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Volume 17 Issue 7
The Advocate
Smith County Bar
2014-2015 Association
President Tom Gibson
VP/ President-elect Ron Stutes Secretary
Amy Ames Treasurer
Greg Kimmel Directors 2013-15
Faye Comte Nathaniel Moran Danny Noteware Directors 2013-15
Reagan Butts W. Bryan Campbell
Jennifer McCollough Leigh Porter
Marisa Schouten Andy Stinson Foundation
President Jim Huggler
VP/ President-elect John F. Berry
Secretary Andy Tindel
Treasurer Daniel Montgomery, CPA
Directors 2012-15 Rick Allen, CPA
Jill Hossley Laura Jackson
Hon. Christi Kennedy Joey Seeber
Directors 2013-16 Ralph E. Allen Dawn Franks
James W. Knowles Honorable John Love Dr. Howard Patterson
Nancy Rangel Randell C. Roberts Directors 2013-16 Andrew Adams
Dana Bias Jeremy Coe
Shannon Dacus H. Michael Gross
Deborah Race
President’s
Letter
January 2015
Dear SCB Association Members,
Happy New Year! Another year has come and gone and now we begin the season of new begin-nings and fresh goals for the year ahead. I would like to take a mo-ment to say a special word of thanks to the Martin Walker law firm for hosting our Christmas party extravaganza in December, and to Marisa Schouten for plan-ning this event. This proved to be a great event celebrating the sea-son, and provided an opportunity to reconnect with others in the Bar Association and their staffs and family members. The live band was also a great touch. Thanks also to the sponsors of this event, as listed on page two of this newsletter. Please remember the monthly CLE bar lunch will resume this month on January 9th at Willow-brook Country Club. Ron Stutes will speak on “Afternoon at the Improv: Practical Pointers for De-fending TRO’s”. Also, the "Bring Your Own Lunch" CLE series will
be civil law topics on Thursday, January 22 at the HUB, 305 E. Ferguson. Parking is available across the street in the Juror parking lot. Thanks to Rosemary Jones and Ron Schoenbrun for planning the topics and contact-ing the speakers for the civil law ‘Bring Your Own Lunch’ CLE event. As we enter this time of planning and setting goals for the year ahead, please take time to con-sider how you can serve our com-munity. Whether working in a lo-cal service group, as a pro bono attorney, with the Bar Association or Foundation, the local schools, or serving in your church or com-munity volunteer group, this work improves our community and shows our commitment to make Smith County a better place for all who live here. As lawyers we have been blessed with much and I believe that we should give much back to our community.
Tom Gibson SCBA President 2014-15
VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 PAGE 2 THE ADVOCATE
Thanks to our host
Martin Walker PC
And to these generous sponsors
Sinclair Law Office PC Findlay Craft PC
Flowers Davis, PLLC Garcia, Dubove & Trujillo, PC
White Shaver PC Collen Clark– The Clark Firm
Ramey & Flock, PC Michael K. Hogan PC Richard Grainger PC
Mike Patterson Mediation Honorable Christi J. Kennedy
Blake H. Bailey
Bain, Files, Jarrett, Bain & Harrison, PC Potter Minton PC
Grant & Flanery, PC
Michael Gross/Bluebonnet Partners PC Honorable Kerry L. Russell
Wilson, Robertson & Cornelius PC Frank H. Moore, Mediations
Anonymous Bobby D. Mims
Shelton Family Law, PLLC
Law Offices of Woodrow M. Roark, PC Derryberry Zips Wade Lawhorn, PLLC
Travis L. Booher Citizens 1st Bank
Law Offices of R. Kelly Pace, PC Dr. Charles W. Alworth
Dwight A. Brannon Karen G. Hughes
VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 PAGE 3 THE ADVOCATE
found at www.texasbar.com/probonocollege. It has been said that membership has its’ privileges. Becoming a member of the Pro Bono College has sev-eral benefits but the most important is the benefit of knowing that you have provided access to the legal system for people who otherwise would have been denied justice. A list of benefits can also be found at the website. Why not take the time to visit the website and learn how you can become a member? The Smith County Bar Foundation Volunteer Attorney Program is looking forward to another rewarding year. Rewarding for both the attorney and the client. The following attorneys are just a few currently providing pro bono services: Jim Williams – Divorce Mary Kolder - Probate Christie Adams – Divorce If you would like to declare a New Year’s Resolution to provide pro bono services to our Smith County Com-munity please contact Carol Moylan, Volunteer Attor-ney Coordinator, at 903-330-3844 or [email protected].
Carol Moylan SCBF Volunteer Attorney Coordinator
SCBF Volunteer Attorney Program NEED A NEW YEAR’S
RESOLUTION?
HOW ABOUT THE PRO
BONO COLLEGE?
Here we are again, the start of a new year! If you are like some you may declare a New Year’s resolution. In most cases is it to refrain from doing something that is negative in some way. But in some cases it is to embark on a new pattern or habit. If you are looking to adopt a new custom with positive connotations why not become a member of the Pro Bono College? In 1992 the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas was created to recognize those attorneys who have exceeded the State Bar’s aspirational goal in their efforts to address the enormous need for pro bono legal services. Providing a significant number of hours of pro bono service qualifies attorneys to be-come members. A minimum of 75 hours of eligible legal assistance during the past year qualifies an attorney for membership. Eligible legal assistance Includes provision of legal services to the poor, with-out an expectation of compensation, or at a substan-tially reduced fee, whether civil or criminal. A more detailed list of requirements for membership can be
VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 PAGE 4 THE ADVOCATE
Smith County Law Library
I’m not one to stay up late partying…even on New Year’s Eve. I’m not a fan of large amounts of alcohol, flashing disco lights or music at an ear piercing decibel. You could say I’m boring…and that would be true. My idea of fun for New Year’s Eve is sitting at home eating junk food and watching a good movie. I want to stay in my comfort zone and far away from the large crowds of stum-bling people and crazy after-party drivers. Now, when I was a kid, my mom thought it was a big deal to stay up and ‘watch the ball drop’ (on TV of course). I never really understood why that was a big deal, but she would get very excited about it. We’d stay home and watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. She would have a half a glass of wine, get the giggles and say something sassy about Tom Jones. Good times.
In the law library, we don’t have much in the way of a party atmosphere. We have no disco lights, no loud music and no crowds of stumbling people. I can’t really comment on the after-party drivers, because, hey…we live in Tyler. The point is, come to the library and get into your comfort zone. You can’t come
here to party, but you can learn something new. We’ve recently updated the Texas Transaction Guide, Texas Litiga-tion Guide, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Texas Criminal Practice Guide and Carlson’s Texas Employ-ment Laws Annotated.
So, if you’re looking for a more entertaining law library, I could be persuaded to do my Tom Jones impression
(which is actually pretty good), but I am NOT wearing a polyester jumpsuit with a butterfly collar, nor a gold medal-
lion necklace.
Kara Barrett, Law Librarian
VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 PAGE 5 THE ADVOCATE
January CLE
“Afternoon at the Improv: Practical Pointers for
Defending TRO’s” Ron Stutes
Potter Minton
Friday, January 9, 2015 Buffet served at 11:30 a.m. Program at noon
FREE CLE for 2014-15 SCBA Members $25 for non-members
Lunch Buffet $25.00 Paid at the door
Walk ins for buffet lunch cannot be guaranteed and are available only if space permits
For reservations
click on the link at www.smithcountybar.com call 903 526-2700 or email [email protected]
Willow Brook Country Club
3205 W Erwin St., Tyler, Texas
Course # 901308479
SCBA is an accredited sponsor, approved by the State Bar of Texas, Committee on MCLE This course has been approved in the amount of one credit hour of participatory credit.
PAGE 6 THE ADVOCATE VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7
SCBA Attorney Spotlight
This section is dedicated to introducing and showcasing young lawyers or lawyers that are new to the SCBA. If you would like to nominate someone for the “SCBA Spotlight” please contact Cristy at [email protected]
Kristen Senkyr
This month we are proud to shine the Attorney Spotlight on Kristen Senkyr of the Sinclair Law Office.
Kristen was born and raised in Fort Worth, where she attended Western Hills High School. She stayed in the western half of the Metroplex for both undergrad and law school—she
received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from TCU, and subsequently obtained her J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University Law School in 2009.
While in law school, Kristen worked at the Texas Wesleyan Family Law Clinic, which provides legal representation for indigent victims of domestic violence and/or situations involving children at risk of abuse or neglect. During her time working in the clinic she was confronted with the reality of the makeup of the modern family and found herself drawn to the area of family law.
After graduation, Kristen headed to East Texas in 2010 to join Beau Sinclair’s family law practice and to become the second attorney in the Sinclair Law Office. Her practice today still consists mainly of family law. Kristen is also active in the Smith County Young Lawyers Association, and the Family Law and the Women’s Sections of the SCBA.
Kristen recently married Matt Ybarra, and she and Matt live in Flint with their three dachshunds. Kristen is an avid sports fan and follows the TCU Horned Frogs and Texas Rangers in her spare time.
Sinclair Law Office, PC 400 S. Broadway Ave., Ste. 102
Tyler, Texas 75702 903-533-1005
Nominations being accepted for 2015 Award of Excellence and Liberty Bell Award
The Smith County Bar Association Award of Excellence was first presented on Law Day 2007 to the Honorable Judith K. Guthrie. This award is presented to an attorney who has significantly contributed to the community and, at the same time, raised the profile of the profession. Other past honorees include Mike Coker, 2008; Deborah Race, 2009; Ron Vickery, 2010; Hon. Diane V. DeVasto, 2011; Jim Huggler, 2012; Shannon Dacus, 2013; and Tom Brown, 2014.
The Liberty Bell Award is given to an outstanding non-lawyer in Smith County who has made the most selfless contribution to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice in his or her community. The Award recognizes community service that promotes a better understanding of government, encourages a greater respect for the law and the courts, stimulates a deeper sense of individual responsibility to help citizens recognize their duties and rights, contributes to the effective functioning of our institutions of government and instills better understanding and appreciation of the law. The 2013 Liberty Bell was awarded to Sheriff Larry Smith
Nominations may be submitted to the Smith County Bar office or [email protected] and will be accepted until Wednesday, January 21, 2015.
These awards along with the Justinian Award, Outstanding Young Lawyer and Legal Professional of the Year will be present-ed at the annual Law Day Luncheon. Please note that Law Day 2015 will be held on Wednesday, April 29 at the Ornelas
Center at UTTyler. Please mark your calendar with the date and the new location.
The Law Day committee will meet at noon on Thursday, January 8, at the former office of Mike Patterson Mediation, 515 S. Vine St. Please feel free to bring your own lunch and join the committee in planning the annual Law Day event.
PAGE 7 THE ADVOCATE VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7
TAALP 2015
Legal Professional of the Year
The Tyler Area Association of Legal Professionals is soliciting nominations for the 2015 Legal Professional of the Year Award.
This award is given annually to an individual who is a member of TAALP and is based on the nominee’s pro-fessional experience, professional development and community involvement. Nominees must be a member of TAALP.
The deadline for nominations is January 30, 2015 and the award will be presented at the Law Day Lunch-eon. Please contact Barbara Skeen at [email protected] for more information.
NEW!
Bring Your Own Lunch
CLE Seminars
Civil Law CLE Local East Texas attorneys discussing
Summary Judgments, Preserving Error at Trial, Receiverships: Getting You Money,
Sanctions and Spoliation's, and Social Media and other Evidence.
Thursday, January, 22, 2015 12:30 to 4:30 pm
The HUB, 305 E. Ferguson Ave.
$75.00 2014-15 SCBA Members $100.00 Non members and
door registration as available
Registration available in January on SCBA web site at www.smithcountybar.com
3 hours of live CLE including 0.5 hours of ethics SBOT CLE# 901308566
Java with the Judges Please join us for coffee with the
Texas 12th Court of Appeals
Honorable Jim Worthen Honorable Brian Hoyle and
Honorable Sam Griffith
Date changed to Tuesday, February 3, 2015
8:00 am to 9:00 am
Law Firm of Martin Walker 121 North Spring Avenue
Coming Soon
Texas Bar CLE presents the
15th Annual Building Blocks of Wills, Estates, and Probate
Video Replay
6.75 CLE hours (Including 3.5 hours of Ethics)
Friday, February 27, 2015
Genecov Room, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Building
315 North Broadway Avenue
Registration at the door only 2014-15 SCBA and TAALP members $125
Non-members $150
For more information, contact [email protected]
2015 Region VII Mock Trials
Nathaniel Moran, SCBA Mock Trial Chair an-nounces the East Texas Mock Trials will be held on Saturday, February 7 at the Smith County Courthouse.
To volunteer and judge one or more of the two hour sessions, please contact Nathaniel ([email protected]). You will be im-pressed by the dedication and skill of the local high school students.
VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 PAGE 8 THE ADVOCATE
Smith County Bar Foundation
Charter Fellows
Tab Beall
Alan Brown
John Bufe
Glenn Collins
(1937 – 2014)
Tracy Crawford
Stephen Dement
Earl Drott
Jack Flock
(1913-2007)
John E. “Ric” Freeman
William S. Hommel, Jr.
Michael Jones
Rosemary Jones
David A. Lake
Jim L. Lambeth
Dale Long
Richard Lottmann
John Minton
Mike Patterson
Hon. Tom B. Ramey, Jr.
Hon. Kerry L. Russell
Mike Starr
Hon. William M. Steger
(1920 – 2006)
Ron Vickery
Hon. James T. Worthen
In Memory of Hon. John Hannah, Jr.
Life Patron Fellows Mike McNally and Mike Patterson
Sustaining Life Fellows Tab Beall, John Bufe, Otis Carroll,
M. Keith Dollahite, and Randi Russell
Life Fellows Thomas ‘Mick’ Alleman, John F. Berry,
Hon. Joe Clayton, Michael C. Coker, Russell W. Cooper, Patricia Coplan, Celia C. Flowers,
Richard Grainger, Michael Gross, H. Kelly Ireland, James W. Knowles, Joel A. Lake, Gary Landers,
Collin Maloney, Jason R. Mills, R. Kelly Pace, Deborah Race, Woodrow M. Roark,
Randall L. Roberts, Martin Z. Sammons, Melvin R. Wilcox III, and
In memory of Walker Weathers
Fellows Craig S. Adams, Ralph E. Allen, Rick Allen, Amy Ames,
Roger W. Anderson, Cristy Arscott, Bruce Bain, Jerry Bain, Hon. Bill Bass, H. Chuck Bauman, Lindsey Birdsong,
Alan E. Brown, Tom Brown, Tina Brumbelow, Hal B. Cameron, Jr., Bradley S. Campbell, Bryan Campbell, James A. Carter, Charles Clark, Jeremy Coe, Randy Cook,
William Cornelius, Brian Craft, Deron Dacus, Shannon Dacus, Hon. Leonard Davis, Robert S. Davis, Hon. Diane V. DeVasto,
Jeff Embry, Renna Embry, Kevin L. Ferrier, Buck Files, Eric Findlay, Ken Findley, Hon. Sam Griffith,
Hon. Judith Guthrie, Brett Harrison, Lucy Hebron, Mike Hogan, Allen Hossley, Jill Hossley, Ronnie Horsley, Hon. Brian Hoyle, David Hudson, Jim Huggler, Leigh Hunt,
Reeve Jackson, Alan Jackson, Clint James, Michael Jarrett, Rosemary Jones, Hon. Christi Kennedy, Pete Kerr, Jill Kotvis,
David Lake, Hon. John Love, Peter Milne, Gordon Mosley, Mandy Carroll Nelson, Hon. Bill Parker, Richard Patteson,
John G. Payne, Greg Porter, Brent Ratekin, Scott A. Ritcheson, Bruce Roberts, Randell C. Roberts, Sharon Fisher Roberts, Jim. Robertson, Joey Seeber,
William Shelton, Tim Simpson, Hon. Jack Skeen, Greg Smith, Jim Van Deventer, Lance Vincent, VaLita Waits, Clay White, Robert H. Wilson, Hon. James T. Worthen, Trey Yarbrough,
and Ruth H. Yeager.
VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 PAGE 9 THE ADVOCATE
Providing professional development, education and service programs for the legal profession.
Revised 10-24-07
Employment
The Tyler Area Association of Legal Professional’s Job Bank is a free service for members. If you have a position open in your firm, (e.g. receptionist, legal secretary, legal assistant or office
manager), please contact:
Sharon Sherrill, CLA Ireland, Carroll & Kelley, P.C. 6101 S. Broadway, Suite 500, Tyler, TX 75703
(903) 561-1600 or [email protected]
Membership is not required to post a job opening with TAALP.
Published monthly by the Smith County Bar Association
P.O. Box 7248, Tyler, TX 75711-7248
903 526-2700 or email: [email protected]
Web site: www.smithcountybar.com
Deadline is the 25th of the month preceding publication
Notice- The Smith County
Courthouse will be closed
Monday, January 19, 2015 for Martin Luther King Day.
