Who We Are

The Smith County Bar Association serves attorneys, judges, legal professionals, and the broader legal community in Smith County, Texas. The Association provides professional development, education, and service programs for the legal profession, while also supporting community programs that improve public access to legal information.

SCBA brings members together through events, programs, newsletters, leadership opportunities, and service initiatives that strengthen both the profession and the community.

Smith County recorded its first attorney in 1847. Between 1900 and 1929, that number grew to about 35, as the population of the county expanded from just over 28,000 residents to more than 46,000. The first recognition of the Smith County Bar Association was in 1933. From the early 1940s until almost 1950, the number of attorneys in Smith County decreased because of World War II. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the number of licensed attorneys reached 100; since that time, our legal community has enjoyed consistent growth.

The Smith County Bar Association formed in 1933, with Mr. Edwin P. Price serving as president.
Robert G. Storey, Sr., chief trial counsel in the Nuremburg Trials, started his legal career in Tyler in 1917.
Charles E. Coleman, graduate of Texas College and Lincoln University, was the first black attorney to practice in Tyler (from 1946 until 2001).
William M. Steger practiced law in Longview and Tyler before being nominated by President Nixon to US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, where he served from 1970-2006
Hon. Judith K. Guthrie was the first female magistrate judge in the Eastern District of Texas, appointed in 1986.
Cristy Arscott Keul became the first staff of the Smith County Bar Association in 1996 and opened the SCBA office within the Smith County Courthouse.

President	Mishae Boren – Boren & Mims, Attorneys at Law
President-Elect	Eric Kolder – Kolder Law, PLLC
Secretary	Meme Thomas – Lone Star Legal Aid
Treasurer	Emily Gaenzle – Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP
Directors	Levi Crozier – Smith County District Attorney Office Edward Estrada – Estrada Law John Griffin – Melton & Griffin Attorneys at Law Fritz Hager – Hager Law Hon. Reeve Jackson – 114th District Court Sara McElroy – 12th Court of Appeals Madeline Porter – Boren & Mims, Attorneys at Law Archer Ramey – Ramey & Flock Morgan Wood – Wilson Elser
Ex-Officio	Marisa Allen – 12th Court of Appeals

About SCBA

Who We Are

History of SCBA

LEADERSHIP

Our professional team is here to help you with any questions or concerns. Learn more about your rights and requirements.

Christina

Eric

James

Amy

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