Houston Bar Association Auxiliary

A Note from President, Deborah Lawson


Stepping into the shoes of giants is daunting, but I accept the challenge of ensuring that the HBAA continues to bring together all those committed to building awareness of our system of justice, as well as esteem for the law and those who serve the law.  Everyone is welcome here – lawyers, judges, librarians, assistants, paralegals, court reporters, and spouses.  


The Houston Bar Association is attorney’s facing outwards, supporting the community.  The Houston Bar Association Auxiliary is everyone who loves the law facing inward, supporting the legal community itself so that we can continue to take care of the world.  I hope you will be a part of journey.

Our Mission

Our mission shall be to assist the Houston Bar Association and the Houston Young Lawyers Association, and the State Bar of Texas to promote a better understanding and relationship between the general public and the legal profession through community service projects and to encourage social relations among its members.

Click Here to Read About Our History

Upcoming Events

HBAA Chili and Pie Cook-off

Save the Date - Saturday, January 27, 2024



The 9th Annual Houston Bar Association Auxiliary (HBAA) Chili and Pie Cook Off will have local law firms, legal departments, legal associations, and other groups involved in the legal community competing for the accolade and bragging rights of Best Chili, Best Pie, Best Decorated Booth and People’s Choice Award in the Houston Legal Community. 


This friendly, lively and fun legal community competition event is held at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, 8825 Kempwood Dr, Houston, TX 77080 on January 27, 2024 from 5:00‐9:00 PM. 


Entries are judged by active and retired federal, county, and municipal court area judges, and all proceeds benefit the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary Charitable Foundation to fund law scholarships. 


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We Celebrated Our 75th Diamond Anniversary in Style!


Check out our 75th Anniversary Celebration

Service Projects

Leon Jaworski Award Program

The HBAA Leon Jaworski Award was initiated in 1988 to honor a lawyer for a lifetime of volunteer service. State and national bar associations reward professional achievement; the granting of the Jaworski Award is based solely on service to the greater Houston community. Success in politics, the military, or professional organizations may contribute to candidacy, but they are of secondary importance in this selection. 


Each year, the HBAA Leon Jaworski Award Committee solicits nominations from the entities of the Houston Community whose efforts enhance the quality of life in Houston. A committee of five community leaders considers each nomination and elects the recipient. 
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HBAA Charitable Fund Scholarships

The Charitable Fund established the The Houston Bar Association Auxiliary Charitable Fund, Inc, Scholarship which awards a $5,000.00 scholarship(s) annually to deserving students at each of the Houston area law schools. The selection is based on scholastic achievement, need, and community involvement. It is open to any 2L at the Houston area law schools who is a Texas resident.  
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Other Service Projects

Habitat For Humanity

This committee builds a house each year and collects the $75,000.00 in donations to build the house. Donations are collected in December and January, and build dates are scheduled for Saturdays in the spring. The HBA Auxiliary Charitable Fund donated $1,000 to Habitat for Humanity and always provides a reception for the homeowners when they receive the keys to their home. This year the HBA will build their 20th house.

• HBAA CO-Chairs: Wendy Dawson & Marsha Orloff

Do The Write Thing

For over 14 years the HBAA has participated in "Do the Write Thing" Challenge sponsored by the National Campaign to Stop Violence. The program is an essay competition for seventh and eighth graders.




"Now You Are 18" App

"Now You Are 18” is a legal guide the purpose of which is to help young people who legally become adults in Texas at age 18.   

Eikenburg Fun Run

This committee organizes HBAA participation in the HBA John J. Eikenburg Law Week
Fun Run for HBA/HBAA members and the community, benefiting The Center. The
2020 Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2020, at Sam Houston Park. The HBA Auxiliary Charitable Fund donated $1,000 to the Fun Run in last year.

Campaign for the Homeless - Clothing and Diaper Drive

This committee holds a drive each year in the fall collecting clothing and diapers, as well as monetary donations to purchase diapers and suits. The Committee always needs help sorting the thousands of donations at the HBA Office. This year collection is scheduled for November 1-5, and sorting is scheduled for November 11-22.

Lawyers for Literacy Book Drive

Law firms, legal departments, individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in the Book Drive by collecting gently-used and new books for readers of all ages, with an emphasis this year on children’s books. Donated books will be sent to charitable organizations throughout the Houston area, including shelters and hospitals.

Lawyers Against Waste

This committee works to organize a fall and spring trash clean-up or planting beautification project. The spring event is usually close to Earth Day and Law Day. The project dates for 2019-2020 are to be determined.

Holiday Bags for Veterans

Volunteers are needed each year to assist the HBA with stuffing the 600 veteran holiday bags in November. Each bag has a holiday card, hard back book, toiletries, candy, and other items donated by HBA and HBAA members and staff. The HBA Auxiliary Charitable Fund donated $500.00 in 2017-2018 to help purchase items for these bags which are given to the two (2) veterans’ shelters at their early December holiday party.

The HAY Center

The HBAA contributes to the HAY Center, a program of Harris County Protective Services for Children and Adults, a public/private partnership, provides much needed services to foster youth transitioning to adulthood in the community. Their employment, education, housing, mental health and life skills programs empower current and former foster youth to be successful productive adults.



Souper Bowl of Caring

Monetary donations are collected in December and January to support the Houston Food Bank, and volunteers are needed for a Saturday service date at the Houston Food Bank Portwall location to support a program called Food From the Bar. The 2020 project date is to be determined in March.

Elder Law Will-a-Thon

Witnesses and notaries are needed for the Spring Will-a-Thon on Day 2. That date is May 6, 2020 located at Tidwell Community Center.

Blood Drive

The HBA is continuing its blood drive in the community. To have blood donations count toward the HBA blood drive, one must use the code QMO7 or contact the HBA office for a list of blood drive locations that count toward the drive.
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