Annual Report FY 2013-2014
Our Mission The Texas Judicial Foundation exists solely for the purpose of providing and supporting educational programs for active and assigned appellate, county court at law, and district judges in Texas and as a supporting partner to the Texas Center for the Judiciary. It is the intent of the Texas Judicial Foundation to present these judges the emerging trends and best practices within the legal systems of the nation and world to ensure they have the knowledge necessary to competently, efficiently, economically, and ethically perform their duties.
Message from the Chair Texas judges and attorneys created the Texas Judicial Foundation as a non-profit corporation in 2008 for the purpose of funding the continuing education of Texas state judges. That remains the primary goal of the Foundation. Since its inception and in partnership with the Texas Center for the Judiciary and the South Texas College of Law, it has presented or funded three educational seminars with the needs of the Texas judge in mind. Those seminars included programs on such current topics as the future of the Texas judge and judiciary, the impact of immigration / and foreign citizenship on civil litigation in Texas, oil and gas exploration, contract interpretation, the role of electronic evidence in litigation, and expanding fiduciary disputes. Each was the first of its kind offered in Texas to exclusively help Texas judges address their growing and changing civil dockets. More importantly, those presenting at each came from a broad spectrum of legal and lay community, including trial and appellate judges, lawyers, law professors and businessmen. Underlying the Foundation s efforts is its philosophy that an effective judiciary requires an unbiased educational approach. The Foundation s board reflects that understanding, and each member is expected to use his or her experience, foresight, and ability to further the Foundation s end. And, just like the board, the Foundation s contributors include major law firms and renowned attorneys practicing on both sides of the docket, major corporations, individuals from the legal and lay community, the Dallas Bar Foundation, American Board of Trial Attorneys, and the Immigration and Business Sections of the State Bar of Texas. Pursuing diverse funding sources helps assure that the educational opportunities supported by the Foundation are not a means of fostering particular legal, social, or political viewpoints. Needless to say, 2012-13 proved to be good for the Foundation. It received contributions in excess of $80,000 and distributed in excess of $65,000 for two educational programs during that period. It has committed another $50,000 to fund another civil law program during the Summer of 2014 and in partnership with the Texas Center for the Judiciary. It retained key administrative and financial personnel needed to grow. And, despite its incorporation during the last economic recession, it has survived and will prosper. The Foundation looks forward to working with its partners to provide the judges of Texas the tools needed to remain the best educated judiciary in the nation. Brian Quinn, Chair Chief Justice, Seventh Court of Appeals
History of the Organization In 2007, the Executive Committee of the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas recommended the creation of a non-profit foundation to support judicial education. The Judicial Section of the State Bar approved the recommendation and by direction of the Chairman of the Judicial Section, the Texas Judicial Foundation was created. The Texas Judicial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to educating Texas judges for excellence. In 2010, The Foundation held its first Symposium and in the Spring of 2011 the Symposium paper was published. Dedicated to the belief that Texas judges must have the knowledge of the very best practices to be able to lead in the resolution of the many diverse issues facing the Texas judicial system, the Foundation has had the privilege of funding educational programs through the Texas Center for the Judiciary and the National Judicial College since 2011.
January 2015 This is the perfect time to distribute the Texas Judicial Foundation s first annual report. For many people, January offers an opportunity to reflect on the past year, considering its successes as well as its lessons. For those who support TJF, this month reminds us of what the Foundation has accomplished and how it continues striving to fulfill its mission. Since 2008, TJF has contributed to the education of active and assigned appellate, district, and county court at law judges in Texas. In more recent years, its mission has become more urgent as legislative budget cuts impacted judicial training programs. TJF stepped up to fill this gap, providing funding for symposia and conferences on many important topics. Last year, for example, TJF co-sponsored the Civil Justice Conference presented by the Texas Center for the Judiciary. This two-day event covered a range of issues, including cutting-edge topics specifically requested by members of our Judiciary, from e-discovery to oil and gas law to water rights. Featuring lecturers from both inside and outside the legal profession, the Conference responded to the Judiciary s need to stay current with developments in industry and the law. TJF looks forward to continuing in its sponsorship for this Conference in 2015. To fulfill the funding goals of TJF, we have reached out to law firms, businesses, and individuals around the state and we have been gratified to receive outstanding support. Regardless of our contributors legal or political viewpoints, all sides of the table agree that a knowledgeable judge remains the foundation of our outstanding court system. In 2014, the Foundation raised over $100,000, which will be used to carry on its mission in the years to come. You can find a full listing of our contributors in this report, as well as a chart that explains how we have put the donations to use. In this new year of 2015, we will continue our efforts to ensure educational opportunities are available to all judges, contributing to a strong, effective Judicial Branch. We thank you for your support in the past, and we hope you will support the Texas Judicial Foundation again this year. Sincerely, Paul Yetter, Chair Elect
The Texas Judicial Foundation funded two Civil Justice programs during the 2013-2014 Fiscal year: Civil Justice Conference June 30-July 1, 2014 Lost Pines, Texas Number of judges in attendance: 88 Rating: 4.93 out of 5 The 2014 Civil Justice Conference consisted of three tracks centering on Natural Resources; Civil Litigation; and Business Law. Highlights of the program included: Sovereign Immunity: Overview and Latest Developments presented by Mr. Michael Shaunessy Latest Developments Oil & Gas presented by Mr. Harper Estes Latest Developments in Water Rights presented by Ms. Robin Melvin US Supreme Court Updates presented by Mr. Evan Young Civil Justice Conference October 14-15, 2013 San Antonio, TX Number of judges in attendance: 90 Rating: 5 out of 5 Oil and Gas, Civil Litigation and Business Law comprised the tracks during the 2013 Civil Justice Conference. Program highlights included: Oil and Gas Today from 30,000 Feet presented by Hon. Rick Strange Pooling Issues presented by Mr. H. Martin Gibson Current Issues in Texas Water Rights presented by Ms. Robin Melvin Fiduciary Litgation, presented by Mr. Stephen McConnico and Ms. Kennon Wooten
Comments from the 2013 and 2014 Conferences Best First I have been to nothing to tweak. Great job and great speakers. Well thought out program, one of the best The program was well organized; good speakers and course material very helpful. This is the best conference I ve attended and I ve been coming for years. Content selection of subjects was excellent. Very well done and well worth the time and effort. Appreciated the variety of civil topics Speakers were exceptional. Continue to provide oil, gas and water sessions. The programs and presenters were about the best overall in my 35 years of attending. Most presenters were top notch.
Financial Overview In fiscal year 2013-2014 the Texas Judicial Foundation raised a total of $83, 050 with the generous support of individuals, law firms, corporations and professional organizations. Expenses for fiscal year 2013-2014 reflect the mission of the Foundation - providing and supporting judicial education programs. Eighty-three (83%) percent of the Foundations expenditures went to grants to the Texas Center for the Judiciary for two civil law programs. Management and general expenses reflect the Operating Costs. Program Expense went to printing, professional services and travel expenses related to fundraising.
2013-2014 Board of Directors Chair of the Board Hon. Brian Quinn Chief Justice, 7th Court of Appeals Amarillo, TX Chair Elect Paul Yetter Yetter Coleman LLP Houston, TX Secretary - Treasurer Hon. Lamar McCorkle Houston, TX Immediate Past Chair David Langston Mullin Hoard and Brown LLP Lubbock, TX Directors David Beck Beck Redden LLP Houston, TX Trey Cox Lynn Tillotson Pinker & Cox, LLP Dallas, TX Hon. Gonzalo Garcia 210th District Court El Paso, TX Lynne Liberato Haynes Boone LLP Houston, TX Hon. Rebecca Simmons Kinetic Concepts San Antonio, TX Broadus Spivey Spivey Law Austin, TX Evan Young Baker Botts LLP Austin, TX Hon. Linda Chew 327th District Court El Paso, TX
Donor Support The Fiscal Year of the Texas Judicial Foundation begins on September 1, 2013 and runs through August 31, 2014. Donor Support listed below reflect those who donated during this Fiscal Year. Executive Level ($10,000 and above) Exxon Mobil Corporation Provost Umphrey Law Firm, LLP Vinson & Elkins LLP Benefactor Level ($5,000 - $9,999) Andrews & Kurth Beck Redden, LLP Bracewell Giullani, LLP Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, LLP Haynes Boone, LLP Porter Hedges, LLP Rusty Hardin Associates State Bar of Texas, Business Litigation Section Yetter Coleman, LLP Ambassador Level ($2,500 - $4,999) Sustaining Level ($500 - $2,499) The Alternative House Hon. Brian Quinn Broadus Spivey Underwood Law Firm Evan Young Nick Nichols
Texas Judicial Foundation Chair-Elect Paul Yetter presents Texas Center for the Judiciary Chair, Hon. Randy Clapp with a check for $90,000 at the Texas Center for the Judiciary s 2014 Annual Judicial Education Conference. Report prepared by: Tana Petrich, Executive Director Financial figures: Amy Merida, Financial Officer Layout/Design: Christie Smith
401 Congress Avenue, Suite 1540 Austin, Texas 78701 www.texasjudicialfoundation.org