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By Taylor Kaiser
Sarah Keathley, an attorney with Keathley & Keathley in Corsicana, has been nominated by the State Bar of Texas Nominations Committee as a candidate for president-elect. Upon approval by the State Bar Board of Directors on Jan. 30, 2026, her name will appear on the statewide ballot in April 2026. Keathley is one of two attorneys, out of more than 118,000 licensed in Texas, to be selected as a nominee.
The State Bar of Texas is the mandatory professional organization for all Texas lawyers. It operates as an administrative arm of the Texas Supreme Court, supporting attorneys through education, resources, and regulation while also providing public legal information and promoting access to justice.
Elections for president‑elect are held annually so that Texas lawyers can choose a leader who represents the diverse needs of the profession.
Keathley practices alongside her husband, Steve Keathley, at their Corsicana law firm and is president of the Navarro County Bar Association.
The NavCo Chronicle sat down with Keathley to discuss the nomination, the role of the State Bar, and what the opportunity means for the community.
What is the State Bar of Texas looking for in a candidate?
“I think the State Bar is looking for someone with proven leadership, deep respect for the profession, and the ability to represent lawyers across Texas, rural and urban, young and seasoned, every practice area. The Bar needs a President who can listen, build consensus, and help attorneys in the real day-to-day practice of law while staying grounded in the Bar’s mission: supporting lawyers and protecting the public.”
How does an average lawyer depend on the Bar for support?
“The Bar helps lawyers stay ethical, educated, and effective. The Bar provides the backbone resources that help us do our jobs: ethics support and rules guidance, continuing legal education, practice-management tools, mental health and wellness resources, and communication about changes in the law. For many lawyers, especially solo and small firm attorneys, those supports are critical. When the Bar supports lawyers, lawyers can better support Texans, the public benefits because clients get better service and the justice system works better.
What exactly is a ‘bar’?
“The ‘bar’ originally referred to the physical railing in a courtroom that separated the public from the area reserved for judges and lawyers. Only authorized participants could cross it, which is why we still say lawyers are ‘admitted to the bar’ today. The ‘bar’ is the professional organization connected to the licensing and regulation of lawyers. In Texas, the State Bar of Texas helps set and enforce professional standards, provides education and resources for attorneys, and supports access to justice, all with the goal of protecting the public and strengthening the legal system.”
Does the State Bar influence the average citizen?
“Yes. Even though most citizens never think about it, the State Bar influences them by helping ensure lawyers are trained, ethical, and accountable, which protects the public. The State Bar may serve lawyers directly, but it protects Texans indirectly by strengthening the justice system and holding lawyers to high professional standards.
One exciting way the State Bar serves Texans is through Law-Related Education, offering teachers a full curriculum with lessons on landmark Supreme Court cases and civic fundamentals.”
What kind of lawyer are you?
“I’m a small-town general-practice trial lawyer, and I’m a servant leader. I’m committed to helping people solve problems with professionalism and grace, and as a mediator I focus on meeting people, and other lawyers, where they are.”
What part of your work are you most proud of?
“I’m most proud of helping families, especially children, and when I represent children, I make sure the decisions adults make do not harm them and advocate fiercely for their best interests.”
If elected, Keathley would become the 10th woman to serve as president of the State Bar of Texas since its creation in 1939.
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