Sarah Clower Keathley of Corsicana was elected president-elect of the State Bar of Texas, according to an announcement on April 30. Keathley received 52.59% of the votes, totaling 8,014 out of the 15,239 ballots cast during a monthlong voting period that ended April 30. Her opponent, Ray Thomas from McAllen, received 47.41%, or 7,225 votes.
Keathley will be sworn in as president-elect at a State Bar of Texas Board of Directors meeting scheduled for June 11 and is set to serve as president from June 2027 to June 2028. The election results reflect ongoing leadership transitions within the organization that serves legal professionals and communities across Texas according to the official website.
In a separate election for the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA), Claire Harbert from Waco was chosen as president-elect with 61.27% of the vote out of a total of 3,191 ballots cast. Her opponent David R. “Dave” Hagan from Longview received 38.73%. Harbert will serve as TYLA president between June 2027 and June 2028.
The State Bar supports more than 100,000 active members and operates under a board elected by its membership according to the official website. It promotes diversity and inclusion while advancing ethical standards for lawyers and supporting equal access to justice throughout Texas according to the official website. Administrative operations are conducted through its Texas Bar Center facility according to the official website.
The association also provides legal education programs and pro bono services aimed at aiding attorneys and local communities statewide according to the official website. As leadership changes take effect following these elections, observers expect continued support for ethical practice standards and public education about law in Texas.
