The State Bar of Texas meets annually to provide its 116,127 members with opportunities to earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, network with other professionals, and hear from renowned keynote speakers. This year’s State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting will be held June 11-12, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis – Houston,1777 Walker St., Houston, TX 77010.
The International Law Section (ILS) traditionally hosts two CLE programs on current international law topics during the first day (Thursday) which also includes the section membership meeting where we vote for and install new Council officers and members, present service awards and recognitions, and give our members an opportunity to network.
You only need to register if you want to receive your CLE credits; otherwise, attendance to all our events listed here are free.
This agenda is subject to change. For more information or questions, please contact us at admin@ilstexas.org.
9:00 – 9:30 am
Section Membership Meeting, Award Presentation.
Room location: Hunters Creek A – 3rd Floor
9:30 – 10:30 am
“Back in the Game? Business Opportunities and Legal Realities in Venezuela”
1 Hour CLE – Room location: Hunters Creek A – 3rd Floor
Victor Barrientos, Founder & Managing Attorney, Barrientos International Law, PLLC (Houston) – Moderator
Mariana S. Avendaño, Senior Associate, Corporate & Finance, Hogan Lovells (Houston)
Diogenes L. Bermudez, Ph.D., Legal Director for the Americas, CB&I (Houston)
Derrick Kyle, Associate, Snell & Wilmer (Dallas)
10:30 – 11:30 am
“Global Capital, Texas Growth: International Law Perspectives on Economic Development”
1 Hour CLE – Room location: Hunters Creek A – 3rd Floor
Kathleen Campbell Walker, ILS Chair, 2025-2026; Practice Group Chair – Immigration, Dickinson Wright PLLC (El Paso) – Moderator
Peter Rodriguez, Former Dean, Jones Graduate School of Business and Virani Undergraduate School of Business, Rice University; Professor of Strategic Management, Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University; Incoming President, Wake Forest University (Houston)
Betty Russo, Regional Representative – East Texas, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (Office of the Governor, State of Texas – Austin)
Sebastien Solar, Houston Market President, Commerce Bank (Houston)
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Sections Mix & Mingle Reception
Hosted by GP Solo, ILS & WAL
Room Location: Montgomery A – 2nd Floor
The State Bar of Texas holds an annual meeting to provide its 100,000-plus members with opportunities to earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, network with other professionals, and hear from keynote speakers. The next State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting will be held June 20-21, 2024 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.
The ILS traditionally hosts two CLE morning programs on current international law topics during the first day (Thursday) which is then followed by the Section business meeting where we vote for and install new Council officers and members, present service awards and recognitions, and an opportunity to network.
Past ILS CLE topics at the Texas Bar Annual Meeting have included human rights ethics, doing business in Canada, immigration and border security, CFIUS and the Ukraine-Russian War.
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:45 am
Welcome & Introduction – ILS Chair
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
First CLE
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Second CLE
11:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Break
11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Section Membership Meeting
Installation of New Officers & Council Members, Awards/Recognition
