With fewer than five days until Christmas Day and the start of Hanukkah, corporate law firms in Texas continue to demonstrate their giving spirit for those in need.
During the past month, The Texas Lawbook’s P.S. column has highlighted nearly 20 law firms for their contributions to helping feed, clothe and house thousands of Texans who are struggling. Today, we turn the spotlight on three law firms — Sidley Austin, Katten and White & Case — for the support they are providing to those less fortunate.
Lawyers and firms have one final week to provide the details of their holiday giving initiatives.
Sidley
The Dallas office of Sidley Austin is working with the Genesis Women’s Shelter this holiday to provide 120 gift cards to women and children who have experienced domestic violence in order to give them some joy and comfort, and to raise awareness regarding the cause, prevalence and impact of domestic abuse.
The mission of Genesis is to provide safety, shelter and support for women and children. Last year, the Genesis shelter helped 3,700 women.
The lawyers and staff at Sidley ask that you consider supporting this extraordinary organization.
Katten
Dallas attorneys and support staff at Katten teamed up with the Elf Society this year to help provide toys to 1,500 children in the South Dallas area. In addition, Katten collected donations for the Dallas Bar Association’s food drive and Santa Brings a Suit drive.
But the firm’s partnership with the Elf Society is its signature effort each year, as Katten has been the single-largest contributor to the event since the office opened in 2018. In addition to receiving gifts, the children and their families also have an opportunity to take photos with Santa.
A few years ago, however, Santa was a no-show for the event. Dallas partner J. David Washburn worked fast to convince a prospective client who had gray hair and a beard — “the spitting image of Santa” — to dress up as Old Saint Nick and come to South Dallas for the charity event.
“He was born for that job,” Washburn said. “Not just because he looks like Santa, but because he has a kind and giving heart. The kids love him.”
White & Case
On Giving Tuesday, White & Case’s Houston office volunteered at Ronald McDonald House on Holcombe Blvd. to serve dinner to 135 families. The children enjoyed a face painter and a caricature artist, and each child was gifted a soft blanket and a gingerbread pillow toy.
The lawyers and staff for White & Case in Houston also collected toys for the Blue Santa Program, a non-profit that is operated and primarily funded by Houston police officers to bring joy through toy donations to children. The program supports approximately 10,000 children in the Houston area. The firm also made donations of $2,500 to each of these organizations.
Please email me at mark.curriden@texaslawbook.net to share how you and your firm are being good corporate citizens.