Four Texas-based general counsel — Justin Johnson of Jacobs, Monica Karuturi of CenterPoint Energy, Aparna Dave of the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union and Clay Allen of the Houston Rockets — kicked off the 31st Annual Texas Minority Counsel Program conference discussing the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion to them personally and how it comes into strategic play at their organizations. The four GCs also talked about their preferences and dislikes about law firm business development efforts. Texas Lawbook pro bono, public service and diversity reporter Natalie Posgate is at the event and filed this report.
P.S. — Noche de Luz Honorees, Walls of Honor, A Six-Figure Grant
This week’s edition of P.S. features opportunities to support the ABA’s public service, policy and education initiatives, the unveiling of three displays at the University of Houston Law Center honoring notable Hispanic and African American alums and faculty, a group of lawyers recognized by the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association’s annual gala, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas’ honoring of volunteer lawyers in the Austin area and a six-figure grant gifted from one Dallas-area nonprofit to another.
Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Norton Rose Fulbright COO Stacey Martinez
In a Q&A with The Lawbook, Martinez discussed her Hispanic heritage, her career path from litigation associate to COO, how Norton Rose Fulbright has benefited from having women of color in high-ranking leadership positions, the difference between sponsorship and mentorship and her firm’s overall philosophy on diversity, equity and inclusion.
P.S. — Mock Trials, Diversity Scorecards, TX Access to Justice Leadership Updates
This week’s P.S. column features a group of current and recently graduated law students starting early in giving back to the legal profession, two firms that have achieved high scores among two diversity groups and new leadership at the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas Access to Justice Foundation, including a new executive director and board member.
P.S. — Good Apples, ADL Jurisprudence Award, 75 Years of Legal Clinics
This week’s edition of P.S. features a Texas law school’s 75th anniversary celebration of its student legal clinics serving low-income members of the community, three Susman Godfrey lawyers who have received three separate awards, the Dallas Bar Association’s jurist of the year, and recognition of other firms for their commitment to pro bono and public service, including Winston & Strawn, Akin, DLA Piper and Hogan Lovells.
Reed Smith Names Alan York New Global DEI Chair
In an interview with The Texas Lawbook, York discusses his new responsibilities as global DEI chair, immediate and long-term goals, why diversity, inclusion and equity is important at a law firm and to him personally, and his take on the aftermath of the SFFA v. Harvard U.S. Supreme Court decision.
P.S. — October Legal Clinics, Frank Stevenson’s Award, State Fair’s Newest Board Member
In this edition of P.S., we have details on an October luncheon that will honor Dallas attorney Frank Stevenson, the State Fair of Texas’ newest board member and his extensive history serving the organization and October dates for the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program’s virtual and in-person legal clinics.
P.S. — A Golf Classic, A Virtual Lottery, A Cavernous Case
This week’s edition of P.S. features an upcoming golf classic that will support the operations of a nonprofit fighting homelessness, a cluster of Holland & Knight lawyers moving up the ranks of the National Hispanic Bar Association, a Dallas lawyer who has joined Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas’ board, a successful virtual fundraiser benefiting legal aid and the dates in October that Dallas-area clients to receive pro bono legal advice by phone. Plus: Kentucky cave trivia involving a legal battle and “One-Eyed Joe.”
P.S.S. — 30 Charities to Donate to on North Texas Giving Day
Last week, we gave you 21 charities to consider donating to on North Texas Giving Day. Now that the nation’s largest community giving day is here, we have expanded that list to include a handful of additional nonprofits, including some founded by Texas business lawyers and Lawbook staff picks. This updated version of P.S. has your donation inspo.
Pictured: Lawbook publisher Brooks Igo’s brother, Austin, at an annual gala hosted by the H.E.R.O.E.S. nonprofit
Perkins Coie, MoFo Lawyer Up in DEI Lawsuits
Within the last week, lawyers from Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann, Jenner & Block and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher appeared on the dockets of federal lawsuits filed against Perkins Coie and Morrison Foerster alleging discriminatory practices related to their diversity fellowships. Both firms operate in Texas and one of the lawsuits is in Dallas. Natalie Posgate has the latest.