About UsThe Section

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The School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas is dedicated to providing a forum for information related to legal issues arising in public schools, junior colleges, and universities in Texas to a wide range of legal practitioners and education law related associations. Section membership includes individuals who represent the interests of parents, students, employees and employee organizations, educational institutions and governing bodies of institutions, and state and national education-related agencies and associations. A broad diversification of interests and an atmosphere of professional cooperation help to make the School Law Section a unique group committed to the interests of all its constituents. Attorneys who wish to become members of the School Law Section should use the form that accompanies your State Bar of Texas membership.

Message fromThe Chair

Welcome to the website of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. We hope you find this website to be informative and that it exemplifies the unique camaraderie that is so valued by our Section’s members. The School Law Section is somewhat unique in that it includes members who represent all facets of school law: school boards, school districts, administrators, parents and students. Members also represent both public and private schools. For the last 18 years, I have enjoyed attending school law section events and growing personal relationships with colleagues on both “my side of the bar” as well as opposing counsel. Indeed, the strong relationships enjoyed by our members help our section members better serve their respective clients. To quote my predecessor, Chris Gilbert (Thompson and Horton), the school law section believes you can “zealously represent your clients without sacrificing professionalism.” I am proud of the professionalism I have experienced throughout my career of practicing school law, and will continue to work to preserve this treasured quality in our Section during my term as Chair.

Speaking of Chris Gilbert, he began the “School Law 101” initiative during his term as Chair. I am excited to continue to work with Chris and Leila Gray, an associate with Thompson & Horton, along with the School Law 101 committee, to continue the work Chris started. The goal of the Committee is to eventually send out multi-disciplinary teams to Texas law schools (and a few in other states) to meet with law students and educate them about creating a professional home in school law. In short, the goal of School Law 101 is to prepare a new general of school lawyers.

I also look forward to finding opportunities to showcase members’ expertise in school law (including those who are new to the section) through our Section Newsletter. If you are a member and are interested in contributing to the Section Newsletter, please contact me at agulley@wabsa.com.

People often ask if I like what I do for a living. I don’t like it; I love it. School law offers something different every day, and in representing public schools, I play a small part of making a difference in the lives of children, teachers and our Texas communities. To quote Jim Walsh, the founder of my law firm, Walsh Gallegos, “We help the people who help kids in our public schools.” One thing all members of our section seem to have in common is a sense of pride in the work we do – regardless of which side of the bar we represent. (I am certain my colleagues across the aisle likewise feel a sense of pride in representing teachers and administrators.) I am grateful for the opportunity to practice school law in Texas and serve as the Chair of the School Law Section.

If you would like more information about our Section, or practicing school law, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I also look forward to finding opportunities to showcase members’ expertise in school law (including those who are new to the section) through our Section Newsletter. If you are a member and are interested in contributing to the Section Newsletter, please contact me at agulley@wabsa.com.

Andrea Slater Gulley
Section Chair 2022-2023
agulley@wabsa.com

Executive Committee

2022-2023 Council
Chair-Elect
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Vice-Chair
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Immediate Past-Chair
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Directors

Third Year of Three-Year Term

Leticia McGowan
Executive Committee
Brandon Brim
Executive Committee

Second Year of Three-Year Term

Christie Hobbs
Executive Committee
Cory Hartsfield
Executive Committee

First Year of Three-Year Term

Tiger Hanner
Executive Committee
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Amanda Bigbee
Executive Committee
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One-Year Appointment

Paige Williams
Retreat Planner
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Ronn Garcia
Retreat Planner
Click Here for a List of Past Chairs

The purposes of this Section shall be to promote the objectives of the State Bar of Texas…related to all matters involving schools and colleges

Read the Bylaws