For more than three years, The Texas Lawbook‘s readers have enjoyed the benefits of having the only full-time journalist who covers pro bono, public service and diversity in Texas.
Krista Torralva has been that reporter for the past 15 months. She has authored more than 150 articles that featured lawyers from more than 400 law firms highlighting their commitment to pro bono, public service and diversity in the legal profession.
Krista’s position is funded entirely by donations made to the Texas Lawbook Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
But those tax-deductible donations have declined significantly — by more than 50 percent — over the past year as pro bono, public service and diversity initiatives have become politically unpopular.
This is only the second time in the past four years that I have asked for donations. I am not above begging, as I believe this position is crucial to the legal profession in Texas.
As such, I am personally committing to match $30,000 in donations.
As everyone knows, Krista has a passion for this beat. And she is a damn good journalist.
“Never before has the role of Texas lawyers been more important when it comes to meeting the legal needs of those in poverty, those who are disenfranchised or disadvantaged, those who military veterans or single parents and children facing abusive environments,” said Texas Lawbook Foundation co-chair Derek Lipscombe, who is managing counsel at Toyota. “Never has the issue of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession been more important or more newsworthy.”
“Krista’s position is critically important to lawyers in the Texas community,” Lipscombe said. “Please join us in supporting this important effort.”
In addition, the Lawbook Foundation is seeking new members to join the foundation’s board of directors.
The Lawbook Foundation recently relaunched our website to better explain our mission and our operations. To make a contribution, please click here.
All of Torralva’s articles can be found here.
Krista’s role is simple: To showcase the great pro bono, public service and diversity successes of Texas lawyers, law firms and corporate legal departments and to challenge lawyers to do even more.
Over the next few months, Krista and I will reach out to many of you about a few important initiatives that we have in the works. They include:
- A monthly profile of a corporate legal department and their outside counsel partnering together on pro bono and public service projects;
- A weekly profile in Torralva’s P.S. column that recognizes and celebrates the charitable contributions that individual law firms and corporate legal departments make to charitable organizations;
- Profiles of corporate in-house counsel who are pioneers in pro bono, public service and diversity efforts;
- The establishment of a database of scholarships available to low-income and advantaged future lawyers; and
- An in-depth analysis of the diversity pipeline in Texas.
I personally thank Fertitta Entertainment General Counsel Steven Scheinthal, Plains All American GC Richard McGee and Shell USA Head of Legal Travis Torrence for their combined contributions as part of the 2026 Houston Corporate Counsel Awards. The Texas Lawbook is matching their donations.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns. As our colleagues at NPR frequently say, “We cannot do this work without your support.”