Events Calendar

“Meeting the Moment: The State of Public Interest Lawyering”

Chief Draper will discuss the significant strides made in expanding access to justice for all Texans, and why current students should be hopeful about the state of public interest lawyering. She will highlight the career decisions that defied traditional paths and advanced her vision for systemic change, including stepping away from the Harris County Criminal Court to lead the Harris County Public Defender’s Office and moving from federal to state public defense. Finally, she will offer her perspective on the sea change in the public interest landscape over the course of her career and offer guidance for navigating its ongoing ebbs and flows.

After the talk, Chief Draper will be available to meet informally with students over lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 pm in the Jury Room (CCJ 2.310).

About the speaker:

Genesis E. Draper is the Chief Public Defender for the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, where she leads one of the largest public defense systems in the country, ensuring high-quality, client-centered representation for people facing criminal charges who cannot afford counsel. A deeply respected legal advocate and judicial leader, Draper brings over 18 years of experience as a public defender, trial lawyer, professor, and judge to her role.

Prior to her appointment as Chief Public Defender, Draper served with distinction as the elected Judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12. During her tenure, she helped revise Harris County’s indigent defense plan, advocated for greater fairness in misdemeanor courts, and served a term as Administrative Judge, guiding countywide policy and operations for the criminal courts.

Before becoming a judge, Draper worked as an Assistant Public Defender in both state and federal systems, including the Harris County Public Defender’s Office and the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas.

In addition to her public defense work, Draper has shaped the next generation of trial lawyers as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center since 2018, teaching Advanced Trial Advocacy and mentoring students in trial strategy and courtroom skills.

Draper holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College. She is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Tennessee. A proud Spelman alumna and committed community leader, Draper lives in Houston with her family and remains passionately dedicated to equity, justice, and the power of zealous advocacy.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/03/85076/

Join The Law Veterans Association for coffee and conversation every Wednesday from January 14 to April 22 in the Tom Clark Lounge. A great way to connect with fellow veterans, build community, and start your day with good company and caffeine. All Texas Law veteran students, alumni, and friends welcome.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/04/85260/

Texas Federalist Society is hosting a debate on whether we should repeal the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution. We will host Professor Todd Zywicki from Antonin Scalia Law School (George Mason University) and Professor Hugh Brady from the University of Texas School of Law to discuss this issue. Chick-fil-a will be provided!

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/04/86419/

This year's symposium will be in a "hybrid" format, with the Symposium being held in person at the Austin Public Library and streamed simultaneously on Zoom. That said, we encourage all participants to join us in person!

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/05/85620/

The Summer Public Service Program provides stipends to rising 2Ls and 3Ls working in low-paying or unpaid summer internships in nonprofit, government, and legislative offices. Justice Center staff will provide information about the SPSP for summer 2026, including eligibility, funding, and how to apply, and answer students’ questions. Lunch will be provided.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/05/83483/

This is the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law's annual Symposium Banquet Dinner following the first day of our Symposium on Thursday, February 5.

Attendance for the banquet dinner is by invitation only. For information on attending the banquet dinner, please contact TJOGEL's Symposium Director, Caleb Hough, at symposiumdirector@tjogel.org

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/05/85644/

This year's symposium will be in a "hybrid" format, with the Symposium being held in person at the Austin Public Library and streamed simultaneously on Zoom. That said, we encourage all participants to join us in person!

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/06/85643/

Join The Law Veterans Association for coffee and conversation every Wednesday from January 14 to April 22 in the Tom Clark Lounge. A great way to connect with fellow veterans, build community, and start your day with good company and caffeine. All Texas Law veteran students, alumni, and friends welcome.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/11/85261/

ACS hosts Professor Erik Encarnacion for a talk on antidiscrimination in contract law.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/12/86678/

Texas Federalist Society is hosting a debate on whether it is proper for law enforcement authorities to use ethnicity when making immigration stops. We will host James Rogers from America First Legal and Professor Maria Ponomarenko from the University of Texas School of Law to discuss this issue. Chick-fil-a will be provided!

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2026/02/12/86720/