The Dallas Bar Association’s Equal Access to Justice Campaign is about one-third of the way to its $1.4 million goal. Texas Appleseed raised $544,000 at its annual Good Apple Dinner last week, including a $1,000 donation from The Texas Lawbook. A Dallas plaintiff’s law firm is the first in the legal industry to announce it is sponsoring a Thanksgiving food giveaway. And a Squire Patton Boggs senior partner in Dallas will be honored next week for a career of professionalism.
Two DBA EAJ Donations
The DBA reports that it has received about $425,000 of the $1.4 million it needs to raise as part of its Equal Access to Justice Campaign, which funds the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program or DVAP.
The John DeWitt Gregory Charitable Trust has made a $25,500 donation for the second year in a row.
A former Hofstra University law professor, Gregory was the former executive director of Legal Services of New York City.
Haynes Boone has also donated $25,500 to the 2024-25 fundraising effort. The DBA reports that the Dallas-based firm has given $239,000 to support DVAP since 1997.
Three other firms — Oncor Electric Delivery Company, Sheppard Mullin and the Sidley Austin Foundation — are also listed as contributing $25,000 to the EAJ Campaign. The DBA report also lists Akin Gump and Gibson Dunn as giving $15,500 and AT&T, Lynn Pinker and Vistra Corp. as donating $10,500. Capital One and Leon Carter has given $5,500.
The Texas Lawbook thanks all of those who support legal services for the poor.
Pat Long
The Dallas Bar Association and the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism are recognizing Squire Patton Boggs senior partner Pat Long with the 2024 Morris Harrell Professionalism Award at a luncheon program today.
The award is given in memory of the former Texas State Bar president and legendary lawyer Morris Harrel and specifically honors “the attorney who best exemplifies, by their conduct and character, truly professional traits who others seek to emulate and all in the bar admire.”
Long, a trial lawyer, is the founding partner of the firm’s Dallas office and has practiced law for 45 years.
“Having worked closely with Pat for many years, I have seen him in about every situation a trial lawyer can face,” says Jon Mureen, managing partner of the Squire Patton Boggs’ Dallas office. “Always, without exception, Pat handles himself with class. He plays it straight, cuts no corners, and treats opponents and colleagues with respect. Many do these things most of the time, but Pat does them all the time, even when it is hard. That is why this award is truly well deserved.”
Witherite’s Great Grocery Giveaway
The Dallas-based plaintiff’s firm, the Witherite Law Group, is sponsoring two food giveaways this month.
The Witherite firm is partnering with Urban One Radio Dallas (97.9 FM The Beat) to host the Great Grocery Giveaway on Nov. 18. The first 97 families who arrive will each receive a $100 gift card for food.
The firm is also teaming with “DeDe in the Morning” and “Cat Daddy” of Service Broadcasting (K-104 FM) to host the Turkey Giveaway. On Nov. 22, Witherite and Service Broadcasting will provide 2,000 families with free turkeys and a $50 gift card for food.