Texas Lawbook Foundation: The Leader in News Coverage on Pro Bono, Public Service and Diversity in the Legal Profession

Texas has a thriving legal market. Law firms are growing headcount and revenues and profits at unprecedented levels. The number of people going to law school is at an all-time high.

Even in the midst of extraordinary prosperity, the legal needs of the poor and disadvantaged are among the highest in the U.S.

Military veterans struggle with mental health and obtaining the benefits they have earned. Single moms and their children are being evicted from their homes without due process. Immigrants with legitimate claims for asylum are facing a complex, adversarial immigration system.

According to Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, the assistance of a lawyer — even for just a few hours — could make a monumental difference in the lives of these and thousands of other Texans.

In 2022, The Texas Lawbook celebrated its 10th anniversary by creating a non-profit sister organization called the Texas Lawbook Foundation.

The purpose of the Lawbook Foundation is simple: Raise funds to hire a full-time reporter to write about pro bono, public service and diversity in the Texas legal profession.

The reporter’s mission is to identify and write news articles that highlight the pro bono and diversity successes and failures of lawyers, law firms and corporate legal departments in Texas.

“As Americans, we have to stay steadfast in our commitment to justice, equality and fairness for all,” says Lauren Haller, president of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Houston Chapter and senior counsel at Pattern Energy.

“By employing a dedicated staff writer focused on diversity, pro bono and public service, we highlight this commitment within the legal community and we need these needs and topics in forefront of our minds,” said Haller, who serves on the Lawbook Foundation board of directors.

Derek Lipscombe, who is past president of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and managing counsel at Toyota, agrees.

“It is important for attorneys to be reminded of the opportunities to pay it forward and give back to their communities,” said Lipscombe, who also serves on the Foundation’s board. “Not with just money but with the actual work to help those in need who can’t afford their services.  

All of the articles authored by the Foundation reporter are outside the Texas Lawbook’s paywall for everyone to read.

To make this position successful, we need two things: (1) Story ideas and (2) funds.

Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions at mark.curriden@texaslawbook.net.