The Central Texas Federal Bench Bar, a nonprofit organization, hosts the event, now in its third year.

Inspired by the encouragement of current and former judges of the Western District of Texas, a group of attorneys collaborated with the leadership of the Austin Chapter of the Federal Bar Association to develop the conference, modeled after similar gatherings held in other federal judicial districts across the country.

With seven divisions spanning over 92,000 square miles, the Western District of Texas (WDTX) is among the largest and most geographically diverse federal judicial districts in the nation. Recognizing the practical limits of comprehensive coverage, the Central Texas Federal Bench Bar Conference will focus on current issues and trends within the Austin, San Antonio, and Waco Divisions.

However, attorneys, judges, and court staff from all seven WDTX Divisions and beyond attend every year. Judges and practitioners from divisions outside of Central Texas regularly speak or serve on panels at the conference. The Conference offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the federal bench, connect with colleagues across jurisdictions, and stay current on legal trends shaping practice throughout Texas and the broader region.

Our programming committee, consisting of a diverse group of federal judges and lawyers, chooses timely issues and trends affecting Central Texas’ legal community. Explore our past conference programs to see some of the topics we’ve previously covered.

One of the driving purposes of the Central Texas Federal Bench Bar Conference is to build connections and collegiality between and among federal practitioners and judges. As such, the Conference is in-person only.

We are actively seeking partners, sponsors, and speakers who can enrich the programming and broaden the scope of our offerings.

Whether you or your firm are interested in participating, sponsoring, or have recommendations for speakers and topics, we welcome your ideas and collaboration. Together, we can ensure the Conference remains a premier forum for federal legal education, professional development, and meaningful networking. Please contact us for more information.