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News Release
Texas Access to Justice Commission
Champions of Justice Gala Raises $338,000 for Legal Services for
Low-Income Texas Veterans AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Access to Justice Commission
with its co-sponsor, the State Bar of Texas, honored veterans throughout the
state at the Champions of Justice Gala on Tuesday, April 23, at the AT&T
Executive Education & Conference Center in Austin, Texas. More than $338,000
was raised to help provide civil legal services to low-income Texas
veterans. “Veterans bravely risk their lives serving our country.
Legal aid can help low-income veterans obtain health benefits they deserve
for injuries obtained during military service,” Texas Supreme Court Justice
Nathan L. Hecht, the Court’s liaison for access to justice issues, said.
“These courageous men and women should not be without legal assistance and
deserve access to justice.” “The Champions of Justice Gala honors the service of
the valiant men and women who have made great sacrifices for our country,”
Harry M. Reasoner, chair of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, said.
“We owe them gratitude and assistance in returning to civilian life. Many
face life-changing legal problems, including improper denial of disability
and health benefits. With the funds raised at the gala, we can continue the
fight to improve access to justice for Texas veterans.” Lt. Michael E. Thornton – Guest Speaker Lt. Michael E. Thornton, a retired U.S. Navy Seal and
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, is the only Medal of Honor recipient
in over a century to save the life of another Medal of Honor recipient. A
South Carolina native, Lt. Thornton enlisted in the United States Navy in
1967. The lieutenant was assigned to SEAL team ONE, completing several tours
of duty in Vietnam and Thailand. In 1982, Lt. Thornton received his
commission as a U.S. Navy Ensign, after which he served 10 years as an
officer in the diving and salvage operations. He retired in 1992 and was the
last Medal of Honor recipient serving on active duty in the Navy. Paul Melton – Guest Speaker Paul Melton has served as the president of the board of
directors for the Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation
since 2009. Through his involvement with the organization, and at the
request of state and national VFW officers, Melton assists VFW offices
throughout the United States, including departments in Arkansas, South
Carolina, Virginia, New York and Texas. Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans Host committee co-chairs for the gala included
prominent Texas attorneys who are donating their time for the effort: S.
Jack Balagia of Exxon Mobil Corporation in Irving, Joseph D. Jamail of
Jamail & Kolius in Houston, Harriet E. Miers of Locke Lord LLP in Dallas,
the Hon. Harriet O’Neill of the Law Office of Harriet O’Neill in Austin, D.
Wayne Watts of AT&T, Inc. in Dallas and William O. Whitehurst of Whitehurst,
Harkness, Brees & Cheng, P.C. in Austin. Major sponsors of the event included: AT&T, Exxon
Mobil, Jamail & Kolius, Locke Lord LLP, Provost Umphrey Law Firm, L.L.P.,
Vinson & Elkins LLP and Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Proceeds from the gala will be distributed by the Texas
Access to Justice Foundation and dedicated to the provision of civil legal
services for low-income Texas veterans. These services assist in addressing
legal issues related to marital problems, difficulties in getting medical or
disability benefits, wrongful foreclosures, and other situations that may
arise due to a veteran’s absence during military service. ATJ Awards Several awards were presented at the Champions of
Justice Gala to distinguished legal aid advocates for their contributions in
improving access to justice. Emily C. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award Stewart W. Gagnon began his legal career at Fulbright &
Jaworski in 1971 when he was just beginning law school. Gagnon became a
partner in 1989 and now heads the firm’s family law practice group. Over the
years, he has performed hundreds of hours of pro bono work through Houston
Volunteer Lawyers, a legal-help telephone line, a veteran’s clinic and more.
In 2012, he handled more than 50 pro bono cases. As chair of both the Texas
Access to Justice Commission’s self-represented litigants committee and the
Texas Supreme Court’s uniform forms task force, Gagnon has spent countless
hours working to increase access to the courts for those who are not
fortunate enough to receive legal aid or assistance from a pro bono lawyer. James B. Sales Boots on the Ground Award James C. “Jim” Harrington has spent nearly 40 years
working to provide legal services to the marginalized and disfranchised. As
director of the South Texas Project in the Rio Grande Valley, his work
involved asserting the rights of farm laborers and poor people in the
Valley. As the founder and executive director of the Texas Civil Rights
Project, he has litigated many civil rights cases, achieving significant
results. Harrington is also an adjunct professor at The University of Texas
School of Law. Texas Legal Aid Since its inception in 2001, the Texas Access to
Justice Commission has steadily championed to increase financial and pro
bono resources to improve access to civil justice for vulnerable Texans. Legal aid organizations help more than 100,000 Texas
families each year. However, this number is expected to decrease as a result
of recent federal Legal Services Corporation funding cuts. Today, there are more than 5.7 million Texans who
qualify for civil legal aid. Due to a lack of resources, only about 20
percent of the civil legal needs of low-income and poor Texans are being
met. To be eligible for civil legal aid, an individual must earn no more
than $14,363 a year. For a family of four, the annual household income
cannot exceed $29,438. -30- The Texas Access to Justice Commission was
created in 2001 by the Supreme Court of Texas to develop and implement
policy initiatives designed to expand access to and enhance the quality of
justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans. The Commission has
created several initiatives to increase resources and awareness of legal
aid. For more information, please visit
www.TexasATJ.org.
Contact: Kimberly Schmitt
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