While diversity, equity and inclusion efforts will likely continue to face headwinds, experts say the legal profession can take specific steps to mitigate the potential impact of the Supreme Court’s recent decision that banned affirmative action in higher education. Natalie Posgate sought insights from corporate in-house lawyers, law firm leaders and affirmative action experts on what the impact may be and what the reaction should be going forward. As one lawyer put it: “It’s up to us to take a stand and make a difference.”
P.S. — Winstead’s New Diversity Chair, Baker Botts’ Pro Bono Win, LANWT’s ABA Award
This edition of P.S. highlights July dates, times and locations of the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program’s legal aid clinics (with info on this month’s sponsors); a prestigious public service award that the American Bar Association will present to Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas in August, two Winstead lawyers taking leadership roles in DEI and a pro bono win by Baker Botts in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Updated: UT, UH to Adjust Racial Consideration in Law School Admissions, SMU ‘Studying’ Ruling
Southern Methodist University’s law dean sent a letter Friday to faculty, students and staff that said the school is still studying the implications of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision but will remain committed to having a diverse student body. The University of Texas at Austin tweeted a statement that said the law school had used race as a factor in admissions but will now readjust its approach to comply with the law, while the University of Houston released a similar statement.
Plus, information on which other Texas law schools have (and haven’t) weighed in.
A Word with Shook Hardy’s New Civil Rights/Racial Justice Practice Leader
After winning a significant pro bono prisoner’s rights case last year, Shook, Hardy & Bacon decided to use the award to foster more pro bono work by forming a new practice group that will handle prisoner’s civil rights and abuse-of-force litigation. The Kansas City-based firm chose Michael Harrison, a Houston lawyer and former prosecutor, to lead it. In a Q&A with The Lawbook, Harrison reflects on his time in the Harris County district attorney’s office, shares details about Shook’s new practice group and conveys his passion for civil rights and racial justice work.
Q&A With the State Bar of Texas President-Elect
Bracewell partner W. Stephen Benesh was sworn in as president-elect of the State Bar of Texas June 22 during the annual meeting in Austin. He answered questions from The Lawbook about why he wanted to take a leadership role and what his goals are.
Texas Access to Justice Gets Funding Boost After Legislative Session
The 88th Texas legislative session included $3.7 million in extra funding for civil legal services earmarked for youth dealing with pandemic-related mental health issues. However, lawmakers declined to provide funding for a proposal to use remote technology to deliver legal services through kiosk-based centers.
The Legislature also passed a bill that will provide an additional source of funding for pro bono civil legal services and another bill that will benefit low-income individuals who face language barriers in the courtroom. Natalie Posgate goes into detail on each, as well as the storied history of how pro bono work became a mainstay in the state’s budget.
P.S. — State Bar’s Pro Bono Awards, ASC’s Annual Fundraising Luncheon, TAJF’s 2023 Equal Justice Works Fellows
This edition of P.S. highlights Attorneys Serving the Community’s annual fundraising luncheon benefiting a Dallas-area women’s substance abuse recovery center, several attorneys who will be recognized by the State Bar of Texas next week for their pro bono work and the five Equal Justice Works fellow sponsored by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.
P.S. — SMU Law’s Rising Scholars, New HISD Leadership
In this week’s edition of P.S., a Houston litigator joins the board of managers of the Houston Independent School District and Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law and its DEI office wrap up a weeklong program that exposes high school students to the law school experience.
P.S. — Death Row Removal, Melsheimer’s Fellowship, Debt Collection Jargon Simplified
In this week’s edition of P.S., Texas Access for Justice resumes in-person legal clinics for veterans with multiple June clinic dates, Winston & Strawn’s Tom Melsheimer starts a civil and human rights-related fellowship at Notre Dame, Texas Appleseed launches an effort to make debt collection lawsuits easier for consumer defendants to understand (and participate in their own proceedings), and Kirkland & Ellis scores a pro bono win for a death row inmate in Houston. Natalie Posgate details the latest in the world of public service.
A Word With New HVL Executive Director Jessica Howton Stool
Jessica Howton Stool is nearly six weeks into her new job as executive director of Houston Volunteer Lawyers — the pro bono arm of the Houston Bar Association. Between tasks of her onboarding process, which have included acquainting herself with HVL’s staff, budget, and grant system, Howton Stool talked with The Lawbook’s Natalie Posgate about her passion for pro bono law, what attracted her to HVL, which area of law HVL needs the most lawyer volunteers for currently and what law firms can do to improve their pro bono capabilities.