State Bar of Texas Podcast

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Episodes

235

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The State Bar of Texas Podcast is a monthly show featuring news and discussions relevant to the legal profession, from the latest industry trends and caselaw to practice tips and State Bar programs. Host Rocky Dhir, attorney and CEO of Dallas-based Atlas Legal Research, invites thought leaders and innovators to share their insight and knowledge on what matters to practitioners.

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October 8, 202625 min

Texas Law Unpacked: Rethinking Jury Duty

A jury summons in your mailbox often instills a feeling of dread, but is jury duty really as bad as people assume? Instead of trying to find a way out of this often-negatively cast public service, let’s flip the script and consider: How can you make the most of jury duty? As promised, Rocky Dhir returns with Judge Les Hatch and Cade Browning to take a closer look at the jury experience from the perspective of both jurors and the legal professionals who rely on them. They remind us about the right and privilege it is to serve jury duty as a citizen of this country and point out jurors’ essential role in our justice system.

October 8, 202656 min

Is the Jury Trial Still Relevant in Modern Litigation?

Statistics show that 90-98% of both civil and criminal cases across the nation are resolved before trial. With seemingly fewer cases reaching a jury, how do we, as legal professionals, preserve a deep appreciation for the jury’s role in our systems of justice? Rocky Dhir welcomes Judge Les Hatch and litigator Cade Browning to discuss our Constitutional right to trial by jury and its enduring importance in our society.  They discuss the virtues of jury trials and their function in our judicial system, then share best practices for jury selection and trial preparation. 

September 3, 202642 min

Look to the States – The Overlooked Power of State Constitutions

After passing the bar, attorneys take an oath to uphold not only the United States Constitution, but their state constitutions as well. But how well do lawyers understand the rights and protections found in their own state constitutions, and how often do they put them to work in their legal practice? Rocky Dhir welcomes Judge Jeffrey Sutton to explore the often-overlooked role of state constitutions in American law. Judge Sutton shares practical examples of how state constitutional provisions can shape legal arguments and outcomes, and explains why attorneys should look beyond federal law when advocating for clients. By giving greater consideration to state constitutional authority, lawyers can help create a more balanced and nuanced understanding of individual rights at both state and federal levels.  

August 6, 202641 min

Will AI Send Clients to Your Firm?

To run a thriving legal business, you need your prospective clients to easily find and connect with your law firm. Rocky Dhir welcomes marketing professionals Amanda Sexton and Zack McKamie to discuss effective marketing strategies for law firms. They discuss SEO tactics and what lawyers need to know about developing an advertising approach that makes sense for their individual law firm. Later, they also dig into the ethics of lawyer marketing, AI considerations, social media usages, and much more.

July 2, 202645 min

Law-Backed AI: Aligning Artificial Intelligence With Human Values – Damien Riehl

AI is on track to surpass the intelligence of humans, promising significant impacts worldwide—and certainly within the legal profession. What do lawyers need to consider as this technology continues to evolve? Damien Riehl addressed legal professionals at the 2026 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting about the progression of artificial intelligence and the need for wisdom, morals, and discernment in the deployment of AI tools. AI promises both hopeful and worrying outcomes, and all legal professionals must engage with this topic as they seek to use it well, serve legal needs with excellence, and advance access to justice.

June 9, 20261 hr 5 min

Waiving the Fifth

As an attorney, are there ever circumstances where you may counsel your clients to waive their Fifth Amendment rights? Rocky Dhir talks with experienced trial lawyers Rachael Jones and Jay Ethington to gain a deeper understanding of the Fifth Amendment, particularly as it pertains to client testimony. Drawing from their many years of trial experience in both prosecution and defense, Rachael and Jay explain the intricacies of a person’s right to remain silent—avoiding self-incrimination either in trial, when speaking with law enforcement officers, or in a variety of other scenarios. Their conversation digs deep into the nuances of the Fifth Amendment to help lawyers best serve their clients, educate jurors, and be thoroughly prepared for the rigors of trial. Become a member: State Bar of Texas Join us in Houston on June 11 & 12: 2026 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting Read the latest edition of the Texas Bar Journal: texasbar.com/tbj

May 7, 202634 min

Understanding Harris County’s LAWPods System

In an effort to serve more legal needs, Harris County has created LAWPods (Legal Access Workspace Pods) to provide accessible legal help for people from all walks of life. Users can access free legal support within LAWPods, which includes state-of-the-art legal databases, the ability to book free appointments with law librarians, and connections to legal aid and lawyer referral services. Andre Davison, director of the Harris County Law Library, joins Rocky Dhir to discuss the development of this project and stories of positive impacts since the first pod opened in May 2024. Later, they also dig into future opportunities for LAWPods, including location and staff expansion, and sharing their knowledge to help other areas replicate the LAWPod model to provide greater access to justice in more Texas communities. To learn more about LAWPods, visit: LAWPod — Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library Subscribe to Andre’s Podcast: AALLIn Podcast

April 9, 202653 min

SBOT's Vision: A Look at State Bar and TYLA Initiatives

In this conversation, host Rocky Dhir brings together two leaders: State Bar of Texas President Santos Vargas and Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) President Alyson Martinez. They discuss their progress and continuing goals for the 2025–26 bar year, highlighting initiatives aimed at strengthening access to justice and expanding public service. Santos shares his focus on access to justice through his “Stand With Santos” initiative, which raises awareness and funding to support the civil legal needs of low-income Texans. He provides an update on the initiative’s progress and the impact it aims to achieve across the state.As the leader of TYLA, Alyson heads many of the public service projects of the State Bar. During her presidency, her initiative, “For the Public”, has showcased lawyers working in public service roles. Through this project, she aims to increase understanding of these vital career paths, elevate the importance of public service, and inspire both attorneys and law students to pursue career opportunities that strengthen their communities. Learn More: Stand with Santos For the Public - TYLA - Podcast More Than Legal Outcomes - Texas Bar Journal - April 2026

March 5, 202639 min

Beyond the Game: Inside Texas Pro Sports Law

Texas is fortunate to be home to a diverse and impressive roster of professional sports organizations, and it should come as no surprise that the demanding world of professional athletics requires highly skilled legal counsel. Host Rocky Dhir welcomes two distinguished attorneys from the Texas professional sports scene: Eunice Nakamura, Executive Vice President, General Counsel for the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team, and James O’Sullivan, General Counsel for the Major League Soccer team, FC Dallas. Their conversation gives an inside look at the dynamic day-to-day experiences of lawyers specializing in the business of sports. Eunice and James candidly share their professional paths, detailing the opportunities and career choices that led them to their current roles.

February 19, 202650 min

A Texas-Sized Look at Our Constitution on its 150th Birthday

To mark the sesquicentennial of the Texas Constitution, host Rocky Dhir is joined by two eminent Texans—Texas Supreme Court Justice Evan Young and legal historian Dr. Bill Chriss. They offer a deep dive into the foundational document's history and evolution, tracing its iterations from 1876 to the present day and exploring how its framework for self-governance continues to serve the people of Texas well. To learn more about the unique and fascinating story of our state constitution, read Dr. Chriss’ book: Six Constitutions Over Texas: Texas’ Political Identity, 1830–1900. Justice Evan A. Young was appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas in November 2021 by Governor Greg Abbott and later elected in November 2022 to serve through December of 2028. Dr. Bill Chriss is a self-described lifelong learner. As a lawyer, historian, and author, his work straddles the worlds of academia, family, writing, and appellate law.