Officers

President
Mr. Thad Behrens Esq.  
Haynes and Boone LLP
901 Main St # 3100
Dallas, TX 75202-3789
(214) 651-5668
thad.behrens@haynesboone.com

President-Elect
Mr. Patrick J. McLain Esq.
One McKinney Place
3131 McKinney Avenue, Suite 800
Dallas, Texas 75204-7426
214.740.9955, ext. 227 
AWH: 972.567.7850
214.740.9912
patrick@patrickjmclain.com
www.texasmilitaryjustice.com
www.dallasdefenselaw.com

Immediate Past President
Mr. John Horany Esq.
John K. Horany, P.C.
6688 N Central Expressway Ste 600
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 373-7788
jhorany@horany.com 

 

About the Dallas Chapter
A Message from the Chapter President
Calendar of Events
Recent Events
Chapter News and Opportunities


About the Dallas Chapter

The Dallas Chapter of the Federal Bar Association comprises the following counties in Texas: Anderson, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Collin, Dallas, Delta, Ellis, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood. The chapter was organized and installed in 1944 by National President Hon. Tom C. Clark. Today, the Dallas Chapter boasts more than 350 members from private practice, government agencies, military branches, local law schools and local courts. The Dallas Chapter was proud to host the 2002 Annual Meeting and Convention of the Federal Bar Association for the inauguration of the 2002 National President Kent Hofmeister, a former Dallas Chapter president. Our chapter has a long history of leadership in the Federal Bar Association, and currently Marc Taubenfeld, a former Dallas Chapter president, serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Bar Association; Martha Hardwick Hofmeister, former Dallas Chapter president, and vice president for the Fifth Circuit was elected to the Board of Directors of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association at the 2006 Annual Convention. In addition, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Harlin D. Hale, of the Northern District of Texas, currently serves as the chair of the FBA Bankruptcy Law Section.

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A Message from the Chapter President

On Dec. 6, 2006, our chapter was pleased to co-sponsor the Outstanding Clerks and Coordinators Awards Luncheon along with the Judiciary Committee of the Dallas Bar Association. Congratulations and thanks go to:

  • 2006 Outstanding U.S. District Court Judicial Assistant Award: First Place – Phyllis Macon; Second Place – Donna Hocker.
  • 2006 Outstanding U.S. District Court Courtroom Deputy Award: First Place – Ronnie Jacobson; Second Place – Pat Esquivel.
  • 2006 Outstanding U.S. District Court Services Staff Award: First Place (tie) – Natalie Butler and Thomas Drew; Second Place – Jo Gardner.
  • 2006 Outstanding U.S. Bankruptcy Court Services Staff Award: First Place – Traci Davis; Second Place – Jodie Chapman.
  • 2006 Outstanding U.S. Bankruptcy Court Operations Staff Award: First Place – Tracy Nunns; Second Place – Bill Zisk
    In January, we are planning a timely and informative CLE presentation with Alan Blakely, former Chair of the Federal Litigation Section and currently Chair Elect of the Federal Career Services Division on the recent changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with emphasis on their impact on electronic discovery. The tentative date for this presentation is January 19, 2007.

Please mark your calendars for our 21st Annual Federal Civil Practice Seminar which will be held on Friday, February 16, 2007 at the Belo Mansion.

Our chapter is committed to serving the needs of the federal practitioner in Dallas and in the Northern District of Texas. On our Website, or printed herein, you will find a listing of the chapter officers and chapter news. If you have any questions about our chapter or how you can be a part of our organization please contact me directly or any of our officers listed.

Mr. Thad Behrens Esq.  
Dallas Chapter President

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Calendar of Events

The Dallas chapter meets every second Thursday for a free CLE presentation. For more information on meeting locations and topics, please feel free to contact President Thad Behrens, thad.behrens@haynesboone.com.

February 21, 2008
2008 Open Doors of Justice with the Federal Judiciary
Sponsored by the Dallas Chapter of the FBA
Time: 10 a.m. –1 p.m.
Location: U.S. District Courthouse in Dallas
The event will feature educational sessions for local 5th and 6th graders given by federal judges and other personnel within the federal justice system. Members of Congress from the North Texas area have been invited to this event as well.
Registration: View Invitation View Agenda

February 29, 2008
22nd Annual Federal Civil Practice Seminar

Presented by the Dallas Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
This seminar is designed to acquaint the practitioner with the nuts and bolts of federal civil practice with an emphasis on practice in the Northern District of Texas and to provide an opportunity for admission to the Northern District of Texas.
Location: The Pavilion at the Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX
CLE: 7.5 hours MCLE pending (1.75 hours Ethics)
Registration: View Flyer Registrations must be postmarked by February 20, 2008

March 26, 2008
White Collar Crime Subcommittee Brown Bag Lunch
Trends in the Increasing Enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Earle Cabell Federal Building, Dallas
Speakers: Ron Breaux, Haynes and Boone, LLP
  Timothy McCole, Securities and Exchange Commission
 
April 11, 2008
Fourth Annual Federal Criminal Practice Seminar
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: The Pavilion at the Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas
Reception following hosted by White Collar Crime Subcommittee

May 8, 2008
Seminar: Electronic Evidence in Federal Court
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
CLE and Luncheon: Ethics of E-Discovery
Location: Belo Mansion, Dallas, Texas
Remember that FBA members can attend the CLE luncheon at no cost without attending the entire seminar.

June 4, 2008
Summer Clerkin’ 2008: A Morning at the Federal Courthouse
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Earle Cabell Federal Building, Room 1546
The Summer Clerkin’ program is designed for summer interns and new associates to learn more about practicing in the Northern District of Texas. There will be panel discussions on the federal litigation process, the role of the magistrate judge, technology in the courtroom, and the federal law clerk experience.
Lunch will be provided.
Questions?  Email acolmenero@lynnllp.com

June 12, 2008
Joint Meeting with DBA Judiciary Committee: "Practical Tips for Practicing in the Northern District of Texas"
Chief District Court Judge Fitzwater and Chief Bankruptcy Court Judge Houser will be moderate a panel of several other district, bankruptcy, and magistrate judges.
Location: Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Avenue in Dallas, Texas.  
We hope for maximum attendance from the federal judiciary in the Dallas Division and their staff.  

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Recent Events

January 10, 2008
FBA Dallas Chapter Monthly Meeting
The meeting will feature a number of speakers from the Public Defender's office giving different perspectives on the topic: Sentencing After Gall/Kimbrough—Opportunities and Pitfalls.
Time: Noon
Location: Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free


On 10 January 2008, Federal Public Defender Richard Anderson and his assistant federal public defenders gave a very instructive discussion of the recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings in the cases of Kimbrough and Gall and the use of those rulings in federal sentencing cases. A paper was distributed, and FPD Anderson and his fellow public defenders have kindly granted us permission to distribute the paper for download by members of the FBA Dallas Chapter. Download the paper

December 6, 2007
Investiture of Sidney A. Fitzwater as Chief U.S. District Judge, and Reception Honoring A. Joe Fish, U.S. District Judge, for his service as Chief Judge

Presented by the Dallas Chapter of the FBA
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: U.S. Courthouse, 1100 Commerce Street, 15th Floor, Dallas, Texas
Registration: View Invitation RSVP by November 28, 2007 at (214) 753-2150

from left to right, Dallas Chapter President Thad Behrens, newly installed Chief Judge Sidney Fitzwater, immediate past Chief Judge A. Joe Fish (now taking senior judge status), and Fort Worth Chapter President Joe Cleveland.



Senior Judge A. Joe Fish receives a gift of books from the FBA Dallas Chapter presented by Dallas Chapter President Thad Behrens. The gift was meant to help Senior Judge Fish occupy his time as he steps down as Chief Judge and assumes the relatively lighter responsibilities of a senior judge.

November 20, 2007
A Brown Bag Lunch Series Featuring Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn

Presented by the Younger Lawyers of Dallas
Time: 12:00–1:00 pm
Location: Earle Cabell Federal Building, 1100 Commerce Street,
Room 1572, Dallas, Texas
Registration: Because seating to this event is limited, attendees will be selected through a lottery system. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Angela Colmenero at acolmenero@lynnllp.com by Wednesday, November 14, 2007. Please bring your own lunch.

November 8, 2007
Tales of the Federal Judiciary: Anecdotes from the Northern District of Texas History Project

Sponsored by the Dallas Chapter of the FBA
Speaker: Chief Judge A. Joe Fish, Northern District of Texas
Location: Belo Mansion Pavilion, 2101 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.
Registration: For more information contact Dallas Chapter President-Elect Patrick J. McLain

October 11, 2007
The Federal Grand Jury Process Demystified

Presented by the White Collar Crime Committees of the Dallas FBA and the ABA's Criminal Justice Section
Location: Belo Mansion Pavilion, Haynes and Boone Room, 2101 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX
Time: Noon–1 p.m.
CLE: 1 hour MCLE credit pending
Registration: View flyer and contact Thad Behrens at (214) 651-5668 or thad.behrens@haynesboone.com for more information.

October 16, 2007
A Brown Bag Lunch Series Featuring Judge Barefoot Sanders

Presented by the Younger Lawyers of Dallas
Time: 12:00–1:00 pm
Location: Earle Cabell Federal Building, 1100 Commerce Street,
Room 1504, Dallas, Texas
Registration: View Flyer Because seating to this event is limited, attendees will be selected through a lottery system. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Angela Colmenero at acolmenero@lynnllp.com by Friday, October 12, 2007. Please bring your own lunch.

September 20, 2007
Fourth Annual Federal Bankruptcy Practice Seminar
Presented by the Dallas Chapter and the Bankruptcy Section of the Federal Bar Association
Location: Belo Mansion
CLE: 3.75 hours applied for, 1 hour of which will be ethics
Registration: See attached registration form for more details. The registration form, with accompanying registration fee, must be postmarked no later than August 21, 2007 to avoid a late fee.

 

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Chapter News and Opportunities

February 2008 Newsletter

January 2008 Newsletter

CJA Panel Opportunities for the Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas
There are several opportunities currently available for private attorneys to participate in representing indigent criminal defendants in the Dallas Division.

The CJA Advisory Committee encourages attorneys who are admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas and have at least four years of experience, including some criminal law experience, to apply to become part of the CJA Panel. Attorneys who are fluent in Spanish are always needed.

An attorney who does not have sufficient experience to be a member of the CJA Panel but is interested in working with a panel member on one of their appointed cases may be eligible to be a member of the CJA “Associates Panel.” An associate must be licensed to practice in the Northern District of Texas. An associate may be assigned by the court to assist a CJA Panel member in a “second chair” capacity. The hourly rate for an associate is $50, and the associate may be paid up to a maximum of $500 per case. Prior service on the Associates Panel is not a requirement for membership on the CJA Panel, and service on the Associates Panel does not guarantee later admission to the CJA Panel.

To download the CJA Voluntary Panel Application for the Dallas Division, go to www.ndtx.uscourts.gov. If you have any questions about either of these opportunities, please call Tammy Shipley at (214) 753-2152 or email tammy_shipley@txnd.uscourts.gov.

Amendments to Local Rules
Special Order No. 2-64 adopts amendments to local civil and criminal rules for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, effective Sept. 1, 2006.
For complete text of Special Orders No. 2-63 and 2-64 and the attachments to Special Order 2-63, see the INFO CENTER on the court's Internet Web site at www.txnd.uscourts.gov.

The Proof of the Pudding is Not Just in the Rule 9019 Compromise: Getting the Deal Approved by the Bankruptcy Court
By Lauren Grau
University of Houston Law Center

Contact Information Changed?
If your contact information has changed, contact the Membership Department, records@fedbar.org, (202) 785-1614 (ext. 109) to update your contact information to insure that you continue to receive valuable information about the FBA and the Dallas Chapter.

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