Baker Botts became the first Texas-based law firm to announce year-end bonuses to associates. The Houston-based firm, in a Dec. 2 memo by Baker Botts managing partner John Martin, said associates hired out of law school in 2021 will get a $20,000 bonus this holiday. The scale accelerates up to $115,000 bonuses for seven- and eight-year associates hired in 2015 and before.
The Texas Lawbook Team Gives Thanks
When I started The Texas Lawbook 11 years ago this month, I had no idea what I was doing. My team may tell you that I still don’t. But the success The Lawbook has achieved seems like a miracle.
The reason: The Lawbook team. Without them, I would be operating a blog that not even my parents would pay to read. This week, I celebrate Thanksgiving because of my colleagues.
P.S. — Thanksgiving Edition
A short and sweet public service column highlights the work one Dallas firm is doing to benefit a local children’s shelter and three Houston women lawyers who were recently honored for their commitment to their communities and advancing women. Happy Thanksgiving from The Texas Lawbook.
Texas Law Schools Silent on U.S. News Rankings
The deans at Texas law schools are declining to take a stand regarding allegations that the U.S. News law school rankings system is biased, flawed and hurting the future of the legal profession. Law deans at Yale, Harvard, California-Berkeley, Georgetown, Stanford and Columbia have quit participating in the rankings. Leaders at all but one of the 10 law schools in Texas declined to comment to The Texas Lawbook.
P.S. — Holiday Giving Begins
Holiday giving is already ubiquitous across the Texas legal community. A few ways lawyers are giving back are through turkey meal deliveries, food drives and suit donations. All in this week’s P.S. column.
Federal Judge’s $3.64M Verdict Doesn’t Quell Long, Bitter Litigation Between Legal Recruiters
Since U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ruled that Evan P. Jowers improperly poached business from his former boss, Robert E. Kinney, Jowers has filed a new lawsuit in Florida and a motion for a protective order, alleging that Kinney threatened his family. Kinney, in turn, is seeking sanctions against Jowers and his current and former lawyers.
Veterans Fought for Our Country, Now Let’s Fight for Veteran Housing
“As veterans and advocates for access to justice, it is our responsibility to advocate for civil aid legal services that are transformative in alleviating pain points felt by Texas veterans returning to civilian life after active duty, as well as those who served our country decades ago,” Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela write. They lay out their case in this op-ed.
Jonny Havens: An Entrepreneurial Lawyer, Iraq War Veteran & Pro Bono Advocate
Service has always been a part of Jonny Havens’ life, whether it was serving two deployments in Iraq or helping veterans adjust to civilian life. The Houston-based personal injury lawyer, who just launched a new law firm, spoke with Natalie Posgate about his service as a Ranger qualified infantry officer, why he became a lawyer and why he continues to serve veterans through nonprofits and pro bono work.
Q&A with Newly-Appointed Pro Bono, Public Service and Diversity Reporter Natalie Posgate
Natalie shares why she wanted to take on the new beat, how the public service bucket is different from pro bono and issues of particular importance to her.
P.S. — An Anti-Bullying Grant, Awards Season Frenzy, A Thank-you Note
In this week’s P.S. column, we highlight a slew of attorneys and law firms awarded for their pro bono efforts, some recent nonprofit board appointments, an upcoming CLE featuring pro bono veterans in the industry (with ethics credit), and a significant grant awarded to a San Antonio-based project that supports children and their families impacted by bullying.