In this edition of P.S., now former State Bar President Santos Vargas announced that his term’s fundraising campaign, Stand with Santos, raised more than $600,000 through pro bono commitments and direct contributions benefitting the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. During his last meeting as president, Vargas also recognized several leaders and organizations with presidential citations.
After launching a firmwide 6-1-1 Day of Service last year, Jackson Walker is continuing the tradition of volunteerism in the communities where the firm has offices. On June 11, more than 200 volunteers showed up to serve meals, distribute groceries and assemble care packages for nine charitable organizations.
And Dallas-based Lotus Legal Search and founding attorney Kate Cassidy recently donated $100,000 to It’s a Sensory World, a nonprofit providing sensory-based educational and recreational programs to children with special needs. The organization has played an important role in Cassidy’s family.
The Texas Lawbook invites law firms and corporate legal departments to share their financial contributions to public service and the community for feature consideration. Please email krista.torralva@texaslawbook.net.
Lotus Legal Search Donates $100,000 to Nonprofit for Children with Special Needs
Lotus Legal Search, a Dallas-based boutique legal search and placement firm founded by attorney Kate Cassidy, recently donated $100,000 to It’s a Sensory World, a nonprofit that provides sensory-based educational and recreational programs to children with special needs.
The nonprofit described the gift as providing “breathing room.”
“It allows us to lift our heads up for a moment and think beyond just what we need to sustain, and instead dream about what is possible,” it said on its website. “How we can grow. How we can serve more families. How we can continue building something that truly meets each individual where they are.”
Cassidy said the firm was able to make the donation using a portion of the fee it earned from helping Latham & Watkins launch its Dallas office.
She said she was honored to give back to It’s a Sensory World, which has played an important role in her family’s life. Cassidy’s son, Kevin, has been a student there for five years.
“My favorite thing about ISW is that they truly care about and enjoy each individual child, which is something that Kevin feels and responds to. He’s excited to go to school daily,” she said.
The donation reflects a pattern of giving for Cassidy and her firm. In 2022, Lotus Legal Search gave $100,000 to 29 Acres, a nonprofit that connects families with support services and independent housing for young adults with autism and neurodiversity, after Cassidy’s family toured the facility and said they were moved by its work serving an underserved population.
200+ Jackson Walker Volunteers Step Up for Charities During Firm’s 6-1-1 Day of Service
More than 200 Jackson Walker volunteers participated in the firm’s 6-1-1 Day of Service, supporting charitable organizations across all six of the cities where the firm has offices.
On June 11, volunteers served meals, distributed groceries and assembled care packages for Central Texas Food Bank, Caritas of Austin, Stewpot, Dallas LIFE, Alliance for Children, Kids’ Meals, Meals for the Elderly, San Antonio Food Bank and Christian Assistance Ministries.
“Giving back to the communities where we live and work is embedded in our culture and reflects the very best of Jackson Walker,” managing partner Wade Cooper said. “When we come together with a shared purpose, we demonstrate what it means to live our values through action.”
The 6-1-1 initiative – referring to the firm’s six Texas offices with one united mission on one day – launched last year as a firmwide effort to serve the communities where it has offices.
By the numbers:
Austin
- 49 total JW volunteers at the Central Texas Food Bank and for Caritas of Austin
- 11,850 meals packaged at the Central Texas Food Bank
- 200 “Beat the Heat” care packs assembled for Caritas of Austin
Dallas
- 62 total JW volunteers at the Stewpot and Dallas LIFE
- 250 individuals served breakfast at the Stewpot and 275 individuals through lunch and dinner at Dallas LIFE
- 145 individuals assisted with grocery shopping and 215 households supported at the Stewpot (484 individuals total)
Fort Worth
- 28 total JW volunteers at Alliance for Children
- Hundreds of donated items and inventory sorted and organized
- Cleaned, organized, and prepared supplies to support ongoing operations
Houston
- 37 total JW volunteers at Kids’ Meals
- 5,889 children impacted through Kids’ Meals
- Reached families in 16 zip codes
San Angelo
- 100 percent participation
- Partner Sam Allen delivered emergency meal kits to support Meals for the Elderly
San Antonio
- 30 total JW volunteers at San Antonio Food Bank and Christian Assistance Ministries
- 248 families served, reaching nearly 1,500 individuals
- 32,854 pounds of food (equating to over 26,000 meals) sorted and packed
- 100 sandwiches prepared and donated to support individuals experiencing homelessness
Stand with Santos Campaign Tops $600K; State Bar Honors Legal Leaders
Outgoing State Bar of Texas President Santos Vargas reported that his yearlong Stand with Santos campaign generated more than $600,000 through pro bono commitments and direct contributions benefitting the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.
Vargas, whose term ended this month, shared the final fundraising tally during the State Bar’s June 10 board of directors meeting in Houston.
Vargas also recognized several leaders and organizations with presidential citations, including Justice Debra Lehrmann, Justice Evan Young, Judge Jesse McClure, Harriet Miers, Betty Balli Torres, the Hispanic Lawyers Section, the Texas Bar Foundation and the San Antonio Estate Planners Council.
Noelle Hicks received the Outstanding Third Year Director Award. Staff Excellence Awards were presented to Craig Chapman and the Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s Information Analyst Team, consisting of Erica Locust, David Hensley and Cameron Harris.
Executive Director Trey Apffel announced the 10th cohort of the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator, which includes a record-breaking 34 lawyers committed to serving low- and modest-income Texans.