By Brooks Igo
Staff Writer for The Texas Lawbook
Twenty years ago, H. Ron White and Kevin Wiggins established one of the first African-American owned law firms in the state (and the first in Dallas) that focused on civil practice and representing major corporate clients.
Today, White & Wiggins is the largest full service minority-owned law firm in Texas. The firm celebrated its 20-year anniversary at its offices on the 62nd floor of Bank of America Plaza on Oct. 24, with what Wiggins called a “community celebration.”
Civic and business leaders, judges, current and former employees and family of the firm were in attendance to honor the achievement with its two pioneers. White realized when he started the firm that it was going to be a challenging journey.
“When we were starting the firm, we really had only one law firm in the state of Texas—Wickliff & Hall in Houston—to look to as a role model,” he said. “It was something that had not really been done in the state or Dallas.”
Wickliff & Hall, the state’s first African-American owned law firm that represented major corporate clients, later became a part of Epstein Becker & Green in 2002 and Cozen O’Connor in 2011. It was the largest minority-owned law firm in Texas prior to joining with Epstein Becker.
White and Wiggins — citing the Dallas Diversity Task Force’s 2013 report — said one of the challenges minority lawyers continue to face today is getting hired despite being qualified.
Additionally, Wiggins said the firm has had to endure the challenges facing every firm—general counsels cutting back on their legal budgets and the number of firms they hire.
“Cut backs and reduction of legal spend often translates into the failure to engage African-American and diverse owned firms and layoffs due to a lack of a client base,” White added. “We must continue to recognize and promote those GCs who have embraced the concept in their outside counsel hiring practices and are getting positive results.”
White and Wiggins agree that corporate counsel play perhaps the most significant role in improving how business has been done. If corporate legal departments make it a priority to hire diverse counsel, law firms will begin to look more diverse, they say.
“There is a market of corporations and public sector entities that are looking for diverse counsel,” White said. “That is where we can provide value.”
Moving forward, White said the firm will continue to recruit diverse talent to address the needs of its corporate clients. He would like the firm, which currently has nine attorneys, to grow to approximately 20 attorneys within the next two years.
Attendees of the Oct. 24th reception enjoyed a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, congratulatory remarks and the opportunity to take a look at the firm’s offices.
Judge Tonya Parker and Kenneth Wimberly, vice president and corporate secretary of American Airlines, were among those who shared their congratulations and gratitude. Parker, who began her legal career at the firm, spoke passionately of how White and Wiggins have been mentors and inspirations for herself and many other minority lawyers in Dallas.
The firm’s founders were emotional, as well. When Wiggins was getting ready to introduce his longtime mentor, partner and friend, he couldn’t fight off tears. White gave him a hug before wiping away tears of his own.
“This journey we have been on is a marathon,” he later said. “There is still a long road ahead.”
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