17 th Annual Austin Bar Foundation Gala Raises $80,000

Funds Raised Support Foundation’s Law-Related Programs, Projects, and Grants

More than 500 guests attended the “Boots and Bourbon”-themed Austin Bar Foundation Gala on Jan. 25, 2020. Members of the legal community, many decked out in their finest black tie and boots, turned out for the event, which was held for the first time at the Barton Creek Omni Resort and Spa. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour that included bourbon flights and hand-rolled cigars while they took chances on winning one of the many exclusive raffle baskets on display, picked up bottles of wine at the wine pull, and purchased gift bags containing jewelry created by Austin designer Laura Elizabeth.

During the seated dinner, a live auction was led by the Siren Sisters auctioneers. Bidders raised their paddles to bid on a Breckenridge retreat for 14 at Sapphire Lodge; a Texas two-step package, including four nights in South Padre Island and four nights in Marfa; two private dinners for ten to be held at Hilgers House; five nights in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica; a private Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour and tasting; and a package that included a strand of pearls, 12 months of flower deliveries, and a weekend at an historic farmhouse near Fredericksburg.

The $80,000 raised for the Austin Bar Foundation supports the many law-related programs and projects the Foundation funds throughout the year, such as Austin Adoption Day; the CANLAW Clinic; Veterans Assistance Programs; the Self- Represented Litigant Project; the Diversity Fellowship Program; scholarships for Texas LGBT law students; and the Justice Mack Kidd Fund. In addition, the Foundation has awarded more than $168,500 in grants to lawrelated organizations, including past grant recipients American Gateways, Volunteer Legal Services, Austin Community Law Center, Austin Classical Guitar’s Guitar and Juvenile Justice Program, CASA, and the Texas Fair Defense Fund, to name a few.

More than $19,000 was raised during the Fund-a-Need portion of the auction. A grant will be given from the Foundation to the Justice Mack Kidd Fund with a portion of these proceeds. The Justice Mack Kidd Fund provides anonymous financial assistance for counseling and medical treatment on a short-term basis for Austin attorneys suffering from mental health issues.

Commemorative pavers to be placed in the main walkway of Hilgers House were given to those donors who gave $500 or more during Fund-a-Need. There are still a limited number of pavers available, which can be purchased at austinbar.org. A portion of the proceeds from the continued sale of the pavers will be included in the grant given to the Justice Mack Kidd Fund.

An awards presentation followed the auction. The 2020 Austin Bar award winners were:

• Larry F. York Mentoring Award Justice Craig T. Enoch (ret.);

• David H. Walter Community Excellence Award Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch;

• Joseph C. Parker, Jr. Diversity Award Nelia J. Robbi: and

• Distinguished Lawyer Awards Phil Durst (posthumous) Lulu Flores Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson (ret.).

Videos honoring all three Distinguished Lawyer Award winners, along with photos from the event, can be viewed at austinbar.org.

The evening ended with casino games and dancing to live music provided by local soul band The Nightowls. AL