Dallas Bar Association
HEADNOTES |
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Focus | Immigration/Labor & Employment Law
November 2021 Volume 46 Number 11
Nina Cortell to Receive 2021 Morris Harrell Professionalism Award BY MICHELLE JACOBS
Nina Cortell—this year’s recipient of the Morris Harrell Professionalism Award—often cites a passage from Pirkei Avot, a book of Jewish ethical teachings, as a personal guiding principle: “It is not incumbent on us to complete the task of making the world a better place, but neither are we free to desist from trying.” This has led her to prioritize service to others throughout her career and to always treat everyone with respect. It is thus fitting for her to receive an award that honors an “attorney who best exemplifies, by their conduct and character, truly professional traits who others seek to emulate and who all in the bar admire.” Nina began her career in 1976, when she was hired by Haynes and Boone as its first female lawyer (and 13th lawyer overall). At that time, the legal landscape looked quite different. There were far fewer women attorneys and attorneys of color. That presented challenges that Nina wanted to address. “If you think of your career like a pie, there are only so many slices to go around,” Nina says. “One slice comprises the work and time that you devote to becoming a good lawyer. But you need to also save some slices for helping others and for causes that are meaningful to you.” Her career shows she has done just that. At the request of then-State Bar President Martha Dickie, Nina chaired the State Bar Task Force on Hiring, Retention, and Promotion of Women and Minorities in Law Firms and Corporations. Under her leadership, the Task Force produced a comprehensive report that provided detailed guidance on best practices—all designed to provide pathways for the advancement of women and
Nina Cortell
minorities in the legal profession. For her landmark work, she received a State Bar Presidential Citation for leadership in furtherance of the Bar’s diversity initiatives. Nina also co-founded and served as president of the University of Texas Law School’s Center for Women in Law (CWIL), which was launched in 2009 after a multi-year effort and is now the premier legal educational institution dedicated to the success of the entire spectrum of women in law—from firstyear law students to the most experienced attorneys—providing them with the tools to advance both their careers and the careers of other women. Locally, Nina has, among other things, served for many years as a member of the Advisory Board of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, led diversity initiatives at her law firm, and frequently spoken at bar events on issues
relating to diversity. Nina has also counselled countless young professionals, including women and diverse attorneys, who routinely seek out her professional and life advice. “One of the mantras of my career is whenever I’m asked to help someone, I always respond ‘yes,’” she said. This has only become more important as the legal profession continues to suffer from high levels of burnout and substance abuse—a situation that has grown potentially more precarious as people have been forced to isolate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nina makes a point to emphasize the deep satisfaction she has derived from mentoring others. “When you give to others, you get it back many times over, in ways big and small.” When asked who has influenced her, Nina speaks glowingly of both her professional and personal family. She considers herself very lucky to have joined a firm with lawyers like Dick Haynes, Mike Boone, and George Bramblett, who were committed to attracting and developing diverse lawyers and who encouraged the firm’s lawyers to exhibit the highest standards of professionalism and to become actively engaged in bar and community activities. Nina also feels greatly indebted to her parents, who were forced to flee Nazi Germany and modeled for Nina the values of resilience and self-determination—and of giving back to one’s community. They loved this country deeply and passed along a profound appreciation for the safeguards provided by our Constitution and the rule of law. Nina’s immediate family—her husband of 45 years, Dr. Robert Fine, and her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren—are another enduring source
of strength and inspiration in her life. She considers it a deep privilege to have had the opportunity of a rewarding career, combined with a very rich family life. While Nina is not one to revel in discussing her case victories, they are in any event too numerous to detail here. Suffice it to say, Nina has enjoyed a distinguished career as a litigator and appellate practitioner, achieving high-profile wins in state and federal courts, and she is fittingly recognized in the Chambers USA 2021 directory and other listings as one of the top appellate lawyers in Texas. Nina also cites with pride the prominence of Haynes and Boone’s highly acclaimed appellate group, which she helped start. In short, Nina has demonstrated the heights lawyers can reach when they strive not only for personal excellence in their profession, but also to lift others around them. “Nina is who we all aspire to be,” said Aaron Tobin, President of the Dallas Bar Association. “She has not only become one of the top lawyers in the country in her field, but she has done so with an unwavering commitment to the highest level of professional conduct. She mentors and enriches the lives and careers of many. She always practices with complete humility. Importantly, she ascribes to the principle of zealous advocacy by relentlessly attacking the problem, but never the people. The DBA is proud to have Nina as this year’s recipient of the Morris Harrell Professionalism Award.” Please join us in congratulating Nina on this well-deserved recognition, which will be presented on November 12 at the DBA’s Award Luncheon. HN Michelle Jacobs is a Partner at Haynes and Boone, LLP and can be reached at michelle.jacobs@haynesboone.com.
Thank You to Our Major Donors The Dallas Bar Association and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas kicked off their annual Equal Access to Justice Campaign benefiting the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. A number of Dallas firms, corporations, and friends have committed major support. Join us in recognizing and thanking the following for their generous gifts*:
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL
GOLD PATRON
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Jerry & Sherri Alexander Condon Tobin Sladek Thornton Nerenburg PLLC Margaret & Jaime Spellings
Witherite Law Group
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP DBA Business Litigation Section Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Latham & Watkins LLP Mike McKool Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC Toyota
DIAMOND SPONSORS AT&T Capital One Haynes and Boone Foundation Vistra Corp.
*As of October 11, 2021
Inside 6 Margaret and Jaime Spellings Provide Critical Support to DVAP 12 How Employment & Labor Law and Immigration Issues Intersect 17 Pro Bono Attorney & Firm of the Year 20 Best Practices for Pre-Employment Criminal Background Checks
2022
DBA
COMMITTEE
SELECTIONS
You can now select your Committees with your 2022 dues renewal. Make sure to pay your DBA dues by December 31, 2021 to continue receiving all Committee communications & benefits. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to volunteer!
