P.S. — Texas Native Named Dean of Yale Law School
In this edition of P.S., we report that San Antonio native Cristina M. Rodríguez is set to make history as the first Latina to lead Yale Law School when she assumes the deanship on Feb. 1. Also, the San Antonio Legal Services Association has announced that Texas Supreme Court Justice Brett Busby will serve as the keynote speaker at its premier fundraising event in April. And retired U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn, a trailblazer and mentor to many, will be honored with the Charles O. Galvin Award for Extraordinary Service as part of SMU Dedman School of Law’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Legal Aid Feels ‘Death by a Thousand Cuts’ After Latest Funding Loss
A 3.6 percent funding cut approved by the U.S. Senate for the Legal Services Corporation — the federal nonprofit that funds legal aid organizations nationwide — will result in an estimated $1.9 million loss for Texas, marking yet another setback for legal aid providers after a year of repeated funding reductions, advocates said.
Daughter of Immigrants, 7-Eleven Corporate Counsel Nayelly Dominguez Builds Pathways, Not Just Programs
There were no lawyers in Nayelly Dominguez’s family to help chart a path for her.
Now a corporate lawyer at 7-Eleven, the daughter of Mexican immigrants has built what one nominator calls a “national profile as a champion” for greater representation of Hispanic and Latina lawyers across in-house departments, law firms, bar associations and government roles.
For her influence, the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook are recognizing Dominguez as one of two award recipients for Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion. A ceremony will be held Jan. 29 at the George W. Bush Institute.
For Jacobs Deputy GC Sarah Wariner, the Best Legal Advice Comes from Diverse Voices
As senior vice president and deputy general counsel of Jacobs, a Fortune 250 company, Sarah Wariner looks for only the best legal counsel.
It just so happens, she said, that the strongest teams are also the most diverse.
“The best counsel, in my opinion, is the counsel that can come up with creative perspectives and view things from all angles and deliver the best solution,” Wariner said. “And I think you get that by having diverse minds, and that means diverse backgrounds.”
P.S. — The Lawbook’s Plan for Pro Bono, Public Service and Diversity Coverage in 2026
Never before has the role of Texas lawyers been more important when it comes to meeting the legal needs of those in poverty, those who are disenfranchised or disadvantaged, those who are military veterans or single parents and children facing abusive environments. Never has the issue of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession been more important or more newsworthy.
For three years now, The Texas Lawbook has covered the work of Texas lawyers — from law firm partners and associates to in-house counsel — who stepped forward on their own time and at their own expense to help others.
Defying Political Backlash, Susman Godfrey Expands Diversity Scholarship Amid Legal Battle with Trump Administration
At a time when many corporate law leaders have gone silent on diversity efforts they publicly championed just six months ago, Susman Godfrey brushed political backlash fears aside and made a defiant statement Friday.
With Ivett Hughes at the Helm in Houston, ‘Baker Hughes is a Corporate Leader in Pro Bono Service’
In the first quarter of 2024, Baker Hughes launched a global legal and compliance diversity, inclusion and belonging counsel with the mission of infusing those values into the legal department through internal and external engagement.
In Houston, Ivett Hughes took on the task of leading and coordinating the firm’s pro bono efforts and external engagement.
P.S. — AT&T and Halliburton GCs: Legal Aid ‘Is a Texas Issue that Deserves Your Voice and Advocacy’
Lawyers, corporate general counsel and leaders of the Texas legal profession — 467 of them to be exact — received an email letter Thursday from AT&T General Counsel David McAtee and Halliburton Chief Legal Officer Van Beckwith announcing the annual Champions of Justice Gala that raises funds for Texas Access to Justice and military veterans.
Texas GC Forum Honors Corporate Legal Leaders of 2024
The Texas General Counsel Forum held its annual Magna Stella Awards dinner in San Antonio Thursday night recognizing nine chief legal officers and senior in-house counsel for their extraordinary achievements and leadership successes. The GC Forum provided The Texas Lawbook exclusive access to its annual meeting and the awards ceremony. More than 350 lawyers from corporate legal departments and law firms attended the event. The recipients included lawyers from Air Liquide, LyondellBasell, PlayPower, Schwab, Sumitomo, Texas Children’s Hospital and XRI Holdings.
P.S. — Oncor GC Matt Henry: ‘We Can Do This!’
The Dallas Bar Association’s annual Equal Access to Justice Campaign is hitting crunch time in its efforts to raise $1.25 million for legal aid for the poor and disadvantaged. More than 50 lawyers, law firms and corporate legal departments have already donated between $5,000 and $25,500. The State Bar of Texas has awarded its annual Minority Counsel honors. The personal injury law firm J.D. Silva & Associates is giving away 500 new winter coats.