1. How We Did It …. 2016-2019
By Joe K. Longley
Documents Joe K. Longley's service as president of the State Bar of Texas, 2017-2018, and his successful efforts to improve the State Bar, illustrated by campaign materials, election results, interviews, and president's columns. Details Longley's contributions to the Texas Legislature, including his involvement in drafting significant legislation relating to the Insurance, Finance, and Property Codes and as the principal drafter of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (DTPA), which is documented in the Joe K. Longley-Philip K. Maxwell Deceptive Trade Practices Act Collection: Legislative Archive 1973-2001 and the Mark L. Kincaid Papers, 1995-2015 at the Legislative Reference Library of Texas.
Joe K. Longley, 2019. 65 pages.

Online at: https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/SIRSI/B600.8_L862_2019.pdf
B600.8 L862 2019

TEXAS LEGAL LEGEND:

Induction October 31, 2018

At 9:45AM on June 13, 2019, the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas will induct Dicky Grigg as a Texas Legal Legend at the State Bar Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.

Grigg was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University for his undergraduate work, where he also played defensive tackle for the Red Raiders football team. Indeed, his original plan was to be a football coach, following in the footsteps of others in his family. But after choosing law school over business school, he was quickly lured by the challenge of trying cases. Anyone who knows Grigg knows that he is the penultimate storyteller, both in and out of the courtroom.

He attended the University of Texas School of Law, and Grigg hit the ground running, trying cases in the courtroom as he started his career in the Lubbock County District Attorney office. Early in his career, he moved to Austin, still focused on trying cases in the courtroom and now has spent over four decades in civil trial practice handling hundreds personal injury cases at the prestigious law firm of Spivey & Grigg in Austin, Texas. Most often, he’s representing “the little guy.”

His self-effacing humor belies the fact that he is the recipient of many prestigious awards over his storied career: State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, the Excellence in Litigation Award and the Luther Soules III Award for Outstanding Service to the Practice of Law; State Bar of Texas, Leon Jaworski Award for Law Teaching Excellence; Austin Bar Association, Distinguished Lawyer Award; American Board of Trial Advocates, TEX-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year and former President; Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers; Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and former President; Member of the Tonahill Society, recognition as one of The Best Lawyers in America, and recognition as a Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

But, in his career, as Grigg will tell you, the most meaningful work he has done has been in the public interest and pro bono sector, representing “the little guy” even when the “the little guy” is a Afghani detainee at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba who speaks only Pashto. In 2005, Grigg was attending a legal seminar and answered the call for help from the Center for Constitutional Rights to assist in the defense of the approximately 770 terrorism suspects housed at Guantanamo Bay. None of them had legal counsel nor had their cases been reviewed by an impartial court. Grigg volunteered to represent three Guantanamo detainees, filing habeas corpus petitions in their behalf in federal court in Washington D.C. His work involved several trips to the detention center and appearances at hearings and status conferences in D.C. Personally, he spent nearly $50,000, primarily on travel and interpreters—which is a small figure in comparison to the value of his time and expertise spent working on these cases. Two of his clients were released, and the third was represented by military attorneys before the Military Commission.

He has done further pro bono work, assisting U.S. military veterans with their disability appeals, part of a State Bar of Texas initiative to provide legal services to veterans. Also, he taught peer mediation training to students at Mendez Middle School in Austin, Texas, for which he received the State Bar President’s Award for Mediators Achieving Peace for his decade of work with those students. Additionally, he has been fundamental to the founding and development of the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, which helps lawyers find solutions for dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues.

Grigg is the embodiment of what this award signifies: a stellar and unique talent in the area of civil litigation, but also an individual who has given of his time, money, and self to contribute to the larger community.

Texas Legal Legends is a project of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. Its purpose is to memorialize the stories of many legendary lawyers who have practiced in Texas, and to use those stories to enhance the public’s understanding of the historical importance of law students and lawyers making a difference – not just a living. Legends like Dicky Grigg are prime examples of lawyers who have spent their professional careers serving others and taking on challenges that are much bigger than themselves.

The complete list of Legends inductees includes (in order of induction):

Videos highlighting the careers of these individuals are available on DVD and on the Litigation Section’s website: http://tinyurl.com/TexasLegalLegends.

Patricia Dodge will be serving as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

March 20, 2019

Contact:  Baillie Hearne    

(512) 480-8014

TEXAS BAR FOUNDATION GIVES GERRY GOLDSTEIN STATEWIDE RECOGNITION

Gerry Goldstein of San Antonio has been selected as one of five 2019 recipients of the Texas Bar Foundation’s Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award. The award recognizes attorneys whose practice has spanned 50 years or more and who adhere to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession and service to the public.  

Mr. Goldstein graduated from Tulane University in 1965 and the University of Texas School of Law in 1968, where he served as an Adjunct Professor of Law for 11 years (1982-1993).  For the past 23-years he has served on the faculty of St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. 

He is a Past President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1994-1995) and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (1992-1993), a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (1997-), the American College of Trial Lawyers (1991), and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers (1997-). 

Mr. Goldstein received the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award [Outstanding Criminal Defense Attorney in U.S.] from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 1991; was named the Outstanding Criminal Defense Lawyer in Texas by the State Bar of Texas in 1991, and was named a "Texas Legal Legend" by the State Bar of Texas Litigation Council in 2011.  He received the Justice Albert Tate, Jr. Award [for Outstanding Contribution to Criminal Advocacy] from the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 1993, and the John Henry Faulk Civil Libertarian of the Year Award from the American Civil Liberties Union in 1999.  In 2000 he was named one of 100 Texas Legal Legends over the past century by Texas Lawyer (celebrating Texas State Bar’s 100^th Anniversary).  

In 2002 he was inducted into the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers "Hall of Fame”, the San Antonio Bar Association’s “Hall of Fame” in 2013, and Best Lawyers in America [1987-].  He received the William S. Sessions American Inns of Court First Annual “Goldstein Award of Excellence” in 2015, the First Annual Michael J. Kennedy Social Justice Award from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws in 2016, and the San Antonio Bar Association’s Joe Frazier Brown, Jr., Award of Excellence for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Legal Community in 2016.

The Bar Foundation commissioned an oral history to recognize and preserve the accomplishments of Mr. Goldstein’s legal career.  Additionally, he will be publicly recognized at the Texas Bar Foundation Annual Dinner held on June 14, 2019 at the JW Marriott in Austin.

Founded in 1965 by attorneys determined to assist the public and improve the profession, the Texas Bar Foundation has become the largest charitably-funded bar foundation in the country. The Texas Bar Foundation relies on the contributions of its Fellows to improve the lives of Texans. To date, through the generosity of the Fellows, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $19 million in grants to numerous organizations across the state.

Election to the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas, representing the top one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys. Selection is based on an outstanding record in the legal profession as well as proven commitment to support the community at large. For more information about the Texas Bar Foundation, please visit www.txbf.org.

APRIL 10, 2019 – David J. Beck, Beck Redden LLP, has been named the recipient of The Center for American and International Law’s (CAIL) most significant honor, its Award for Achievement in the Pursuit of Justice for All. The Award is given to an individual or group whose life/lives and work embodies CAIL’s commitment to the rule of law. CAIL, through its lawyer and law enforcement programs, addresses the
needs of the justice system, and its prestigious Award may be presented to anyone who is part of that system.
 
In choosing the recipient, CAIL is guided by the nominee’s leadership, vision, courage and impact. The Award is intended for those whose work has most effectively promoted justice.
 
David Beck is a Past President of the State Bar of Texas, a Past President of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a Diplomate of ABOTA. Among his many honors and awards, he received the American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Fifth Circuit in 2011, and in 2016, he received the Luke H. Soules III Award for Excellence in Litigation by the State Bar Litigation Section.
 
Mr. Beck will be accepting his Award on April 17, 2019, at CAIL’s 2019 Higginbotham Lecture Series event, which is named after Judge Patrick Higginbotham of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This year’s Higginbotham Lecture will be given by Admiral William H. McRaven, U. S. Navy (Retired), on the subject of “The Rule of Law in a Troubled World”.
 
About Beck Redden LLP

Beck Redden LLP is one of the most renowned trial and appellate firms in Texas, if not the nation. Founded on tradition and integrity, and its unwavering commitment to high quality service, Beck Redden is well positioned to continue its track record of success by providing exceptional client representation and outstanding results.
 
Beck Redden is a litigation firm that handles a wide range of disputes including commercial, oil and gas, product liability, antitrust, securities, environmental, insurance coverage, legal and accounting malpractice, white collar crimes, patent, and other intellectual property cases.
 
 
Contact: Addison L. Braun Director of Business Development & Marketing 713.951.6214 abraun@beckredden.com

New civil legal clinic to open at The University of Tulsa College of Law

The University of Tulsa College of Law is thrilled to announce that the Board of Trustees of the Sarkeys Foundation has approved a grant that will enable the creation of the Terry West Civil Legal Clinic. When it opens later this year, the clinic will join TU Law’s Clinical Education Program housed at the university’s Boesche Legal Clinic.

The Terry West Civil Legal Clinic will be a vital part of the wide-ranging experiential learning TU Law offers. Students who participate in the Terry West Civil Legal Clinic will take on the professional role of counselors, advocates and problem-solvers for clients who face diverse civil legal problems. These might involve, for example, housing, consumer, education, healthcare and issues affecting veterans.

Professional development and community support “We are extraordinarily grateful for and honored by the generous gift of the Sarkeys Foundation,” says Elizabeth McCormick, the College of Law’s associate dean for experiential learning and associate clinical professor of law. “The foundation’s commitment to partner with TU Law will give our students a powerful opportunity to develop as professionals while also responding to unmet legal needs in our community.”

The executive director of the Sarkeys Foundation, Kim Henry, says that the idea for this civil law clinic came directly from its namesake – Terry West – who received his juris doctor from the TU College of Law in 1966. “Terry developed the idea and had several lengthy discussions with Lyn Entzeroth, the dean of TU’s College of Law. Terry wanted to develop a clinic that would get law students involved with a local underserved or at-risk community, while at the same time providing free legal services to that community. Getting the next generation of attorneys to understand the issues and complications of those living in poverty and giving law students a passion to be community advocates were central to Terry’s vision. Since Terry was the inspiration behind this program, we thought it was only natural to name it after him.” Dean Entzeroth points out that the TU College of Law “stands committed to providing outstanding clinical education programs to our students.” In particular, she says, “we support programs that provide legal services to members of the Tulsa community whose legal needs might otherwise go unmet. I am deeply thankful to Terry West, an immensely accomplished graduate of our college, and the Sarkeys Foundation for embracing this vision and helping to transform it into reality.”