Premium Subscriber Q&A: Shannon Cagnina
In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Phillips Enterprises’ Shannon Cagnina discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
‘Life is a Team Sport,’ Says Toyota’s Scott Young
Toyota Managing Counsel Scott Young is being honored with a 2025 Corporate Counsel Award for Achievement in Pro Bono and Public Service in recognition of his lifelong commitment to service, shaped by his upbringing and early humanitarian work. Alongside major legal leadership roles at Toyota, including transformative development and manufacturing projects, Young has led and expanded the company’s pro bono efforts, providing legal assistance to vulnerable communities.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Scott Young
In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Toyota’s Scott Young discusses the traits he seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel needs to know when working with him and more.
Pro Bono Work Can be a Bulwark Against Burnout, Business Litigator Says in Return to Practice
There was a point in Jeffrey Price’s litigation career when he got a bad case of burnout. He left both his job and Dallas, ultimately turning to volunteer work with The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, where he represented former military service members before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. After more than a year of volunteering, Price joined the National Veterans Legal Services Program as an appellate attorney. It was through pro bono work on behalf of veterans that Price found the sense of purpose he had sought. Now, Price is returning to business litigation, joining Stinson as of counsel with a renewed perspective on the profession and a continued commitment to veterans pro bono work. He also hopes to encourage fellow lawyers to seek out pro bono opportunities that genuinely resonate — something he believes might have helped prevent his own burnout had he done so earlier.
P.S. — Critical Legal Aid Fundraisers End Tonight
Happy New Year’s Eve. No, it’s not Friday.
This P.S. Column comes to you early to draw your attention to some critical fundraising campaigns that end tonight.
P.S. — Austin Bar Foundation Honors Legal Leaders, Witherite Law Brings Holiday Cheer
The Austin Bar Foundation has announced the recipients of its annual gala awards, which will be held Jan. 24 in Austin. Proceeds from the gala benefit the Austin Bar Foundation, a nonprofit that funds law-related community initiatives aimed at expanding access to legal services, promoting public legal education and supporting attorney well-being.
Meanwhile, The Witherite Law Group and 1-800TruckWreck recently made a $30,000 donation to Minnie’s Food Pantry and supported its Dec. 20 Christmas Food and Toy Giveaway in Plano.
The Texas Lawbook's Krista Torralva has that and more in this edition of P.S.
Troutman Pepper Locke Leads Pro Bono Nuisance Suit Against Fort Worth Motel
A pair of Fort Worth residents face “imminent and irreparable harm” if the nuisance caused by a long-beleaguered motel is not stopped, a pro bono legal team from Troutman Pepper Locke and the Dallas-based nonprofit Advocates for Community Transformation are arguing in Tarrant County. The lawsuit, brought by two residents of the West Meadowbrook neighborhood, follows other suits brought by the city of Fort Worth and the state of Texas.
P.S. — At 35, Texas Center for Legal Ethics Faces New Era of Lawyer Engagement — and its New Leader Says the Mission is as Urgent as Ever
In this edition of P.S., we bring you an exclusive interview with the Texas Center for Legal Ethics’ new executive director, Brad Johnson. Johnson spoke one-on-one with The Texas Lawbook in October, when he was about four months into the job. He said he entered the helm at a significant moment for the center, which recently marked its 35th anniversary.
Haynes Boone Duo Wins $973K Pro Bono Fraud Verdict in Trial Debut
Haynes Boone associates Ashley Koos and Sean Lewis secured a $973,000 pro bono verdict for gospel singer and minister Wintley Phipps in their first-ever trial, convincing a Harris County jury that a longtime acquaintance and former business partner defrauded Phipps. Their performance, firm leaders say, reflects both the professional development the academy is designed to foster and the essential role pro bono cases play in giving young attorneys real courtroom experience while expanding access to justice.
P.S. — Baker Botts Launches Women’s Summit for Senior In-House Counsel
In this edition of P.S., Baker Botts launched a new women’s summit, which convened leading women general counsel for cross-industry dialogue and professional development. The law firm, which boasts a strong pipeline of alumni who advance to senior in-house roles, plans to make the summit a recurring flagship event.
We also report on significant pro bono and public service recognitions, with the Texas Access to Justice Commission honoring South Texas College of Law Houston and standout students at the University of Texas and Texas A&M law schools and the Anti-Defamation League Texoma awarding its prestigious Larry Schoenbrun Jurisprudence Award to longtime First Amendment advocate Thomas Leatherbury.
Meanwhile, Haynes Boone attorneys statewide marked Pro Bono Week through a range of volunteer legal initiatives. This issue of P.S. closes out with a call for submissions for the 2025 DFW Outstanding Corporate Counsel Awards, which includes honors for excellence in pro bono, public service and diversity and inclusion among North Texas in-house lawyers.