Laura Gibson, a partner in Ogden, Gibson, Broocks, Longoria & Hall, has assumed the role of president of the Houston Bar Association—the fifth-largest metropolitan bar association in the nation. She is only the fourth woman to hold the position in the association’s 145-year history.
“I am honored to serve, especially to follow in the footsteps of Lynne Liberato, Amy Dunn Taylor, and Denise Scofield,” Gibson said. “I pledge to work hard to meet the needs of our members, to inform all of the lawyers in our great city of the value proposition that HBA membership provides, and to lead the bar’s efforts to continue to serve our community.”
Gibson said she will focus her efforts on increasing membership benefits—including free CLE content and renovating the HBA’s mentorship program—and recruiting Houston Bar Fellows, which will increase funding for pro bono service. Another goal will be the development of teaching opportunities for attorneys. One initiative, called Teach Texas, will consist of a partnership with the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society to educate seventh-grade students about history and law.
Gibson is no stranger to leadership in the HBA. She has been a member of the association’s board of directors since 2006 and has chaired or served on numerous HBA sections and committees. Gibson is also a director for District 4 of the State Bar of Texas and, in 2013, received the Trailblazer Outside Counsel Award from the State Bar’s Texas Minority Counsel Program.