[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6255804,"mediaKeyId","3161691-90a996c4e27485e447788f2b1944ac94","parentId",3161691,"title","Chief Justice administers oath as Board of Law Examiners presents successful examinees; high scorer urges humility and service","audioSeconds",115,"startMs",1745000,"endMs",1860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161691-90a996c4e27485e447788f2b1944ac94&start=1745&end=1860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161691-90a996c4e27485e447788f2b1944ac94/thumbnail_1745000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6255804/Texas/Chief-Justice-administers-oath-as-Board-of-Law-Examiners-presents-successful-examinees-high-scorer-urges-humility-and-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255804-296253b7aa055d859a453ba2457f0eeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143828&Signature=a1Xh18XxVyuIpQVT7UY3ss-5oJ7VQWca74CmauVwc4qwHpzs-yG5gGCvpWZaBQOEbPEk7yqM06MbLsub2O4IyXV8HtkkIKrbocgcY8Fsv5QXntpEJp~~QnMe~vjw7bhBF7X1SXMDge1wT0FlliT-jTDJ3DmPhAZzXS~creHc~ivZu94RhlnXoWS0I9cdpHjwPCigupT0HpdHLUputgAA2k5G~~JcpZyDdk9btshKSD319ECR5O0UsJfOzb0emy8dVAvEVewxL4G7uj8hEGYqDYknTuTkzAh7P~3xOY7J6-wzENA17PDNRIEaI5D-w2TivNJc4gHKnPm3FTzZgouEUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-01T00:27:05.68Z","article","Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock and Presiding Judge David Schenck convened the special joint session of the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals to swear in candidates who passed the February 2025 bar exam. Duane Massey of the Board of Law Examiners presented the list of successful examinees to the court, stating those named had \"successfully passed the February 2025 Texas bar examination, or have otherwise satisfied the examination requirement and have completed all other requirements for licensing in the rules governing admission to the bar of Texas.\"

After Massey presented the list, Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock administered the lawyer's oath. \"I, Jimmy Blacklock, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitutions of The United States and of this state...\" the chief justice recited, and new lawyers were invited to repeat the oath as officers of the court. Blacklock emphasized duties that accompany licensure: zealous advocacy for clients, candor and honesty to courts, and a duty to practice in ways that support the U.S. and Texas constitutions.

Summer Shaw, who the court identified as the top scorer on the bar exam, addressed the new lawyers and said the day was \"about more than just a test score. It's about perseverance, character, grit.\" The court also recognized Caitlin Farrell and Andrew Oliver as the third- and second-highest scorers respectively; the chief justice said the scores reported are rounded but noted the high scorer's reported score was 339.3 while the runner-up's reported score was 338.7.

The ceremony concluded with the clerk adjourning the courts and refreshments offered by the State Bar on Level 3. The presentation of the list and oath administration were recorded as the formal, ceremonial steps completing the admission process for the examinees named by the Board of Law Examiners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Lawyer Induction Ceremony (4.30.2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock administered the lawyer's oath after the Board of Law Examiners presented the list of successful February 2025 examinees. Summer Shaw, the highest scorer, spoke to classmates about perseverance and professional responsibility.","taxTitle","Supreme Court of Texas, Judicial, Texas","taxId",66295,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6255809,"State Bar and Texas Young Lawyers Association outline member benefits, mentorship and wellness supports for newly sworn lawyers",824,571000,1395000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161691-90a996c4e27485e447788f2b1944ac94&start=571&end=1395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161691-90a996c4e27485e447788f2b1944ac94/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/6255809/Texas/State-Bar-and-Texas-Young-Lawyers-Association-outline-member-benefits-mentorship-and-wellness-supports-for-newly-sworn-lawyers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255809-c39b6c334ac9c64ef90fa8c168f45e3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143828&Signature=VnT1ga6ofZNfNhkoed5bn8CaGhqrWmHRb6AL-O0sI-jWkX0VoylD-RvRVtm9tsCsC3xlhNBMdrdtiMhYHWgmLoDX0g4sLXbFs-iCyxHxO2Fliz99ASbvEUUVd9LZMOL4bHBnlstRhw4Er-TbzCnHqGFqvHcc~JnuOephy9KbncsFGHtAbBf8eBO-B-Auhv37749UxuPXe777vZglbBFRm4qTHwWQ9w9Mxpdii~n11meAcRfglariI4NshkeRuIP4TT42qdR2~Hszh-trieROCdEZb4Ggg7K5GYGYn2~pmLa1~RbcUefCJyUQ~M~V14nRmeG4kKCmamv7MGjqJWRRCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve Benesh, president of the State Bar of Texas, told newly sworn lawyers that the bar offers member benefits intended to support attorneys' practices and well-being, and he encouraged mentorship and pro bono participation. \"If there's one thing that you take away from my words today, it is that help is always available,\" Benesh said, highlighting free legal research through VLEX Fastcase, free billing and trust accounting software through Smokeball, a career center, an attorney ethics helpline, a lawyer-referral service, and online practice-management tools.

Benesh described the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) as a strictly confidential service offering crisis counseling, referrals, peer assistance and well-being guidance for lawyers, judges and law students. He also said the State Bar offers a free month of online therapy through BetterHelp followed by 15% off if members continue service.

Hesham Masri, president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA), said newly licensed attorneys are automatically eligible for membership in TYLA and urged them to use TYLA resources, including a checklist for first-year attorneys, podcasts, and a wellness hub. Masri cited basic population and lawyer-count figures in emphasizing the small ratio of lawyers to Texas residents and urged incoming lawyers to seek collaboration and mentorship to succeed in practice.

Both speakers positioned these supports as professional-development and public-service tools: Benesh framed mentorship and pro bono work as ways to \"advance the cause of equal access to justice in Texas,\" while Masri described TYLA as the State Bar's public-service arm that helps lawyers thrive in practice. The remarks were delivered as guidance and encouragement during the induction ceremony and did not announce new programs or changes to existing benefits.","State Bar of Texas and Texas Young Lawyers Association leaders urged new lawyers to seek mentors, participate in pro bono work and use bar-provided resources including free legal research, practice management tools, and confidential wellness services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6255814,"Supreme Court of Texas reminds new lawyers to complete registration, required ethics course and to retain oath",248,225000,473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161691-90a996c4e27485e447788f2b1944ac94&start=225&end=473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161691-90a996c4e27485e447788f2b1944ac94/thumbnail_225000.jpg","/articles/6255814/Texas/Supreme-Court-of-Texas-reminds-new-lawyers-to-complete-registration-required-ethics-course-and-to-retain-oath","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255814-e453a8a6dc4a6e0c98c9d46d7a9c187f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143828&Signature=DAhC2jk5Tdcyjf2B0PfJ6cBPEUcJwsL3zFQElq7KmsoRxZ0FWw5sS51NZEzE8xg97QKNp3YW-BnlVf2FLBVcOLCTeCw9QTim5bYqQ-r8AQRusiOjYhcJ2mAsMK7naTwnBX4jJitm4su4QnrOngmiCJ9QJBQfuZBt5nok~ZUTEQk3sVvE5GmJhqhYQuQEB2y0FayQsN~bYJAuNgVF6nUaJjaQAfNvRv8D2C2aUCpTg8P60EFsQLsDg9kOA2IL2jK-aXKFqfV2jEGYl0GfwMnDYOpj1agVpWYZ0u70dNTNsQFC-NfQrFDE9he0Z1SB-JanwxU8BRaEtzHeoeSihWyArw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blake Hawthorne, clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas, told candidates at the induction ceremony for those who passed the February 2025 bar exam that they must complete online registration with the State Bar of Texas and that an award group will email instructions for claiming wall certificates and ordering frames. Hawthorne said the State Bar will mail bar cards separately and reminded new members that, by order of the Supreme Court of Texas, they must complete the Justice James A. Baker Guide to the Basics of Law Practice administered by the Texas Center for Legal Ethics.

The clerk also addressed the printed oath included in the ceremony program. \"The oath in your program is yours to keep. You do not need to send it to me or anyone else,\" Hawthorne said, noting that \"by statute, it must be affixed to your license.\" He advised candidates who purchase a frame to affix the program to the back of the frame as a practical matter. Those instructions were presented as housekeeping and guidance for meeting the administrative steps to be enrolled as members of the State Bar of Texas.

The court convened a special joint session of the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals to administer the oath and present the list of successful examinees. Presenters reiterated that passing the exam and completing the listed steps are part of the licensing process governed by the rules for admission to the bar of Texas. The Board of Law Examiners presented the list of successful examinees and the Chief Justice administered the oath to those ready to take it.

Key clarifications from the ceremony included that online registration is required to be enrolled as a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Justice James A. Baker Guide course is required and available online through the Texas Center for Legal Ethics, and that the State Bar will mail bar cards separately from the wall certificate and frame instructions. The court and clerk described these points as administrative requirements rather than disciplinary or evaluative actions.","Clerk Blake Hawthorne and court officials told successful February 2025 bar exam takers to complete online registration, take the Justice James A. Baker Guide course, and retain the printed oath as part of licensing requirements set by the Supreme Court of Texas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chief Justice administers oath as Board of Law Examiners presents successful examinees; high scorer urges humility and service

State Bar and Texas Young Lawyers Association outline member benefits, mentorship and wellness supports for newly sworn lawyers

Supreme Court of Texas reminds new lawyers to complete registration, required ethics course and to retain oath