The legal community in Texas is facing some huge issues in 2024 that require significant thought, in-depth research, strong leadership and an open discussion. There is the immigrant crisis on the border and how state, local and federal governments and the courts are handling it — or not handling it. Diversity and inclusion efforts have never been more important, more complicated or more controversial. Legal aid for the poor is at a critical stage, as veterans, single mothers, tenants and the elderly face significant perils without the assistance of lawyers.
The need for a full-time reporter and writer covering pro bono, public service and diversity in the Texas legal profession has never been greater.
Natalie Posgate’s first 15 months as The Texas Lawbook’s pro bono, public service and diversity writer has been a wonderful success.
“Natalie and the Texas Lawbook Foundation are meeting a tremendous need in the Texas legal community. Never has there been more of a need to focus on pro bono, public service and DEI than right now — and Natalie is leading the way,” said SPCA of Texas CEO Chris Luna, co-chair of The Texas Lawbook Foundation Board.
But we need your urgent help to continue.
The Texas Lawbook Foundation received crucial funding last year from Kirkland & Ellis and its diversity and inclusion initiative. The Lawbook Foundation board is incredibly thankful for Kirkland’s financial support.
Other law firms were extremely generous in their donations, including Vinson & Elkins, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Sidley Austin.
General counsel from PepsiCo Foods, CenterPoint Energy, Pioneer Natural Resources, Flowserve, Nexstar Media Group and Forterra also made significant contributions. A full list of supporters can be found at TexasLawbookFoundation.org.
In addition, the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW and Houston chapters have been incredibly supportive of the foundation and Posgate through partnerships with The Texas Lawbook. There are more details on Posgate’s articles on ACC members and general counsel below.
To keep the great work going, we need your financial support. We ask you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to the foundation in supporting Posgate’s work.
Donations can be made online at texaslawbookfoundation.org/give-now
Here are some numbers from Posgate’s first 15 months on the beat (through Jan. 31):
115: The number of articles that Posgate has published in The Lawbook on the new beat.
32: The number of articles that Posgate published on DEI.
26: The number of articles that Posgate published on pro bono.
57: The number of P.S. columns that Posgate published.
167: The number of law firms quoted or cited by Posgate in articles.
489: The number of lawyers Posgate has quoted or cited in her stories.
6: The number of profiles that Posgate has authored for the 2022 and 2023 DFW and Houston Corporate Counsel Awards for Achievement in Pro Bono and Public Service and Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion. The finalists that Posgate has profiled include GM Innovation Counsel Juli Greenberg, Pioneer Natural Resources Executive Vice President Mark Berg and Senior Counsel Barry Thomas, Baker Hughes global litigation counsel Amy Blumrosen, Hewlett Packard Enterprise then-GC Rishi Varma and Associate GC Jude Andre, Nexstar Media Group GC Rachel Morgan and Toyota Managing Counsel Kelly Chen.
The Texas Lawbook Foundation launched in October 2022 with the sole purpose of hiring a full-time reporter/writer to cover pro bono, public service and diversity in the legal profession. The foundation received IRS approval for nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in January 2022.
The creation of the foundation was part of The Texas Lawbook’s 10th anniversary plans. The Lawbook is an online newspaper that covers the business lawyers and business law in Texas. The publication has more than 15,000 paid subscribers, including more than 2,800 corporate in-house counsel.
Lawbook founder Mark Curriden created a foundation board of directors that included then-T-Mobile Vice President/Legal Affairs Chris Luna, Toyota Managing Counsel Derek Lipscombe, Pattern Energy Senior Counsel Lauren Haller, Mattress Firm Deputy General Counsel Daria Russell and recently retired Vinson & Elkins senior partner Harry Reasoner, who served for more than a decade as chair of the Texas Access to Justice Commission.
“Natalie is providing a voice to those who need assistance and showcasing the outstanding work that law firms and attorneys in Texas are doing to give back to the communities they work in,” said Toyota Managing Counsel
Derek Lipscombe, member of the Texas Lawbook Foundation board.
Curriden and the foundation board hired Posgate, who had served as a founding Lawbook staffer for a decade — including several years as lead litigation writer — to be the full-time pro bono, public service and diversity writer. Posgate has a true heart for helping those in need. Plus, she is an excellent reporter and writer. Every Friday, she publishes her P.S. (public service) column, which highlights charitable work by lawyers and their legal departments and law firms.
In addition, Posgate writes in-depth features that spotlight notable pro bono and diversity efforts led by members of the Texas legal community and articles on current events impacting the world of pro bono work and DEI in Texas.
Because Posgate’s compensation is paid fully by the Foundation, all of her articles are outside The Texas Lawbook paywall and free for anyone to read.
Publisher’s note: A PDF version of the annual report can be found below.
Just a quick review of the articles Posgate has authored during the past 15 months are a testament to her dedication to the work that needs to be done:
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or comments. And please consider making a donation to the Texas Lawbook Foundation.