the summons...hcba executive director, at 956-380-1691 or email at [email protected]. mark your...
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THE SUMMONS
Monthly newsletter of the Hidalgo County Bar Association
JANUARY 2020 EDITION
President’s Message
Dear HCBA Members,
Happy New Year 2020!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank YOU and all of our generous
sponsors that continue to support our HCBA and HCBF events throughout the year. You
are truly amazing and we are truly blessed!
Thanks to you, the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation supported great causes in 2019. You
helped make it possible for us to donate to the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Cancer Foundation, Inc., the
Annual Region One High School Mock Trial Competition, to provide food for 500 families in
collaboration with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, to provide toys for over 500 children in
the colonias, to support the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid Divorce Clinics and Wills Clinics, and to
provide over $28,500 to the Texas Civil Liberties Project,
I want to welcome two new Law Sections that the Board of Directors recently approved
and are now moving forward with some wonderful opportunities for their clients, the courts and
the attorneys. The Child Welfare Law Section and the Juvenile Law Section are new for 2020 and
both have formed qualified committees to ensure their success. They have some great plans to
better inform the public, provide essential training and offer many opportunities to give back to
the community.
Congratulations to Child Protection Court Judge Carlos Villalon, Jr. and the Child Welfare
Law Section Committee on holding its first lunch CLE on Tuesday, January 14th “A VIEW FROM
THE CHILD PROTECTION BENCH”. It was a huge success! We had 36 attorneys attend and get
insight into the responsibilities of Judge Villalon’s court and the amazing respect that is shown to
every child and family that goes through this court. Members of this committee include Pam
Alexander, Sandra Martinez, Pete Espinosa and Diana Fuentes Aguilar.
Congratulations are also in order for Judge Renee Betancourt for kicking off 2020 with the
new Juvenile Law Section. Committee Members include Michael Parson, Regi Richardson, Laura
Guerra Ramirez, Joel H. Garcia, Jr., Maryann Denner and Maria “Coco” Melendez. The first Juvenile
Law Section lunch CLE featuring Judge Renee Betancourt “A VIEW FROM THE JUVENILE LAW
BENCH” will be held from12 noon to 1 pm on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the 449th District
Court on 1001 N. Doolittle Road in Edinburg. Please register at www.hidalgobar.org
Did you know that the Hidalgo County Bar Association offers you over 35 lunch CLE credit
hours, including Ethics hours, free of charge and close to home every year? At HCBA we believe
that there is no need to travel afar to obtain your required CLE credit hours. We make it possible
for you to learn from some of most qualified and highly trained experts in their fields by simply
registering for our monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly CLEs at www.hidalgobar.org and earn your
SBOT MCLE credit hours.
We work closely with the State Bar of Texas MCLE Department to ensure that all of our
CLEs are properly accredited. We are proud to bring to you our Annual Bill of Rights: HCBA
Criminal Law Conference with a faculty of 27 members, all experts in their fields. This conference
provides 8.25 CLE credit hours including 2.5 Ethics credit hours. HCBA members and Criminal
Law Section members get additional discounts. The Criminal Law Conference will be held on
Friday, January 31, 2020 at Cimarron Country Club. Doors open at 7 am and conference ends at
5:30 pm.
The 2020 Annual David H. Hockema Civil Trial Law Conference is scheduled for April 16,
2020 at Double Tree Hotel in McAllen and promises to have eleven of the best speakers from
throughout the state of Texas. This conference is accredited for 8.00 MCLE credit hours including
2.00 Ethics credit hours. Register at www.hidalgobar.org
The Texas Women Lawyer will hold its Annual Meeting and CLE in McAllen on Friday,
February 28th. Please visit their website http://www.texaswomenlawyers.net/ for more
information and to register online. Congratulations to Deborah Cordova, of Walsh McGurk
Cordova and Nixon, PLLC for being the Texas Women Lawyers President-Elect for 2020-2021!
Not an HCBA member?
It’s never too late to join the Hidalgo County Bar Association. We have so many things going
on that you won’t want to miss. Renew you membership today by visiting our website
www.hidalgobar.org and signing up online. For more information please call Cynthia Guerra,
HCBA Executive Director, at 956-380-1691 or email at [email protected].
Mark your calendars: we have some great events coming up in 2020:
The 2020 Bill of Rights: Criminal Law Conference will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 at
Cimarron Country Club in Mission. Joe Connors, III, Rey Merino, Jose D. Ozuna and Lennard
Whittaker serve on the Criminal Law Section Committee and have gathered 27 of the best
faculty with the hottest topics just for you! Register early and save!
The Estate Planning & Probate and The Rio Grande Valley Estate Planning Council Dinner CLE
will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the McAllen Country
Club. There is a $35 fee and you can register at www.rgvepc.org/events/register/19061
The Estate Planning and Probate Law Section Lunch CLE with Guest Speaker, the Honorable
Judge JoAnne Garcia giving us “A VIEW FROM THE PROBATE BENCH” and will be held on
Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Edwards Abstract in Edinburg. Lunch is sponsored by Rio Bank.
The Criminal Law Section Lunch CLE will feature attorney Greg Turley speaking on “Fifth
Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals” Appeals and Oral Arguments from a court appointed attorney at
Pasta Company in McAllen from 12 noon to 1 pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2020.
The HCBA Juvenile Law Section will hold its First Lunch CLE with 449th District Court Judge
Renee Betancourt providing us with “A VIEW FROM THE BENCH” in her courtroom from 12
noon to 1 pm. Register at www.hidalgobar.org
The 2020 David H. Hockema Civil Trial Law Conference featuring 11 faculty members,
including Justice Brett Busby, will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2020, at Double Tree Hotel in
McAllen. The Civil Trial Law Conference Committee consists of Susan Sullivan, Joe Escobedo,
Bobby Ramirez and Frank Sabo. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend this very
popular and beneficial conference.
What’s New with You and Your Law Firm?
Please let us know and send news of promotions, retirements, job postings, awards, etc. to
Sincerely,
Minerva I. Zamora
HCBA President
2020 David H. Hockema
Civil Trial Law Conference
Mark Your Calendars!
Thursday, April 16, 2020 Course No. 174074942
(8.00 hours CLE including 2.0 hours of Ethics)
REGISTRATION FEES Judges – Free Admission
$75 Government/Non-Profit Service Attorneys $150.00 HCBA Criminal Law Section Members
$175.00-HCBA Members $200.00-Non Members
$250 ALL Late Registration and at the Door Registrations
11 Great Faculty Members
11 Hot Topics You Need To
Know About!
REGION ONE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
Congratulations to
Mission Veteran’s High School
1st Place Court Artist
REGION ONE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
Congratulations to
Robert E. Vela High School
2nd Place Court Artist
REGION ONE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
Congratulations to
Edinburg North High School
3rd Place Court Artist
HCBA & HCBF EVENTS
January Bill of Rights: Criminal Law CLE Annual Conference
March Women’s Bar Section Justice is Served
April Hockema Civil Law CLE Annual Conference
May HCBA Board Officers Elections BBQ
Law Day Gala
June, July & August HCBA Summer Planning Season
September Annual Membership Kick-Off
October “Par Fore” Justice Golf Tournament
November Heart Gallery
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Fiesta de Gracias
December Toy Drive
Annual Black Robe Reception
Delivery of Toys at ARISE MUNIZ RGV Colonias
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
HIDALGO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
Opportunity to obtain over 35 CLE credit hours locally
Network with your colleagues through events like the Annual Law Day Gala, Annual
Golf Tournament, Annual Dia de Gracias event, Annual Black Robe Reception, Law
Section membership, and other HCBA and HCBF Mixers to Community Service
Events.
The HCBA offers 12 Law Sections Membership that offer CLE opportunities to all
members.
Members receive reduced rates on our seminars.
Monthly & bi-monthly CLE lunch meetings make it easy to acquire your CLE hours.
1st year licensed attorney’s membership fee is waived.
Keep up to date on the HCBA and HCBF events through our monthly newsletter, The
Summons.
Free Job Postings on our website and The Summons newsletter.
And so much more! Join Today!
HCBA LAW SECTIONS
Appellate Law Section
*Child Welfare Law Section
Criminal Law Section
Family Law Section
Estate Planning & Probate Law Section
General Civil Law Section
Government Law Section
Immigration Law Section
*Juvenile Law Section
Real Estate Law Section
Women’s Bar Section
Senior Law Section
*Newly added Law Sections
Renew your HCBA Membership
Today! It’s a new year, which means a new membership!
Renew your membership today by visiting our website www.Hidalgobar.org and
Logon with your username and password.
You can pay with a credit card and a receipt will be sent to you or
You can download the membership dues renewal form
and mail it in with a check made payable to the
Hidalgo County Bar Association
323 W. Cano Street, Suite 100, Edinburg, TX 78539
Please contact us at (956) 380-1691
if you have any questions.
Cynthia Guerra, Executive Director
Thank you!
HCBA MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS
BENEFITS! JOIN TODAY
Job Postings & Announcements
One of the benefits of being a HCBA
member is that members can post a job
announcement on our website and our
newsletter, The Summons, free of charge. We
currently have a few job opportunities listed
on our HCBA Online Job Bank.
If you are looking to hire an associate
for your law practice or are an attorney
seeking employment with one of our area law
firms, please let your fellow bar member know
by posting your classified ad online. Simply
contact our office at 956-380-1691.
Villeda Law Group is looking for an
experienced paralegal in probate, transactions,
including real estate. Bilingual ideal, but not
required. Mark Talbot will be supervising
attorney. VLG offers retirement benefit and
health insurance and is competitive in salary
compensation. Please submit resume to
Villeda Law Group attention
HCBA JOB BANK
Adams & Graham in Harlingen, Texas is hiring
an associate for its defense-oriented litigation
practice. Litigation experience, a strong academic
record, and Spanish-language skills are preferred.
A strong work ethic is essential. Apply by
submitting a resume and any other materials you
would like to have considered by email to:
Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams, L.L.P. Is
seeking a lawyer 1 – 3 years civil litigation
experience to join the firm’s Brownsville office as
an associate. The applicant should possess strong
academic credentials, writing skills and oral
advocacy. Excellent benefits. Salary
commensurate with experience. Resumes and a
writing sample should be sent to
The Law firm of Colvin, Saenz, Rodriguez &
Kennamer, L.L.P. seeks a full-time associate
attorney with 3 to 5 years of experience in
personal injury defense for its Brownsville or
Edinburg office. Apply by submitting resume to
