P.S. — Houston-based Law Firm Deemed a Best Place to Work for Women, South Texas Lawyer Named to Time100
In this edition of P.S., we report on national spotlights, local honors and pro bono achievements.
USAA AGC Daniel Andrews Has an ‘Infectious Commitment to Pro Bono Service’
Daniel Andrews jokes that becoming a lawyer was always somewhere behind astronaut and movie star on his list of dream jobs. But when the Oklahoma City native started college at Trinity University, family influence nudged him toward the legal path. Eight years into his in-house career at USAA, Andrews has built a reputation that extends far beyond his litigation expertise. This year, he’s being honored with the 2025 San Antonio Corporate Counsel Award for Achievement in Pro Bono and Public Service. “Dan’s demonstrated commitment to legal services for the poor, especially indigent veterans, makes him a terrific candidate for the Pro Bono Award,” said Michael Danforth, vice president of the San Antonio Legal Services Association and USAA associate general counsel, who nominated Andrews.
P.S. — $5M Committed to Proposed El Paso Law School
In this week’s P.S. Column, the Paul L. Foster Family Foundation pledged a $5 million matching grant to help establish a new law school at the University of Texas at El Paso, while the Texas Access to Justice Foundation announced the appointment of Keller Postman partner Zina Bash to its board. The Houston Bar Foundation is preparing for its 76th Annual Harvest Party, and the Dallas Women Lawyers Association received national recognition for its documentary on pioneering female attorneys. In South and West Texas, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid doubled its El Paso Giving Day contributions and is partnering with Koch’s Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi Refineries to host a driver’s license restoration clinic in Corpus Christi.
Legal Aid Work Celebrated at Luncheon with SCOTX
Real world stories related by legal services lawyers highlighted the impact of Texas Access to Justice Foundation funding at this year’s event. Justice Brett Busby presented awards to Greenberg Traurig and the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs.
P.S. – Texas Lawyers Expand Access to Courtrooms and Playgrounds
In this week’s edition of P.S., we spotlight legal initiatives to expand access to justice, as well as one firm’s community service work expanding kids’ access to playgrounds.
Q&A: South Texas College of Law Dean Rey Valencia on SCOTX’s Tentative Move Away from ABA Oversight and Other Changes Facing Law School Leaders
In June, before officially taking over as president and dean of South Texas College of Law, Reynaldo “Rey” Anaya Valencia joined seven other Texas law school leaders in urging the Texas Supreme Court to continue the American Bar Association’s role as the accrediting body. The son of former migrant farm workers, Valencia, a Harvard Law graduate, is the school’s first Hispanic and person of color president and dean.
Mikal Watts: ‘No Jury in America Will Hold Camp Mystic Responsible’
Prominent Texas plaintiff’s trial lawyer Mikal Watts, who has successfully sued some of the biggest companies in the world, is taking on his first defense client: Camp Mystic and its owners. Watts said Monday that he is officially representing pro bono the Eastland family and the Christian girls summer camp in any potential litigation resulting from the July flooding tragedy that caused more than 115 deaths, including 27 children at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
“I’ve spent three months conducting a thorough investigation, and I believe that facts matter,” Watts told The Texas Lawbook in an exclusive interview Monday.
P.S. — HBA’s Days of Service Mobilizes Houston Legal Community to Support 14,000 Residents, Early Giving Underway in El Paso, and More
In this week’s edition of P.S., the Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is reviving its in-person Builders of Justice Progressive Dinner and Awards Program in McKinney, honoring local advocates for expanding access to justice. In Houston, the Bar Association’s Days of Service engaged about 300 lawyers and benefitted more than 14,000 people through community service projects. Meanwhile, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is encouraging early donations for El Paso Giving Day to support its wide-ranging civil legal work across 68 counties, and the Association of Corporate Counsel San Antonio makes a donation to the San Antonio Legal Services Association. Rounding out this issue, Bracewell hosted 25 Aldine ISD students for a law career panel in partnership with Momentum Education.