My Priorities as Candidate for President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas

A Profession of Purpose and Service

“To whom much is given, much is expected” is not just a quote for me — it is a core value.

The practice of law has given me opportunities beyond measure, and I believe deeply that our profession is noble because it calls us to live beyond ourselves. Our oath reminds us that our law license is not a right, but a privilege — one entrusted to us so that we may serve others, uphold justice, and educate others about the rule of law.

If chosen as President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas, I intend to share this message across our Bar and inspire a renewed sense of purpose in our work.

Investing in the Next Generation of Lawyers

Empowering lawyers, especially younger lawyers, has been a constant thread throughout my career — from serving as TYLA President and Chair of the Litigation Section, to developing and participating in national award-winning programs.

This commitment continues today with the Litigation Section’s inaugural Trial Academy, providing hands-on courtroom training, mentorship, and professional development free of charge to our members. The future of our profession is bright, and we must continue investing in practical skills, mentorship networks, and pathways to leadership for Texas lawyers at every stage of their careers.

Championing Attorney Wellness

Long before attorney wellness was widely discussed, we worked to address stress, burnout, depression, and suicide among lawyers through the “Destressing the Legal Profession” initiative. More than two decades later, the need has only grown.

Having personally lost friends and colleagues in the profession to suicide, wellness is not an abstract issue for me — it is deeply personal. As President-Elect, I will continue advocating for:

Expanded wellness support and resources
Education on stress, anxiety, and burnout
Destigmatization of mental health struggles
Connection and community among lawyers

The well-being of our colleagues must remain one of our highest priorities.

Strengthening Our Bar Through Service

Many of the challenges facing the legal profession — from modernization and technology, to access to justice, to quality of life in practice — require leadership grounded in humility, gratitude, and service.

My vision is built on three convictions:

Our license is a privilege — entrusted to us to serve others.
Our profession is noble — because it advances justice and protects dignity.
Our Bar is strongest when united — across geography, background, and practice areas.

Through mentorship, public service programs, trial advocacy training, or wellness initiatives, my goal is to strengthen the State Bar of Texas by strengthening and empowering our lawyers.

Service to the Profession

The practice of law is a privilege entrusted to us by the public and the generations of lawyers and jurists who came before us.With privilege comes responsibility—to our clients, to one another, and to the rule of law. I believe the State Bar must actively foster a culture that reminds lawyers why we chose this profession in the first place: to serve, to lead, and to make a difference beyond ourselves.

Attorney Wellness

A profession entrusted with managing society’s conflicts cannot ignore the toll that work takes on its own people. My commitment to attorney wellness predates the current conversation and is grounded in firsthand experience with the devastating effects of anxiety, burnout, depression, and suicide within our profession.Wellness must be comprehensive and permanent—not reactive—and include mental health support, work-life balance, mentorship, and early intervention, especially for young lawyers facing unprecedented pressures.

Skill Development & Mentorship

Young lawyers need guidance, opportunity, and real-world skills to succeed. I have developed and participated in some of the best trial advocacy programs in the nation – hands-on training that prepares lawyers for practice beyond the classroom. Through trial advocacy and professional development, I help young lawyers develop the skills, good judgment, and confidence to succeed in and out of the courtroom. The Bar should foster more programs where experience is shared, doors are opened, and the next generation is equipped, not just to practice law—but to lead it.

An Ambassador for the Legal Profession

If nominated and elected, I would be honored to serve as an ambassador for the greatest Bar in the nation — working alongside the State Bar Board, our dedicated administrative staff, and lawyers across Texas.

Together, we can:

Elevate the dignity of our profession
Educate others about the rule of law
Advance justice for all Texans
Empower and protect our members
Serve with purpose and humility

This is my commitment if I am entrusted to serve as President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas.

Ray Thomas for President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas

About Me

Litigation Section Chair & Program Builder:

As current Chair of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas, spearheaded the rollout of the Section’s inaugural Trial Academy, designed to provide hands-on courtroom training and mentorship free of charge to members.

State Bar & TYLA Leadership:

Served as President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association (1999–2000), during which TX programs swept the ABA/YLD National Awards for both membership and public service—earning national recognition for Texas lawyers.

Service on Key State Bar Committees:

Worked closely with State Bar President Charlie Aycock and Board Chair Dick Miller, serving on the Executive Committee, Budget Committee, Sunset Committee, and others during a pivotal era that included major organizational and technology transitions.

Creator of Impactful Public Service Programs:

Co-created “We the Jury,” a mock trial education program for high school students that was so successful it was adopted as a national program by the ABA/YLD, extending its impact across the country.

Advocate & Educator for Trial Lawyers:

Served as faculty for ABOTA’s National Trial Academy (Chicago), TTLA’s Trial Advocacy College of Texas, and the Litigation Section's Trial Academy, helping train young trial lawyers and contributing to the development of future courtroom leaders.

My Promise

To My Fellow Texas Attorneys,

The practice of law has given me more than I can ever repay.

It has given me purpose, lifelong friendships, and the privilege of serving others in moments that matter most. It has also taught me that our profession is only as strong as our willingness to care for one another.

I accepted the nomination for President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas because I believe deeply in the nobility of this profession—and in our shared responsibility to protect it, strengthen it, and pass it on better than we received it.

My commitment to you is simple: to listen, to serve, and to lead with humility. To support lawyers at every stage of their careers. To elevate wellness, mentorship, and professional excellence. And to ensure that the Bar remains an independent force for justice, integrity, and the public good.

I look forward to earning your trust and support.

With gratitude and respect,