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FROM THE EDITOR
Building Foundations for Dreams The foundation of our Houston society, as with any other civilized society, is the rule of law. The more solid our foundation, the more stable our society. The quality of the structure of our society we choose to build on our foundation depends on us as lawyers. In a very real sense, we all have the duty to provide the mortar that holds our society together. This year, Houston Bar Association members met their duty by reaching some exemplary goals. As HBA President Travis Sales notes in his departing message, our members were highly productive. Among other accomplishments, our members specifically: (a) provided area veterans with much needed legal services; (b) improved public access to our courts by launching a Family Evening Court with extended court hours for the convenience of daytime workers; and (c) formally recognized the outstanding pro bono contributions made by HBA members. Travis also commends HBA members who unselfishly helped others with the serious challenges of Ike’s aftermath. Yes, we must be sure that our clients compensate us sufficiently so that our needs are reasonably satisfied – including the needs of our families and employees. However, securing adequate compensation is by no means our legitimate purpose. Our legitimate purpose in this society – being the path of service we are intended and expected to travel as lawyers – is to help others realize their goals and dreams. Yes, we help others for pay, but we also make another difference – one Habitat brick or other voluntary deed at a time – knowing that nothing happens unless someone first makes a commitment and then takes appropriate and effective action. Please consider words in this issue written by our own Tara Shockley. Tara’s item “Get Involved” describes the many opportunities available to all of us as HBA members. She lists a number of ways in which we can help others realize their goals and dreams. Tara’s description provides a virtual cookbook on how HBA programs work and how they may meet our own volunteer needs, and at the same time help us with personal and/or professional development, and/or client development, either directly or indirectly. My term as THL editor now ends, but I plan to stay involved with the HBA – as an octogenarian volunteer – doing what I can to help others achieve their goals and dreams. As a final note on volunteerism, I am grateful for this opportunity to thank all the volunteer members of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board with whom I was privileged to serve this past year. I give particular thanks to those fine lawyers who volunteered their leadership in publishing each of our individual THL issues: Robert Painter, John Gray, Don Rogers, Catherine Le, and Keri Brown and Judy Ney. Travis Sales confirms in his closing message that the HBA is a “second to none” organization. I am proud to have served together with all members of the staff and board of THL, a “second to none” publication. I leave it in the able hands of Ann Zeigler, who will serve as editor in chief during the 2009-2010 bar year.
The 2008-2009 Editorial Board of The Houston Lawyer: seated from left, Associate Editor Maxine Goodman, Editor in Chief Fred Simpson and Associate Editor Ann Zeigler. Standing from left: Angela Dixon, Michelle Cash, Heidi Gumienny, Don Rogers, Hannah Sibiski, Al Harrison, John Gray, Patrice Childress, Keri Brown, Pamela Hohensee and Catherine Le. Not pictured: Aaron Ball, Shawn Bates, Sharon Cammack, Associate Editor Mark Correro, Bradford Crockard, Nelson Ebaugh, Don D. Ford II, Jessica Freedson, Asmara Tekle Johnson, Farrah Martinez, Keith Morris, Judy Ney, Robert Painter, Crystal Parker, James W. Paulsen, Linhuyen T. Pham, Ruth Piller, Elizabeth Robertson, Mark Schuck, Stephan Selinidis, Associate Editor Tamara Stiner, William R. Stukenberg, Mark Trachtenberg and David V. Wilson II.
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