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.
Gibbs & Bruns Associate Re-launches Debate Classes for Houston Prisoners
On Thursday, Caitlin Halpern will host a pizza party to commemorate the re-launch of a program that teaches public speaking and critical thinking through debate to incarcerated people in Harris County. Natalie Posgate collected details on the event, the program and the organization behind it that marries Halpern’s passions for debate and criminal justice reform.
Baker McKenzie Names Marredia Crawford as Chief ID&E Officer
The firm’s new top inclusion, diversity and equity official talked with The Lawbook about her background, the challenges the DEI industry is facing, how to retain diverse talent and why the firm leads with “inclusion” in her job title.
P.S — Lawbook Foundation, LANWT and NTX Giving Day Updates
This week’s edition of P.S. puts on your radar some key dates for community giving and The Lawbook and ACC’s pro bono and diversity awards nomination deadlines, a new series Natalie Posgate is launching this fall and a Dallas lawyer who has joined a nonprofit board.
A Conversation on Mental Health with TLAP’s Leader
The Lawbook recently spoke to Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program director Michelle Fontenot, who elaborated on the range of mental health and substance abuse services TLAP offers and shared her thoughts on the pandemic’s effect on lawyers’ mental health, the billable hour, best ways for the legal community to support TLAP and what firms and corporate legal departments could be doing better to support the wellness of their employees.
P.S. — A Corporate LGBTQ+ Conference, A Maui Fund, A Life Saved
This edition of P.S. details September dates for the DBA’s phone legal clinics, an upcoming conference that aims to inform on the LGBTQ+ climate and help corporations build more inclusive workplaces, ways Texas lawyers can support the ABA’s disaster relief efforts in Maui and a back-to-school fundraiser that is close to the hearts of lawyers at Norton Rose Fulbright. Plus: the son of a well-known Dallas lawyer’s life-saving tale.