky Dhir looks back at some key moments from the podcast throughout 2018. Tune in for highlights from the wide array of fascinating guests and topics covered this year, including clips from episodes with Anthony Graves, Brian Cuban, the lawyers behind Twitter’s @ladylawyerdiary, and more!

Host Rocky Dhir and guest host Sally Pretorius talk to Kendyl Hanks and Kristen Vander-Plas, two of the cofounders of @LadyLawyerDiary on Twitter. They discuss how their Twitter account has become a forum for women in the legal industry. It is used for the discussion of issues, for encouragement and support, and for spotlighting women in the legal profession who are doing great things.

For a lot of law students, the goal is to end up in-house, but is it really as ideal as it seems? Host Rocky Dhir talks to William Kruse and Shruti Krishnan about their experiences as in-house counsels. They also share insights for those hoping to go in-house, from fully understanding your role to having a business-minded focus.

Many lawyers have a passion for pro bono work but few make it their life. Host Rocky Dhir talks to Kimi Jackson about the work she does for the South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) which provides pro bono legal services to asylum seekers detained at the border. They discuss family separation and other immigration issues that isn't necessarily covered by the media and share how volunteers can get involved.

It’s one of the greatest honors a judge can receive during his career, to be named Tweeter Laureate. Host Rocky Dhir talks to Judge Don Willett about how he became the Tweeter Laureate of Texas and an example for other judges who want to use social media as a platform. He shares some tips for using social media and speaks to whether users are over-engaged. He also discusses the role judges should play in our judicial system and the importance of educating the masses about their government.

From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Frank Stevenson as he steps down from his role as immediate past president of the State Bar of Texas. They discuss what makes the State Bar of Texas a particularly strong bar association and what Frank’s plans are as he leaves bar leadership. They also talk about the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator, one of Frank’s projects that seeks to close the access to justice gap and meet the needs of both lawyers and clients.

Camille Vasquez joins Rocky Dhir to talk about her path to becoming a lawyer and what led to her involvement in the highly publicized defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Camille offers insights into her experiences during the Depp v. Heard case and highlights the importance of crafting a powerful story during cross-examination to help bring justice for your clients at trial.

The energy of the State Bar Annual Meeting 2018 continues in these next three episodes of the State Bar of Texas Podcast. Tune in for some of the most notable guests interviewed by Rocky Dhir on the conference floor including legal tech pro Craig Ball, new president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association Sally Pretorius, and 2016-17 State Bar of Texas President Frank Stevenson. These guests cover important topics like access to justice, young lawyer mentorship, and obtaining evidence in a digital age.

From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Sally Pretorius, the new president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, about the projects she will be working on during her term. She plans to provide mentorship to women in law and young lawyers fresh out of law school, educate on healthy ways to handle stress, and create a K-12 program that talks about the rights and duties we have as Americans.

Our dependence on our mobile devices means they are significant forms of evidence that need to be preserved in case of a lawsuit. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Craig Ball about the importance of evidence preservation for tablets and smart phones. They discuss the kinds of evidence these and similar devices can provide and the best methods of obtaining this data.

Rudy Metayer and Erich Burch, members of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors, sit down with Rocky Dhir at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting to talk about bar initiatives. They go over the new investigation on transparency at the bar, addressing the fear regarding immigration bond hearings at the U.S. border, and ways the bar is helping lawyers struggling with mental illness and addiction. Stay tuned to hear about TLAP and TOJI, two programs directly targeted towards helping Texas lawyers.

Historical events have shaped culture and the law, and learning about them can make you a stronger and much more aware attorney. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Doug Brinkley and Talmage Boston about what made 1968 a tumultuous year in American history and what lawyers can learn from this time period. They discuss the Vietnam war, the murders of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, and the unexpectedly uniting aspects of the space race.

We may be biased but podcasts are a great tool for lawyers whether you’re looking for tips or need a little encouragement. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to John Strohmeyer and Teresa Waldrop about the benefits of podcasts and how you can effectively use them to improve your practice. They discuss some of the tips and tricks they’ve learned in their own listening and how they’ve found time to listen as busy lawyers.

Before technology is accepted and used within the legal industry, it faces periods of doubt and skepticism from nervous lawyers. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Jason Smith about the different phases of a typical innovation cycle that new technology faces when it emerges into the legal industry. They also share why lawyers should aim to understand and embrace technology like artificial intelligence rather than fear it.

Technology has become so deeply embedded in our lives that we don’t even notice how much we rely on our phones, tablets, and computers, but how could technology like artificial intelligence (AI) affect the current job market? From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Ron Chichester How computers have become an integral part of our lives and what this means for the law of computers. They also discuss how lawyers should handle the quick advancement of AI and automation.

Lawyers know in general what paralegals are, but are you utilizing the full potential of your paralegal? From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Tiffany Haas and Johanna Schroeder about how paralegals can be invaluable to attorneys. They discuss how you can find the right paralegal for you, what paralegals are looking for in attorneys, and how you can retain good paralegals in your practice.

For those who think textbooks are too expensive or don't fit the course material well enough, the solution may be to create your own textbook. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Matt Crockett about his experience writing his own textbook and how it has helped both him and his students. For lawyers who aren't professors, he also discusses how explaining his process and collecting textbooks in an easy-to-read format also helped him more effectively communicate with clients.

Lawyers have been getting into ethical hot water over both the use and misuse of AI, failing in their duties of competence, diligence, and more, so where do we go from here? Rocky Dhir talks with Justice John Browning and Judge Roy Ferguson to learn the latest guidance on AI issues and to remind lawyers of their ethical obligations. They discuss AI’s revolutionary impacts in the legal profession and what to expect as it continues to evolve.  Justice John G. Browning has been a litigator in Texas and Oklahoma for over 35 years, including as a partner in several national law firms. Judge Roy Ferguson (2013-present) presides over a five-county court of general jurisdiction covering roughly 20,000 square miles and over 20% of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Social media is a great tool for lawyers but it also comes with its own set of cautionary tales. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to John Browning about the pitfalls of using social media and how lawyers can avoid them. They share social media horror stories and discuss what is actually safe for lawyers to post.

While it’s important for lawyers to be professional, it’s also important to have a sense of humor. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to lawyer and bon vivant Pamela Buchmeyer about the role of humor in the legal profession. They discuss her late father, Jerry Buchmeyer, and his column that has turned into her column featuring funny stories sent to her by lawyers.

If you want your LinkedIn profile to work for you, you can’t just upload your resume and hope for the best. A solid LinkedIn profile takes work. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Donna Serdula about how she became the LinkedIn queen and how attorneys can use the platform to build their brand. Tune in for tips that will help you strengthen your LinkedIn profile.