GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 2. JUDICIAL BRANCH

SUBTITLE G. ATTORNEYS

CHAPTER 81. STATE BAR

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 81.001.  SHORT TITLE.  This chapter may be cited as the State Bar Act.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.


Sec. 81.002.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "State bar" means the State Bar of Texas.
(2)  "Executive director" means the executive director of the state bar.
(3)  "General counsel" means the general counsel of the state bar.
(4)  "Board of directors" means the board of directors of the state bar.
(5)  "Commission" means the Commission for Lawyer Discipline described by Section 81.076
and as provided in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure adopted by the Supreme Court of
Texas.
(6)  "Chief disciplinary counsel" means the attorney selected under Section 81.076 who
performs disciplinary functions for the state bar under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of
Professional Conduct and the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
(7)  "Minority member" means a member of the state bar who is female, African-American,
Hispanic-American, Native American, or Asian-American.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd
Leg., ch. 795, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.


Sec. 81.003.  SUNSET PROVISION.  The state bar is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act).
Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, this chapter expires September 1,
2015.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd
Leg., ch. 795, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 17, Sec. 6.11, eff. Nov. 12,
1991; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.


SUBCHAPTER B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Sec. 81.011.  GENERAL POWERS.  (a)  The state bar is a public corporation and an
administrative agency of the judicial department of government.
(b)  This chapter is in aid of the judicial department's powers under the constitution to
regulate the practice of law, and not to the exclusion of those powers.
(c)  The Supreme Court of Texas, on behalf of the judicial department, shall exercise
administrative control over the state bar under this chapter.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.


Sec. 81.012.  PURPOSES.  In order that the public responsibilities of the legal profession may
be more effectively discharged, the state bar has the following purposes:
(1)  to aid the courts in carrying on and improving the administration of justice;
(2)  to advance the quality of legal services to the public and to foster the role of the legal
profession in serving the public;
(3)  to foster and maintain on the part of those engaged in the practice of law high ideals and
integrity, learning, competence in public service, and high standards of conduct;
(4)  to provide proper professional services to the members of the state bar;
(5)  to encourage the formation of and activities of local bar associations;
(6)  to provide forums for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the practice of law, the
science of jurisprudence and law reform, and the relationship of the state bar to the public;
and
(7)  to publish information relating to the subjects listed in Subdivision (6).

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd
Leg., ch. 795, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.


Sec. 81.013.  SEAL.  The state bar has an official seal, which may not be used for private
purposes.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.


Sec. 81.014.  SUITS.  The state bar may sue and be sued in its own name.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.


Sec. 81.015.  CONTRACTS.  To carry out and promote the objectives of this chapter, the state bar
may enter into contracts and do all other acts incidental to those contracts that are necessary
or expedient for the administration of its affairs and for the attainment of its purposes.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.


Sec. 81.0151.  PURCHASING.  The board of directors shall adopt guidelines and procedures for
purchasing that are consistent with the guidelines and procedures in Chapters 2155-2158.
Purchases are subject to the ultimate review of the supreme court. The state bar shall
maintain reports on state bar purchases and shall make those reports available for review by
the state auditor.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 795, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th
Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 17.19, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.


Sec. 81.016.  PROPERTY.  (a)  The state bar may acquire by gift, bequest, devise, or other
manner any interest in real or personal property.
(b)  The state bar may acquire, hold, lease, encumber, and dispose of real and personal
property in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under this chapter.
(c)  The property of the state bar is held by the state bar for the purposes set out in Section
81.012. If the state bar ceases to exist as a legal entity for any reason, all property of the state
bar shall be held in trust by the supreme court for the attorneys of this state.
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