© 2017 The Texas Lawbook.
By Randy Johnston
Here’s why:
Accomplished Lawyer. Chad is an accomplished appellate lawyer. In 2015, he wrote one of the most acclaimed legal briefs in recent American history representing what the New York Times called “a glittering array of hip hop stars.” The brief received coast-to-coast media coverage including from The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and Billboard.
A Record of Service. In addition to serving on the State Bar Board and Executive Committee, Chad has served as Chair of the Texas Bar College, Chair of the Consumer & Commercial Law Section, Chair of the Individual Rights & Responsibilities Section, and Chair of the Council of Chairs. He also is one of the most popular CLE speakers in Texas. Throughout his career, Chad has served our profession honorably and competently. He has represented the interests of all lawyers—from solo practitioners to big-firm attorneys. Chad has worked for all of us.
Endorsement from Respected Lawyers
The candidates in this election are from Dallas and Austin, respectively, Yet bar leaders in both cities have endorsed Chad—beginning with his former opponent, Laura Sharp. Last week, 18 former presidents of the Dallas Bar Association endorsed Chad, as did 10 former presidents of the Austin Bar Association. The traditional “home town” preference is gone. That’s unusual. And important.
Chad’s core message throughout this campaign has been to reinforce the things that unite us as lawyers—principally, our support for and belief in the rule of law. Chad seeks to unify Texas lawyers—not divide them.
Engaging Personality. Chad’s personality and leadership style make him an ideal candidate. Everyone who knows Chad knows that he loves to make people laugh, and uses his sense of humor to set people at ease and bring them together to pursue common goals.
A Detailed Agenda. Chad has a lengthy and detailed agenda, including—
Embarking on a “Face Time Campaign”—traveling to rural areas across Texas and working to address the growing divide in our profession between lawyers in large firms and those in solo and rural practices.
Changing State Bar election rules and procedures.
Helping lawyers address the increasing challenges to profitability presented by non-lawyer providers of legal services.
Expanding resources to help lawyers dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Promoting access to justice by supporting the existing TOJI program and funding to Legal Aid, and appointing a task force to examine the possibility of “lend-a-lawyer” programs to Legal Aid offices.
Promoting lower cost, live CLE programming in non-metropolitan areas, and providing low-cost or free CLE opportunities to lawyers winding down their practices and young lawyers in their first years of practice.
Continuing efforts to expand diversity in leadership and increase minority involvement in the State Bar.
Continuing efforts to better serve veterans’ legal needs.
Expanding programs to assist young lawyers facing staggering student debt.
Enacting changes to the grievance process and, potentially, the disciplinary rules both to improve them and to reflect changes made during Sunset.
Please Vote. I hope you will join me in supporting an accomplished lawyer, committed State Bar leader, and warm and engaging friend for President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas.
Randy Johnston is widely recognized as one of the leading experts on legal professionalism in Texas. He is a partner at Johnston Tobey Baruch.