This presentation was prepared by David Méndez, a partner with the Firm, for the 2021 Urban County Leadership Summit/Hidalgo County Leadership Conference. His presentation addressed the recent release of apportionment data by the U.S. Census Bureau and the impact of this data on Texas as well as across the U.S. It also covered “next steps” to draw the new congressional districts and to re-balance the existing state representative, state senate and state board of education districts as well as recent issues raised on redrawing state appellate court “districts” and pending legislation that addresses the delay in release of the census data; the obligations of cities, school districts, community college districts and other local governmental entities with single member districts impacted by redistricting; and some brief highlights from the ongoing Texas Legislative Session and bill passage by the local delegation.

The March 2021 issue of Texas Town and City magazine, the official publication of the Texas Municipal League, features an article written by BHDA attorneys C. Robert Heath, David Méndez, and Joshua D. Katz.

The article “Census Delay and the Change in Administrations Will Affect Redistricting,” can be read by clicking here. The entire March 2021 issue of the publication can be accessed here.

Texas Town and City also featured an article, “The 2020 Census and Redistricting: What You Need to Know Now,” by the same attorneys in its March 2020 issue.

BHDA attorney David Méndez will be a guest panelist during an afternoon session on March 4^th at the annual Texas Conference of Urban Counties Education & Policy Conference. The three-day conference is scheduled for March 3-5, 2021 in Austin.

Mr. Mendez, along with fellow guest panelist Joan Huffman, Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Redistricting, will provide conference attendees with an in-depth look at the redistricting responsibilities of Texas counties for 2021, a review of counties’ obligations in balancing commissioner precincts, and a recommended timeline for the process. The panel presentation will also address how municipal and ISD redistricting along with the state and congressional redistricting impact counties’ efforts to create effective election precincts.

With nearly 30 years of experience in redistricting and voting rights issues, Mr. Méndez regularly advises counties, cities, colleges, and school districts in these areas. He is often invited to speak and write about these topics as well. Since late 2019, Mr. Méndez has presented a number of redistricting programs for organizations including the Texas Association of Community College Attorneys, the Texas City Attorneys Association, and the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. He also spoke at last year’s Texas Conference of Urban Counties Education & Policy Conference in El Paso. In addition, Mr. Méndez is the author or co-author of redistricting articles that were published in 2020 for Texas Town & City magazine and Thomson Reuters Legal.

For more information on the Texas Conference of Urban Counties and the programs they offer, please visit their website.

BHDA attorney David Méndez recently presented “Redistricting 2021 Update” at the North Texas Municipal Attorneys meeting.

His presentation focused on the redistricting process for municipalities and covered issues including the 2020 census data release, legal principles that apply to redistricting, and suggested timelines for a municipality’s redistricting project.

Mr. Méndez is one of the Firm’s veteran redistricting attorneys. He has nearly 30 years of experience in redistricting and voting rights matters and is frequently called upon to present and write about these topics. To learn more about his experience click here.

For more information on the Firm’s redistricting and voting rights practice and team of professionals, please click here.

On December 2, BHDA partner David Méndez presented at the East Region County Judges and Commissioners Conference in  Nacogdoches. His topic, “County Redistricting 2021,” covered issues including county redistricting responsibilities, laws that drive the redistricting process, the federal census data, and more. The full presentation document can be viewed here:

BHDA partners C. Robert Heath and David Méndez recently spoke at the Texas City Attorneys Association (TCAA) Fall Virtual Conference, co-presenting a one-hour session that covered “Municipal Redistricting Obligations Triggered by the Upcoming Release of the 2020 Federal Census.”

Mr. Heath and Mr. Méndez are both veteran experts on the subject of redistricting and have represented numerous government entities in the redistricting process over the course of their careers. In addition to frequently speaking on the subject at local, state, and national conferences, they are regularly sought out for comment on and to write about redistricting issues.

Since its founding in 1980, BHDA has been involved with redistricting for the State of Texas as well as hundreds of Texas local government entities. BHDA also has extensive experience representing government clients regarding the federal Voting Rights Act, a critical component of the redistricting process. For more information on the Firm’s voting rights and redistricting practice and our team of redistricting attorneys and professionals, please click here.

BHDA partner David Méndez recently presented (with Bob Bass) on the topic of redistricting at the 98th Annual County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas Conference in Abilene.

Mr. Mendez’s presentation addressed issues including when county redistricting projects should be completed, what legal issues may arise, technology, and how justice precincts factor into the redistricting process.

Mr. Méndez has nearly 30 years of experience in voting rights and redistricting issues, and he regularly advises counties, cities, colleges, and school districts in these areas. He is also frequently called upon to present and write about these topics. Below is a sampling of his recent work:

• “The 2020 Census and Redistricting: What You Need to Know Now,” Texas Town & City magazine, March 2020

• “Local Government Redistricting,” Practice Notes, Thomson Reuters Legal—Practical Law Government Practice Area, February 2020

• County Redistricting Under the 2020 Census, 62nd Annual V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts, February 2020

• Redistricting of Texas College District Boards Based on the 2020 Census, Texas Association of Community College Attorneys, January 2020

• County Redistricting 2021, Texas Conference of Urban Counties Education & Policy Conference, January 2020

Since it was founded in 1980, the Firm has been involved with redistricting for the State of Texas as well as hundreds of Texas local government entities. In addition, our redistricting attorneys have extensive experience representing government clients regarding the federal Voting Rights Act, a critical component of the redistricting process. For more information on the Firm’s voting rights and redistricting practice and our team of redistricting attorneys and professionals, please click here.

David Méndez, a public finance attorney with BHDA, wrote an article on tax anticipation notes that was featured in the August 2020 issue of Texas County Progress magazine.

“As counties prepare their budgets and address routine maintenance and operational costs, many face the inevitable need to budget for some routine capital items. Law enforcement vehicles or road grading equipment may need replacement; radios, computers, or office equipment may have worn out; gravel and road base material may be needed to repair county roads; or the courthouse roof may need patching. All of these are, technically, capital expenditures…” To continue reading, click here.

BHDA public finance attorney David Méndez assisted with the article “Public Finance Options,” which was a featured story in the August 2020 issue of County Progress magazine. The key concept of the article is whether a county can finance debt. To read the full article, please click here.

BHDA partners David Méndez, C. Robert Heath, and Joshua D. Katz are the co-authors of the article “The 2020 Census and Redistricting: What You Need to Know Now,” which was published in the March issue of Texas Town & City, the official publication of the Texas Municipal League. Click the following link to read the article: The 2020 Census and Redistricting.

In addition, David Méndez’s article “Local Government Redistricting” was recently added to Thomson Reuters’ Practice Notes in the Government practice area. Click the following link to read the article: Local Government Redistricting.