In this edition of P.S., we highlight the volunteer work of Holland & Knight, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, Haynes Boone and Bank of America in observance of Sept. 11, 2001. Holland & Knight’s efforts also honor the legacy of Glenn Winuk, a partner in the Manhattan office who was also a volunteer firefighter and EMT who died helping others at the World Trade Center during the terrorist attacks.
We also share the summer work of Winston Taylor’s Dallas office, which marked its fourth consecutive year building homes with Habitat for Humanity.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Chapter of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association has been named one of two recipients of the national organization’s 2026 Chapter Award and will be recognized at the annual awards gala in Washington, D.C.
Fervo Energy’s Gustavo Torres was honored with the Hispanic National Bar Association’s 2026 Attorney of the Year Award. Torres is the president-elect of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston.
Last but not least, Mullen & Mullen Injury Law announced the return of its JAMBALOO Free Week Festival and Music Prize. We’ve got the details.
Wills for Heroes Clinic More Than Doubles Reach in Dallas
A Dallas clinic providing free estate planning services to first responders more than doubled the number of people it served this year, helping 166 police officers, firefighters and emergency medical responders.
Nearly 100 volunteers participated in the Sept. 11 clinic as part of the national Wills for Heroes initiative organized by Bank of America. Lawyers, paralegals and notaries from Bank of America, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings and Haynes Boone staffed the clinic, which was held at the Dallas Police Department.
Last year, the clinic drafted more than 80 wills for Dallas police officers; this year’s efforts extended to Dallas Fire Rescue.
“This event continues to grow in the best ways,” said Haynes Boone Pro Bono Counsel Rachel Elkin, who is part of the local planning group.
Holland & Knight Continues 9/11 Tradition of Service
In observance of Sept. 11, 2001, more than 500 Holland & Knight employees across the firm volunteered to pack meals for families facing hunger as part of an initiative hosted by 911day.org.
In Texas, 14 employees from the Austin office served at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, 24 from the Dallas office volunteered at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, and 26 from the Houston office served at the University of Houston’s Fertitta Center.
The firm participates annually in the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging its lawyers and staff to give time to their communities. For Holland & Knight, this day also honors the legacy of Glenn Winuk, a partner in the Manhattan office who was also a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Winuk died while helping others at the World Trade Center during the terrorist attacks.
Women’s White Collar Defense Association Dallas Chapter Earns National Honor
The Dallas Chapter of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association has been named one of two recipients of the national organization’s 2026 Chapter Award.
The Dallas chapter will be recognized during WWCDA’s 2026 Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., in December.
Chaired by Haynes Boone partner Kit Addleman and Bradley Arant Boult Cummings partner Sarah Wirskye, the Dallas chapter brings together lawyers and forensic analysts through events and programming throughout the year.
Since the Dallas chapter was established in 2013, lawyers have created WWCDA chapters in Houston and Austin.
Fervo Energy GC Gustavo Torres Named HNBA Attorney of the Year
Gustavo Torres, president-elect of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston, has received the Hispanic National Bar Association’s 2026 Attorney of the Year Award.
The HBA of Houston highlighted Torres’ work on its board and his commitment to service and mentorship. It credited him with supporting programs and fundraising efforts, strengthening relationships for the organization and helping expand opportunities for the community it serves.
Torres, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Fervo Energy, is expected to lead the Houston association during its 2027-2028 bar year.
He was honored during the organization’s Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.
Winston Taylor Dallas Marks Fourth Consecutive Year Building with Habitat for Humanity
This summer, volunteers from Winston Taylor’s Dallas office built the firm’s fourth Habitat for Humanity home in as many years.
Since 2023, the annual builds have drawn as many as 28 volunteers at a time, including summer associates, attorneys, paralegals and staff.
The Dallas office’s work with Habitat was honored with the Dallas Bar Association’s 2025 Judge Merrill Hartman Support Award.
“I believe that having a home is fundamental to dignity and foundational to feeling the safety and security people need to build a future for themselves and their families,” said Brett Johnson, managing partner of the firm’s Dallas office and co-chair of the firm’s global litigation practice. “That’s why organizations like Habitat for Humanity are so important. They literally help people change their lives by giving them that foundation and sense of security.”
Mullen & Mullen-Backed JAMBALOO Festival Returns to DFW
A Dallas-Fort Worth music initiative funded by Mullen & Mullen Injury Law announced the return of its JAMBALOO Free Week Festival and Music Prize.
The festival will take place Feb. 11-21 at more than 15 venues across the Metroplex, showcasing more than 60 artists.
The JAMBALOO Music Prize will award $20,000 to the best independent full-length album released by a Dallas-Fort Worth artist. The prize also includes recording, promotional and industry support.
Submissions are now open at jambaloo.live and are free to enter. The competition will culminate June 5 at Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas.
“Dallas-Fort Worth has extraordinary artists and venues, but talent and hard work alone do not guarantee that an album will be heard or that an independent stage will remain open,” said Joe Morrison, JAMBALOO co-founder and attorney at Mullen & Mullen Injury Law. “JAMBALOO Festival brings audiences into the venues where music communities grow, while the Music Prize gives a local artist meaningful resources to keep creating. Together, these programs invest in the people and places that make North Texas music special.”
The idea for JAMBALOO grew out of conversations between Morrison and music production manager Corey Pond while the two played video games. They lamented the closing of independent venues and the lack of support and infrastructure available to help local artists thrive.
Our partners at The Dallas Morning News profiled the lawyers’ involvement in this article last year.
More information about the Mullen & Mullen Music project may be found here.