Dallas Bar Association
HEADNOTES September 2014 Volume 39 Number 9
Focus Sports & Entertainment Law
Dallas Bar Associ Dear Fellow Dallas Are a
Connatser Family Law, P.L.L.C. has kicked off the 2014 Equal Access to Justice Campaign with a very generous lead gift of $25,000. The Equal Access to Justice Campaign, a joint fundraising campaign of the Dallas Bar Association and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, benefits the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. DVAP is the most comprehensive pro bono program in Dallas, recruiting, training and mentoring volunteer attorneys to provide free legal help to low-income people in Dallas County. Aubrey M. Connatser, managing member of Connatser Family Law, has donated more than $41,760 in recent years to the Equal Access to Justice Campaign. The contribution will directly benefit people in Dallas who need pro bono legal help in the coming year. “Connatser Family Law is passionate about giving to DVAP because we believe it is important to give back to the legal community and the community at large,” said Ms. Connatser. “Mentors throughout my life and career taught me the magnitude of supporting organizations such as DVAP. The real heroes of DVAP are the attorneys who take pro bono cases and help people in our community with legitimate legal needs navigate what can be an intimidating judicial system. Those who are unable to afford quality legal representation deserve our help.” Connatser Family Law provides representation in divorce, child custody and visitation, paternity, complex property settlements, premarital agreements, modifications and collaborative law. Working together at the firm, family attorneys Mike DeBruin, Abby Gregory, Christina Powers Leatherberry and Alissa Castro share Ms. Connatser’s sentiments about pro bono service. Mr. DeBruin, a member of the firm and seasoned family law
attorney, represents DVAP clients in family law cases. Ms. Gregory, an associate with the firm, volunteered over 1,000 hours for Lincoln Square Legal Services while in law school and, among other things, supports The Family Place, one of Dallas’ local shelters for victims of domestic violence. Associate Ms. Powers Leatherberry represents DVAP clients in adoptions and custody disputes. And the firm’s newest associate, Ms. Castro is a volunteer with both DVAP and Catholic Charities. “Having the support of Aubrey and her firm is very important to the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program,” said Laura Geisler, Co-Chair of this year’s Equal Access to Justice Campaign. “A large percentage of DVAP cases are family law cases. Aubrey and members of her firm take on difficult pro bono family law cases and help recruit, train and mentor volunteers. The firm’s generous financial support in addition to everything else is very special.” Robert Tobey, Co-Chair of the Equal Access to Justice Campaign agrees. “Aubrey is an example of many of the fine attorneys who volunteer with DVAP and support the program every year,” he said. “DVAP is great group to be a part of, and for young attorneys just starting out or transitioning in their practices, DVAP provides training and mentoring. You can learn so much about the practice of law, court room work, and working with clients while giving back to those in need.” The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program offers free CLE programs to volunteers and has two attorneys on staff to mentor volunteers on their pro bono cases. While a large percentage of DVAP’s cases are family law matters, DVAP clients also need help with benefits, consumer, employment, housing, landlord-tenant, bankruptcy, continued on page 22
Attorney:
For those of you who are members of the Dallas Bar Associatio support! n, I appreciate your ongoing If you are not a curren t member, I hope you enjoy this compliment Headnotes publication ary issue of our month and choose to become ly a member today! I would like to share the following special offer with those of you member. Join the DB who are not currently A during the month a DBA of September and you membership for the will receive 16 month price of 12 month s of s. To access the www.dallasbar.org and online application, click on the Members go to hip tab and Join the DBA! You can see an extens ive list of all our memb er benefits on page 8, but a few important one s are: FREE CLE HOUR S – The Dallas Bar Ass oci atio courses in the state n is the 2nd larg est of Texas (See Page 2 provider of CLE for CLE courses). DIVERSITY – Meet, mentor, and collabora te with lawyers of all and backgrounds to ages, races, religions, strengthen the fabric of our diverse legal commu COLLEGIALITY – Meet with other lawyer nity. s who practice in you Sections and to netwo r field in our specialize rk and attend CLE cou d rse MAKING A DIFFE s that relate directly to RENCE – Join one of your practice our many Committees who are committed to to work with other law providing legal servic yers es to the poor, volunt community, and mento eering within the ring other lawyers
Connatser Family Law Kicks Off Equal Access to Justice by Alicia Hernandez
ation
As a DBA Member, you will be able to tak e advantage of these learn, network and valuable opportunities make a difference. To to find out more about the member, please visit www.dallasbar.org, or benefits of being a DB contact our Members A kwatson@dallasbar.org hip Coordinator, Kim or (214) 220-7414. Watson, And again thank you to all our current DBA me mbers for your continu ed support! I hope you join today and look forward to seeing you soon at Belo Mansi on, DBA headquarters! Sincerely,
Scott McElhaney President Dallas Bar Association
Bloomberg Businessweek’s Paul M. Barrett to be Keynote Speaker at Philbin Awards by Jessica D. Smith
The annual Stephen Philbin Awards Luncheon, which was started in 1983 by the Dallas Bar Association to recognize local news journalists for excellence in legal reporting, will celebrate its 31st year on Friday, October 17, 2014 at the Belo Mansion. The luncheon is a way to honor not only the local media, but also the memory of Stephen Philbin, who lost his battle with leukemia in 1982. A long-time member of the Dallas Bar Association and a partner with Locke, Purnell, Boren, Laney & Neely at the time of his death, Mr. Philbin was a leading authority on media law in Texas. He advised major publications and broadcast companies on libel law, regulations and licensing of broadcast properties, and fair comment rulings.
In honor of his contributions to media law in the Dallas area, the Philbin and Brock families, acting through the Dallas Bar Foundation, fund the annual Philbin Awards, with the DBA Media Relations Committee coordinating the event. Entries range from major Paul M. Barrett TV news networks and affiliates to radio stations to both print and on-line news from the area’s large metro newspapers, magazines and suburban publications. The winners will be announced at the Stephen Philbin Awards Luncheon on Friday, October 17, continued on page 22
Inside 7 Laura Geisler and Robert Tobey Named Co-Chairs of Campaign 12 A Look Back: The Civil Rights Act in Dallas 50 Years Later 15 Reality Check: Is “Gambling” on Fantasy Sports Legal? 21 DIY Media Distribution: Eliminating the Middleman
SUPPORT THE DALLAS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM SUPPORT THE DALLAS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM S THE DALLAS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM SUPPORT UPPORT THE DALLAS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM