From April 1 to April 30, 2024, Texas lawyers can vote on 12 ballot items presented by the legislatively-created Committee on Disciplinary Rules & Referenda. Texas lawyers are very fortunate to self-govern, and one of the ways that they can continue to ensure their freedom to do so is to participate in that self-governance by voting on these Proposals. TLIE does not take a position on the Proposals, but it encourages its members to vote and to otherwise be engaged. This article summarizes each Proposal and provides additional resources for more information. 

BACKGROUND

In 2017, the Texas Legislature enacted legislation, signed by the Governor, creating the Committee on Disciplinary Rules & Referenda (“Committee”) and tasked it to review and update the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (“TDRPC”) and the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure (“TRDP”). The Committee is a partnership of sorts between the Texas Supreme Court and the State…