2001 | Betty Blackwell 

Betty Blackwell became president. 

Betty Blackwell served as TCDLA’s first female president in 2001. When she was first installed, she focused on supporting new and young lawyers through TCDLA efforts.

She helped mold the way CLE events are held today by imploring speakers to supply written presentations and encouraging as much participation as possible from TCDLA members. Betty encouraged members and speakers to get as involved as possible because she believed that active participation was the core of TCDLA’s success.

During her time in office the Patriot Act was passed by the U.S. Congress, Governor Perry signed the DNA bill for post-conviction innocence, and Betty saw Joseph Martinez become the new Executive Director of TCDLA.