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46 Headnotes 1 (2021)

handle is hein.barjournals/hdba0046 and id is 1 raw text is: Dallas Bar Association HE111111S Volume 46 Number 1 Meet Aaron Tobin, 112th DBA President Go to pages 14-15 to meet your new DBA President. Read his premiere President's Column on page 4. Aaron Tobin Major EAJ Campaign Donors Make an Impact During Crisis BY MICHELLEADE As the pandemic rages on, the demand for pro bono legal services in Dallas County contin- ues unabated. The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP) stands ready to assist, with vir- tual clinics implemented last year to allow for safe social distancing. Back in April, Ramona applied with DVAP after she lost her job as a preschool teacher. Attorney Brian Morrow volunteered to take her case and explained, We were able to help Ramona by discharging over $60,000 worth of medical and personal debt that was incurred over the past two decades. She was laid off from her job due to COVID-19 and no longer had the means to resolve her debts. She was screening her phone calls and ignoring past due and collection notices. Since filing bankruptcy, Ramona feels relieved that she has an opportunity to begin her life again without the crushing debt. She gets a fresh start, which was the intent of the Chapter 7 filing pro- cess. Ramona can continue her search for gainful employment without worrying whether her wages would be garnished because of decades-old medical debt. As a result, Ramona is able to face her future with renewed optimism. DVAP relies not only on the pro bono attor- neys who represent clients, but also the major donors who provide the funding to keep the pro- gram thriving. Margaret and Jaime Spellings are proud to continue their steadfast support in the amount of $20,000 to this year's Campaign. In a year that has brought many challenges, DVAP's services are vital to ensuring that all members of the Dallas community have access to the legal sys- tem. We are pleased to support the pro bono ser- vices of the Dallas Bar that DVAP makes possible, said Margaret. The Witherite Law Group also stepped up to support DVAP at the $20,000 level. Amy With- erite stated, DVAP is such a critical resource for those who lack the financial means to obtain legal services. Wherever we can, we do our best to help these folks through our legal expertise. Sadly, there is a high need for the services DVAP provides, particularly in this pandemic year, whether it's a victim of an eviction case or unfair bill collection practice. Free legal services are critical to the com- munity to ensure everyone has a fighting chance in these situations. Corporate citizens AT&T and Kimberly- Clark Corporation have committed their support at the $15,500 level this year. Now more than ever, access to legal counsel cannot be a luxury enjoyed by some, but unattainable to others. AT&T is proud to support DVAP's fight to bring greater equality to the provision of legal services, stated David R. McAtee II, Senior Executive Vice Presi- dent and General Counsel of AT&T. Jeff Melucci, Chief Transformation, Business Development & Legal Officer of Kimberly-Clark, and Honorary Chair of this year's Campaign, agreed. The opposite of poverty isn't wealth, it is justice. This is where DVAP comes in, assisting those in need with access to the courts. The Haynes and Boone Foundation also pledged their support at the $15,500 level this year. DVAP exemplifies one of the core values of Haynes and Boone: that lawyers have a duty to serve their communities and help level the playing field for those who cannot afford legal services. The rule of law hinges on the ability of citizens to vindi- cate their legal rights, regardless of their economic circumstances. We are particularly proud to partner with DVAP this year, both financially and through the provision of many virtual hours of Haynes and Boone lawyers' time, to help DVAP make sure that same access to justice has been maintained through the ongoing pandemic, said Tim Powers, Manag- ing Partner of Haynes and Boone, LLP. The Spellings, Witherite Law Group, AT&T, the Haynes and Boone Foundation, and continued on page 10 Focus Government Law/Tort & Insurance Practice Judge Tonya Parker to Receive 2021 MLK Justice Award BY DAWN FOWLER An unexamined life is not worth liv- ing. It is not surprising that this quote from Socrates is a favorite of Judge Tonya Parker. Her own professional and personal mantra is Shrink from making no sac- rifice in service of God, family, and com- munity. Judge Parker consistently surpasses her mantra, and is constantly seeking new ways to examine life and justice. She firmly believes that people do not want to be labeled; they want to be known-truthfully, completely, and precisely. Although she abhors labels, she jokes that a friend reminds her that she really likes being called Judge. She explains that is different; Judge is an earned title. Judge Parker has served as Judge of the 116th Judicial District Court since 2010. She receives among the high- est ratings in DBA Judicial Evaluation Polls. She was named Trial Judge of the Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Dallas Chapter; and twice awarded the Distinguished Jurist Award from State Bar of Texas, African-Amer- ican Lawyers' Section. She has served as President of the Texas Association of District Judges. On January 18, 2021, Judge Parker will receive another well-earned title and recognition-Recipient of the 2021 Martin Luther King Justice Award from the Dallas Bar Association, an award recognizing area leaders whose service to the community embodies the example of Dr. King. Aaron Tobin, 2021 DBA President, stated: Without question, Dr. King was a once in a lifetime talent. Part of what made him so influential was his relent- less dedication to focusing his tremen- dous talent on helping others and bring- ing about social change. I hope everyone in the Dallas community understands that we are witnessing firsthand a simi- lar talent and pursuit. Judge Parker has the intellect, judgment, drive, and com- mitment to accomplish anything she sets out to do. Fortunately for us, she has unselfishly chosen to focus her tre- mendous talent and skill on serving our local community. Judge Parker is incred- ibly deserving of the DBA's MLK Justice Award. Judge Parker's service and recogni- tion started early, A 1998 graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, her peers selected her to receive the JFK Memo- rial Scholarship. Shonn Brown, a friend and classmate, shared that it was imme- diately evident that Judge Parker was JuageTonya Parker on a quest to be impactful in the legal profession, and she vividly remembers a speech about the Constitution where Judge Parker's focus on the text any means any, and all means all, empha- sized her commitment to protect every person who is seeking the benefit and protection of the law. Her North Star is excellence and justice, stated Mrs. Brown. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Parker was a trial attorney handling complex commercial and tort litigation for individuals and corporations. She was a partner at White & Wiggins; and Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail, a 4-time Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star. In 2005, she served as an Ameri- can Marshall Fellow, traveling through Europe to promote transatlantic rela- tions and learn about European social, political, and economic systems. With time for reflection, she experienced a sea change and began to wonder will people accept the whole me? From the mentorship of H. Ron White and Kevin B. Wiggins, she became a total lawyer by honing her legal skills and actively participating in bar and community service. She reached goals that she previously thought would be unattainable due to her sex and color. Judge Parker emphasized that this award is even more special because H. Ron White is a prior recipient. Her decision to leave the firm was very difficult, but she heard about the opportunity to push further through the glass ceiling. Judge Parker's time with Michael K. Hurst provided invaluable trial experiences, and further advanced her opportunities for service and education. And significantly, for the first time in her career, she found the courage to be unapologetically authentic and honor continued on page 24 Inside 8 Texas Supreme Court Puts the Eight-Corners Rule to the Test 1 4 Meet Aaron Tobin, 2021 DBA President Rule 202 Sneak Peak: Pre-suit Discovery DBA Golf Tournament 2021 DBA Membership Renewal Time! Renew online now or send in payment with your printed dues statement that recently arrived in the mail! Please note that your 2021 DBA DUES must be paid by December 31, 2020 in order to continue receiving ALL your member benefits. Thank you for your support of the Dallas Bar Association! January 2021 Wramma n. 19 21

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