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The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

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Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

Trump Budget Proposal Would Eliminate Legal Services for Tens of Thousands of Veterans, Low-Income Texans

Legal aid activists in Texas are “deeply concerned” that President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget calls for eliminating Legal Services Corporation, the federal nonprofit that provides funding to legal aid organizations across the state that help military veterans access rightful benefits, victims recover from natural disasters, survivors of domestic violence obtain protective orders and more. In Texas, the proposed elimination threatens more than $45 million in annual grants that help fund three major legal aid organizations: Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Those grants account for approximately one-third of these organizations’ total funding. 

June 23, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

Leading Texas Lawyers Share Reflections for Commemorating Juneteenth

The Texas Lawbook asked top Black Texas lawyers how they commemorate Juneteenth and/or how they recommend their industry colleagues honor its significance. From visiting historic sites to engaging with insightful literature, here are some of their personal reflections and recommendations.

June 18, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

Defying Political Backlash, Susman Godfrey Expands Diversity Scholarship Amid Legal Battle with Trump Administration

Amid growing political pressure and legal threats from the Trump administration, Houston-based law firm Susman Godfrey is expanding its diversity scholarship program for law students of color. The firm announced it will increase both the number of recipients and the award amount for its annual Susman Godfrey Prize, despite accusations from federal officials that its diversity efforts violate discrimination laws.

May 19, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

Appeals Court Upholds Part of Verdict for Fired Southwest Flight Attendant, Tosses Religious Training Order

Southwest Airlines won partial relief from a jury verdict in a case involving the firing of a flight attendant over antiabortion messages she sent to her union president. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled Thursday that while the airline violated Charlene Carter’s right to religious expression, it did not break federal laws banning religious discrimination in the workplace. The court also struck down U.S. District Court Judge Brantley Starr’s order requiring three of the airline’s attorneys to attend religious liberty training with a Christian legal group.

May 8, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

P.S. — Prison Conditions, Death Penalty Cases Are ‘Projects of Compassion’ to These Pro Brono AT&T Lawyers

Jamal Wilson, an inmate at Alabama’s St. Clair Correctional Facility, survived a brutal stabbing in 2019 that left him with a fractured skull. Fearing for his life, Wilson, represented pro bono by in-house lawyers from AT&T and Foley Lardner, filed a lawsuit in 2021 alleging the prison’s failure to protect inmates from rampant violence, poor security, and mismanagement — violations of the Eighth Amendment. The Department of Justice investigated, and a settlement was reached in 2024, with Wilson set for transfer to a safer facility. Tragically, before the agreement was implemented and just months before being eligible for parole, Wilson was beaten to death. His case was among 10 prison condition cases and two death penalty appeals handled pro bono by AT&T’s lawyers, who worked with officials at Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative and its executive director, Bryan Stevenson.

April 25, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

P.S. — Sound of Service: This Year’s ACC Houston Pro Bono and Diversity Recipients Strike Common Chord

This week’s P.S. Column is packed with award winners, from corporate counsels who are leading the way in pro bono and diversity initiatives to the longest-serving woman justice on the Texas Supreme Court to rock-and-roll attorneys fundraising for charities. 

April 11, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

P.S. — Free Citizens Law School in San Antonio, Tennis Clinics for Boys & Girls, $82K Raised from Law Rocks Concert

All right, all right, all right. In this week’s P.S. column, St. Mary’s School of Law and the San Antonio Bar Association announce their annual People’s Law School event. Dallas lawyers fundraised to the tune of $82,000 for local charities through a battle of the bands style concert. The Austin office of Latham & Watkins sponsored a youth tennis clinic for Boys & Girls Club and sponsored the WTA tournament that drew a local celebrity. And The Texas Lawbook needs your help identifying scholarships for low-income students who need assistance.

March 7, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

P.S. — AT&T and Halliburton GCs: Legal Aid ‘Is a Texas Issue that Deserves Your Voice and Advocacy’

Lawyers, corporate general counsel and leaders of the Texas legal profession — 467 of them to be exact — received an email letter Thursday from AT&T General Counsel David McAtee and Halliburton Chief Legal Officer Van Beckwith announcing the annual Champions of Justice Gala that raises funds for Texas Access to Justice and military veterans. The 2025 Gala — to be held on April 30 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin — will feature Equal Justice Initiative Executive Director Bryan Stevenson, author of New York Times bestseller Just Mercy, which was made into a major motion picture of the same name. “To me, the Champions of Justice Gala has always been special,” McAtee said. “Working with Van to extend its reach and legacy is a real thrill. The funds we raise are dedicated to the many legal needs of our veterans. Last year, we set a fundraising record. We hope to shatter that record this year.”

February 28, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

P.S. — Living Black History Panel, DFW Lawyers Rock for Charity, Houston Corp. Counsel Diversity and Pro Bono Nominations Open

Black History Month comes alive Feb. 23 with an extraordinary panel discussion in downtown Dallas. In two weeks, musicians from more than a half-dozen law firms will rock for charity. And nominations are officially open for the 2025 Houston Corporate Counsel Awards, recognizing pro bono and diversity.

February 21, 2025 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

Dallas Boutique Reese Marketos Obtains $150M Verdict Against Janssen Products Over HIV Drugs

A federal jury in New Jersey found Janssen Products violated the federal False Claims Act by unlawfully promoting Prezista or Intelence. But the jury found Janssen did not violate the Anti-Kickback Statute.

June 14, 2024 Krista Torralva & Mark Curriden

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Features

  • Dallas Women Lawyers Documentary Earns State and National Awards  - A Law Unto Themselves: How Women Lawyers of Dallas Transformed Law and Community — Together is a film produced by Chelsea Hilliard and Kandace Walter, presidents of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and the J.L. Turner Legal Association, respectively. The documentary chronicles the history of women attorneys in Dallas, highlighting how their pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for many of the city’s legal organizations and continue to shape the profession today. Since its premiere, the film has earned both state and national honors and is currently under consideration at film festivals across the U.S., Canada and Europe.  August 4, 2025Krista Torralva
  • P.S. — Legal Aid Expands Across Texas with Volunteers, Grants and New Talent - In this edition of P.S., Texas legal aid organizations ramp up efforts to support communities affected by recent disasters. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is calling on volunteer lawyers to assist flood survivors across Central Texas, while Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas launches its new mobile unit, the “Legal Aid Express,” to deliver on-the-ground disaster support to its region. SMU’s First Amendment Clinic received a $3 million endowment from the Stanton Foundation, with an additional $2 million challenge grant to expand its pro bono advocacy. Meanwhile, 17 University of Texas School of Law graduates received public interest fellowships, enabling them to serve underrepresented communities across the country. Finally, Sidley Austin’s Texas offices contributed to local hunger relief efforts as part of the firm’s “Summer of Service” campaign. August 1, 2025Krista Torralva & Elle Grinnell

GCs, Lawyers & Firms

  • Methodist Health Lawyer Moves to Serenity Healthcare to Be GC - Dallas lawyer Ashley Yen, who was recognized for her efforts guiding Methodist through Covid-19, is taking her first general counsel role.
  • IP Heavyweight Jeff Homrig Returns to Weil
  • Paul Hastings Continues TX Growth Play with Energy M&A Hire
  • Sorrels Law Adds Veteran Houston Litigator
  • Fisher Phillips Adds Houston Litigator
  • Bradley Adds Partner in Dallas
  • Meet the New Head of Litigation at J.D. Silva & Associates
  • Dorsey & Whitney’s New Managing Partner Has Texas Ties and Big Plans
  • Vartabedian Hester & Haynes Hires Richard Roper to Launch New White Collar, Investigations Practice Group
  • Willkie Continues to Expand its Dallas Office with Veteran Dealmakers
More GCs, Lawyers & Firms

Lawyers in the News

Hover right to see full list

Barry Barnett
Wes Bearden
Emily Westridge Black
Michael Burke
Alicia Campbell
John Campbell
Madeleine Carpenter
Alexander Clark
Dawn Pittman Collins
Richard Finneran
Elizabeth Freeman
David Gail
Elizabeth Gibson
David Jones
Frank Lopez
Abbe Lowell
Neal Manne
Billy Marsh
Tom Melsheimer
Tasha Moser
Justin Nelson
Reed O'Connor
Kate Pennartz
John “J.” Pieratt
Danielle Reyes
Christopher Richardson
Randy Sorrels
Harry Susman
Larry Vincent
Victor Vital
Brent Walker
Matt Weybrecht
Melody Wilkinson
Alex Wolens

Firms in the News

Hover right to show full list

A&O Shearman
Bryan Cave
Cozen O'Connor
Haynes Boone
Holland & Knight
Jackson Walker
King & Spalding
Kirkland & Ellis
Law Office of Liz Freeman
Paul Hastings
Porter Hedges
Sorrels Law
Susman Godfrey
Toyota
Troutman Pepper Locke
Willkie
Vinson & Elkins
Weil
Winston & Strawn

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