Michael

Christopher V. Popov of Vinson & Elkins took office as the 2022-2023 Houston Bar Association President at the HBA Annual Dinner on May 19.

Popov’s goals for the coming bar year include elevating civil discourse about legal issues that affect our society through HBA programming and communications, enhancing attorney wellness resources, and amplifying the services provided through HBA’s affiliate organizations – the Houston Volunteer Lawyers, the Houston Lawyer Referral Service, and the Dispute Resolution Center. “We’re living in a bizarre age of misinformation and political polarization. I see an important role for lawyers to lead us back to reverence for civic responsibility and respect for the rule of law,” said Popov. “My aim for the coming year is to engage our members through programs offering meaningful dialogue on the most pressing legal issues of the day, promoting wellness resources, as well as ensuring that Houstonians are educated on the legal services offered through our ancillary organizations.” Popov went into more detail about what’s in store for the coming year during his speech at the Annual Dinner.

 Elevated Civil Discourse

The HBA’s Law & the Media Committee is spearheading new programming called the President’s Speaker Series. Popov said the goal for this series is to foster education and healthy dialogue by bringing substantive, thoughtful insight to the legal stories that will hit front-page news in the year to come. More details about this programming to come. The committee will be led by six co-chairs this year: Dean Leonard Baynes, University of Houston Law Center; Professor Elsa
Ransom, Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Michelle Morris, South Texas College of Law Houston; Daniella Landers, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP; John Greil, Vinson & Elkins LLP; and Chris Tritico, Tritico Rainey PLLC.

 Attorney Wellness

Popov told attendees the HBA will create a space that promotes wellness and raises awareness about resources to address areas ranging from mental health to substance abuse and work-life balance. This initiative will include personal accounts in The Houston Lawyer from prominent lawyers in our community, as well as promoting resources such as the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program. The HBA will also encourage its members to participate in charitable service to not only give back to the community but as a way to improve our members’ mental health.

 Promoting HBA’s Ancillary Organizations

Finally, members will see a promotional push from the HBA to showcase our affiliated organizations and ensure these three work together to enhance access to justice in the community – the Houston Volunteer Lawyers, the Houston Lawyer Referral Service, and the Dispute Resolution Center. Popov said the HBA’s pro bono arm, HVL, needs to be a shining light in our community. He also called HLRS “one of the best-kept secrets of the bar – and it’s time that the secret got out,” adding that the same goes for DRC. For more about HBA President Christopher V. Popov, the 2022-2023 HBA Board of Directors, and Annual Dinner award winners.