In this week’s edition of P.S., in honor of Veterans Day, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and legal programs statewide joined forces this week to help veterans address their civil legal needs. It’s not too late to volunteer. Legal clinics and other volunteer opportunities are scheduled for today and throughout the remainder of the month.
In Houston, more than 1,000 lawyers, judges and members of the greater Houston community gathered Monday for the 77th annual Harvest Party benefiting Houston Volunteer Lawyers. Since becoming a fundraiser in 1999, the Harvest Party has raised more than $14.5 million to support HVL’s pro bono work.
And in Dallas, this year’s Equal Access to Justice Campaign benefiting the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program is encouraging a friendly competition among firms to increase participation by individual attorneys – not just their law firms. Plus, DVAP recently held its Pro Bono Awards event. We’ve got the honorees.
Texas Legal Aid Organizations Rally to Serve Veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and legal programs across the state joined forces this week to help veterans address their civil legal needs.
It’s not too late to volunteer. Legal clinics and other volunteer opportunities are scheduled for today and throughout the remainder of the month. A list of upcoming events can be found here.
This year, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation awarded grants to 12 nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal services to veterans. Last year, legal aid organizations served more than 7,000 Texas veterans.
Houston Harvest Party Draws More Than 1,000 to Support Pro Bono Legal Services
More than 1,000 lawyers, judges and members of the greater Houston community gathered Monday for the 77th annual Harvest Party benefiting Houston Volunteer Lawyers
Co-sponsored by the Houston Bar Association and Houston Bar Foundation, the Harvest Party directs 100 percent of its net proceeds to HVL, which provides free civil legal services to low-income Houston residents.
“Pro bono service is one of the clearest expressions of our profession’s commitment to justice,” said HBA President and Harvest Party co-chair Greg Ulmer, who is also a partner at BakerHostetler. “When someone is facing a life-changing legal problem, a lawyer can provide more than legal advice. We can provide stability, dignity, and hope. The Harvest Party reflects the very best of Houston’s legal community: lawyers coming together to use their skills and resources in service to others.”
Proceeds from this year’s Harvest Party were still being tallied by press time. Since becoming a fundraiser in 1999, the Harvest Party has raised more than $14.5 million to support HVL’s pro bono work.
The event’s top sponsors included:
Diamond Sponsors
Benny Agosto Jr. & Nikki Agosto
Baker Botts
Bracewell
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Norton Rose Fulbright
Troutman Pepper Locke
Vinson & Elkins
Williams Hart & Boundas
Ruby Sponsor
Akin
Emerald Sponsor
AZA
Equal Access to Justice Campaign Sparks Friendly Competition Among Dallas Law Firms
This year’s Equal Access to Justice Campaign benefiting the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program is encouraging a friendly competition among firms to increase participation by individual attorneys — not just their law firms.
Led by co-chairs Krista Hanvey, partner at Gibson Dunn, and Dan Fuller, chief legal officer at Brinker International, and joined by honorary chair Chasity Henry, executive vice president and general counsel at Jacobs, the campaign aims to fundraise $1.25 million by Feb. 6, 2027, to cover DVAP’s operating budget.
The firm competition – called the Equal Access to Justice 100% Giving Campaign – aims for 100 percent participation by the attorneys at each Dallas firm.
“Whether they give $20 or $100 or $1,000, if everyone participated, we’d reach that goal really, really fast, because there are a lot of lawyers in Dallas,” Hanvey said.
Since kicking off the competition in the first week of November, the following firms have emerged as the top contributors in terms of dollars raised:
- King & Spalding $40,500
- Sheppard Mullin $25,500
- Aldous Law $25,000
- Katten $25,000
- Akin $20,000
- Gibson Dunn $15,500
- Haynes Boone $15,500
- Husch Blackwell $15,000
- Simon Greenstone $15,000
DVAP, the pro bono arm of the Dallas Bar Association and a joint venture between the DBA and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, recruits, trains and supports volunteer lawyers to provide pro bono civil legal help to low-income people in Dallas County.
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program Honors Pro Bono Leaders
And DVAP recently held its Pro Bono Awards event. See the awards and recipients below.
Lawyer of the Year
Mary Grace Teske
Winston Taylor
Law Firm of the Year
Haynes Boone
Pro Bono Appreciation Award
Jonathan Childers
Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann
Pro Bono Coordinator of the Year
Steven Schulman
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Chris Reed-Brown Pro Bono Award
Chante Brantley
SMU Dedman School of Law
Lois Bacon Special Services Award
Jack Manning
Manning & Ewers
Outstanding Clinic Sponsor
St. Mary’s University School of Law
Outstanding Corporate Clinic Sponsor
Prudential
Outstanding Support Volunteer
Alex Gutermuth
Law Student, The University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Outstanding Clinic Coordinator
Crystal Doyle
DLA Piper
Outstanding Sole Practitioner
Robert Nicoud
Outstanding Virtual Clinic Attorney
Laura Smith
O’Melveny & Myers
Outstanding Veterans Clinic Attorney
James Sargent
Outstanding Clinic Attorney – South Dallas
Charles Katz
Samsung
Outstanding Clinic Attorney – West Dallas
Anne Shutee
Outstanding Bankruptcy Clinic Attorney
Victor Hunt
Gold Award for Pro Bono Service
Fish & Richardson
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Sidley Austin
Silver Award for Pro Bono Service
DLA Piper O’Melveny & Myers
Kirkland & Ellis
Bronze Award for Pro Bono Service
Cozen O’Connor
Winston Taylor
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld