Eastern District of Texas Bench Bar Conference 2025
The Eastern District of Texas Bench Bar Conference is an annual event organized by the Eastern District of Texas Bar Association. Recognized as one of the nation's premier gatherings for legal professionals, the conference brings together judges, attorneys, and experts from across the country to discuss and explore a wide array of contemporary legal issues.
The 2025 conference, held from October 22nd to 24th at the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, featured sessions on topics such as artificial intelligence in the legal field, cross-examination techniques, and recent developments in damages law. Specialized tracks, including a Criminal Track, addressed subjects like the Fourth Amendment in the digital age and trends in the Texas Eastern criminal docket.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in various networking events, including an on-site reception and a rooftop cinema experience. Optional activities such as golf tournaments, museum tours, and shooting sports were also available. Notable speakers included actor James Marsden and life coach Martha Beck, who shared their insights and experiences with the legal community.
This conference is ideal for legal professionals seeking to stay abreast of current trends, enhance their skills, and expand their professional networks. With its comprehensive agenda and diverse range of activities, the event offers valuable learning and engagement opportunities for attorneys, judges, and legal scholars alike.
Speakers(8)
Alan D Albright
District Judge at USDC Western District of Texas
Judge Alan Albright is the federal district judge for the Western District of Texas, Waco Division. He was nominated by President Trump in January 2018. Judge Albright earned his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the Texas Law Review. He clerked for The Honorable James R. Nowlin in Austin, Texas. From 1992-99, he served as a Magistrate Judge. In 2016, he was admitted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is also a member of the American Law Institute. Prior to taking the district court bench in 2018, Judge Albright practiced IP litigation as a partner in the Austin office of Bracewell, LLP. He has run 26 marathons. Judge Albright has two sons and aspires to write his first novel someday.
Boone Baxter
Magistrate Judge at USDC Eastern District of Texas
James Boone Baxter serves as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division. Before taking the bench, he was a partner at Heim, Payne, and Chorush, where he focused on patent and antitrust disputes, representing individuals and corporations in federal court and at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Before becoming an attorney, Judge Baxter worked as an engineer for a global oilfield services company in numerous domestic and international locations. Judge Baxter previously served as a law clerk for Judge Davis and Judge Schroeder in the Eastern District of Texas.
J. Campbell Barker
District Judge at USDC Eastern District of Texas
The Honorable J. Campbell Barker was confirmed on May 1, 2019, to the seat vacated by the Honorable Leonard E. Davis, with a duty station in Tyler, Texas. From 2015 until 2019, Barker served as Deputy Solicitor General in the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, representing the State of Texas and its officials in litigation significant to the State. Before that, Barker was a partner in Yetter Coleman LLP, focusing on complex civil litigation. Barker started his career practicing in the United States Department of Justice, serving in the Appellate Section of the Department’s Criminal Division and in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Barker clerked for the Honorable William C. Bryson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Honorable John M. Walker, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He graduated first in his class from the University of Texas School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude, in computer engineering from Texas A&M University.
James Boone Baxter
Magistrate Judge at U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
Judge James Boone Baxter serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division. Prior to the bench, he was a partner at Heim, Payne, and Chorush, focusing on patent and antitrust disputes.
James Marsden
Actor
James Marsden is an award-winning actor known for his roles in 'Paradise', 'Jury Duty', 'The Notebook', 'X-Men', and many other film and TV productions.
Martha Beck
Life Coach and Author
Martha Beck is one of the best-known life coaches in America, acclaimed author, and speaker.
Randy Crane
Chief U.S. District Judge at USDC Southern District of Texas
Chief Judge Crane has been a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas since 2002. Judge Crane became the Chief Judge of the Southern District of Texas in November 2022. He presides in the McAllen Division. Chief Judge Crane received both his undergraduate and law degrees from his beloved University of Texas. Upon graduation, Chief Judge Crane became licensed by the State Bar of Texas at the age of 22. He joined the iconic south Texas law firm of Atlas & Hall, where he practiced in the area of civil litigation for over fourteen years. During this time, Chief Judge Crane was president of the Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association and a director of the Hidalgo County Bar Association. He has served on committees of the State Bar of Texas and was a director of the Texas-Mexico Bar Association. He sits on the Judicial Council of the 5th Circuit and was recently elected by the District Judges of the 5th Circuit to represent them on the Judicial Conference of the United States.
Ron Clark
Senior District Judge at USDC Eastern District of Texas
Ron Clark was sworn in as United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas on November 22, 2002. He served as Chief Judge from January 1, 2015, to February 28, 2018, when he took Senior status. One of fewer than 100 attorneys certified in Civil Trial Law and in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, he spent twenty-three years trying cases and as appellate counsel in state and federal courts. During that time, he also served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives. He authored the Texas Municipal Law and Procedure Manual, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions, and was a contributor to Rayburn on Condemnation (1990). Judge Clark holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Criminal Law. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he received a B.A. in Economics with High Honors and an M.A. in Economics. After graduating from the Army Airborne and Ranger schools, he served as a platoon leader and then as tank company executive officer in the 2nd Armored Division.
Event Details
- Date
- October 1-3, 2025
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Plano, United States
- Worthington Hotel
- Pricing
- $1,095 - $1,295
- Audience
- Legal professionals, including attorneys, judges, and legal scholars.
- CLE Credits
- Minimum of 16 hours MCLE including 2.5 hours of ethics.