Happy Pro Bono Month! In October, many legal organizations and the federal government celebrate National Pro Bono Week. The Federal Government Pro Bono Week is Oct. 18-25, while the American Bar Association’s National Celebration of Pro Bono spans Oct. 19-25. But the nonprofit Houston Volunteer Lawyers is taking it a step further and celebrating the entire month. During this month, HVL will spotlight volunteers and share opportunities to participate. HVL has a dedicated webpage to Pro Bono Month that includes cases needing volunteers, CLE opportunities and more, which can be viewed here.
Of note, HVL is hosting a New Associate Bootcamp this fall that puts pro bono cases in the hands of participating lawyers. In its third year, the bootcamp trains new associates with participating firms and ends with them committing to a pro bono case. As of this week, HVL has 10 participating law firms: Troutman Pepper Locke, Vinson & Elkins, Bracewell, Haynes Boone, Norton Rose Fulbright, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Latham & Watkins, Simpson Thacher, King & Spalding and Morgan Lewis.
“The idea is to instill the pro bono culture from day one,” HVL Executive Director Jessica Howton Stool said.
In Dallas, the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program is hosting its Pro Bono Awards Celebration on Oct. 24 at the Arts District Mansion. RSVP or find information for becoming a sponsor at this link.
The Austin Bar Association and Austin Bar Foundation will host a family-friendly Pro Bono Fall Festival benefitting Volunteer Legal Services on Oct. 25. Registration is available here.
We are also about halfway through Hispanic Heritage Month. With the commemorative month underway from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association added to the celebration Saturday, hosting its 20th Anniversary Noche de Luz Gala at the Joule Hotel.
The keynote address was delivered by 89-year-old Sylvia Mendez, daughter of Gonzalo Mendez, whose fight alongside four other Mexican American fathers in the 1940s led to the historic Mendez v. Westminster decision, which paved the way for Brown v. Board of Education to end segregation in public schools.
DHBA also presented its annual awards. Rudy Rodriguez, chief legal officer and corporate secretary of Dave & Buster’s, was presented with the La Luz Award, while Bell Nunnally & Martin was honored with the Law Firm Excellence Award. The Corporate Counsel Diversity Award went to Clarissa Benavides, managing counsel at Toyota. Kimberly Cruz, an associate attorney with Bell Nunnally & Martin, was recognized with the La Estrella award, and Juan Antonio Solis, an associate at O’Melveny & Myers, was named Volunteer of the Year. Finally, the President’s Award was presented to Dallas Civil District Courts Associate Judge Nicole Muñoz Huschka.
And coming up, Lambda Legal, the national civil rights organization advocating for LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV/AIDS, is set to host its Landmark Dinner in Dallas on Oct. 11.
The organization will honor Dallas County District Court Judge Tonya Parker (pictured right) with its prestigious Liberty Award. Judge Parker is described as Texas’ first self-identifying gay African American elected official and a civil rights trailblazer.
Now in its 52nd year, Lambda Legal does not always have an honoree at the Landmark Dinner.
The award recognizes a sustained body of work that advances civil rights for LGBTQ+ people, as well as individuals living with HIV or with disabilities, Regional Director Shelly Skeen said.
Judge Parker has long championed civil rights for LGBTQ communities and communities of color, Skeen said, working to promote fairness and integrity in the courtroom and to eliminate bias.
“She’s just a light and a beacon and her character is above reproach,” Skeen added.
Featured speakers include Commander Emily “Hawking” Shilling, a decorated Navy pilot with more than 19 years of service and a lead plaintiff in Lambda Legal’s challenge to President Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting transgender people from serving in the military. Texas State House Representative Jessica González, chair of the House LGBTQ Caucus, and Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson.
Information about purchasing tickets or becoming a corporate or law firm partner may be found at this link.