Founded in 1989, the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism is entering into its tenth year of service as a non-profit, public foundation. TLIE has invited me to present a chronicle of the Center’s first decade in performing its mission, which is to be a resource center for ethics, civility, collegiality and professionalism among lawyers in the State of Texas.
One of our most successful ventures has been the team effort with TLIE in conducting the CLE ethics and malpractice programs for TLIE insureds and other attorneys around the state. The Center is very pleased with the positive response this effort has generated, and is also proud to be sharing in this venture with TLIE. Most of the work of the Center is accomplished through its educational programs, including those listed below.
Symposium. This program has been the highlight of the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting for the past five years. In 1994 we were fortunate to have Arthur Miller as the moderator on the topic of "Violations of the Public Trust." The next year was followed by the same topic, with Catherine Crier as moderator. A similar stellar event was held in 1996 in Dallas with the topic being "Legal Ethics and the American System of Criminal Justice." In 1997 the doctors joined the lawyers and the topic was "Law & Medicine -- Professional Ethics at the Crossroads." In 1998, the Symposium was entitled "Law and the Media" and again was very successful.
A Guide to the Basics of Law Practice. This project has become the cornerstone of the efforts of the Center. The course and accompanying book consist of chapters written by law professors from all the Texas law schools, are aimed at educating new lawyers on those aspects of practicing law that law schools do not teach. Four hours MCLE ethics credit is given to those who attend. Every new lawyer in Texas is required by an Order of the Supreme Court to take the four hour professionalism course within 12 months of being licensed.
Ethics Course 1998-99. This offering from the Center has also been very successful. It was started in 1995 to assist those lawyers who find themselves in trouble with the grievance system, in their practices, or in the courtroom, and need a refresher on the right way to practice law. It has expanded to attract lawyers in need of ethics hours and those simply interested in the course content.
TCLEP Internet Access-www.txethics.org. Our site now contains not only the Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, but the Ethics Opinions issued by the Professional Ethics Committee of the Supreme Court, as well as the coursebook text from A Guide to the Basics of Law Practice, registration forms and information for all the Center courses, membership information in the Center, and links to law related websites.
Texas Academy for Advanced Legal Ethics. In 1997 the Center sponsored a 2.5 day seminar called "The Foundations of Legal Ethics." A second phase of this venture is the seminar scheduled November 12, 1998, in Austin, and called "Legal Ethics and the Bottom Line." The third phase will be held in the spring of 1999 and will focus on Legal Education and Legal Ethics.
Other Projects. Another popular program developed by the Center is Ethics Jeopardy -- a fun and interactive way to learn about ethics in the practice of law in Texas.
To obtain Information about the Center, its programs, projects and membership, call 1-800-204-2222, extension 2161, or write Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism, P. O. Box 12487, Austin, Texas 78711-2487, fax (512) 463-1459, or send e-mail to info@txethics.org.
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