Civics Summit

The Civics Summit is a program for teachers. Houston-ABOTA sponsors a teacher for this event each year. It provides teachers critical information and resources, with particular focus on:

• Recognizing and deciphering misinformation and disinformation
• Equipping students to advocate for the causes they care about, and
• Tools for engaging in debate and disagreement with civility and mutual respect

Teachers leave the Civics Summit equipped with real-world insights, classroom-ready materials, and a renewed commitment to shaping responsible citizens. They return to their students empowered to foster critical thinking, civic responsibility, and a deeper understanding of our legal system—lessons that will stay with these young minds for a lifetime.

Civility Matters

ABOTA created Civility Matters with the hope that the program would be presented at ABOTA educational activities, other state bar and professional programs, and, especially, in every law school in the country. The programs feature first-hand lessons and experience from ABOTA members and are intended to instill values and standards that promote high regard for the legal profession. Houston- ABOTA participates directly in this program through its members.

Best in Texas – Voir Dire Competition

Conceived through a partnership between the advocacy directors of the state’s law schools and the Texas chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates (TEX-ABOTA), the Best in Texas Voir Dire Competition is a one-of-a-kind mock trial tournament that focuses on the undertaught art of jury selection. The Texas chapters rotate hosting this competition.

Masters in Trial

The Masters in Trial series, sponsored and hosted by National ABOTA, allows attendees to see leading attorneys present a full trial, or in-depth portions of one, in one day, complete with jury participation and deliberations.  These demonstrations teach by example and provide a roadmap to success. The course is taught by the top trial lawyers from around the country.

ABOTA National Trial College

Designed for second- through sixth-year trial attorneys, the program is an intensive week of student exercises and faculty critiques culminating in three simultaneous mock jury trials on the final day with each student playing a significant part in the trial preparation and presentation.

James Otis Lecture Series

Created to educate and inspire students across the nation and to provide them with appropriate knowledge of and respect for the U.S. Constitution, the JOL series helps schools comply with the requirements of the federal statute that created Constitution Day and requires all federally-assisted schools to provide civic educational programs about the Constitution each year on September 17. TEX-ABOTA members participate in this program annually.

Teachers’ Law School

The Teachers’ Law School is a crash course in civics for teachers, led by experienced lawyers, law professors and members of the judiciary. The main goal of the program is to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to foster an appreciation among their students for the value of the American civil and criminal legal systems. Houston-ABOTA sets this up each year for local teachers.

Jury Appreciation Luncheon

Held every Fall, actual jurors are invited to lunch with members to discuss their service and interact. Good for the jurors, good for the members, good for the profession. Houston-ABOTA members really enjoy participating in this program.

Talk Tuesday

A free 1-hour CLE open to all, the monthly “Talk Tuesday” series is given online on a rotating basis by the Tex-ABOTA chapters. The Houston Chapter hosts this in April.

Voir Dire Magazine

This magazine is published quarterly by National ABOTA and provides articles of interest around the country.

Tex-ABOTA Santa Fe CLE Round-up

Tex-ABOTA puts on the absolute BEST CLE in Santa Fe each year.  Houston-ABOTA members relish the opportunity to participate in this CLE/social get -together with all of the Texas ABOTA members.

WABOTA National Women’s Leadership Conference

2025 is the inaugural year for this conference and it promises to be excellent.  Held this year in Bachelor Gulch, Avon, Colorado, the participants from around the country will get CLE credit and an opportunity to meet with other national WABOTA in a spectacular location.

International Trips

2025 was in New Zealand, 2026 will be in Japan and these trips are over the top fabulous. All ABOTA members are invited, and many attend these wonderful trips abroad.

Bench Banter

Hosted by Houston-ABOTA, this event allows members to connect with judges socially in a relaxed setting at a local restaurant. In the Fall, a Bench Banter is held in Beaumont for ABOTA members and judges there to connect.

Spring Fling

Houston-ABOTA hosts this gala in the Spring of each year providing an opportunity to dress up, dance, party and enjoy other members in an elegant, fun setting. This event sells out each year.