Each year, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas recognizes two individuals and a law firm that went above and beyond to help those in need through pro bono legal services.
The Susan P. Burton award is given annually to a volunteer attorney who has been licensed 5 years or less for exemplary pro bono service (taken the most cases). The award is named for Susan P. Burton, a private attorney and bar leader, who started helping low-income people through pro bono as a young attorney, and who has worked to create a legal community that supports lawyers in the provision of pro bono in Central Texas.
2023 Kara L. Shaughnessy
2022 Vanessa Simone
2021 Katharine Weaver
2020 Grace Matthews
2019 Dr. Heather Flanagan
2018 Tecuan Flores
2017 Liliana Leon Flores
2016 Mysha Lubke
2015 Hong Shi
2014 Kathleen Graham
2013 Brian McGivern
2012 Tyler Hickle
2011 Rick Nemer
The Joseph H. Hart Award honors firms that demonstrate the integrity and commitment to providing legal assistance for the less fortunate that Judge Joe Hart has demonstrated throughout his legal and judicial career.
2023 The Law Office of Jason Wright
2022 Goranson Bain Ausley, PLLC
2021 Fish & Richardson
2020 Thompson Salinas Londergan LLP
2019 Baker Botts
2018 Mauzy & Tucker, PLLC
2017 Richards Rodriquez & Skeith LLP
2016 Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP
2015 Vinson & Elkins LLP
2014 Duggins Wren Mann & Romero, LLP
2013 Baker Botts LLP
2012 Noelke English Maples St. Leger, LLP
2011 Jackson Walker LLP
2010 De Leon Washburn & Ward, P.C.
2009 Clark, Thomas & Winters, PC
2008 Perlmutter & Schuelke, PLLC
2007 Locke Lord LLP
2006 Davis & Wright, P.C.
2005 Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody
2004 Barron & Newburger, P.C.
2003 Hilgers & Watkins, P.C.
2002 GoransonBain Ausley, PLLC
2001 McGinnis Lochridge
2000 George & Donaldson LLP
1999 Clark, Thomas & Winters, PC
The J. Chrys Dougherty award is given annually to a volunteer attorney for exemplary dedication and commitment to the principle of access to justice for all people regardless of income. The award is named for J. Chrys Dougherty, a private attorney and bar leader, whose efforts helped to build a strong working partnership between the Bar and legal services providers.
2023 Tony Blazi
2022 Cindy Saiter & Amerin Whisnant
2021 Diana Ball
2020 Brandon Crisp
2019 Michael and Megan Baumer
2018 Kevin Holcomb
2017 Phil Friday
2016 Chris Jacobs
2015 Kris Algert
2014 Michael Whellan
2013 Marck Sims
2012 Marc Vockell
2011 Phil Friday
2010 Iris Gibson
2009 Hilton Moore
2008 Bob O’Boyle
2007 Lynn Sanders, Jim Arth, & Vicki Touchet
2006 Manny Newburger
2005 Malcom Smith
2004 Ben Vaughan
2003 David McKinney
2002 Geoff Courtney
2001 Leslie Hume
2000 Susan Burton
1999 Scott Ozmun
1998 Ginny Agnew
1997 Lloyd Lochridge
1996 Lora Ann Gerson
1995 Jan Soifer
1994 Robert Black
1993 Mark Perlmutter
1992 No Award Ceremony Held
1991 Joe Hart
1990 Bill Whitehurst