© 2015 The Texas Lawbook.
By Mark Curriden
HOUSTON (Sept. 28) – A Houston TV news show hosted a debate a decade ago on the merits of tort reform. Opposing tort reform was trial lawyer Joe Jamail.
A local physician advocated caps on monetary damages. The doctor blamed lawyers for skyrocketing medical costs and said the nation’s Founding Fathers would be outraged at our litigious society today.
“Let me tell you something,” Jamail interrupted. “While my lawyer forefathers were writing the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, your doctor forefathers were putting leeches on George Washington. Texas has a proud tradition of lawyers fighting to uphold the rule of law, fighting for freedom and liberty and fighting for the rights of people who have been wronged.
“I never heard any more shit about lawyers from him,” Jamail told me later.
Texas is certainly blessed with its fair share of great lawyers.
A key mission of The Texas Lawbook is to highlight the best business lawyers in our state. We, of course, do this on a regular basis by featuring lawyers advising M&A transactions, winning trials, obtaining reversals on appeal and performing pro bono.
But every once in a while, we plan to showcase the best of the legal profession through unique and substantive efforts and events.
Earlier this year, we asked The Texas Lawbook Editorial Advisory Board, which consists of 10 general counsel, 10 trial lawyers and 10 corporate transactional lawyers, to identify 50 Texas lawyers, judges, general counsel and legal educators who are 65 years or older, still practicing law or using their legal training in some capacity and who have made an extraordinary contribution to the legal profession.
“Texas has some of the best lawyers in the world,” says Exxon Mobil Upstream General Counsel William Buck, who assisted The Texas Lawbook in identifying the 50 Lions.
These 50 lawyers scored billion-dollar wins for individuals and businesses. They sued to remove dangerous products off store shelves or to force unfit doctors to end their medical practices. They defended companies from frivolous lawsuits and against unfair rules and regulations. And they advised corporations in mega-mergers and acquisitions.
Some are judges who authored controversial and landmark decisions that changed how we live. Others are legal educators who trained generations of lawyers and influenced the decision-makers with their scholarly work.
“There are so many great lawyers and they have done so much for the law and our communities,” says former American Airlines General Counsel Gary Kennedy, who serves on The Texas Lawbook’s Advisory Board.
During the next month, The Texas Lawbook will unveil the “Lions of the Texas Bar.” These 50 lawyers were chosen by our committee. There are the obvious names, but a handful of lesser known lawyers, too.
Each day, The Texas Lawbook will showcase different Lions by publishing profiles of each great lawyer. Some of the profiles are written by our staff writers, but others will be authored by special contributors.
In addition, The Texas Lawbook and The Dallas Morning News have developed a special website that will feature all 50 of the Texas Lions. After all the Lions profiles have been published, The Dallas Morning News is publishing a special article featuring the legendary Texas lawyers.
Finally, The Texas Lawbook, The Dallas Morning News and the General Counsel Forum will host two CLE programs – one in Dallas and one in Houston – honoring the Lions in November. Gary Kennedy and I will moderate the CLE programs. We will announce more details on those CLE programs in the next week.
A few initial observations about the 50 Lions:
- Many of them did poorly in college and law school;
- The list is dominated by men, especially white men;
- Several women lawyers nominated were either too young (not 65) or no longer practice law at all;
- The great majority of the Lions practice in Dallas or Houston;
- Trial lawyers comprise a majority of the list, but there are several M&A lawyers, judges, corporate general counsel and legal educators;
- And nearly all say they plan to continue to practice law for several more years until they are no longer able to contribute.
I would like to take a few minutes to thank the members of the Texas Lawbook Editorial Advisory Board and others who helped us with this project. While some members of the panel asked that their names not be published, the advisory committee included:
Classic Industries General Counsel John Clement;
Metro PCS Deputy GC Chris Luna;
– Dean Foods GC Marc Kesselman;
– Quantlab Financial GC Tim McInturf;
– North Texas Tollway Authority GC Dena DeNooyer Stroh;
– Blue Cross/Blue Shield GC Ron Taylor;
– Sidley Austin Partner Cliff Vrielink;
– Winston & Strawn Partner Paula Hinton;
– Baker Botts Partner Van Beckwith;
– Vinson & Elkins Partner Josiah Daniel;
– Beirne Maynard Partner Martin Beirne;
– Gruber Hurst Elrod Partner Michael Hurst;
– Beck Redden Partner David Beck;
– Retired Exxon Mobil GC Charles Matthews;
– Haynes and Boone Partner Anne Johnson:
– SMU Dedman Associate Law Dean Lynn Bozalis;
– Yetter Coleman Partner Paul Yetter;
– Androvett Legal Media CEO Mike Androvett;
– Gray Reed Partner Jim Moseley;
– Reese Gordon Marketos Partner Pete Marketos;
– Schiffer Odom Partner Kenneth Held;
– K&L Gates Partner Craig Budner;
– Mediator and Settlement Counsel Specialist Chris Nolland;
– Latham & Watkins Partner Robin Fredrickson;
– Barnes & Thornburg Partner Victor Vital;
– Sutherland Asbill Partner Kent Sullivan;
– Access to Justice Chairman and V&E Partner Harry Reasoner;
No member voted for anyone at his or her own law firms or businesses.
We hope you enjoy the Lions of the Texas Bar project.
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