Veteran attorney hired as executive director

The Texas Center for Legal Ethics is pleased to announce it has chosen veteran attorney Brad Johnson as its new executive director.

Mr. Johnson arrives at the Center with a lengthy background of public service. At the State Bar of Texas, he served as in-house legal counsel, as disciplinary rules and referenda attorney, and as an ethics attorney. His background also includes work as an attorney at the Texas Ethics Commission, in private practice, and for other public agencies.

He replaces former executive director Jonathan Smaby, who retired in May.

“Brad has devoted the vast majority of his career to public service, so he is a natural choice to help us ensure that the ethical practice of law remains the standard here in Texas,” said Patrice Childress, chair of the Center’s board of trustees.

The Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.

Mr. Johnson said joining the Center was a compelling opportunity because he has long been interested in ethics issues.

“Ethics has been a primary focus of my legal career,” he said. “It really is fundamental to our legal system.”

Mr. Johnson said a goal is to broaden the Center’s reach in encouraging Texas attorneys to embrace the ethical practice of law. He expects his broad range of legal experience will help him spread the Center’s message to lawyers in all practice areas in Texas.

“People get their information in so many different ways these days,” he said. “With that, there are so many opportunities to try to reach people and talk about the importance of ethics and professionalism.”

The Texas Center for Legal Ethics boasts a vast array of resources available for lawyers and others interested in legal ethics and professionalism, including more than 40 courses on its website.

About Texas Center for Legal Ethics

Founded in 1989 by three former Texas Supreme Court chief justices, the Texas Center for Legal Ethics promotes the values contained in the Texas Lawyer’s Creed. The Center offers extensive legal ethics and professionalism resources, including educational courses, publications, and more. For more information, visit http://www.legalethicstexas.com.

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