TARA SHOCKLEY
Celebrating 25 years of Service

By Scott Lemond and Rob Carty

Tara Shockley Communications director for the Houston Bar Association and managing editor of The Houston Lawyer.

This fall represents Tara Shockley’s 25th Anniversary with the Houston Bar Association. Although she has served the HBA in a variety of roles over the years, she has most notably left her mark as the Communications Director and the Man-aging Editor of The Houston Lawyer magazine. The following are a few excerpts of the many accolades bestowed on Tara by the HBA presidents under whom she served.

“I was serving as President of the HBA the year Tara Shockley joined the staff of the Association. As a consequence, I have had the opportunity to follow her incredible 25 year service to the members of the Association as editor of The Houston Lawyer. She is an incredibly brilliant, multi-talented and creative individual with a remarkable record of devoted service to the HBA. Transcending these important qualities which set her apart from other less committed, although equally intelligent individuals, she has always conducted herself with a quiet dignity, impeccable integrity and extraordinary professionalism. She exemplifies those qualities we value most highly and represents an irreplaceable treasure to our association.”
– James B. Sales

“Tara has been and is a consummate professional who has
dedicated her professional career to making the Houston legal community a better place. We are grateful for what Tara has done and all that Tara does. She is a truly special person.”
– Tom Godbold

“I will best remember Tara as a staff member who never said no, always advanced the ball, and never failed to find a solution to a problem. I am proud to call her a good friend and privileged to have worked with her.”
– Charles R. Gregg

“The significance of Tara Shockley to the Houston Bar Association cannot be over emphasized. She continues to amaze me as a source of fresh ideas, new directions, and unending energy. Tara is a truly outstanding Communications Director and the lawyers of the Houston Bar Association have been fortunate to have her leadership in this area.”
– Randall O. Sorrels

“Tara Shockley is one of the main reasons that the Houston Bar Association is considered one of the top Bar organizations in the country. Her ability to work with attorneys, clients and staff is flawless. Tara’s initiative and dedication to making the HBA a leader in the Houston community is an important trait that has distinguished her 25 years of service. Tara has always been a professional and has always put the members of the HBA first, which is why she is and always has been a key factor in the Bar’s success. Finally, I should add that she is always enthusiastic and is a pleasure to be around.”
– Andrew S. Hanen United States District Judge

“Tara is an HBA hidden treasure – but not to presidents. Tara knows how to make a president look good even when some of the stuff we do needs a lot of cleaning. While President of the HBA and later, I have depended on Tara to get “things” done, and she has always come to my rescue. While State Bar of Texas President, Bar executives across the state involved in publication issues would ask, “What would Tara Shockley do in this situation?”
– Kelly Frels

“The ever-evolving Houston Lawyer, which is fresh and full of new ideas, is a tribute to Tara’s perpetual energy and enthusiasm. She has always made each editor and board feel special and like they were the best one she ever had. I loved being editor of The Houston Lawyer. It was one of the best Bar jobs I’ve ever had. The primary reason was the opportunity to work with Tara.”
– Lynne Liberato

“Tara has made it her life’s work to sing the praises of the unsung heroes of our profession and to assure that their extraordinary contributions, both as lawyers and as human beings, are a testament to our profession and our Bar. She does so with incomparable class, quiet grace, exceptional articulation, and a tireless work ethic.
– Amy Dunn Taylor

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