State Bar of Texas Podcast

Crypto Clarity: What Lawyers Should Know About Digital Currency

Ever since cryptocurrency made its debut, many have repeatedly questioned its validity. Is it legal tender? A scam? Well, in today’s digital ether, both exist en masse, and lawyers need to understand how to recognize the real thing and how it fits into our current legal framework. Rocky Dhir welcomes Nelson Ebaugh to chat about his article in the Texas Bar Journal, Texas Cryptocurrency Jurisprudence [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com%2Fpublication%2F%3Fm%3D21412%26i%3D789311%26view%3DarticleBrowser%26article_id%3D4560694%26ver%3Dhtml5&data=05%7C02%7CPerniece.Williams%40TEXASBAR.COM%7C3d7c9b2003244b6a64e408de209c93e3%7Cece4a672274e48cfa4575e83671cbe8d%7C0%7C0%7C638984054040980784%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FtSWJoGeZWrw%2F1hWW2BDYnzmPHV4AlF0GHj34FPpZ0s%3D&reserved=0]. Nelson Ebaugh is an attorney [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebaughlaw.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CPerniece.Williams%40TEXASBAR.COM%7C3d7c9b2003244b6a64e408de209c93e3%7Cece4a672274e48cfa4575e83671cbe8d%7C0%7C0%7C638984054041000432%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ivQoIbmaw%2FWW2jpZawNFKaIJ0t4%2BA22cQ%2FiwJQ0q3rA%3D&reserved=0] in Houston. He has an LL.M. in securities and financial regulation and is certified in criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Special thanks to our sponsors Thomson Reuters [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomsonreuters.com%2Fen%2Fcocounsel%3Fcid%3D5578088%26chl%3Deb%26sfdccampaignid%3D701PA00000NVLhFYAX&data=05%7C02%7CPerniece.Williams%40TEXASBAR.COM%7C3d7c9b2003244b6a64e408de209c93e3%7Cece4a672274e48cfa4575e83671cbe8d%7C0%7C0%7C638984054041019150%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rkklVz%2F8cLCsYhxWSS14PlVE8bwPrwume3nNvyz9rck%3D&reserved=0] and State Bar of Texas [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.texasbar.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CPerniece.Williams%40TEXASBAR.COM%7C3d7c9b2003244b6a64e408de209c93e3%7Cece4a672274e48cfa4575e83671cbe8d%7C0%7C0%7C638984054041038343%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KRF1dV77EoV55RUl0VLNuCYbF2huM1h%2FzSNRF%2FPORoI%3D&reserved=0].

No One Left Behind - The Future of Legal Aid for Veterans

The Take One campaign is a statewide initiative encouraging Texas lawyers to take on one pro bono case a year for a veteran in need. Rocky Dhir sits down with Major General Alfred Valenzuela and past State Bar President Terry Tottenham to discuss the campaign’s mission to bridge the gap between lawyers and veterans. Their conversation highlights the challenges veterans often face when transitioning back to civilian life and the vital role legal support can play in that process. Through Take One, attorneys in every practice area can use their expertise to handle cases that align with their specialties while meeting the diverse legal needs of those who have served our nation. To learn more about serving our veterans, visit the Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans [https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftxltxv.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7CPerniece.Williams%40TEXASBAR.COM%7Cf04e9bea3a8e4577b0d408de1b276538%7Cece4a672274e48cfa4575e83671cbe8d%7C0%7C0%7C638978053175565312%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AdMemGp%2FEa0Q%2BnYEzr9jk7cWsqciY70VUZWEy1vljlQ%3D&reserved=0] website, and read about the Take One campaign in the November Issue of the Texas Bar Journal.

San Antonio's Municipal Master: Insights from the Bench with Judge Darrell Dullnig

Judge Darrell Dullnig has presided over ten separate municipal courts in Texas during his career, offering a unique and seasoned perspective on one of the most vital areas of our justice system. In this episode, he sheds light on the critical role municipal courts play, the common misconceptions even attorneys have, and why a little kindness and respect go a long way in the courtroom. Municipal courts handle more cases than county and district courts combined, and all lawyers should have an accurate understanding of their purpose and processes. From deferred disposition to dealing with pro se litigants, Judge Dullnig shares insights, stories, and a touch of humor from the bench.

TYLA's Young Gunners' SCOTX Series | Episode 1: A Conversation with Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock

Order in the court! Introducing a new series of TYLA’s Young Gunners podcast, spotlighting all nine justices of the Supreme Court of Texas! In these special episodes, TYLA President Hisham Masri, TYLA Immediate Past President Laura Pratt, and TYLA President-Elect Alyson Martinez speak with the SCOTX bench about their respective path to the high court, judicial philosophy, and advice for young attorneys navigating the legal profession. We kick off this series with an interview with Justice Jimmy Blacklock, who was elevated to chief justice on January 6, 2025. In this episode, Chief Justice Blacklock shares how the principles of fatherhood and his deep-rooted faith have influenced not only his path to the judiciary but also the way he approaches leadership, decision-making, and the responsibilities of public office. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of character, calling, and the intersection of personal conviction with professional duty. You can access this episode and our other episodes here: https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/ [https://tyla.org/resource/young-gunners-podcast/] And tune in soon for our second episode where we speak with Senior Justice Debra Lehrmann, the longest-serving member on the court!  #tyla #younggunners #scotx #legalpodcast

Cracking the Legal Code for AI

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, new Texas laws are establishing a foundational framework for its governance, with a focus on the prevention of harm and ethical use. Rocky Dhir sits down with Shawn Tuma to discuss a range of recently enacted technology laws, helping attorneys understand their purpose, implications for legal practice, and considerations related to technology competence.  They explore key legislation including the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act [https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/analysis/html/HB00149S.htm], Texas Cyber Command [https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB150], and Cybersecurity Safe Harbor [https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB02610S.htm], offering insights into emerging best practices for technology in legal practice.  For a deeper dive, see Shawn Tuma’s article co-authored with Christine Chase in the September 2025 issue of the Texas Bar Journal.  Shawn Tuma is a partner at Spencer Fane LLP in Cyber Risk Management, Cyber Incident Response, and Cyber Security, Hacking and Data Breach Litigation.