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45 Headnotes 1 (2020)

handle is hein.barjournals/hdba0045 and id is 1 raw text is: Dallas Bar Association Robert Tobey: DBA's 111th President Robert Tobey, who will assume the role of President of the Dallas Bar Association on Sat- urday, January 11, has big plans for 2020. 2020 marks historic anniversaries of Con- stitutional Amendments dealing with vot- ing rights, Tobey said. We have a series of programs planned which will highlight these important Amendments. Ratification of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave African American men the right to vote, took place on February 3, 1870. To mark the 150th anniver- sary of this historic occasion, Tobey said that the DBA will host Columbia University history scholar and Pulitzer Prize winner Eric Foner, who will speak about voting rights on February 27 at Belo. The DBA will celebrate Law Day in early May with its annual Law Day Luncheon, honor- ing the judiciary. This year's national Law Day theme, selected by the American Bar Associa- tion is Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy. The event will feature speakers celebrating this topic. On August 26, the DBA will celebrate the 100th anniversary of ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, with a luncheon and special guest speaker. All of these events promise to be rewarding and celebratory; more information will be available in early 2020. Also in 2020, the DBA, along with the League of Women Voters and March to the Polls, both non-partisan groups focused on vot- ing rights, will work to educate and encourage high school students to register to vote and exer- cise their rights to vote. The work will fill a gap in many course curricula that does not cover voting rights. In addition to these initiatives, Tobey described a second major undertaking for his term-a strategic planning effort for the DBA called Project 2020. In this regard, Tobey said that the DBA will conduct a survey, ask- ing all 11,000 members for their feedback regarding the organization. Tobey will also seek input from DBA sections, committees, and other bar organizations. Feedback will be used to determine the course of the five-year plan, which Tobey expects will take most of 2020 to finalize. We continually receive new ideas, Tobey noted, and he welcomes both input and par- ticipation. I encourage all lawyers to see where their interests and skills will allow them to take part in bar programs, Tobey said. There is a place for everyone, whether in pro bono, or a section for like-minded lawyers. Coming to the Belo just one or two times a month can help one become a better lawyer, meet new people, get referrals, and more. Tobey has served in many bar roles over the years and has steadily climbed the ranks of the organization. Of all the roles he has played, however, Tobey considers his service with the 2014-15 Equal Access to Justice Campaign that he co-led with Laura Benitez Geisler to be the one giving him the highest sense of accomplish- ment. The DBA had its first $1 million cam- paign that year, he said. Tobey graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977 with a Bachelor of Sci- ence in Economics degree as a finance major. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas, graduating in 1980. After practicing with three small firms over the next several years, he met Randy Johnston in 1987. The two were representing clients opposite one another regarding a judgment, which memorably, Tobey recalls, involved the opening of a safety deposit box. The box ended up being empty and of no use to me in collecting on the judgment, John- ston noted. While adverse to one another in that matter, each of them left a good impression on the other, so much so that they soon agreed to form a partnership. They've been practic- ing law together ever since. It seems like last week, Tobey said. Tobey maintains a litigation practice, with a unique focus in attorney malpractice. He was recently recognized by Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for plaintiff's legal malpractice, and he has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer for 17 years running. I've watched Robert work in DBA roles for the last two decades, Johnston said. The Dal- las Bar is lucky to have him. Chad Baruch, who has been active in bar service at the both the city and state level, has practiced law with Tobey for several years. Robert is incredibly reliable and depend- able, Baruch said. If he says he is going to do something, he'll do it. He puts great effort into tasks that he agrees to take on, and this is incredibly important for bar organizations. Baruch also praised Tobey's ability to develop relationships and his good instincts for getting people involved. We need young attorneys to be active in bar service, and Robert will encour- age that. continued on page 10 Richard G. Stewart, Jr. to Receive 2020 MLK Justice Award Honesty. Integrity. Service. Fair- ness. Justice. All of these are quali- ties that exemplify the Rev. Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr.. Equally so, these words describe Richard G. Stewart, Jr., who will receive the 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award at the Dallas Bar Association on January 20, 2020. The DBA MLK Justice Award recognizes area leaders whose service to the community embodies the example of Dr. King. Stewart has been a pioneer barrier breaker, and role model in his distin- guished legal career. He received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans, La and his LLM from George Washington University School of Law. Thereafter, he began his legal career as a member of the U.S. Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps. Stewart overcame much adversity in reaching his success, having grown up in Shreveport during the days of harsh segregation. Even though he always felt he was held to a higher standard than his counterparts, he continued to fight for what was right and to promote jus- tice. His integrity and persistence paid off, and in 1989, he became the first black officer in naval history to com- mand a Navy Legal Service Office, and to be promoted to the rank of Captain. As a member of the JAG Corps, Stewart worked tirelessly to promote justice and fairness among his ranks. It was well known that his top priority was to ensure that all were treated fairly. His reputation for honesty and integrity served him well-his word was golden and never questioned, even among the top Navy ranks. On many occasions, he successfully defended court martial pro- ceedings against Sailors and Marines falsely or unfairly accused by their peers, which were often racially motivated. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1994, Stewart joined the legal department of GTE Corporation, which later became Verizon Com- munications, from which he retired in 2013 from his position as Assistant General Counsel. Though retired, Stewart remains very active in the Dallas Bar Associa- tion, J.L. Turner Legal Association, and in the community as a whole. His ser- vice includes mentoring students at UNT Law School, where he serves as a member of the Board of Visitors. Ben Parsons, a young attorney that Stew- art has been mentoring for the past 11 years, both before, during, and after law school, said: Mr. Stewart has instilled in me a high level of professionalism, Ricnara . Stewart, Jr a strong work ethic, and a breadth of knowledge within all aspects of the legal profession. I cannot think of any- one else that is more deserving of this award. Royal Furgeson, founding dean of the UNT Law School, said: From a humble beginning in Shreveport, Richard Stewart has fashioned a life of service and dedication to our nation and to our profession that embodies the best of our ideals. His is an example to emulate in every way. I consider myself fortunate to be his friend. Dr. Donald Washington, M.D., a close friend of Stewart's, aptly described him as an example of quiet wisdom, style, and grace. In addition to his work at UNT law school, Stewart has served as Chair of the Dallas County Historical Com- mission, having been appointed to the post by Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia. His prior service also included 9 years on the board of the Dallas Bar Foundation, and Chair of the Foundation's Collins Clerkship Committee. Stewart remains a strong supporter of the Dallas Bar Founda- tion, of which he is a Life Patron Fel- low. He has also served as President of the prestigious Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court. I cannot think of a more deserv- ing recipient of the Martin Luther King award, said Robert Tobey, Dallas Bar Association President. Simply put, Richard walks the walk and does not just talk the talk. He leads by example and is a role model to all. Stewart has a long list of achieve- ments and awards, including his receipt of the NAACP Roy Wilkins continued on page 16 6 Introducing the Al Ellis Award for Community Involvement 1 1 ABA Resolution: Caution with Al Use in Legal Practice 1 3 The Benefits & Risks Associated with Relevant Technology 1 9 Cannabis Trademarks: Continued Hurdles to Registration

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