Overview

The State Bar of Texas is a government agency in the Texas judicial system that supports the legal field by offering educational programs for lawyers and the public, administering the mandatory continuing legal education (CLE) for attorneys, and managing the attorney discipline process. It runs courses, seminars, and other materials to improve legal knowledge and public understanding, and it handles complaints and investigations to enforce ethics rules and sanction misconduct. The bar is different from private or voluntary legal associations because it operates as an official state agency with regulatory authority over lawyers and a focus on public protection. Its goal is to ensure lawyers stay educated, uphold professional standards, and maintain public trust in the legal system.