LONGLEY, JOE KENNETH (1943 ~ ). The following is a biography for Joe Longley. Longley was approved for burial at the Texas State Cemetery by the Cemetery Committee. Biographical materials provided by Longley.
Joe K. Longley
Joe K. Longley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_K._Longley.
Joe K. Longley is a legendary Texas lawyer famous for bringing consumer protection to Texas.
In 1973, he co-authored--and nurtured passage of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act, [DTPA] together with the private remedy sections of Article 21.21 (now Chapter 541 of the Texas Insurance Code). Since then, he has co-authored Chapters 542 (Prompt Pay) and 544 (Unfair discrimination) of the Texas Insurance Code; as well as, the Texas Debt Collections Practices Act; the Texas Home Solicitations Act; and Texas Tenant Protections in landlord-tenant disputes.
He authored numerous seminar papers for the State Bar; taught Insurance Law at the University of Texas School of Law; and from 1976 to 1979 served as a Director of the State Bar; a member of the State Bar’s District 9 Grievance Committee, and also as Chair of the State Bar’s Consumer Law Section.
His contributions to the Texas legal profession are likewise legendary. In 1976, he successfully defeated a State Bar-sponsored dues increase--which failed by almost a 2-1 margin.
In 1979, he spearheaded efforts to pay off the unfortunate mortgage debt incurred by bar leaders to construct the TEXAS LAW CENTER. Because of his leadership, a one-time assessment dedicated to the retirement of over $2 million dollars in mortgage debt passed 4-1 in a 1978 Bar membership vote. This resulted in the mortgage debt being completely paid off—releasing the construction lien—and thereby saving the State Bar building from bank foreclosure.
In 1988, he served as a Texas House of Representatives appointee to the Interim Joint Legislative Study Committee reviewing Deceptive Trade Practices.
In 1991, he was the principal-advisor to Governor Ann Richards for all policyholder remedies enacted in HB 2--the Insurance Reform Act. These reforms became her “signature” piece of insurance legislation passed in her administration.
In 2000, he was named a Texas Legal Legend in Texas Lawyer’s exclusive list of 100 LEGAL LEGENDS, then, in 2002, was further honored by being selected by Texas Lawyer as its Number One GO-TO-LAWYER for Texas Insurance Law.
In 2011, he was selected by the State Bar’s Insurance Section as the recipient of the Section’s INSURANCE LEGEND Award.
On May 25, 2017, Joe was overwhelmingly elected as the first-ever “petition” nominated candidate for President-Elect of the Texas State Bar–making him the all-time top combined vote-getter in State Bar history.
As State Bar President, Joe was responsible for significant improvements in the Texas Bar’s structure and procedures—thereby fulfilling his No. 1 campaign pledge to “change the way the State Bar conducts its business.” See Online at: https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/SIRSI/B600.8_L862_2019.pdf
B600.8 L862 2019.
Joe currently lives in Austin with his wife of 25 years, Maggie Mann Longley. He has three grown children, Adam, Bill, and Grace Ann and, so far, has been blessed with seven grandchildren, Joe Fox, Evelyn Longley, Peter Longley, Lyle Longley, Patrick Fox, Ethan Fox and, most recently, Gwynna Longley.
Two words best sum up Joe’s exemplary career as an outstanding trial lawyer and as a principal draftsman of significant consumer legislation: “Mission Accomplished”.
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