In this edition of P.S., the Pro Bono & Grants Committee of the State Bar of Texas Corporate Counsel Section announced its annual grant recipients. The success of the Champions of Pro Bono sponsorship program pushed this year’s giving to $79,000 — above the initial goal, according to committee chair Michael Marin.
The University of Houston Law Center more than doubled last year’s fundraising haul at its 49th annual Law Gala and Auction, generating more than $1.6 million, while honoring distinguished alumni.
In Dallas, 33 Dykema lawyers and staff packed welcome baskets filled with household necessities for individuals and families who are exiting homelessness with the help of The Stewpot, a nonprofit that provides housing programs that pair subsidized housing assistance with case management and support services.
And former Hilgers Graben partner Cynthia Schmidt discusses her recent decision to leave the firm to lead the nonprofit Catholic Pro-Life Community.
Former Hilgers Graben Partner Cynthia Schmidt Takes Helm of Catholic Pro-Life Community
In college, Cynthia Schmidt thought she would follow in her parents’ footsteps and become a Catholic school teacher or perhaps work in pro-life or other ministry roles.
But professors at Notre Dame, where she studied political science and theology, encouraged her to develop professional skills that could support her service.
After practicing at the law firms of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and Hilgers Graben, where she was a partner, Schmidt is realizing her early ambition. In April, she became executive director of the nonprofit Catholic Pro-Life Community, a ministry of the Diocese of Dallas.
The move fulfills a “profound sense of calling to help the vulnerable and needy,” Schmidt told The Texas Lawbook.
“This has been a long time coming for me,” she said.
Schmidt said her legal training is a major asset in nonprofit leadership because both roles require identifying problems, communicating them clearly and developing effective solutions. She said the advocacy skills she developed as a lawyer also help her explain the organization’s mission persuasively to donors and the public.
Rather than seeing lawyers as people who only explain what cannot be done, Schmidt said her legal background allows her to help the organization move forward confidently while staying within the law.
“Lawyers get a bad rap for being, in organizations, the people who say, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do this.’ But I want to be the kind of director, who, as a lawyer, can say, ‘We can do this. We can do these things because we are going to understand the operative law and make sure that we’re abiding by the operative law,’” Schmidt said. “I actually feel that it’s a superpower to enable the people in our organization to do the things they need to do.”
Her legal career includes a federal clerkship for Judge Barbara Lynn of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She has also served as a fellow at First Liberty Institute.
At Hilgers Graben, she practiced complex commercial litigation and helped lead a practice group of more than 100 attorneys, overseeing budgeting, strategic planning, hiring and business development.
Catholic Pro-Life Community says it provides practical and compassionate support to women facing pregnancy or parenting challenges. Schmidt said the ministry serves hundreds of mothers each year through direct assistance such as childcare help, financial guidance, transportation support and other family resources.
“Our goal is to be the change that we want to see in the world and to offer alternative solutions and ideas and systems that make protection of human life possible in Dallas,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt’s journey to the nonprofit stretches back to her childhood in Montgomery, Alabama, where her family were devout Catholics in a predominantly Protestant community.
“That was a really beautiful thing for me to be a cradle Catholic and to grow up with my faith being constantly tested,” Schmidt said.
At Notre Dame, she met her husband, Grant Schmidt, managing partner at Hilgers Graben’s Dallas office. He was a year ahead of her and wanted to eventually return to his hometown of Dallas, she said. He later attended the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, while she enrolled at SMU Dedman School of Law. They married during her third year of law school.
The couple have five children: Justina, 10, Tabitha, 8, Monica, 7, Georgia, 5, and Gabriel, 2. Gabriel’s twin brother, Ignatius, was born with a medical condition that caused multiple organ failures, and he died within the first day of his life, Schmidt said.
“There are so many people who are attracted to the pro-life cause and that I’ve met even in my first month here who have lost a child. Even though those people did not lose a child to abortion, it opens up our hearts to the sacredness of human life and the sadness and grimness when a child is lost by any means,” Schmidt said.
Dykema Dallas Team Helps Families Exiting Homelessness Start Fresh
The Dallas office of Dykema recently partnered with The Stewpot to assemble welcome baskets filled with household essentials for individuals and families exiting homelessness.
“A new home should feel like a fresh start,” said Sean Buckley, hiring member of Dykema’s Dallas office. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help make that transition a little easier, a little warmer, and a little more welcoming.”
The Stewpot, a nonprofit affiliated with First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, provides housing programs that pair subsidized housing assistance with case management and support services.
The firm’s Dallas Office Administrator Tauncia Byrd, who previously worked with First Presbyterian Church as an HR consultant, pitched the firm on the service project, Buckley said.
“What made Tauncia’s suggestion so compelling was the practicality of it — we have all moved into a new home before, but not many of us have moved into a new home bringing little to nothing with us when we get the keys to the door,” Buckley said.
The welcome baskets included cleaning supplies, kitchen basics and other everyday necessities, Buckley said, noting that 33 Dykema lawyers and staff participated, providing supplies for families moving into 16 new homes.
The effort reflects Dykema’s broader commitment to supporting its local community and being a good downtown neighbor, Buckley said. As the firm celebrates its 100th anniversary, offices across the country are increasing their community involvement efforts, he said.
State Bar Corporate Counsel Section Awards $79K in Pro Bono Grants
The Pro Bono & Grants Committee of the State Bar of Texas Corporate Counsel Section has awarded $79,000 this year to 10 pro bono legal services providers — $20,000 above its original goal, thanks to the success of the Champions of Pro Bono sponsorship program, committee chair Michael Marin said.
This year’s awards bring the committee’s total giving since 1997 to more than $1.1 million, Marin said.
“We try to give to organizations that support all corners of the state,” Marin said. “We also try to think about a variety of pro bono needs.”
He credited the program’s continued growth to strong backing from sponsors and members who help secure organizational support.
“We’ve just been so fortunate to have generous sponsors that support our efforts and generous members who get organizations to give,” Marin said.
The recipients are:
- American Gateways — Austin $10,000
- Fort Bend Family Health Center — $10,000
- Home Point — $10,000
- Human Rights Initiative — Dallas $ 10,000
- Lone Star Legal Aid – Houston — $10,000
- The Beacon — $8,004
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid — $10,000
- Champions of Justice Gala — $7,500
- Texas Minority Counsel Program — $2,500
- Texas Access to Justice — $1,000
University of Houston Law Center Raises $1.6M, Honors Distinguished Alumni
The University of Houston Law Center more than doubled last year’s fundraising haul at its 49th annual Law Gala and Auction, generating more than $1.6 million to support student scholarships, advocacy programs, faculty research and other initiatives.
Held May 2 under the theme “Bond, Barristers and Black Tie,” the event was chaired by Erin and Mo Aziz.
Last year’s event raised $779,000.
The following distinguished alumni were honored by the UH Law Alumni Association:
- Dean’s Award(s): Hon. Raul A. Gonzalez (J.D. ’66), Hon. Juan F. Vasquez (J.D. ’77), Hon. Vanessa D. Gilmore (J.D. ’81), Hon. Evelyn V. Keyes (J.D. ’87), Hon. James F. Kovach (J.D. ’91), Hon. Frances Bourliot (J.D. ’07)
- President’s Award: Jason E. Payne (J.D. ’02)
- Alumnus of the Year Award: W. Ronald Robins (J.D. ’69)
- Corporate Sector Achievement Award: Lance Lightfoot (J.D. ’99)
- Barrier Baker Award: Luke J. Gilman (J.D. ’10)
- Faculty Distinction Award: Paul M. Janicke
- Honorary Alumnus Award: Michael J. Lowenberg
- James M. Roach Law Fund Volunteer Award: Hon. Janet Buening Heppard (J.D. ’93)
- Law Gala & Auction Award: Brian D. Melton (J.D. ’99), Mary O’Black (J.D. ’08), Weston O’Black (J.D. ’08)
- Private Practice Achievement Award: Natalie Alfaro Gonzales (J.D. ’09)
- Pro Bono/Community Service & Leadership Award: Hon. Joe Villarreal (J.D. ’95)
- Public/Nonprofit Sector Achievement Award: Anne Uhrbrock Clutterbuck (J.D. ’87)
- Rising Star Award (eligible for alumni who graduated in 2015-2025): Julia Bennett-Jean (J.D. ’17)
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