State Bar of Texas Podcast

The Honorable Nathan L. Hecht was the longest‑serving member in the history of the Supreme Court of Texas and the longest‑tenured Texas judge in active service. As he approached his well‑deserved retirement, Rocky Dhir welcomed The Honorable Hecht to the podcast to reflect on his many years of service to the Texas legal system. They discussed his career path, the behind‑the‑scenes work judges performed within the courts, his efforts to improve access to justice, his advice for lawyers, and much more.

Nathan L. Hecht served as the 27th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. He was elected to the Court seven times, first in 1988 as a Justice and later in 2014 and 2020 as Chief Justice.

​​New Texas AI legislation will take effect January 1, 2026. What will this mean for your legal practice? The Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA) aims to regulate the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems in the state to address issues such as discrimination, intentional harm, illegal sexual content, and the use of biometric data. Rocky Dhir welcomes Chris Schwegmann to help us unpack the nuances of TRAIGA legislation and understand its implications for the practice of law.

The discussion later shifts to the effective and ethical deployment of AI within legal practice. Chris highlights its capabilities by detailing his firm’s approach to AI tools. With proper use, AI has the potential to enhance your legal work and streamline processes to allow for greater attention to high-level tasks.

Chris Schwegmann is managing partner at Lynn, Pinker, Hurst & Schwegmann in Dallas, Texas.

Ever since cryptocurrency made its debut, many have repeatedly questioned its validity. Is it legal tender? A scam? Well, in today’s digital ether, both exist en masse, and lawyers need to understand how to recognize the real thing and how it fits into our current legal framework. Rocky Dhir welcomes Nelson Ebaugh to chat about his article in the Texas Bar Journal, Texas Cryptocurrency Jurisprudence. Nelson Ebaugh is an attorney in Houston. He has an LL.M. in securities and financial regulation and is certified in criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Special thanks to our sponsors Thomson Reuters and State Bar of Texas.

The Take One campaign is a statewide initiative encouraging Texas lawyers to take on one pro bono case a year for a veteran in need. Rocky Dhir sits down with Major General Alfred Valenzuela and past State Bar President Terry Tottenham to discuss the campaign’s mission to bridge the gap between lawyers and veterans. Their conversation highlights the challenges veterans often face when transitioning back to civilian life and the vital role legal support can play in that process. Through Take One, attorneys in every practice area can use their expertise to handle cases that align with their specialties while meeting the diverse legal needs of those who have served our nation.

To learn more about serving our veterans, visit the Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans website, and read about the Take One campaign in the November Issue of the Texas Bar Journal.

Judge Darrell Dullnig has presided over ten separate municipal courts in Texas during his career, offering a unique and seasoned perspective on one of the most vital areas of our justice system. In this episode, he sheds light on the critical role municipal courts play, the common misconceptions even attorneys have, and why a little kindness and respect go a long way in the courtroom. Municipal courts handle more cases than county and district courts combined, and all lawyers should have an accurate understanding of their purpose and processes. From deferred disposition to dealing with pro se litigants, Judge Dullnig shares insights, stories, and a touch of humor from the bench.