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.
Honoring James “Jim” McGraw
Texas-based Gray Reed has announced the creation of a $50,000 endowed scholarship at the University of Houston Law Center in memory of one of its founding partners, the late James “Jim” McGraw, a 1979 graduate of the school.
The Gray Reed 40th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship will support second- and third-year Houston Law Center students, with a focus on those pursuing careers in business or commercial law.
McGraw’s “encyclopedic legal knowledge” and mentorship earned him the nickname “the professor.” The former Houston Law Review executive editor later returned to the school as an adjunct professor. He was also known to keep a pocket-sized copy of the U.S. Constitution with him.
“The education of future legal professionals was always important to Jim,” said Kyle Sanders, Gray Reed managing partner. “We feel that supporting a place that meant so much to him throughout his life is a fitting way to carry on his legacy of cultivating the lawyers of tomorrow.”
The scholarship will provide “critical relief” to law students at a time of rising tuition costs and limited federal loan constraints, according to the firm and university.
“We are deeply honored by Gray Reed’s generous gift in memory of their founding partner and our distinguished alumnus,” UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said. “This scholarship will not only preserve his legacy but also empower future generations of UH Law Center students to follow in his footsteps.”
The Houston native co-founded Gray Reed in 1985. McGraw died last year at age 74.
Dallas Law Firm Packs Meals for Haiti
Last month, the 33rd floor of the iconic Trammell Crow Center in the Dallas Arts District was converted into a temporary food-packing facility in partnership with Greenberg Traurig’s Dallas office and Feed My Starving Children, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that ships meals to children in crisis zones around the world.
Over the course of three packing sessions on July 24, more than 330 volunteers — lawyers, staff, clients and family members — helped assemble over 100,000 MannaPack meals, according to organizers. The meals, a soy blend fortified with vitamins and minerals, are expected to provide daily nutrition for more than 270 children in Haiti for a year.
“At the end of the day, there’s nothing more impactful than that … and collectively working as a team to do that,” said Joe Coniglio, managing shareholder of the firm’s Dallas office, who was joined by his wife and son.
“To be able to do something with your wife and your kids and significant others was another added element where really everybody could come together,” Coniglio said.
The firm’s relationship with the nonprofit, which has a site in Richardson, began with Christina Carroll, a shareholder in the firm’s litigation group who has long volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, Coniglio said. Marketing and Business Development Specialist Liz Vazquez was also instrumental in organizing the event, he added.
Volunteers from more than 10 partners and clients participated in the event, including a multinational investment bank and financial holding company, an independent investment management firm, an internationally recognized hospitality property, and several others, according to the firm.
Deborah G. Hankinson Award Winners Revealed
The Texas Access to Justice Commission recently announced the winners of its annual Deborah G. Hankinson Award, which recognizes local bars and young lawyers organizations for their support of access to justice. This year’s winners are:
- Division I (a membership of 500 or fewer): Jefferson County Bar Association
- Division II (membership of 501-1,999): Houston Lawyers Association
- Division III (membership of 2,000 or more): Austin Bar Association
- Young Lawyer Association: Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Spanish-Speaking Lawyers Sought
Houston Volunteer Lawyers put out a call this week for two Spanish-speaking attorneys to help them with their Naturalization Clinic this Saturday. Volunteers will help qualified lawful permanent residents complete applications for naturalization. Training will be provided ahead of the clinic. Non-Spanish-speaking lawyers may help if joined by a Spanish-speaking assistant. The event begins at 8 a.m. at the Wesley Community Center. Lawyers are asked to contact Jessica Zarate at jessica.zarate@hvlp.org or by phone at 713-275-0152.
Casino Night Benefits SALSA
The San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association is hosting a Casino Night on Aug. 30 to benefit the non-profit San Antonio Legal Services Association. Tickets are still available to purchase and sponsors are still being accepted at this link. The event begins at 7 p.m. at Herrera Law Firm, west of downtown.