Texas Indigent Defense Commission

08/18/2026

As law students head to school this month, it's the perfect time to hear from public defenders about why public defense is the most meaningful career path.

We spoke with attorneys currently working at the Crossroads Public Defender Office and the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel (MAC) Office, as well as private attorneys handling public defense cases, about what drew them to public defense, what keeps them engaged in the work, and why they're passionate about serving their communities.

Best of luck to the law students starting a new semester! We hope to see you at the career fairs throughout the year. If you spot us, come say hello and learn more about a career in public defense.

Visit TIDC's student resources webpage to learn more: https://tidc.texas.gov/careers/student-resources/

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06/26/2026

There's still time to participate! The deadline for the State Bar of Texas's 2025 Texas Attorney Survey has been extended through Tuesday, June 30, at 5 p.m. CDT.

If you haven't completed the survey yet, we encourage you to take a few minutes to share your perspective and help strengthen the legal profession in Texas.

Take the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/4vezwd6j

The 2025 Texas Attorney Survey from the State Bar of Texas is now open. By participating, you help provide accurate, up-to-date data on attorney income, practice trends, career satisfaction, and pro bono service across Texas.

Complete the survey by 5 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

The results will help attorneys, law firms, the State Bar, and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission better understand the realities of practicing law in Texas and will be shared publicly at https://texasbar.com/research.

The survey is anonymous, secure, and only takes a few minutes to complete. Participants may also enter to win one of 30 $100 Amazon gift cards.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Take the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/4vezwd6j

06/25/2026

June marks the 25th anniversary of the Fair Defense Act, the landmark legislation that established the legal framework for Texas’s indigent defense system and created the agency now known as the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

Since it was signed into law on June 14, 2001, the Fair Defense Act has helped expand access to counsel, strengthen public defense systems, and improve accountability across Texas. While significant progress has been made, challenges remain, including attorney shortages and excessive caseloads.

TIDC is working to address these challenges and build on the legacy of the Fair Defense Act by strengthening the workforce and helping local systems provide quality representation.

Swipe through to learn more about the impact of the Fair Defense Act and the work that continues today.

06/23/2026

🚨 Happening Tomorrow! 🚨

How are states and local jurisdictions tackling high attorney caseloads, one of public defense's most pressing challenges?

Join the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and the Indigent Defense Research Association (IDRA) for a free virtual roundtable discussion exploring how leaders across the country are addressing this issue while working to ensure quality legal representation.

📅 Wednesday, June 24, 2026
⏰ 12:30–2:00 p.m. CST
💻 Zoom Meeting

Panelists will discuss what prompted action in their jurisdictions, how caseload reforms were structured and implemented, and what lessons they learned along the way. Attendees will leave with practical, experience-tested insights that can help inform efforts to address excessive attorney caseloads in their own jurisdictions.

Register today: https://tinyurl.com/4x4k5pf3

06/22/2026

🚨 Application deadline extended to June 26!

TIDC is still accepting applications for its Recruitment Attorney position. This role will lead statewide efforts to recruit and retain attorneys for public defense programs across Texas while helping address critical workforce challenges facing the profession.

Learn more and apply through CAPPS Careers: https://tinyurl.com/ypf4643v

📢 We're hiring a Recruitment Attorney (Program Specialist VII)!

Are you or someone you know passionate about strengthening public defense and connecting talented attorneys with meaningful careers? TIDC is seeking a Recruitment Attorney to lead statewide efforts to recruit and retain attorneys for public defender programs, managed assigned counsel (MAC) programs, and court appointments in criminal, juvenile, and family protection cases across Texas.

In this role, they will:
✅ Develop and maintain working relationships with law schools, legal organizations, job fair sponsors, and other stakeholders.
✅ Plan and coordinate annual summer leadership programs and recruiting events.
✅ Create strategies to address attorney recruitment and retention challenges across Texas.
✅ Write publications, promotional materials, and educational content to support public defense careers.
✅ Maintain the Texas Public Defense Jobs Board and Recruitment Calendar.
✅ Analyze recruitment trends, collect data, and help develop solutions to strengthen Texas public defense.

Applications are open until June 17, 2026. This position may be remote or hybrid within Texas and requires up to 60% travel. Applicants must live in Texas.

Apply through CAPPS Careers: https://tinyurl.com/ypf4643v

06/12/2026

📢 We're hiring a Recruitment Attorney (Program Specialist VII)!

Are you or someone you know passionate about strengthening public defense and connecting talented attorneys with meaningful careers? TIDC is seeking a Recruitment Attorney to lead statewide efforts to recruit and retain attorneys for public defender programs, managed assigned counsel (MAC) programs, and court appointments in criminal, juvenile, and family protection cases across Texas.

In this role, they will:
✅ Develop and maintain working relationships with law schools, legal organizations, job fair sponsors, and other stakeholders.
✅ Plan and coordinate annual summer leadership programs and recruiting events.
✅ Create strategies to address attorney recruitment and retention challenges across Texas.
✅ Write publications, promotional materials, and educational content to support public defense careers.
✅ Maintain the Texas Public Defense Jobs Board and Recruitment Calendar.
✅ Analyze recruitment trends, collect data, and help develop solutions to strengthen Texas public defense.

Applications are open until June 17, 2026. This position may be remote or hybrid within Texas and requires up to 60% travel. Applicants must live in Texas.

Apply through CAPPS Careers: https://tinyurl.com/ypf4643v

06/01/2026

The 2025 Texas Attorney Survey from the State Bar of Texas is now open. By participating, you help provide accurate, up-to-date data on attorney income, practice trends, career satisfaction, and pro bono service across Texas.

Complete the survey by 5 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

The results will help attorneys, law firms, the State Bar, and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission better understand the realities of practicing law in Texas and will be shared publicly at https://texasbar.com/research.

The survey is anonymous, secure, and only takes a few minutes to complete. Participants may also enter to win one of 30 $100 Amazon gift cards.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Take the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/4vezwd6j

05/21/2026

This week, the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee held a hearing on how Texas law schools can help address the rural attorney shortage crisis. The committee discussed an interim charge focused on strengthening the pipeline of criminal prosecutors and defense attorneys serving rural and underserved communities.

Representatives from Texas law schools, public defender offices, prosecution, and Texas Indigent Defense Commission Executive Director Scott Ehlers provided testimony during the hearing.

Watch the recorded hearing here: https://house.texas.gov/videos/22699

Scott Ehlers’s testimony begins at 1:31:07.

KXAN covered the hearing here: https://tinyurl.com/4yw5etux

04/22/2026

Are you an attorney representing children or parents, a judge, or another child welfare stakeholder handling CPS court cases? We want to hear from you!

Share your knowledge about case compensation for attorneys who are appointed by the court to represent parents or children in CPS court cases. Your feedback will help inform a study on 'The Economics of Family Protection Representation.'

Take the survey: https://tinyurl.com/y9d8ezdu

Questions? Contact Jena Prescott, Project Manager, at [email protected].