Fifth Circuit Rules for UT in Race Admissions Case – Updated
A federal appeals court ruled late Tuesday that the University of Texas’ use of affirmative action is a fair and constitutionally permissible approach to admitting students.
The Story of John Martin and His Journey Toward Justice
The bomb blast blew out a wall of the church. Blood and shattered stained glass covered splintered furniture and scorched Bibles. The smell of dynamite still hung in the air. Newly-minted Harvard lawyer John Andrew Martin had driven down 16th Street many times, but now, four African American children were dead. Martin called his bosses at the Justice Department. People around him cried in anguish. The carnage, Martin says, “was sickening.” This is the story of Dallas lawyer John Martin and his journey through the civil rights area
Partnership. Legal Pipeline. Progress. Diversity: A Marathon Worth Running
Norton Rose Fulbright’s Emmanuel Obi provides some examples to follow and sheds some insight on what we can do in regard to improving the diversity of the legal profession.
Carrington Coleman Pro Bono Efforts Garner Award, Top $3.5 Million in Advice
Lawyers from Carrington weren’t looking for an award when they assumed the pro bono representation of a death row inmate. "I didn't even know that award existed," Lyndon Bittle said.
Norton Rose Fulbright Prevails in 12-Year Death Penalty Case
The firm was able to remove an intellectually challenged man off of death row in exchange for life in prison, thus ending 12 years of litigation.
Texas Lawyers Open Doors for Asylum Seekers
Scores of Texas law firms are helping asylum applicants who can't afford legal counsel to assist in their case.
Attorney Fees Awarded in Landmark Voting Rights Act Case
The historic case determined last year the City of Farmers Branch's election system was unfair to Hispanics and other minorities.
Brittany Byrd: A Passion for Pro Bono
Winstead associate Brittany Byrd has been selected the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers’ Outstanding Young Lawyer for 2013. She’s “shocked” and also “grateful,” especially for the opportunity to bring awareness to certain pro bono projects. But along her path to achievement, Byrd has had to pause and ask, “Why, God?” Yes, she got an answer.
Thompson & Knight Organizes Support for PACE Legislation
TK's statewide pro bono effort aims to aid the ability of Texas property owners to improve their water conservation and energy efficiency.
Texas Lawyers: The Growing Source for Minority College Scholarships
During the past decade, more than 500 Texas high school students – a large majority of whom are Hispanic, African-American and Asian – have gone to college thanks to scholarships funded by individual lawyers, law firms and legal organizations in the state. Texas lawyers have quietly awarded more than $1.6 million in financial aid to low-income students or students of color. This article spotlights the lawyers and firms who give money and more.
DBA: Equal Access to Justice Fundraiser Nears Goal
American Airlines Assistant GC John S.F. Gross and Haynes and Boone partner Greta E. Cowart could be the poster children for all that is good with the legal profession. They are definitely the reason people should consider contributing to the Equal Access to Justice campaign.
DBA’s Equal Access to Justice Helps Fund Cases that Change Lives
The Dallas Bar Association’s Equal Access to Justice fundraising campaign is underway. EAJ funds the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, which represented 2,476 low-income Dallas individuals in legal disputes in 2011. The fundraising efforts are off to a great start, but there's still a long way to go to raise the $700,000 needed. “The severe recession has hit poor people especially hard,” says Michael Hurst, a partner at Gruber Hurst and the chair of the EAJ’s fundraiser for 2012. “More than 600,000 people in Dallas County qualify financially for DVAP’s help."