Welcome to Harris County
Democratic Lawyers Association

Our Mission

The mission of Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association is to promote and recruit qualified local Democrats in seeking positions of public office, to educate the Democratic Bar in ways in which it can promote Democratic ideas and candidates, and to assist the Harris County Democratic Party in all ways consistent with Democratic Values.

Organization Profile and Activities

     Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association [HCDLA], was formed in 2003 by local lawyers who are unabashedly affiliated with the Democratic Party.  This group is committed to furthering the administration of fair justice and intends to advance that goal by making Harris County, once again, a Democratic county.  Most founding members are veteran candidates from previous Harris County judicial, legislative, and administrative elections.   However, membership is open to all committed Democrats, including non-lawyers.  Dues are nominal.

      HCDLA believes that the most effective way to win local elections is to recruit the best qualified candidates possible and to educate our base Democratic voters of the importance of voting “down ballot” in local elections. To that end, HCDLA has worekd with various groups and candidates to organize an effective Get Out The Vote (GOTV) effort since 2008.

      HCDLA holds a monthly luncheon on the first Thursday of the month with a variety of speakers of interest to the legal community.  Currently, meetings are held at Birraporetti's, downtown 500 Louisiana at Prairie.  The meetings are always lively, informative, and fun events.  The cost is low and both the content and the company are very good.  Click here for information on future monthly luncheons.  To reserve your place for the next monthly luncheon and pay by credit card, just click here.  Enter a $25 donation when asked on the form, and in the comment box indicate it is for the next luncheon.  If you prefer to pay at the door, click here to send an email reservation.

     Every year, HCDLA sponsors the annual Clarence Darrow Award.  This award recognizes the contribution of a member of our community, legal or otherwise, who has made a significant contribution to advancement of the ideals of the Democratic Party. 

     In 2005, the first such award was presented to Jim Mac Perdue, Sr.  For more than 40 years, Mr. Perdue has been a driving force in the advancement of the rights of ordinary citizens in seeking legal redress in civil courts. 

    In 2006, the award was presented to George Parnham, who has been a leading force advancing the rights of individuals in the criminal court system. 

    The 2007 award was presented to Professor David Dow, for his work on Project Innocence, freeing innocent prisoners from death row. 

    On December 4, 2008, HCDLA presented the coveted 2008 Clarence Darrow Award to Craig Watkins, District Attorney of Dallas County, for his actions ensuring that criminal defendants who had previously been convicted wrongfully had their cases fairly reviewed.

   On August 31, 2009, HCDLA presented the 2009 Clarence Darrow Award to Frances "Sissy" Farenthold.  Ms. Farenthold has a lifetime of service to the citizens of Texas for progressive and humanitarian causes.

    The 2010 Clarence Darrow Award was awarded to Anthony Griffin, famed civil rights attorney, and the 2011 award was presented to Richard Mithoff.

    Suggestions for future deserving award nominees are welcome. 

    For more information contact Lee Arellano at 713-520-5313, or by email at leearellano@la-law.net.