Texas Law Graduates Win Precedent-Setting Civil Rights Case Before Receiving Bar Exam Results 

Just a few days before joining Kirkland & Ellis as litigation associates, and while awaiting the results of their bar exams, Gabrielle Olubanke Howells and Lizeth Badillo Garcia notched their first court win — a precedent-setting decision from a panel of judges at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The rare opportunity to argue a pro bono case before a federal appeals court before bar admission was the result of a collaboration spearheaded by Kirkland & Ellis Partner Zack Ewing, who was inspired by the graduates to emulate a program afforded to him while a student at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

September 10, 2025 Krista Torralva

P.S. — ‘Dean of the Texas Appellate Bar’ Honored, HBA Launches Days of Service and How to Boost Giving to LANWT  

In this week’s column, renowned appellate attorney Mike Hatchell of Haynes Boone is set to receive the Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award for his decadeslong contributions to appellate law in Texas. The Houston Bar Association also announced its new Days of Service initiative. And the Texas Indigent Defense Commission approved more than $1.7 million in grants to bolster mental health defense services and public defender capacity across rural counties. 

September 5, 2025 Krista Torralva

P.S. — Houston Lawyers Win National Awards, Dallas Initiatives Receive Major Support

In this week’s edition of P.S., we highlight the Houston Lawyers Association and its members who earned several national honors at the National Bar Association Convention. Meanwhile, the Dallas Bar Foundation awarded a $20,000 grant to the SMU Dedman School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic, bolstered by a $40,000 matching gift from the Stanton Foundation. Finally, an auction of memorabilia from retired U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn raised over $8,000 for the Dallas Women Lawyers Association Foundation, supporting grants for female legal professionals and women in need across North Texas. 

August 29, 2025 Krista Torralva

P.S. — Law Firms Feed Minds and Meals 

In this week’s column, Gray Reed honors the legacy of James “Jim” McGraw, a founding partner and a beloved University of Houston Law Center alumnus, through the firm’s creation of a $50,000 endowed scholarship. We also spotlight volunteers from Greenberg Traurig’s Dallas office who packed over 100,000 meals to help feed children in Haiti. Also, the Texas Access to Justice Commission has announced this year’s Deborah G. Hankinson Award winners, recognizing local bar and young lawyer organizations for their commitment to expanding access to justice. Finally, Spanish-speaking lawyers or assistants are sought for a Houston volunteer opportunity and tickets and sponsorships are still available for a Casino Night benefitting the San Antonio Legal Services Association.

August 22, 2025 Krista Torralva & Elle Grinnell

P.S. — Magna Stella Awards Spotlight State’s Leading In-House Counsel, Memorabilia from Judge Barbara Lynn Goes to Auction 

In this week’s P.S. Column, we celebrate the winners of the Texas General Counsel Forum’s Magna Stella Awards, honoring in-house legal leaders for their outstanding achievements ahead of the Nov. 20 ceremony in San Antonio. We also highlight the ongoing Dallas Women Lawyers Foundation’s auction of memorabilia from Judge Barbara Lynn’s career.

August 15, 2025 Krista Torralva & Elle Grinnell

Sidley Austin Helps Secure Landmark Pro Bono Victory After 15-Year Legal Battle

After a 15-year legal battle, Robert Velevis and Yvette Ostolaza led a Sidley Austin team to a landmark pro bono victory in a class action lawsuit against the state of Texas for unlawfully confining people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in nursing homes. A federal judge issued a sweeping 475-page opinion finding that Texas caused “irreparable injury” by failing to offer community-based living alternatives. Sidley Austin represented the plaintiffs alongside the Center for Public Representation and Disability Rights Texas.

August 12, 2025 Krista Torralva

P.S. — Texas Legal Advocates Earn State, National Awards; Attorney Group Dedicates Fundraising Year to Homelessness Prevention 

In this week’s P.S. Column, we highlight standout leaders and organizations who their peers are recognizing for making a difference. Texas Appleseed has named Travis Torrence, U.S. Head of Legal at Shell USA, as this year’s J. Chrys Dougherty Good Apple Award recipient. The nonprofit will also honor Alston & Bird with its Pro Bono Leadership Award at its Nov. 5 dinner in Austin. Meanwhile, Attorneys Serving the Community announced Shared Housing Center as its next beneficiary, supporting efforts to prevent homelessness in Dallas. On the national stage, the American Bar Association is honoring the State Bar of Texas Law Practice Management Committee with a Solo and Small Firm Project Award. And in Houston, the Hispanic Bar Association welcomed eight new board members.

August 8, 2025 Krista Torralva & Elle Grinnell

Dallas Women Lawyers Documentary Earns State and National Awards 

A Law Unto Themselves: How Women Lawyers of Dallas Transformed Law and Community — Together is a film produced by Chelsea Hilliard and Kandace Walter, presidents of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and the J.L. Turner Legal Association, respectively. The documentary chronicles the history of women attorneys in Dallas, highlighting how their pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for many of the city’s legal organizations and continue to shape the profession today. Since its premiere, the film has earned both state and national honors and is currently under consideration at film festivals across the U.S., Canada and Europe. 

August 4, 2025 Krista Torralva

P.S. — Legal Aid Expands Across Texas with Volunteers, Grants and New Talent

In this edition of P.S., Texas legal aid organizations ramp up efforts to support communities affected by recent disasters. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is calling on volunteer lawyers to assist flood survivors across Central Texas, while Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas launches its new mobile unit, the “Legal Aid Express,” to deliver on-the-ground disaster support to its region. SMU’s First Amendment Clinic received a $3 million endowment from the Stanton Foundation, with an additional $2 million challenge grant to expand its pro bono advocacy. Meanwhile, 17 University of Texas School of Law graduates received public interest fellowships, enabling them to serve underrepresented communities across the country. Finally, Sidley Austin’s Texas offices contributed to local hunger relief efforts as part of the firm’s “Summer of Service” campaign.

August 1, 2025 Krista Torralva & Elle Grinnell

Texas Lawbook Thanks Keurig Dr Pepper and Shell, Toyota and Vitol, and Many of You

A devoted single mom of three who worked two hourly wage jobs — one as a dishwasher and the other changing oil — because the state of Texas forced her to pay hundreds of dollars each month in child support to her deadbeat baby daddy, who was serving 20 years in prison for raping one of their children. She literally struggled to pay the rent and food for her family. Within hours of The Texas Lawbook writing about the case, lawyers at Reese Marketos stepped forward. Weeks later, a Dallas district judge signed an order reversing the Texas attorney general.

Three years ago, The Lawbook launched a full-time reporter position to write about pro bono, public service and diversity in the Texas legal profession. During the three years, The Lawbook has published more than 240 articles on Texas lawyers representing military veterans, abused children, asylum seekers, the elderly and those discriminated against because of their religious beliefs. Those 240 stories highlighted the pro bono work, public service initiatives and diversity efforts of more than 400 lawyers, 115 law firms and 60 corporate legal departments in Texas.

Now, we need your help.

July 25, 2025 Mark Curriden

P.S. — CLE on Assisting Flood Survivors, Lawyers Join TCU Advisory Board and Inspiring Future Attorneys

In this edition of P.S., our thoughts remain with the victims and survivors of the Hill Country floods. It’s clear that the legal community feels the same — attorneys across the region are stepping up with meaningful efforts to help. We highlight some of those initiatives here. You’ll also find news about a new group of advisory board members for Texas Christian University’s AddRan College of Liberal Arts, which now includes a handful of lawyers. Plus, Haynes Boone attorneys team up with Communities in Schools of Central Texas to inspire the next generation of legal professionals.

July 18, 2025 Krista Torralva

‘The Right Side of History’ — Texas Law Students Call on Firms to Defend Rule of Law 

In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting Susman Godfrey, 57 Texas law students signed a student-led amicus brief supporting the firm and warning of the order’s chilling effect on the legal profession. The Texas Lawbook reached out to the 57 — seven agreed to be interviewed. The students, including organizer Brennan Caruthers, say the amicus brief and their actions were born from a growing frustration among students who felt the legal profession had been largely silent in the face of mounting political pressure.

July 16, 2025 Elle Grinnell