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Participating in Our Communities
Being a strong community partner and a good corporate
citizen are responsibilities we take seriously. At Linebarger Goggan
we make it a priority to support the social, cultural and educational
institutions in our communities, including those organizations
that are important to our clients.
The firm and its employees are involved in numerous
civic and charitable organizations, some national in scope, while
others focus on local community needs and services.
AUSTIN
ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM
Adopt-A-Classroom recently named Mike Vallandingham,
Partner & National Marketing Director for the law firm of Linebarger
Goggan Blair & Sampson, to its Board of Trustees. Adopt-A-Classroom’s
mission is to ensure that all children have equal access to a quality
education. They accomplish their mission by facilitating the delivery
of community funds directly to teachers so they can purchase critical
supplementary resources that maximize learning opportunities for
their students. Mr. Vallandingham said he was “proud to be
a part of such a worthy organization.”
There are more than three million public school
teachers that spend about $800 of their own money, on average,
to meet basic classroom needs. This equates to approximately $1.7
billion in out-of-pocket expenses that teachers incur on an annual
basis. It goes without saying that most of these teachers can barely
afford to cover their own living expenses much less assist with
equipping their classrooms with basic teaching supplies.
The organization sends 100% of all donations
directly to the adopted classrooms. All contributions are tax deductible.
Corporate contributions and strategic partnerships, with companies
such as Staples, the office supply giant, help offset the programs
costs of administering the program.
To date, Adopt-A-Classroom has attracted the
support of a host of celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Britney
Spears, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Courtney Cox-Arquette, Drew Barrymore,
Faith Hill, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jewl, Kelly Ripa, Renee Zellweger,
Tara Reid and Thora Birch. Other notables lending their support
include Donald Trump, the Florida Marlins, the Red Sox and Yoko
Ono. President Bush recently noted the program’s involvement
in the community.
You can go to their website and make a contribution
of $500, no more and no less, to the classroom of your choice.
Of course, you can adopt as many classrooms as you would like.
Mike Vallandingham adds that “unlike most other charities,
donors actually receive an accounting from the teacher letting
them know exactly where the $500 went, and they get to form a personal
relationship with their adopted classroom through personal letters,
appearances and opportunities to volunteer.” Finally, Mike
stated that “we have to make sure our nation’s teachers
and classrooms have the necessary tools to succeed with educating
our children.”
For additional information regarding the Adopt-A-Classroom
program go to www.adoptaclassroom.com or
call 305/674-4470.
DALLAS
2005 Outstanding Woman of the
Year
The City of Richardson Altrusa International Organization named
Dallas Client Liaison Mary Sue Daniel Outstanding Woman of the
Year for 2005. Altrusa is a national service organization that
promotes community service and leadership development for its members.
It is the City of Richardson's key service organization and is
heavily supported by the City.
The award recognizes working women based on their contribution
within their chosen field and commends them for making a difference
for the future of women and leadership. Recipients of the Outstanding
Woman of the Year award are selected based on nominations. Mary
Sue was nominated for the award in September by Dallas Regional
Manager Nancy Primeaux after the City of Richardson Finance Director
contacted Nancy and asked her to nominate Mary Sue for the award.
Partner Ed Lopez also assisted with submitting the nomination.
The Altrusa Organization gives the Outstanding Woman of the Year
award in five categories: Corporate/High Tech, Healthcare, Small
Business, Non-Profit, and Education/Government (in which Mary Sue
was nominated). There were four other nominees in that category
including a Richardson police officer.
"What makes this award so very special is that the City of
Richardson felt so strongly about Mary Sue and the compassionate
and professional manner in which she performs her job," Nancy
said. "It particularly touched their hearts how Mary Sue went
above and beyond in helping a family in need while conducting a
residential site visit to collect taxes."
The story about Mary Sue's effort during that site visit was included
in the nomination and is a testimony of how she approaches her
job in not only collecting taxes for clients, but also educating
the public about their rights and responsibilities as property
owners. While visiting the home in Richardson, Texas to collect
taxes, Mary Sue encountered a disturbing and unusual situation.
Upon entering the home she found an elderly woman (wheelchair-bound)
as the sole caregiver of a toddler. The woman also cared for her
daughter's other three school-age children. The home was cluttered,
unsanitary conditions were evident, and the plumbing of the home
was not working.
Mary Sue informed the City of the situation and the woman was
transferred to a friend's home. The children placed in foster care
while the daughter was instructed to make repairs to the home,
take parenting classes, and participate in a work program.
Mary Sue handled this situation with an
empathetic attitude while displaying professionalism as she does
with every delinquent tax collection case in which she is involved. "Mary Sue's dedication
and commitment to excel has aided in record level collections for
both the law firm and clients," Nancy said. "Our clients
appreciate her results, as well as the manner in which she approaches
her work."
Mary Sue is active in her community and currently
serves as a care leader for women in need of healing from various
types of abuse, addictions, and life choice decisions. She is also
active in her son's school and shares her volunteer spirit as she
guides children performing community service. The compassionate
and gracious heart with which Mary Sue lives her life inspires
those in her community as well as co-workers.
HOUSTON
The American Bar Association’s Children’s
Rights Litigation Committee
According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention, courts in the United States with juvenile
jurisdiction handled more than 1.6 million delinquency cases in
2002 (these cases were related to delinquency offenses committed
by juveniles that would be crimes if committed by adults). Add
to that number the cases related to child protection and school
suspension/expulsion and it becomes apparent how much children
need quality legal services. However, financial resources for these
services are dwindling in communities around the nation and many
states have moved from the rehabilitative model of juvenile justice
to a more punitive approach.
In Texas, the busiest juvenile courts are in
Harris County. In 2003, the American Bar Association (ABA) Section
of Litigation developed the Report on the Legal Needs of Harris
County Children. Partner Carmen Perez (who serves on the ABA’s
Children’s Rights Litigation Committee) and former firm Partner
Edward Hernandez gathered research and data for the report and
conducted interviews with a variety of court and school-related
personnel. The report was officially released to the public by
the ABA Children’s Rights Litigation Committee
Since the report was released, Carmen (El Paso)
and Partner Leah Stolar (Houston) have been working with a committee
that approaches various bar associations and legal organizations
to gain their interests in addressing the needs and recommendations
outlined in the report and help develop a plan of action when appropriate.
The committee is seeking to do outreach in Harris County in hopes
of assisting the County with developing a training program for
attorneys representing children placed in the custody of the state.
The committee would also like to help the Dispute Resolution Center
develop a mediation program in conjunction with HISD that will
help resolve minor offenses committed at Houston schools. As these
programs are set in motion, they will supplement the existing legal
services for Harris County children.
To learn more about the Report on the Legal
Needs of Harris County Children and other efforts of the
ABA Children’s Rights Litigation Committee, please visit
the organization’s Web site at:
http://www.abanet.org/litigation/committee/childrens_l/home.html.
PHILADELPHIA
Commercial Real Estate Women-Philadelphia Chapter
(CREW)
Partner and Managing Attorney Sharon Humble served
as the 2005 Chair of the Community Action Committee for the Commercial
Real Estate Women (CREW) Philadelphia organization. The organization
raised $166,000 for children and families in need in Philadelphia
during its annual holiday fundraiser in November. The funds will
benefit Endow-A-Home, the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center in
South Philadelphia, and the CREW Foundation. For the past four
years, CREW Philadelphia raised enough money to purchase a home
for single, homeless mothers through Endow-A-Home. (2005)
Philadelphia Youth Network
Our Philadelphia office was honored recently
by the Philadelphia Youth Network with a Certificate of Appreciation
in recognition of the firm’s service to the City of Philadelphia.
We partnered with ASPIRA, Inc.
of Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to empowering the Puerto
Rican and Latino communities through advocacy, education, and leadership
development of its youth. Our office provided summer jobs for two
Philadelphia high school students: Ayla Cruz and Angina Deleon.
We are proud to have been a part of this program, particularly
since employment experiences are critical to a young person’s
education and are positively correlated to their future success.
SAN ANTONIO
FIESTA
A San Antonio Partner and Management Committee member, Clif Douglass, was crowned “King Antonio” at
the 2005 Fiesta® San
Antonio, one of the nation’s oldest community celebrations.
Begun in 1891 to honor heroes of the battles of the Alamo and San
Jacinto, the annual festival benefits San Antonio charities. During
his brief but royal rule, Clif made presentations to the Bexar
County Commissioners Court, the San Antonio City Council, thousands
of school children and other civic groups. During the 10 days of
Fiesta he endured a grueling schedule of 18 to 20 hour days that
took him to more than 125 events. When the week was complete he
had awarded over $100,000 from the Texas Cavaliers’ Charitable
Foundation to a variety of charities impacting the children in
San Antonio.
PINNACLE AWARD
Carri Baker Wells, Director of Operations for
the firm’s San Antonio office, is the recipient of the 2005 Pinnacle
Award – Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented
by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce at a May 26th luncheon
at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk Hotel. The annual Pinnacle Awards
are given in recognition of outstanding achievements made in business
and industry. The honors are reserved for those who demonstrate
leadership, vision, innovation and dedication to the San Antonio
community. This prestigious honor comes at an auspicious time as
our San Antonio office celebrates its 25th anniversary of providing
delinquent collection services to San Antonio-area clients.
Amigos in Mediation (AIM)
Carri Baker Wells, Director of Operations for
the firm’s San Antonio office, was elected to serve on the San Antonio Bar
Foundation. Carri will be working with the Foundation to expand
their award-winning Amigos in Mediation (AIM) project in area public
schools. The program trains school personnel and students how to
solve their own disputes through positive conflict resolution skills
and techniques resulting in a more positive school environment
coupled with life-long conflict resolution skills.
ORGANIZATIONS OUR FIRM HAS SUPPORTED
Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
YWCA
Central Texas Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
AIDS Service
Austin Community College Board of Trustees Advisory
Committee
Brown Santa program and Cap Area Food Bank
Child Protective Services, Beaumont
Operation Paintbrush, Corpus Christi
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Montgomery County Community Foundation
Rotary Club
United Way
Boy Scouts of America
Executive Committee of the University of Texas
Law Alumni Association
DFW/North Texas Families with Children from China
Greater Dallas & North Central Texas Urban
League
Texas Food Bank
Children’s Rights Litigation Working Group,
El Paso
Renaissance Cultural Center, Fort Worth
Chambers of Commerce
Board of Communities in Schools (CIS), San Antonio
Head Start
Nature Conservancy
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