Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast

The Houston Bar Association
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Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast is the companion to The Houston Lawyer, the bimonthly magazine of the Houston Bar Association. 

  1. 4D AGO

    It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Divorce (and Other Family Law Topics): Trends in Family Law for Family Lawyers, Pro Bono Attorneys, and Self-Represented Litigants

    Send us a text It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Houston, and in this episode it’s beginning to look a lot like divorce -- along with other family law topics. This episode brings advice for family lawyers and pro bono attorneys who find themselves working on a family law case, and it also may serve as a resource for self-represented litigants in family court.   Segment One:  Best Practices in Family Court for Family Lawyers, Pro Bono Attorneys, and Self-Represented Litigants Judge Gloria E. López (308th Family District Court), Judge Germaine Tanner (311th Family District Court), and Judge Janice Berg (247th Family District Court), provide practice tips based on their combined 18 years of experience as judges in Harris County Family Courts. They discuss best practices for family lawyers, pro bono lawyers who have a family law case, and self-represented litigants who have cases in family law court.  Segment Two: Protective Orders 101 Maisha Colter, Chief Executive Officer of AVDA-Texas, talks about how to obtain a domestic violence protective order, provides statutory updates related to obtaining these orders, and addresses issues pro bono or self-represented litigants should be aware of if they end up with a case that may involve domestic violence issues. Importantly, if you are experiencing domestic violence, help is available - call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).    Service Spotlight: Finding Time to Have a Heart and Raise Awareness Kelly LaPar (Senior Counsel for NRG Energy, Inc. in Operation and Generation) and Dr. Damian LaPar (Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, Executive Co-Director of the UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute, and Professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at McGovern Medical School) are co-chairing the American Heart Association - Houston Chapter's Houston Heart Ball this February. They address the importance of giving back and how to find the time to do that, and they provide some tips (and potential New Year's resolutions) for cardiovascular wellness. It is a timely and important topic for Houston lawyers.  Segment Three: When Practice Areas Intersect: Immigration and Family Law Behind-the-Lines interviewer Rinku Ray talks with Ana Maria Schwartz (Principal of Schwartz Immigration Law, PLLC) about the ways immigration law and family law intersect and provides important insight into immigration issues family lawyers may need to be aware of. This is a very interesting interview that should be of interest to all lawyers.  Segment Four: The Nuts & Bolts of Guardianship Cases, A Rewarding Pro Bono Experience New Behind-the-Lines interviewer Jennifer Smith talks with Gerald Kimani (Gibson Dunn) about his extensive pro bono work on guardianship cases. Kimani discusses the substantive details about filing guardianship applications as well as the benefits of this important pro bono service, and he also briefly addresses helping obtain expunction orders on a pro bono basis.  For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    1h 51m
  2. Behind the Lines Rewind: Holiday Meditation with Melanie Bragg

    DEC 11 · BONUS

    Behind the Lines Rewind: Holiday Meditation with Melanie Bragg

    Send us a text Take a moment to find the joy this holiday season by re-listening to this portion of a 2024 Wellness Break with Behind-the-Lines guest Melanie Bragg. For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    8 min

  3. OCT 28

    Still Taking Care of Business: The Business of Law One Year Later

    Send us a text One year after the Texas Business Court and 15th Court of Appeals opened, and one year after our "Taking Care of Business" episode, Texas courts and Texas lawyers are still taking care of business. In this episode, Justice April Farris of the 15th Court of Appeals, Nick Brown (a member of the Texas Business Law Foundation), Tori Clark (a staff attorney for the Texas Business Court), and Stephen Kreider (Harris County DRC and Kreider Mediation), address different aspects of business law in Texas. The episode also includes two business-related service spotlights.  Taking Care of Business (and Other) Appeals Justice April Farris, Justice of the 15th Court of Appeals, reflects on the court's first year, including the court's caseload, challenges, and surprises. She also provides tips for lawyers practicing in the Court and advice for young lawyers or students who may one day want to be a Justice on a Texas Appellate Court.  Taking Care of Texas Business Law Nick Brown of Kirkland & Ellis serves on the Texas Business Law Foundation, a group of lawyers from throughout the State who are focused on making Texas a leader in the business law arena. Nick talks about his work for the Foundation and its past and future roles relating to business law and the Business Court in Texas. He also addresses substantive issues relating to the Business Court.  Taking Care of Business Court Cases Victoria (Tori) Clark is Staff Attorney for the Honorable Melissa Andrews, Judge of the Texas Business Court, Third Division, based in Austin. Tori discusses what Texas Business Court staff attorneys (or court counsel/term law clerks) do, and she reports on the reasons the job is interesting and what it's like to work for a judge in a brand new court. She also talks about how students or lawyers can apply for positions with the Texas Business Court and what types of lawyers they are looking for.  Service Spotlight: LABB New BTL-Interviewer Chandria Jackson talks with Andrew Pearce of Boyar Miller about its Legal Assistance for Black-Owned Businesses program (LABB), which assists business owners with legal tasks relating to business formation and the like. For more information about LABB, visit https://www.boyarmiller.com/about-us/legal-assistance-for-black-owned-businesses/.  Taking Care of Business Dispute Resolution Stephen Kreider, who is the director of the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center and the founder of Kreider Mediation, discusses requirements to be a mediator and different types of mediation classes offered by both organizations, including a new business dispute course offered by Kreider Mediation.  Service Spotlight: Starting a Non-Profit BTL-Interviewer Rachael Thompson interviews Pete Staviski and Olivia Wogon, attorneys at Winston & Strawn, about starting their own non-profit organization, New Beginnings Health Houston, which provides legal services to very low-income individuals and people who are experiencing homelessness. More information about the non-profit is available here: https://www.newbeginningshealth For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    1h 29m

  4. AUG 28

    People, Service and Collaboration: Making an Impact on Houston Industries and the Community

    Send us a text Welcome to Season Six of Behind the Lines! The first episode of this season focuses on Houston people, service, and collaboration, in honor of HBA President Daniella Landers's goals for the new bar year. Listeners will hear from Houston lawyers (People) about legal trends in Houston's biggest industries, learn about how Houston lawyers can support those impacted by the Hill Country Flood (Service), find out how one Houston lawyer and his team helped clarify Texas family law in a pro bono case (Service), and explore two important ways lawyers in Houston are collaborating with those outside of the law to really make an impact (Collaboration).  Part One: Houston Service How to Help: Ways Houston Lawyers Can Support Those Impacted by the Hill Country Flood. Brittanny Gomez (Disaster Benefits Team Manager at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid), Jessie Campbell (Supervising Attorney for Private Attorney Involvement/Pro Bono at Lone Star Legal Aid), and Jillian Marullo (Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman), discuss ways attorneys in Houston can help those who were impacted by the Hill Country Flood. They talk about the legal issues presented by disasters like this, training and mentoring that is available, the importance of pro bono service, and vicarious trauma. (16 min.)Pro Bono Spotlight: Clarifying Texas Family Law and Making a Difference. Tony Lucisano (Baker Botts) discusses the legal issues presented and the Court's holding in a pro bono family law case he and his team took to the Texas Supreme Court. They secured a precedent-setting victory, which clarified evidentiary requirements for spousal maintenance awards in Texas. He also addresses the importance of pro bono service. (15 min.)Part Two: Houston People in Houston Industries Energy Law Update. Jana Grauberger (co-leader of the Energy Practice Group at Liskow & Lewis) discusses issues impacting Houston energy lawyers, such as the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on oil and gas leasing in the Gulf and legal concerns related to the endangered Rice's whale. She also provides tips for young lawyers and students who are interested in the energy industry. (25 min.)Health Law Update. Megan Neel (DumasNeel) provides an update on what is happening in health care law in Houston, including the new non-compete law and updates to Texas law governing medical spas. She also provides tips for other lawyers and law students who are interested in this area of the law. (31 min.)Part Three: Houston Collaboration HVL's Medical Legal Partnerships: Collaborating to Care for the Whole Person. Susan Soto and Iris Onasis discuss Houston Volunteer Lawyers' Medical Legal Partnerships with Texas Children's Hospital and AccessHealth, including the types of legal issues they encounter, how Houston lawyers can volunteer to take cases, and how they support and mentor volunteer attorneys. (23 min.)Communities in Schools Houston: Collaborating for Confidence. Keiara Jones (partnership manager with Communities in Schools Houston (CIS)) describes how CIS, the HBA CIS Committee, and local legal employers collaborate to build confidence in local high school students by working together to provide them wiFor full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    2h 12m

  5. JUN 24

    Hot Topics in Immigration Law: Summer 2025

    Send us a text It's June in Houston, which means it is hot. And Behind the Lines is focusing on a hot topic this month: Immigration Law. In this final episode of the 2024-2025 Bar Year, we hear about trends in civil and criminal immigration law and have a special "Know Your Rights" segment that will be helpful to lawyers who are not immigration lawyers and need a bit of a refresher.  (1) Criminal Immigration Law: A Discussion with the Federal Public Defender Philip Gallagher, the Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas, talks about the trends he has been seeing with regard to criminal immigration law. (18.5 minutes) (2) Yes, You Are Extraordinary: EB1-A Visas Rinku Ray, Co-Founder of Ray & Fahys, PLLC, discusses the requirements for qualifying for an Extraordinary Ability (EB1-A) Visa, provides some basic information about applying for legal status in the US, and addresses the impact of current events on her clients. (27 minutes) (3) Remember the Children: Children's Immigration Law Academy Dalia Castillo-Granados is the director and co-founder of the Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA), a project of the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Immigration.  Dalia addresses current issues impacting immigrant children and discusses the ways CILA supports lawyers representing immigrant children, including providing resources and training for pro bono attorneys.  (18 minutes) (4) You Have the Right To . . . : Immigrant Rights Primer  Kate Gibson Kumar, a lawyer from the Beyond Borders Program with the Texas Civil Rights Project, discusses what rights immigrants have and provides some pointers on how they may assert them. (25 minutes) Music by Studio3DMusic from Pixabay. For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    1h 32m

  6. APR 25

    Cyber Law: The Digital Age and the Practice of Law

    Send us a text This episode covers the impact of the digital age on lawyers, the law, and society. There are pros and cons to our increasingly sophisticated cyber-world, and this episode covers  the dire consequences of bullying when it's taken online, how criminals use technology to stalk and harass victims, advantages of the continued trend towards online mediation, and legal considerations for online healthcare. We also have a fun "Off the Record" interview with Houston lawyer Adam Schiffer, guitarist for Twenty 24 Souls.   Online Bullying Cyberbullying in Texas Schools: Definitions, Remedies, and Concerning Trends Dustin Rynders, Legal Director at Texas Civil Rights Project, discusses the laws and practicalities relating the cyberbullying in Texas and provides insight into potential future trends. (17.5 minutes) Nationwide Cyberbullying: The Real-World Impact of a Viral Rumor Monica Uddin, Partner at AZA, discusses an ongoing case in which she represents a young woman who was the victim of an online rumor that went viral. (14 minutes) Online Crimes Cybercrimes Against the Elderly: How to Protect the Elderly from Becoming Victims of Online Scams Joseph Frank, chief prosecutor of the Elder Abuse section at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, discusses cybercrimes that target elderly victims and provides tips on how to protect elderly people from becoming victims of these types of crimes. (10.5 minutes) Cybercrime Prosecution: CyberStalking, Revenge Porn, Online Impersonation, and Online Scams Keith Houston, Chief Prosecutor in the Cybercrime Section of the Financial Crimes Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, discusses revenge porn, cyberstalking, online impersonation, and the online financial scams that tend to go along with these types of crimes. (11 minutes) Online Services Cyber Mediation: Logistics, Advantages, and Trends  Jessica Crutcher, Founder and Principal of Jessica Crutcher Law PLLC, discusses the logistics and benefits of cyber mediation and addresses why she believes it is here to stay. (10 minutes) Cyber Healthcare and the Law Interviewer: Anietie Akpan Rachel Rose, Principal with Rachel V. Rose - Attorney at Law, PLLC, addresses legal issues at both the federal and state levels related to online healthcare, including compliance with privacy laws, confidentiality, security, billing, licensure requirements, carve outs for critical care, prescribing controlled substances, and consumer health data. Ms. Rose also discusses potential future trends in virtual healthcare, including the use of AI. (20 minutes) Off the Record: When Law Rocks, Lawyers (and Charities) Thrive Interviewer Nico Zulli Behind-the-Lines Interviewer Nico Zulli interviews lawyer and guitarist Adam Schiffer (Brown Rudnick). Adam plays the guitar for Twenty 24 Souls, the band that won the 2025 Law Rocks competition in April 2025 here in Houston. They discuss the competition as well as the benefits of having a creative outlet. (5 minutes) This episode is approved for 1.25 hours of Texas CLE credit for HBA members. See The Houston Lawyer Committee page on the HBA's website for more detai For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    1h 32m

  7. FEB 17

    Innovation and Expectations: Looking Towards the Future

    Send us a text The Innovation and Expectations episode has knowledgeable guests addressing lithium supply legal issues, how AI is impacting our profession, expectations for attorney hiring, and new lawyer notes about how innovation may impact legal careers in the future.  (1) A New Era of Legal Issues Associated with Lithium Extraction Stephanie Noble of Vinson & Elkins LLP discusses the increased demand for lithium, what lithium extraction is, the many types of legal issues that are arising due to this increase in demand, and why it's an exciting time to be an energy lawyer.  *New Lawyer Note: John Hinojosa (Winston & Strawn)*  (2) Generative AI: Increasing Efficiency Nelson Ebaugh of Nelson S. Ebaugh P.C. addresses common concerns about confidentiality and privileged communication, provides some guidance for addressing this concerns, advocates for the use of generative AI to increase the efficiency of and enhance your legal practice, and briefly addresses legal developments relating to AI.  *New Lawyer Note: Caitlin Rogers (Winston & Strawn)* (3) We're Hiring (Mostly): Trends in the Houston Legal Market Now and in the Near Future Tim Reagan of ELR Legal Search discusses current and future trends in the attorney hiring market in Houston, addresses the potential impact of AI on the market, and provides sound advice for young lawyers and students who are trying to determine how they fit into the legal market and where they should direct their talents.   *New Lawyer Note: Drew Pierce (Winston & Strawn)* The first and second segments of this episode are approved for CLE for HBA members. See The Houston Lawyer page on the HBA's website for details.  For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    1h 9m

  8. 12/17/2024

    The Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Give Back: Houston Pro Bono Spotlights and Opportunities

    Send us a text It is the “most wonderful time of the year,” and Behind the Lines is focusing on giving back. Section 6 of the Preamble to the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Conduct reminds us that “the provision of free legal services to those unable to pay reasonable fees is the moral obligation of each lawyer as well as the profession generally.” This episode focuses on some of the ways Houston lawyers have been taking that obligation seriously and giving back to people in the Houston area who need legal help.  Segment One - Hon. David Hittner: "I Wouldn't Trade That One Trial" Hon. David Hittner, Senior U.S. District Court Judge, discusses a criminal pro bono case he had as a young lawyer, including how he went about preparing for a criminal case as a civil lawyer. He also addresses how this pro bono case played a role in his confirmation hearing when he was appointed to the federal bench. The file for the case, Texas vs. Lockett, was recently formally dedicated for public exhibition at the Historic Documents Room at the Harris County Courthouse.  Segment Two - Maryam Ghaffar: "My Client Felt So Validated" Maryam Ghaffar, an associate at Beck Redden and the HYLA Pro Bono and Service Committee Chair, discusses a recent Hague Convention case in which she represented the mother of a two-year-old child whose father wanted the court to order that the child's habitual residence was in Ecuador, not the United States. Maryam was appointed to this pro bono case by the Court, and it was a very fast-paced case.  Segment Three - Holiday Wellness Break: Finding the Joy (BTL Interviewer Rinku Ray) Melanie Bragg of Bragg Law PC, who is also the co-chair of HBA's Wellness Committee, author of "Defining Moments: Insights Into the Lawyer's Soul" and other books, and cheerful volunteer, leads listeners through a wellness exercise designed to help find joy and reduce stress during the holiday season.  Segment Four - Amy Farish: "There's Always Support" Amy Farish, a partner at Yetter Coleman who is also the firm's pro bono coordinator, discusses a lengthy immigration case she and her team handled and  encourages lawyers to try out pro bono service even if it's in an area outside of one's usual wheelhouse. Segment Five - Andrew Lehmann (HVL): "The Legal Issue Was Actually Really Simple" (BTL Interviewer Rachael Thompson) Andrew Lehmann, who runs HVL's weekly Veterans clinics at Michael E. DeBakey VA Hospital, discusses the issues they typically see and how to volunteer, and he shares recent success stories from the clinic, including a tenant's rights case and Military Sexual Trauma claim. He notes that lawyers should not feel intimidated to volunteer at the clinic or even take a case because often the legal issues are simple and the Veterans just need someone to advocate for them using legal skills that almost every lawyer has. To volunteer, sign up at https://www.makejusticehappen.org/get-involved/legalline/. Music by LudoSoundX from For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). 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.

    1h 43m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast is the companion to The Houston Lawyer, the bimonthly magazine of the Houston Bar Association. 

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