Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast The Houston Bar Association

This episode highlights Houston judges who go the extra mile to serve the lawyers who practice in their courts and the parties who rely on our justice system to be fair, impartial, and efficient. It is a companion to the Bench-Bar Relationship issue of The Houston Lawyer magazine.

Segment 1: Practice Tips from a Seasoned Federal Judge
Featuring the Hon. Gray H. Miller
Judge Miller provides practice tips based on his 18 years on the federal bench, including tips relating to civility and professionalism.  Most of his tips are applicable to both federal and state-court litigators, and all lawyers will appreciate his discussion of civility in the profession. 

Segment 2: Building a User-Friendly Court
Featuring the Hon. Andrew Edison
Judge Edison addresses various user-friendly court procedures that make litigating easier and more civil for both judges and lawyers.  He also talks about the order he issued over the holidays in 2023 that went viral.

Segment 3: Wellness Break: Run with a Judge
Featuring the Hon. Amparo Guerra and Joshua Upham
Justice Amparo Guerra and HBA Wellness Committee member Joshua Upham discuss the HBA/HYLA Run with a Judge events and the wellness benefits of getting outside and moving. You do not have to be a runner to participate in the Run with a Judge events.

Segment 4: Escaping Afghanistan, Finding a New Home, and Meeting a Helpful Judicial Mentor
Featuring the Hon. April Farris and the Hon. Narges Hafedzada
BTL Interviewer: Mark Yablon
Judge Narges Hafedzada was a judge in Afghanistan prior to the Taliban resuming control of the country. She was instrumental in helping other Afghan judges leave the country and find opportunities elsewhere. When she arrived in Texas, Justice April Farris was appointed to be her judicial mentor and has helped her to find her bearings here in the United States. Judge Hafedzada addresses the prior justice system in Afghanistan, how she was forced to leave her home country because she was a woman judge, and what she is doing now to try to establish a new career in the United States. Justice Farris talks about how mentoring Judge Hafedzada was a wonderful experience. Both lawyers and non-lawyers will be moved by Judge Hafedzada's journey.

Segment 5: Sharing and Seeking Knowledge About Justice Systems
Featuring the Hon. Ravi Sandill 
Judge Sandill discusses his trip to India as part of a delegation of U.S. judges. He talks about some of the differences between the justice systems of India and the United States, what he learned there that he thinks would be helpful to our system, and what he thinks the judges in India learned from the U.S. judges.  
For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

This episode celebrates Black History Month and focuses on diversity in our profession, allyship, history, and change.

1. The Mosaic of Differences Among Us: Interview with Donna Davis, Director of the Benny Agosto Center for Diversity at STCL-Houston. Ms Davis addresses the importance of understanding the mosaic of differences among us not only in legal education but in practice as we deal with clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and different generations. She also provides practical tips for firms for meeting all of the expectations of their teams so that they can retain a diverse and productive workforce.

2. Strengthening the Law School Applicant Pool: Interview with Mariesha Keys, Director of UHLC's Pre-Law Pipeline Programs. Ms. Keys, who is interviewed by BTL-Interviewer Rachael Thompson, discusses the goals, logistics, and benefits of the UHLC Pre-Law Pipeline Programs, as well as why these programs are beneficial to first-generation students who are trying to navigate the law-school admission process. Ms. Keys also talks about  how members of the legal community can get involved in these important initiative.

3.  Navigating the Unique Challenges of an HBCU: Interview with Dean Crystal Ridgley, Associate Dean of Admission, TSU-TMSL. Dean Ridgley, who is interviewed by BTL-Interviewer Anietie Akpan, discusses TMSL's rich 70-year history as an accredited law school that has empowered the disenfranchised and underserved; she also talks about unique considerations in admissions as a HBCU, what's happening with legal education throughout the nation, and how the Houston legal community can assist with the school's effort to reinvest in pipeline and pathway programs.

4. Impact of Allyship: Brenda Adimora. Ms. Adimora addresses why it is important for allies to step up for and support lawyers of color, especially in the wake of policy changes related to DEI initiatives that are being made in the wake of Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard.

5. Soldiers in Houston: Race, History, and Change. Gary Alfred discusses the Houston Riot of 1917, how the Black soldiers involved were convicted without Due Process, and the recent overturning of these convictions.  He then discusses the Veteran’s Legal Initiative in Houston and other ways Houston lawyers can use our law training to help those less fortunate.

6. Impact of Allyship: Alvin Adjei. Mr. Adjei addresses how allyship has impacted his career and discusses why having leaders in the firm or agency who understand and support you is important.

7. BLSA in Houston: Finding a Community and Preparing for Practice. Featuring Malik Wilson (STCL), Jeremiah Sowell (TMSL), and Erica Wheeler (UHLC), all presidents of the BLSA chapters at their law schools. BTL-Interviewer Anietie Akpan talks with these students about what they are doing to foster a sense of community for Black students in their law schools.

8. HYLA Allyship Committee: Reading, Learning, Listening, and Acting as Allies. Featuring Lena Silva and Cassie Maneen, Co-Chairs of the Committee.  This discussion focuses on the purposes of the committee and also provides substantive information on civil rights cases and issues that have been discussed in the books they have read for Allyship Book Club.
For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

Houston Lawyers have looked forward to receiving each new issue of the Houston Lawyer (THL) magazine for the past 60 years. This episode celebrates both the rich, engaging, and award-winning content from our authors and the lawyers and staff members who have been a part of this publication. 


1. A Conversation with 1974-75 EIC Jim Perdue: A Seasoned Storyteller and Trial Trailblazer

Jim Perdue of Perdue and Kidd is one of the earliest editors in chief of THL and a legal legend known for pioneering many modern evidentiary techniques who is often referred to as the "Father of Texas Courtroom Storytelling." He discusses his time as EIC and provides some great advice for younger lawyers.

2. Spotlight on Dustin Rynders, Award-Winning Author of "Supporting Adults with Disabilities to Avoid Unnecessary Guardianship" (Jan./Feb. 2018)


Interviewer: Rachael Thompson of Winston & Strawn

Dustin Rynders, the Director of the Criminal Legal Program at Texas Civil Rights Project, discusses the substance of his 2018 article about Texas’s law relating to adult guardianship and provides an update and practical examples such as the very-public Brittney Spears case. He also discusses his work with Texas Civil Rights Project and pro bono opportunities.

3. Thank You, Round One

4. A Conversation with 2011-12 EIC Tamara Stiner Toomer: A THL Trailblazer

Tamara Stiner Toomer of Johnsen Law is the first Black EIC of THL. She discusses her time as an editor and some of the important legal issues the bar journal covered in 2011-12. 


5. Spotlight on Leigh Ganchan, Award-Winning Author of "Immigration & Naturalization Service Worksite Enforcement Operations Re-Emerge as National Security Priority" (2003)

Interviewer: Anietie Akpan of Royal Vopak


Leigh Ganchan, a Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, discusses her award-winning article from 2003, which covered shifting priorities on large workforce enforcement site operations post-9-11. She also provides an update on how the Government’s priorities have shifted in the twenty years since she wrote the article.

6. Thank You, Round Two.

7.   A Conversation with 2023-24 EIC Elizabeth Furlow Malpass: Our Current Leader

Elizabeth Malpass discusses how and why she got involved with the Editorial Board, the positions she has held, some of the articles she has worked on, what we can expect in future issues this year, and how YOU can get involved.

8.  Thank You, Round Three.

9. Working EIC Moms Making It Work: Not Superwoman, Not Perfect, But Everything Is Fine

Panelists:  Farrah Martinez, EIC 2017-18, Taunya Painter, EIC 2019-20, Brooksie Boutet, EIC 2022-23, Elizabeth Malpass, Current EIC

The women on this segment have all served as editors in chief of THL while also working as lawyers and being moms. They discuss the broad topics in "Working Moms Making It Work," a 2018 article that Anna Archer wrote for THL that is part of a series of articles that won an award from the State Bar. The women frankly discuss how they manage so many responsibilities, noting that nobody is actually Superwoman and it is okay to not be perfect. In fact, sometimes cupcakes from H-E-B are just fine. 









 


For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

Episode Two of Season Four complements the Employment Law issue of The Houston Lawyer magazine and highlights some of the major changes Texas employment lawyers have seen this year. As Heraclitus said, "there is nothing permanent except change."

Segment One: Presidential Goals Plus Employment Law
Guest: Diana Gomez, President, Houston Bar Association & Shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka
HBA President Diana Gomez. who is the first Latina HBA President, discusses her goals for the bar year and how they are going. Then, she turns to her area of legal expertise and discusses the potential impact of the Hamilton v. Dallas County on employment discrimination cases filed in the Fifth Circuit.

Segment Two: The Religious Accommodation Claim in Groff v. DeJoy: Arguing to Change the Standard
Guest: Christopher Tutunjian, Associate, Baker Botts LLP
Baker Botts Associate Christopher Tutunjian argued the Groff v. DeJoy case in the Third Circuit, and he was second chair at the U.S. Supreme Court. His firm represented the plaintiff, and they were arguing to change a long-established legal standard. Chris discusses the facts and legal issue in the case as well as the outcomes in the district court, Third Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court. 


Segment Three: The CROWN Act: What Is It and How Does It ImpactTexas Employers? 
Guest: Akilah Craig, Associate, Locke Lord
Akilah Craig, Associate at Locke Lord, tells listeners about the new Texas Crown Act and addresses why it was enacted, the interplay between state and federal law with regard to the issues addressed by the Act, and how important it is for employers to review policies to ensure compliance. 


Segment Four: Affirmative Action: Does the Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College Decision Affect Employers?
Guest: E. Phileda Tennant, Counsel, Vinson & Elkins
Phileda Tenant, Counsel at Vinson & Elkins, addresses whether the Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions has any impact on employer DEI initiatives. 


For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

This episode of Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast is a double feature. Part One features four in-house lawyers who address their paths to in-house. Part Two features lawyers discussing Privilege and Data Privacy as well as a wellness break with the Hon. George Hanks, Jr., who has run a full marathon on all seven continents. This is Part One.

Pathway to In-House: Spotlight on Four Accomplished In-House Lawyers

Featuring Dani Sanchez, Sr. Director ACG at Academy Sports + Outdoors, Fermeen Fazal, Sr. Counsel, Chevron, Americas Exploration and Production, Marissa Marquez, Managing Labor and Employment Counsel at Houston Methodist Hospital, and Carson Brown, Compliance Counsel at LyondellBassell. These lawyers discuss the career paths leading to their current in-house roles, point out how certain experiences in prior roles benefit them as in-house counsel, and provide tips for other lawyers who are interested in eventually going in-house. 
This half of the episode is approved for 1 hour of CLE credit for lawyers who are also members of the Houston Bar Association.  See the HBA's CLE webpage for more details. 

Don't miss Part Two to learn more about Data Privacy, Privilege, and Judge Hanks's marathons. 
For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

This is Part Two of a Two-Part episode entitled "Client-Centered Approach: Pathway to In-House, Protecting Your Client's Data, and Privilege Concerns." Part One was "Pathway to In-House," and this Part addresses "Privilege and Privacy." It also contains a wonderful wellness break featuring the Hon. George Hanks, Jr.

Part Two. Segment One.

Protecting Your Client's Data in the Age of AI

Featuring Laura L. Ferguson, Partner, Locke Lord LLP. Interviewed by Behind-the-Lines Interviewer Anietie Akpan.

Laura discusses cybersecurity, privacy, and data breaches. She addresses laws relating to these areas, how AI impacts these areas, and the related ethical obligations.  And, she gives advice regarding how companies - and law firm managers - can protect themselves from cybersecurity threats. 
Part Two. Segment Two.

Wellness Break: Traveling Runner: The Hon. George Hanks on Completing Marathons on Every Continent

Featuring the Hon. George C. Hanks, Jr., U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division

Hear about some of the amazing places Judge Hanks has traveled to run, why he believes running while traveling is the best way to experience new places, and how this type of break from the stressors of a career in law is beneficial. You will also learn a little bit about how the law protects the environment in Antarctica. 
Part Two. Segment Three.

Privilege Considerations: In-House Lawyers, Privilege Logs, and UT

Featuring Gail Foster, E-Discovery Attorney, and Carolyn Southerland, Senior Consultant at Construction Discovery Experts. 

Gail and Carolyn first provide a quick review of attorney/client privilege. They also discuss (1) some of the complexities that arise when an in-house lawyer is also involved in business matters, and (2) current issues, including the recent University of Texas case decided by the Texas Supreme Court. Finally, they also delve into a few best practices for privilege logs and document review teams. 

This episode is approved for 1 hour of Texas CLE credit, including 1/2 hour of ethics credit, for lawyers who are also members of the Houston Bar Association. 
For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.