In this edition of P.S., we spotlight the Dallas Bar Association’s Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Award Luncheon. During the event, Shonn Evans Brown of Heidelberg Materials North American was honored with the MLK Jr. Justice Award for her leadership, commitment to justice and service to the legal profession and broader community. We also share news that SMU Law donors met a fundraising goal set by the Stanton Foundation, which provided a $2 million endowment gift. There’re also some important dates you don’t want to miss: Attorneys Serving the Community has opened applications for its 2026–2027 beneficiary partnership, and the annual Champions of Justice Gala announced the date of its 2026 event. Last but not least, William Toles, a litigation shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, has been selected to receive the James H. “Blackie” Holmes Award from the Dallas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Dallas Bar Association Honors Shonn Evans Brown with MLK Jr. Justice Award
The Dallas Bar Association hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Award Luncheon on Tuesday, bringing together legal professionals and community leaders for an afternoon of reflection, inspiration and celebration of service.
During the event, recently sworn-in DBA President Jonathan Childers presented the MLK Jr. Justice Award to Shonn Evans Brown of Heidelberg Materials North America. Brown, who also serves on the Dallas Women Lawyers Association advisory board, was recognized for her leadership, commitment to justice and service to the legal profession and broader community.
“Shonn is a force for good,” Childers said. “She exemplifies the qualities that were important to Dr. King and are crucial today.”
Newly sworn-in DWLA President Jasmine M. Tobias attended the luncheon, alongside members of the DWLA board and advisory board.
The program also featured a musical performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Kandace Walter, a DWLA director and past president of the J.L. Turner Legal Association.
SMU Law Donors Meet Stanton Foundation Challenge Benefitting First Amendment Clinic
More than 25 donors have stepped forward to secure the future of the First Amendment Clinic at SMU Dedman School of Law, successfully meeting a challenge issued by the Stanton Foundation and unlocking millions of dollars in additional support.
The donors contributed more than $1.05 million to complete the challenge, triggering a $2 million endowment gift from the Stanton Foundation. Combined with prior commitments, total support for the clinic now exceeds $6.05 million.
The funding will provide long-term sustainability for the clinic’s work defending free speech, free press, petition and assembly rights, while continuing to offer law students hands-on experience handling real-world constitutional cases.
Dean Jason P. Nance said the First Amendment Clinic is among the busiest in the law school’s clinical program and plays a vital role in addressing pressing legal issues facing communities today. The expanded endowment, he said, will allow clinic staff and students to focus more fully on resolving complex First Amendment disputes while upholding constitutional protections.
Led by director Tom Leatherbury, the First Amendment Clinic represents clients whose constitutional rights have been violated or who face government retaliation, as well as individuals and organizations defending against defamation claims. Since receiving its first operating grant from the Stanton Foundation in 2020, the clinic has trained more than 100 law students. Those students have argued cases in state and federal courts, drafted complex legal filings and testified before governmental bodies — all on a pro bono basis.
“It’s incredibly meaningful that the clinic will be able to train students to represent those whose First Amendment rights have been threatened or violated for many years to come, as Dr. Stanton wanted and intended,” Leatherbury said.
Attorneys Serving the Community Opens Applications for 2026–2027 Beneficiary Partnership
Attorneys Serving the Community has opened applications for its 2026–2027 beneficiary partnership, inviting nonprofit organizations in the Dallas–Fort Worth area that serve women, children and families to apply for funding.
The Dallas-based volunteer organization, composed of women lawyers, judges and law students, selects one nonprofit beneficiary each year through a competitive application process. Throughout the year, the organization raises funds on behalf of the selected partner to support its mission and programs.
For the 2025–2026 year, Attorneys Serving the Community selected Shared Housing Center as its beneficiary. The organization has provided housing support and services to women, children and families at risk of homelessness in Dallas for more than 40 years.
Under ASC’s funding model, all funds raised through events, membership dues and corporate sponsorships are directed entirely to the chosen beneficiary.
To be eligible for the 2026–2027 partnership, nonprofit organizations must be based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and focus on improving outcomes for women, children or families. Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Additional information and application materials are available on Attorneys Serving the Community’s website here.
Champions of Justice Gala Scheduled for April 30 in Austin
Organizers of the annual Champions of Justice Gala announced that the 2026 event will be held Thursday, April 30, in Austin.
The gala brings together attorneys, judges, business leaders and advocates from across the state to recognize excellence in public service and honor individuals and organizations advancing justice in Texas.
The announcement follows a strong showing at last year’s event, which exceeded fundraising goals and drew broad participation from the state’s legal and civic communities.
The 2026 gala will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. Additional details regarding the program, honorees and sponsorship opportunities are expected to be announced in the coming months.
William Toles Honored by Dallas Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates
William Toles, a litigation shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, has been selected to receive the James H. “Blackie” Holmes Award from the Dallas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
The award is the highest honor bestowed by the Dallas chapter and recognizes exceptional civility, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law.
Established in 2014, the award honors the late James H. Holmes, a prominent trial lawyer, past president of the Dallas ABOTA chapter and co-author of the Texas Lawyers’ Creed. The distinction is awarded sparingly and has been presented only once previously since its creation.