The Houston Bar Association (HBA) has named Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Lynne Liberato and Alice Oliver-Parrott, the former chief justice of the First Court of Appeals in Houston, as the winners of the 2020 Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award for outstanding accomplishments in the legal industry. They are the second winners of the award, which was given to its namesake last year.
The award is named for the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Texas and the first woman Civil District Court Judge in Harris County. To qualify for the Sondock Award, a nominee must have demonstrated, by conduct and character, a record of exceptional service as a role model, mentor, and advocate in the legal profession, and a lifelong commitment to professionalism. The HBA hopes to formally present the award in person this fall to Liberato and Judge Oliver-Parrott.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition in light of my deep admiration for Judge Sondock and the values and strength she has exhibited throughout her storied career,” Liberato said.
A partner in Haynes and Boone’s Appellate Practice Group, Liberato has was the first woman president of the Houston Bar Association. She also has led teams in some of the most significant appeals and trials in Texas. In 2019, the Texas Bar Foundation presented her with the Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Texas Appellate Lawyer Award, which each year celebrates one distinguished appellate lawyer who has an outstanding practice and demonstrates a commitment to mentoring young attorneys and to providing legal services to the underserved.
Also last year, the State Bar of Texas’ Board of Directors appointed Liberato to the Texas Commission on Judicial Selection. She is the sole member of the 15-person commission to be appointed by the State Bar, which regulates the legal profession in Texas and is the second-largest state bar in the nation. Liberato previously served as president of the State Bar of Texas.
Liberato also has been recognized for her commitment to community throughout her career. In 2019, The United Way of Greater Houston appointed her as Board Trustee Emeritus in recognition of her longtime contributions to the organization and its most significant initiatives. She is only the second person in the history of the United Way to receive the title.
The Houston Lawyer also reported on the award.