Houston Bar Foundation Celebrates 35 Years of Service Travis Sales Takes Office as 2017 Foundation Chair
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The James B. Sales Pro Bono Leadership Award was presented to Richard L. Tate, chair of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation since 1997. Pictured here, from left: 2017 Foundation Chair Travis Sales, 2016 Foundation Chair Denise Scofield, Richard L. Tate, and James B. Sales, the award’s namesake.
he Houston Bar Foundation marked its 35th year of service at its Annual Meeting and Luncheon held February 21 at the Marriott Marquis Houston. The luncheon not only commemorated the installation of new officers, but also recognized the contributions of volunteers who provide pro bono legal representation and other services to the community. Travis Sales of Baker Botts L.L.P. took office as the 2017 chair of the Houston Bar Foundation, succeeding Denise Scofield of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. The program featured an interview with Harry Reasoner, partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP and chair of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, conducted by his son, Barrett Reasoner of Gibbs & Bruns. Veronica H. Foley of Precision Drilling Corporation will serve as vice chair of the Foundation and Michael Donaldson of EOG Resources, Inc. will serve as treasurer. Newly-appointed directors for 2017-2019 are Charles S. (Chip) Casey of Exxon Mobil Corporation; Tom Godbold of Twin Eagle Resource Management, LLC, and Travis Torrence of Shell Oil Company. Completing two year terms as directors for 2016-2018 are Jim Hart of Williams Kherkher Hart Boundas LLP, Jeffrey Kaplan of LyondellBasell, and Barrett Reasoner of Gibbs & Bruns LLP. Scofield will serve on the board as immediate past chair. Scofield presented the Foundation’s annual awards for pro bono service through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (HVL), volunteer mediation services through the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC), and legal writing in The Houston Lawyer, the HBA’s professional journal. 32
March/April 2017
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Formerly with Baker Botts, the Hon. Jeff Brown of the Supreme Court of Texas, joined firm members in accepting the award for Outstanding Contribution to the HVL by a Large Firm. Also pictured, from left: Bill Kroger, Macey Reasoner, Keri Brown, 2016 HBF Chair Denise Scofield, Travis Sales and John Porter, partner in charge of the Houston office of Baker Botts L.L.P.
Barrett Reasoner, left, interviews his father, Harry Reasoner, on his career and the importance of pro bono service.