LGBTQ + Law Section of the State Bar of Texas

06/14/2026

LGBTQ+ Law Section
2026–2027 Council

Officers:

Callie C. Butcher, chair
Karri L. Bertrand, vice-chair
Penny R. Robe, secretary
Philip B. Arnold, treasurer
Samuel M. Hodges, communications director

Council members:

Katherine Marie “Katie” Harrington, at-large position 1 (2026–2027)
Jesse H. Garza, at-large position 2 (2026–2028)
Thomas L. McMillian, at-large position 3 (2026–2027)
Morgan J. Walker, at-large position 4 (2026–2028)
Matias “Matt” E. Garcia, at-large position 5 (2026–2027)

Past chairs serving on the council:

Hon. Charles A. Spain, immediate past chair (2025–2026)
Brian Klosterboer, ex officio past chair (2022–2023)

06/14/2026

LGBTQ+ Law Section
2025–2026 Council

Officers:

Hon. Charles A. Spain, chair
Gary N. Schumann, vice-chair
R. Elliott Beck, secretary
Shelly L. Skeen, treasurer
Penny R. Robe, communications director

Council members:

Callie C. Butcher, at-large position 1 (2024–2026)
Hon. Beau A. Miller, at-large position 2 (2024–2026)
Samuel M. Hodges, at-large position 3 (2026)
Karri L. Bertrand, at-large position 4 (2026)
Matias “Matt” E. Garcia, at-large position 5 (2026)

Past chair serving on the council:

Brian Klosterboer, ex officio past chair (2022–2023)

State Bar board advisors:

Forrest L. Huddleston, board advisor
Kristina N. “Krisi” Kastl, alternate board advisor

06/14/2026

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Pitman receiving the 2026 Judge Norman W. Black Award from Justice Charles A. Spain (Ret.), the 2025–2026 chair of the LGBTQ+ Law Section.

Judge Pitman is the first out LBGTQ federal judge in the Fifth Circuit.

06/14/2026

06/03/2026

Houston, we're coming!

Join the LGBTQ+ Law Section at the 2026 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting for two days of CLE, networking receptions each night, connections, celebration, and community.

🏳️‍🌈 Thursday Pride Mixer & Networking Reception
🏛️ Friday LGBTQ+ Law Section CLE & 29th Annual Membership Meeting
🪩 Friday Networking Reception & Afterparty in Montrose
⚖️ Outstanding CLE and programming at the Annual Meeting

RSVP link for Thursday reception: https://memcentral.wufoo.com/forms/s1bnno4e0nrd060/

RSVP link for Friday reception: https://forms.gle/cjctATB6HhZMzK9VA

Whether you're a longtime member or joining us for the first time, we'd love to see you there!

📍 Houston, Texas
📅 June 11–12, 2026

Connect. Celebrate. Collaborate.

12/20/2025

As part of last Thursday's annual LGBTQ+ Legal Issues in Changing Times CLE, past Section chair Eduardo Juárez (2010–2011) received the 2025 Judge Norman W. Black Award.

This is the highest award of the LGBTQ+ Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, given in memory of United States District Judge Norman W. Black for signification contributions to le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r, and HIV law.

Among many accomplishments, Juárez served for 20 years as a trial lawyer and supervisor with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in San Antonio and as the 2016 president of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

The Black Award was presented by Justice Charles Spain (Ret.), the 2025–2026 Section chair.

07/23/2025

2025 LGBTQ+ Law Section annual meeting in San Antonio

Section Chairs (left to right):
Eduardo Juarez (2010-2011)
Shelly Skeen (2012-2014)
Justice Charles Spain (1999-2000 & 2025-2026)
Karen Langsley (2007-2008)
Hon. Christopher Walter (2009 & 2009-2010)
Elliott Beck (2019-2020)
Fred Sultan (2015-2016)
Judge Jerry Simoneaux (2004-2005)

2005-2006 Council
Justice Charles Spain, chair
Gary Schumann, vice-chair
Elliott Beck, secretary
Shelly Skeen, treasurer
Callie Butcher, at-large position 1
Judge Beau Miller, at-large position 2
Derek Mergele-Rust, immediate past chair (2023-2025)
Brian Klosterboer, past chair (2022-2023)
Michael Debnam, past chair (2020-2022)

09/25/2023

Congratulations to Section Past Chair Eduardo Juarez on this tremendous and well-deserved award—the Peacemaker Award. ☮️🎖️