Welcome to the Public Information web page.

Celebrate Freedom Week   is an educational program held in November of each year and is sponsored by the State Bar of Texas and local Bar associations throughout the State.  Celebrate Freedom Week was established by the Texas Legislature in an effort to raise public awareness about the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Indpenedence.  During the first full week of November of each year, communities across Texas celebrate our system of justice through educational activities aimed at emphasizing the third branch of government and its important role in ensuring democracy and equality. 

The Hidalgo County Bar Foundation (HCBF) celebrates Celebrate Freedom Week by inviting Hidalgo County high school groups to participate in our Open Courthouse Educational Program and the Speakers Bureau Program. 

If you are a lawyer interested in volunteering, please click on the following icon for more information: [icon].  If you are an educator wanting to participate in our courthouse tours, or, you would like a speaker to visit your classroom, please click here.

A Su Lado (On Your Side) “Call a Lawyer” Phone Bank has been the recipient of three coveted awards from the State Bar of Texas, the 2006 Star of Achievement Award, the 2005 Outstanding Partnership Award, and the 2006 Outstanding Partnership Award.  What started off as a once a year endeavor with Univision – KNVO Channel 48 has increased to a very popular quarterly television program. A Su Lado gives viewers the opportunity to call in and ask a volunteer attorney about guidance concerning their legal matters.  Historically, approximately 1,500 calls are received during a program.  Questions range from all areas of the law including family, immigration, consumer, real estate, civil rights, public benefits and wills & estates. 

If you are interested in volunteering for one of these programs, please click on [icon] and let us know the time slot you would like to work.  The HCBF appreciates your volunteer efforts.

Holiday Toy Drive.  Each year, the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation conducts a toy drive to benefit area children who might not otherwise receive a toy for Christmas.  The Holiday Toy Drive is held in conjunction with the Hidalgo County Bar Association Black Robe Reception in December of each year.  In the past, our Holiday Toy Drive has benefited Project Arise, a community organization serving colonias throughout Hidalgo County.  Project Arise distributes all toys collected by the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation to the children of Colonia Muniz, a community of 150 or so families suffering from extreme poverty, located southeast of Edinburg.  HCBA members actively and generously support the Holiday Toy Drive by making monetary donations and/or by conducting office-wide toy drives.  In addition, all guests of the HCBA Black Robe Reception are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys at the Black Robe Reception.  Please keep in mind when selecting your toy donations for these children that they vary in age from babies to teens.  We want to ensure that each child gets an age and gender appropriate gift.  The HCBA and HCBF thank you for your participation.

HCBF Public Service Fund provides grant monies to Hidalgo County school groups and charitable/civic organizations needing financial assistance.  All grant requests must meet the following guidelines and criteria:

1. The requests shall be in writing.

2. The requests shall fall under the [HCBA Mission Statement].

3. The requests shall be for a specific purpose.

4. The funds must be used in Hidalgo County or directly benefit Hidalgo County residents.

5. The agency must have local representation.

6. The funds must be expended for the specific purpose requested within 90 days.

7. Primary consideration shall be given to requests:

      (a) of agencies fostering, developing and/or expanding pro bono programs and activities;

(b)  of agencies fostering, developing and/or expanding legal programs designed to protect the rights of the underrepresented.

(c)  of agencies fostering, developing and/or expanding programs to educate the public on the judicial system and/or the U.S. Constitution;

(d)  of school organizations and/or groups educating students about and/or participating in competitions on the judicial system and/or the U.S. Constitution; and

(e)  of organizations needing financial assistance for legal services.

HCBF Scholarship Endowment is a scholarship program offered to Hidalgo County college seniors who have applied and/or have been accepted to law school.  If you are interested in making a donation to the HCBF Scholarship Endowment, please click here [ ].  If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please contact the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation at (956) 380-1691 for details.

Law Day is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law.  Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that all Americans share.  The Hidalgo County Bar Association and Hidalgo County Bar Foundation in conjunction with the State Bar of Texas and American Bar Association, celebrate Law Day in May of each year. With a number of events planned, Hidalgo County’s annual Law Day Celebration promises to be more exciting than ever before.

First, area school children will be entering their photos, posters, and essays into the Law Day contest.  Students compete for a monetary prize funded by the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation.  The winners from our county will be sent to the statewide contest.  Each year we receive hundreds of entries in the three divisions.  With so many wonderful entries, the contest proves harder to judge each year.  We expect this year’s competition to be very competitive.  If you are an educator wanting to participate in our Law Day Contests, please download the Law Day Contest Application, Guidelines and Rules from our home page.  Please note the deadline for submitting entries.

Second, as part of Law Day, our Members will be voting for some very special awards, including the Hidalgo County Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award.  The awards categories include:

HCBA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.  Presented to a member of the HCBA who throughout his/her professional career has 1) promoted and encouraged the highest level of honesty, competence, ethics and professionalism among members of the Bar; 2) educated and informed the public in order to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the legal system; 3) served the community through the support of free legal service projects, educational programs, charitable activities and other public service events; 4) promoted the fair and efficient administration of justice; and 5) cultivated fellowship and promoted voluntarism among the members of the Bar.  Eligibility requirements:  1) Must be a member of the HCBA; 2) Must be at least 70 years of age; and 3) Must have practiced law for at least 25 years.

HCBA ETHICS AWARD:  Presented to a member of the HCBA who has shown the highest standards of professional ethics and has contributed to the community to enhance the legal profession.

HCBA JOHN COOK PRO BONO AWARD:  Presented to a HCBA member who has done pro bono work in the field of providing legal services to the poor.

HCBA LIBERTY BELL AWARD:  Presented to a non-lawyer who has excelled in his/her efforts to help instill a better understanding and appreciation of the law, our system of government, and the rights and responsibilities of our citizens.

HCBA MEDIA AWARD:  Presented to media that foster public understanding of our legal and judicial system through print and broadcast reports.

The deadline to place your vote is April 15^th.  

Our 3^rd Annual Law Day Gala will be held on Thursday, May 8th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at The Club at Cimarron in Mission, Texas.  The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented along with the other awards identified above.  Additionally, our Law Day Contestants and the area winners of the Mock Trial and Constitutional Law contests will also be recognized. 

Thanksgiving Food Drive.  During November of each year, the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation conducts a food drive to benefit low income families in Hidalgo County colonias. We also accept monetary donations used to purchase turkeys.  Brown grocery bags are made available at the HCBA and HCBF offices, and are also distributed to area law firms, county offices, and other area businesses.  Items needed include:

1 Bag of Rice

1 Bag of Beans

2 Cans of Fruit

2 Cans of Vegetables

1 Box of Powdered Milk

1 Bag of Flour and/or Pasta

1 Bag of Sugar

1 Box of Dried Cereal

To participate in the food drive, please register online at our Calendar of Events page.  Food donations will be picked up Monday before Thanksgiving and delivered to the families. The HCBF is also recruiting volunteers to help with pick-ups and deliveries of donated foods. 

If you are making a monetary donation, please make your check out to the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation and note on the check that the donation is for the Thanksgiving Food Drive.  It can be mailed to the HCBA & HCBF offices at 314 S. Closner, Edinburg, Texas 78539.