committee spotlight
Get On Board Project TRAIN
“E
The Houston Lawyer
By Trey Holm and Hon. Jeff Work
very soul has value” and “each person counts” are the employee with the onboarding process, after which they retwo phrases all lawyers should have embedded in main a resource for both employer and employee. their minds. Pursuing and protecting the rights of Ryan Dole is one of the individuals Dawson speaks of who was the individual is the bedrock of our profession and given a chance and proved himself by becoming an important protecting the individual makes the community betmember of the Jackson Walker team in Houston. Kurt Nondorf, ter as a whole. In decades past, a partner at Jackson Walker, says some of these individuals with Dole is doing a great job and evgreat capacity for learning and eryone is very glad he is there. contributing were marginalized “Ryan has been a great addition for their differences and forgotto our staff. His diligence and ten. Fortunately, we have seen good humor are contagious and the genius of individuals like uplifting,” Dole couldn’t think Stevie Wonder, Helen Keller and of any concerns or challenges Beethoven, but likely missed working at Jackson Walker. He others who could have greatly Project TRAIN helps employers hire and retain individuals with special simply said, “I have enjoyed contributed. Regardless of an in- abilities, assisting at every step of the way. working here and would like to dividual’s capacity for “genius,” every person counts and should continue.” be given the opportunity to contribute. Organizations involved in the Network include The Center for In 2017 acting on this ideal, then-HBA President Alistair DawPursuit, Social Motion Skills, H.E.A.R.T., Jewish Family Service son and the HBA started Project TRAIN (the Training, Readiness and Disability Rights Texas. The Network also provides pro-bono and Inclusion Network). Project TRAIN develops and distributes legal services to ensure that children and teens obtain services materials and training programs that assist employers in hiring they are entitled to in school and assist with establishing supportand retaining individuals with special needs or cognitive disored decision-making arrangements or guardianships once they ders. The HBA Project TRAIN Committee has worked tirelessly in turn 18 years of age. developing this innovative program and engaging law firms and Initially, 19 Houston law firms and companies pledged their corporate law departments. The potential rewards are great. As proactive support for employing individuals with special needs. the program developed, it was essential to Dawson that a support Employing someone through this program takes some extra effort system be in place for both the employer and participant. “The end and training but, again, it is worth it. result must be a win-win,” Dawson said. “These individuals can For Nondorf and the other leaders at Jackson Walker, particido this. We just need to give them a chance”. pating employers receive a diligent and productive member of The Project TRAIN Network, composed of attorneys and repretheir team, as well as a lift in the day for everyone who meets Dole. sentatives of disability rights groups, provide practical advice on “I recommend that other firms give the program a closer look and the unique situation of hiring special needs individuals, as well join with Alistair to provide opportunities for this special segas address legal issues related to the Americans with Disabilities ment of our community.” For more information, visit the Project Act and employment law. These organizations provide employers TRAIN Committee page on the HBA website at hba.org. with training that assists them in preparing for and hiring employees with special needs and managing issues that might arise. Trey Holm is an associate editor of The Houston Lawyer. He is an Dawson assures anyone who is interested in the program that associate with Killeen & Stern, PC where he focuses on insurance Project TRAIN is with the employer every step of the way, from litigation. The Hon. Jeff Work is a former district judge and former interview through hire, onboarding, and beyond. If fact, a mentor associate editor of The Houston Lawyer, who now practices with from the program is assigned to each employee and even assists Thomas J. Henry in San Antonio. 36
January/February 2020
thehoustonlawyer.com
