HBA Milestones Liberato Made History as First Woman HBA President
take the value of diversity for granted, I learned how important it was to have diverse leadership of any organization and how it was critical to effective decision-making.” Liberato’s term as president of the HBA also helped her go on to serve as president of the State Bar of Texas.1 Liberato’s election as president of the HBA, and also as president of the State Bar, served as inspiration for other women lawyers in Houston. Paula Hinton, partner at Winston & Strawn, said these events “were very significant for the advancement and power of women litigators/attorneys in Houston.” Hinton By Carly Milner noted that Liberato used her achievements to “open doors for hen President-Elect Jennifer A. Hasley bemany more behind her,” making sure that “other women ascomes president of the sumed positions of power in our local Houston Bar Associabar.” Hinton attributed the start of her tion next year, she will own activities in the HBA, State Bar, be only the fifth woman and American Bar Association to Libto hold that position in the HBA’s 150erato’s leadership and support. Hinton year history. The first woman elected to said, “She is the best in all ways... a the HBA presidency, Haynes & Boone great lawyer, leader and friend.” partner Lynne Liberato, won the posiLiberato’s dedication to diversity, eqtion in 1993, less than 20 years ago. At uity and inclusion has not waned. She the time, her candidacy faced strident has served the community in many opposition. But she felt that “by 1993 leadership roles since she led the HBA. it was time” for a woman to hold this Recently, in response to current presiposition. dent Bill Kroger’s letter to members Prior to running for HBA president, after the death of George Floyd, LibLiberato had served as chair of the erato’s firm, Haynes and Boone LLP, HBA Campaign for the Homeless, edicontributed $10,000 for meaningful tor of The Houston Lawyer, and chair of criminal justice reform. These funds the HBA Continuing Legal Education are being used to support the HBA’s Committee, in addition to participatcreation of an implicit bias education ing in State Bar of Texas committees. and training program for attorneys and cover of The Houston Lawyer when Lynne Liberato This demonstrated commitment to the The became the first woman president of the HBA in 1993. legal staff that is now in development. HBA led to Liberato’s election as presiThree other lawyers, Amy Dunn Taydent, despite opposition. “I believe that I lor, Denise Scofield, and Laura Gibson folbroke the barrier of all-male presidents lowed Liberato as the only other women because lawyers knew that I worked hard to hold the position of HBA president. in the trenches doing bar work and that I Next year, Jennifer A. Hasley will join this loved working with so many of them for list.2 In the HBA’s next 150 years, no doubt the good of the profession,” Liberato said. many more women will serve in this role, “Courage and encouragement caused me to thanks to Lynne Liberato’s courage. enter the race. Without the encouragement of men, especially Judge David Hittner and Carly Milner is a partner at Fogler, Brar, Joel Androphy, I would never have had the O’Neil & Gray, LLP, practicing commercial courage to run for Bar president in the face litigation. of withering criticism.” Readers who have served on HBA comEndnotes 1. Kelley Jones King, The 120th President of the State Bar mittees or in board positions will recogof Texas: Lynne Liberato, 63 TEX. B.J. 550 (June 2000). 2. On April 13, 2021, the HBA’s Gender Fairness Comnize the value Liberato places on her expe- Lynne Liberato at Haynes and Boone. mittee will host an online event featuring a discussion with rience as HBA president. “Being Houston president was pivotal these amazing women. HBA members who are interested in attending this CLE should contact Tara Shockley at taras@hba,org. in my career and to my world view,” she said. “While now we
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