To honor attorney leaders and philanthropic service.
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2021
Contact: Elliott Moses
Communication Projects Manager
(210) 227-8824
comm@sabar.org
San Antonio Bar Foundation’s Roaring ‘20s Gala Benefit
to honor attorney leaders and philanthropic service.
SAN ANTONIO — September 30, 2021 — The San Antonio Bar Association (SABA) is hosting a Roaring
‘20s themed Gala Benefit that includes dinner, dancing, and a program honoring some of San Antonio’s finest
community leaders. The October 2nd Gala will be held at the Mays Family Center at the Witte Museum.
Incoming SABA President, Lawrence Morales, II, will preside over the event that benefits the San Antonio
Bar Foundation (SABF), which supports civics education, legal scholarship and pro bono services. The event
will feature a special tribute to SABA President, Dawn Finlayson, whose death was a tremendous loss to the
legal community. Tickets to the Gala sold out completely for the first time in SABA history within a month of
release.
This Gala will be the second in-person event hosted by SABA since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in
March 2020, following their Annual Members Meeting in August 2021. SABA plans to take several precautions
to ensure the event is safe for its guests including mask requirements. More information about SABA, SABF, and
its programs can be found at www.sabar.org.
San Antonio Bar Association Award Recipients
JOE FRAZIER BROWN SR. AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (2020)
Thomas J. Smith of The Law Office of Thomas J. Smith
Thomas Smith is an arbitrator/mediator at The Law Office of Thomas J. Smith and has
worked on over 3,000 cases since 1992. Prior to being a mediator, Smith had a reputation
for being a guru to the commercial real estate law community. He played a major hand in
bringing the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Factory to San Antonio in 2002. Smith places
great importance on getting to know his clients, and ensuring that he builds a connection
to greater serve their case. He has been named Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine,
San Antonio’s Outstanding Mediator by the San Antonio Business Journal and one of San
Antonio’s Best Lawyers in Scene in SA Magazine.
The Joe Frazier Brown, Sr. Award of Excellence recognizes an attorney who exemplifies all that is good about the
legal profession. He or she demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, exceptional skills as a counselor and
advocate and such personal attributes as honor, integrity, service and intelligence.
JOE FRAZIER BROWN SR. AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (2021)
Jane H. Macon of Bracewell, LLP
Jane Macon is a partner at Bracewell, LLP and focuses her practice on business and
regulatory law, real estate, and public finance. Macon is known for being a trailblazer in
the legal community with many notable contributions since the beginning of her career
which spans five decades. She served as the first woman City Attorney for San Antonio in
1977 where she laid the legal groundwork that lead to the expansion of the Riverwalk.
Macon’s expertise has benefited local, state, and nationwide organizations. She was
appointed to the Selective Service Appeal Board by President Bill Clinton in 2000 and
appointed to the State of Texas Banking Board by Governor Ann Richards in 1993. Macon played a key part in
new economic developments opportunities for San Antonio. She has personally organized hundreds of events
and raised thousands of dollars in scholarship money. Macon was most recently honored by Texas Lawyer with
the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
The Joe Frazier Brown, Sr. Award of Excellence recognizes an attorney who exemplifies all that is good about the
legal profession. He or she demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, exceptional skills as a counselor and
advocate and such personal attributes as honor, integrity, service and intelligence.
San Antonio Bar Foundation Award Recipient
PEACEMAKER AWARD
Robert F. Eichelbaum of St. Mary’s University School of Law
Robert Eichelbaum has served as an adjunct professor, teaching Alternative Dispute
courses, at St. Mary’s University School of Law for over 25 years. Eichelbaum has taught
thousands of law students peaceful conflict resolutions skills in his time at the university.
His courses emphasize enhanced communication skills, empathetic listening, and creative
analysis. His commitment to his students continues outside of class where he advises
them on career choices and opportunities. Eichelbaum is known for his engaging
interpersonal skills, integrity, and sincere interest in respect for others. In 2012, he
received the Texas Super Lawyer award from Texas Monthly Magazine.
The Peacemaker Award recognizes an individual or entity who has promoted non-violent resolutions to community
conflicts.
CAROLYN THURMOND COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Brian C. Steward of The Law Office of Brian C. Steward, PLLC
Brian Steward is a civil trial attorney with The Law Office of Brian C. Steward, PLLC, with
a fierce commitment to community service. He has volunteered and served on the board
for numerous civic causes, including Planned Parenthood of South Texas, the San Antonio
Library Foundation, the Child Advocates of San Antonio, and the San Antonio Zoological
Society.
The Carolyn Thurmond Community Service Award recognizes a lawyer who has
demonstrated outstanding service to our community.
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association Award Recipients
OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD
Ryan V. Cox of Texas Civil Rights Project
Ryan Cox is a senior attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project who is dedicated to serving
his community. Cox advocates for voter rights and works to ensure every eligible Texan
has the ability to vote. He is known for his creative thinking, which has lead to the creation
of many projects and programs that have benefitted his community, such as the
organization of legal relief clinics for Hurricane Harvey victims in 2017.
The Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recognizes one young lawyer who has demonstrated
professional proficiency, service to the profession and service to the community.
LIBERTY BELL AWARD
Ashley Benson of San Antonio Bar Association
Ashley Benson is the project manager for the San Antonio Bar Association where she has
planned and implemented many programs designed to help the legal community. During
the pandemic, Benson was responsible for coordinating communication between local
attorneys and judiciary to discuss virtual courtroom processes, in addition to transitioning
all of SABA’s events and trainings from in-person to virtual. Benson is dedicated to her
community and often spends her time outside of work volunteering for the San Antonio
Food Bank.
The Liberty Bell Award recognizes one outstanding non-lawyer in Texas who has made the most selfless
contribution to his/her community to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of Justice by instilling
better understanding and appreciation of the law.
OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARD
Robert “Bobby” Barrera of The Law Office of Bobby Barrera, P.C.
Bobby Barrera is a criminal defense lawyer at the The Law Office of Bobby Barrera, P.C.,
and is known for his inspiring commitment to his community. Many lawyers credit
Barrera for mentoring them and selflessly taking time out of his busy schedule to offer
them advice. He allows his mentees to accompany him to court to gain firsthand
experience, and helps them network by introducing them to the attorneys, judges, and
other members of the legal community. Barrera is incredibly generous and never turns
down a call from someone asking legal advice.
The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes one attorney who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to
mentoring young lawyers in his or her legal community.
———
PRESS CONTACT:
San Antonio Bar Foundation
Contact: Elliott Moses, Communication Department
(210) 227-8824
comm@sabar.org
———
The San Antonio Bar Association (SABA) was established in 1898 to serve their clients and the public with
the highest degree of dedication and professionalism in the continuing pursuit of equal justice for all under law.
SABA provides continuing legal educational and camaraderie for the legal community and legal outreach for the
public. The San Antonio Bar Foundation (Foundation) is the charitable arm of the San Antonio Bar
Association. For more information, please visit www.sabar.org.
You can also read
