ATJ Update

Celebrating Pro Bono

The Texas Access to Justice Commission joined the American Bar Association’s national Celebrate Pro Bono event by hosting a reception to honor lawyers who have been a member of the State Bar Pro Bono College for 20 years or more and law firms that showed significant support of the annual Access to Justice Campaign. 

The American Bar Association created Celebrate Pro Bono nearly a decade ago to honor lawyers’ pro bono efforts and educate the public and the legal community about how these lawyers are improving the lives of the less fortunate.  Since then, during the last week of October each year, organizations across the nation and around the world have committed to spread the pro bono movement.

During our October 24 reception, State Bar Board of Directors Chair Joe Escobedo recognized four State Bar Pro Bono College members.  Joseph Connors III from McAllen and Christina Melton Crain from Dallas were celebrated for their 20-year membership; Ned Dennis from Marshall and Bill Whitehurst from Austin were honored for their 25-year membership.  Pro Bono College members perform at least 75 hours of pro bono services each year in addition to their normal work hours, without compensation.

Dennis and Whitehurst have been members every year since the College’s inception.  Believing all lawyers have an opportunity to help, Dennis says he’s motivated to do pro bono because as a lawyer, he is in a position to help people and there are so many people who need help. Long before the Pro Bono College was in existence, Dennis was offering his services to those in need for free. For years he has organized a “Law Day” and rallied local attorneys to help the community with legal needs.

Most of Dennis’ pro bono clients walk in the front door of his law office or call him because someone in the community suggested reaching out to him.  He credits the success of his law practice to paying it forward, believing everything shouldn’t be about money. “You end up attracting business because you’re willing to help others who have nothing to offer in return.” Whether handling a divorce case or helping a disabled homeless person get his SSI reinstated, every case is meaningful, especially to the client.  For Dennis’ most recent pro bono client, it means his client will have a home to call his own.

Whitehurst holds a similar belief. “I’ve always considered doing [pro bono] part of being a lawyer,” he said. He started offering pro bono assistance right out of law school.  While president of TYLA, Whitehurst regularly visited legal aid offices around the state and encouraged fellow young lawyers to help low-income Texans.  As president-elect of the State Bar of Texas, he worked with other bar presidents and made an impassioned and successful plea to Congress to secure funding for the federally funded Legal Services Corporation program, the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans in the nation. 

During his year as president of the State Bar, Whitehurst ensured the State Bar allocated funding to provide support services to legal services organizations.  Firmly holding the belief that one should lead by example, Whitehurst has maintained his practice as a trial lawyer while also keeping a family law pro bono docket. “As lawyers, we have a unique opportunity to truly access the legal system. We are people with the power to go into the court and give a voice to those who otherwise wouldn’t have one.”

The Commission applauds the many years of dedicated services these College members extended to those seeking access to the court. The courthouse doors are made more accessible by volunteer attorneys who choose to offer their skills and expertise to our most vulnerable community members.  We salute all of you who work to make access a reality for people in your community.