The Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation celebrated its annual Amanecer luncheon, awarding scholarships, internships, and bar study grants to 14 Hispanic law students amid new fundraising challenges resulting from President Trump’s scrutiny of diversity initiatives. Foundation President Andrés Correa expressed deep gratitude to sponsors for their continued support despite donor hesitations. In related legal community news, the San Antonio Legal Services Association recently honored Haynes Boone lawyers for pro bono work supporting a child in a bankruptcy case; former U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton joined the Texas Council on Family Violence board; and the Houston Bar Association named award winners ahead of its annual dinner, marking leadership transitions and community service achievements.
Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation Announces 2025 Student Awards
Planning and fundraising for the Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation felt different this year, organization president Andrés Correa told attendees of the annual Amanecer luncheon Thursday to award scholarships, internships and bar study grants to law students.
Organizers ran into new challenges, “a lot of fear,” and questions from donors as President Donald Trump has targeted law firms for their diversity initiatives, Correa said.
“For you to be sitting here today, for those of you who are sponsors … the ‘thank you’ I’ve had for you is deeper than it’s ever been,” Correa said.
The Foundation awarded $56,000 to 14 law students across the state during the luncheon titled Amanecer, the Spanish word meaning “sunrise.” The event raised more than $70,000, Correa said.
For the first time in the program’s history, awards were presented to four judges who have long accepted interns from the Foundation. The judges were: Irma Carrillo Ramirez of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and state district judges Dale Tillery, Hector Garza and Martin Hoffman.
Dallas boutique law firm Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann, where Correa is a partner, was the presenting sponsor. Gold sponsors included Vistra Corporation, Baker McKenzie, Vinson & Elkins, Paul Hastings, T-Mobile and a firm that wished not to be named.
Texas A&M School of Law and firms Lyons & Simmons, Bell Nunnally, Weil, Foley & Lardner, Haynes Boone and Barnes & Thornburg were silver sponsors.
Bronze sponsors were Akerman, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, K&L Gates, Garcia Firm, Alston & Bird, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, Akin, Spencer Fane and the Dallas Bar Association.
Other sponsors were Jillian Keith, ADR, Chris Luna, Judge Martin Hoffman, Judge Dale Tillery and Judge Tonya Parker. Southwest Airlines provided flight tickets for a raffle.
The scholarship and bar study grant recipients were:
Adrian Barajas, Texas A&M School of Law
Julia Incerpi Diaz, Baylor Law School
Jose Ruiz Texas, Texas A&M School of Law
Jessica Cuevas, SMU Dedman School of Law
Daisy Hernandez, University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law
Katherine Gonzalez, UNT Dallas College of Law
Eunice Callejas Solano, Texas A&M School of Law
Claudia Torres, UNT Dallas College of Law
Noe Mendoza, UNT Dallas College of Law
Michael Hillebrand, SMU Dedman School of Law
Jennifer Montiel, UNT Dallas College of Law
Leslie Filorio, Texas A&M School of Law
Izabella Gutierrez-Salinas, SMU Dedman School of Law
Doris Benavides, UNT Dallas College of Law
The internship selectees were:
Gustavo De La Fuente, a student at UNT Dallas College of Law who will intern for Judge Ramirez,
Cristy Lopez Aguilar, a Baylor Law School student who will be assigned to Judge Hoffman,
Daisy Hernandez, a UNT Dallas College of Law student who will also work for Judge Hoffman,
Louis Francisco Morales-Shnaider, a student at Texas Southern University-Thurgood Marshall School of Law who will intern for Judge Garza,
And Vashati Silvas, a UNT Dallas College of Law student who will be assigned to Judge Tillery.
Haynes Boone Team Honored for Pro Bono Work Championing Child in Father’s Bankruptcy Case
The San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) recently bestowed its annual Lee Cusenbary Impact Award on a team of Haynes Boone lawyers for their pro bono work on behalf of a child in his imprisoned father’s bankruptcy case.
The legal team dedicated nearly 1,100 hours toward the case and reached an agreement with the bankruptcy trustee to secure financial support for the child, according to a Haynes Boone news release.
Partners Charles Beckham Jr. and Kelli Stephenson Norfleet and associates Re’Necia Sherald and David Trausch led the team with involvement from partner Charles Jones II, Senior Counsel Frank Ruttenberg, Counsel Steven Malm and Associates Victor K. Salazar and Lauren Sisson.
“This case reminded us that pro bono work can change lives in lasting ways,” Beckham said. “We were honored to stand up for a child’s future and proud to see the team’s dedication recognized by SALSA.”
Ex-U.S. Attorney to Serve on Texas Council on Family Violence Board
Leigha Simonton, until recently the top federal prosecutor for the Northern District of Texas, has taken a new role as a board member of the Texas Council on Family Violence.
As U.S. Attorney, Simonton oversaw the prosecution of U.S. v. Rahimi, a landmark case for its impact on the interpretation of the Second Amendment and gun control laws pertaining to domestic violence offenders.
The U.S. Supreme Court last year ruled 8-1 that the government can take guns from people who are subject to domestic violence restraining orders. Second Amendment rights have limits, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said in writing for the majority.
Simonton draws on nearly two decades of experience in the U.S. Department of Justice. After resigning in January, Simonton joined the Dallas office of Dykema as a member (partner).
Simonton said she has seen “firsthand how strategic collaboration across systems and disciplines can help improve safety and access to justice for survivors.”
Gloria Aguilera Terry, CEO of TCFV, said Simonton’s experience navigating federal policy and collaborating with community organizations will be a crucial asset.
“The Texas Council on Family Violence is honored that Leigha Simonton has chosen to lend her expertise and insight to our mission. She brings not only a deep understanding of the legal and systemic challenges surrounding domestic violence, but also a genuine commitment to improving the lives of survivors,” Terry said.
Houston Bar Association Hands Out Awards at Annual Dinner
The Houston Bar Association has announced the winners of its President’s Award. The recipients will be honored during the organization’s sold out annual dinner and awards ceremony on May 15 at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District. The honorees are:
- Campaign to End Homelessness and Hunger Committee and Houston Volunteer Lawyers. Co-Chairs: Deanna Willson and Darren Skyles. HVL Executive Director: Jessica Howton Stool.
- County Law Library Committee. Co-Chairs: Hon. Frances Bourliot and Hon. Julie Countiss. County Law Library Director: Andre Davison
- Historical Committee. Co-Chairs: Ryan Cunningham and Charles L. Sharman
- Houston Lawyer Referral Service. President: Hon. Cheryl Elliott Thornton. HLRS Executive Director: Karen Ramsey
- Litigation Section. Chair: Sammy Ford IV
The HBA will also present an Exemplary Service to the Legal Profession and the Community award to O’Melveny & Myers Partner Travis Sales. The organization’s Justice Eugene A. Cook Professionalism Award will go to Kevin Dubose, partner at Alexander Dubose & Jefferson, and the Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award will be awarded to the Honorable Kem Thompson Frost.
The dinner marks the end of HBA President David Harrell’s tenure and the start of incoming president Daniella Landers’ term. Landers will be the first Black woman to serve as HBA president.