2023 Pro Bono Award Spotlight

Kelly Cobb

Paralegal

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR employed with Brown, Proctor and Howell, LLP handling transportation litigation cases for Union Pacific Railroad Company. Her paralegal certification was received from the University of San Diego and holds a bachelor’s degree in Management. Kelly’s membership with the Fort Worth Paralegal Association commenced in 2004 where she was the Community Service Chair for 6 years and President in 2012. the U.S. Navy Reserve as an Aviation Administrationman Senior Chief Petty Officer with 30 years of service. During her downtime, Kelly is a part-time fitness instructor for Fit Body Boot Camp and Children’s Supervisor overseeing a thriving Student Program with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).

Kelly Cobb has become increasingly more involved in TVAS in the last two years. As a military veteran, Kelly has a big heart for service. Kelly believes there will always be people who need assistance, and volunteering with TVAS allows her to provide assistance to those who need it. Kelly finds it gratifying to see the relief and satisfaction in the TVAS recipient’s eyes when they get the help they have been searching for.

“Life can be hard, but if I can bring joy to one person at a time, then volunteering with TVAS makes my heart full and cup run over.” g

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE GATEHOUSE

WILLS CLINIC VOLUNTEERS

KELLY HART ATTORNEYS

Heidi Angel, Joseph Austin, Whitney Beckworth, Lanie Bennett, Teddy Boschini, Jacob deKeratry, Jenna Lusk, John Phair, Mason Smith, Gabi Snow, Jeffrey Tillman, and Taylor Winn

KELLY HART SUMMER ASSOCIATES

Eliza Batty, Lauren Brownlee, Katie McConnell, Matthew Francis, Stephen Hirschbuehler, Thomas Swafford, and Chanel Thomas

Thank

CLIENT TRAINING VIDEO

Robert Blankenship

Theodore P. Gorski Jr. 1945-2023

Theodore P. Gorski, Jr., passed away June 17 at 77 - and somewhere he’s telling an interesting story about it.

Ted was born in Fort Worth. He found his first job here as a paperboy at age 8 and found a lifelong career at the City Attorney’s office, where he led the civil practice division until retiring. Between paper route and retirement, Ted became a Southwest Conference champion at The University of Texas at Austin, graduated from UT law school, married Martine (Tina) Harrison three days after proposing at The Original, and helped raise two children. He was known above all for kindness, warmth, hard work, persistence, and quickness with a joke.

Ted was endlessly curious - constantly reading, constantly observing - and he shared his knowledge and humor generously (sometimes more generously than his children or unwitting cocktail party guest would like). He pulled over to peruse roadside historic landmarks, ducked into any museum he passed, and never held back a joke - even if no one got it. Exquisitely disciplined, he outwitted and outworked his opponents in the courtroom just as he did on the tennis court - with a gracious, light-hearted smile that concealed a relentless will. As an autodidact, Ted was used to being underestimated; he used it to his advantage, without ever surrendering his grace.

Born in Fort Worth to Theodore Sr. and Maetella (Reese), Ted taught himself tennis largely by hitting against backboards on public courts. He was the first in his family to graduate high school (Arlington Heights) and arrived at the University of Texas as low man on the tennis ladder. He found a mentor in coach Wilmer Alison, also a Fort Worther. By junior year, Ted had won the Southwest Conference single’s championship, dismantling favored opponents on the way. And, in 1967, he and the Horns won the SWC team championship. By graduation, Ted saw the full tower lit twice for tennis championships. He worked with Alison as an assistant coach during his time at UT Law School and remained a fan and supporter of the team all his life. Polite and respectful as he was, Ted did not back down when he saw what he wanted. Standing ahead of future NFL defensive end Diron Talbert in a college cafeteria line, Ted saw a meaty hand reaching for the last slab of chicken fried steak. Ted forked Talbert. AllAmerican James Street stepped in to avert a conflict thatdespite his quickness - would likely have ended badly for the beanpole Gorski. It was a story Ted loved to tell.

Ted met Tina on a matched date in 1973. They had two children, Susanna and James, and spent their lives contributing to the city. Soon after graduating from law school, Ted took a job with City Attorney S.G. Johndroe, Jr. Over the years, he became an expert in eminent domain, eventually pleading cases before the State Supreme Court, and shaping legal precedents that still influence the court today. He was known as a mentor and a supportive colleague. His career at the City Attorney’s office spanned five decades.

Ted is survived by his wife of 49 years, Martine “Tina” Gorski; daughter Susanna Gorski Bartolomei and husband Harper; James Harrison Gorski and wife Tamara; grandchildren Theodore “Teddy” Bartolomei, Harper Bennett Bartolomei, and Petra Grace Gorski; in-laws James Martin Harrison, Jr., Anna Melissa and Peter Philpott, and Marsha and John Kleinheinz; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother, Steve. g

Published by Star-Telegram from June 18 to June 21, 2023.

1956-2023

Jerry James Jarzombek, 66, of North Richland Hills, passed away on July 12, 2023 in the loving embrace of his family.

He was born in Nixon, Texas on December, 19, 1956. Jerry graduated from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, and later graduated from St. Mary’s University and received his J.D. degree. He was married to Tricia Ann Tucker on September 19, 1981.

Jerry had many jobs throughout his career. He was a man of many talents. He first was a pharmacist where he met his wife, Tricia. Later, he decided to become an attorney and owned his own law firm. He was a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and a former Secretary, Treasurer, Chair-Elect, and Chair of the Consumer & Commercial Law Council of the State Bar of Texas.

Jerry had a passion for helping others and spending his free time with his family. He was survived by his wife, Tricia Jarzombek, children, Allison Ayala, Matt Jarzombek, and Will Jarzombek, and his grandchildren David and Claire Ayala. g

Published on Dignity Memorial website.

Samuel Ray Terry 1972-2023

Sam was born in the village of Paw Paw, Michigan, on Sept. 2, 1972. He was raised in Flint, Michigan, and graduated from Carman-Ainsworth High School. After high school, he served in the United States Air Force and later graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Political Science. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During his last semester of law school, he completed an externship at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office under the Honorable Tim Curry, where, upon completion of the program, he was offered a position as an Assistant District Attorney.

He chose to remain in Michigan to be near his family. He became an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Flint and opened The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry in 2006, achieving rapid success. In 2012, he began his transition to practice in Fort Worth, and, yet again, achieved rapid success to become known as SRT Law. He loved the practice of law and believed that “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” He was a member of the State Bar of Michigan, State Bar of Texas, Texas Bar College, and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He was also admitted to practice law in the Northern and Eastern Federal District Courts, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. For several years, he earned the Top Lawyers and Super Lawyers honors.

He enjoyed life by attending concerts of various genres from Harry Connick, Jr. to George Strait to Pearl Jam and much in between, movies, and spending time with close friends. Most importantly, he loved his children and was a proud father. He leaves a hole in the legal community and will be painfully missed by all who loved him.

He leaves behind his four children: Joshua, AnaMaria, Isabel, and Samuel, II; siblings, Tami Irish (Tom) of Burton, Michigan, Daniel Terry (Theresa) of Grand Blanc, Michigan, and Mikelyn Terry (Mark) of Grand Blanc, Michigan; nephews: Shane, Daniel, Jacob, Matthew, and Seth; he also leaves behind many faithful and loyal friends.

The children express heartfelt appreciation to Kristie Coomer, his secretary, and Phil and Veronica Hall for their loyal care of their father during and after his life.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ronnie Ray Terry; his mother, Sharon Kay Mishall Terry. g

Published by Greenwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park on July 22, 2023.

Kimberly Marie Knapp 1977-2023

Kimberly Marie Franks Knapp died tragically and unexpectedly at her home in Saginaw, Texas on July 24th, 2023.

Kim is survived by her mother, Beverly Franks; brother, Kristopher Franks; and husband, John Knapp.

Preceded in death by her father, Dois Delman Franks; and brothers, Del Allen Franks and Brent Belding; as well as her grandparents, Frank and Marie Gray.

Born in Hobart, OK, on February 9th, 1977, Kim attended Hobart public schools until her father moved the family to Saginaw, Texas, in 1987. Kim was a star gymnast from the ages of 10 to 18 training with world-renowned coaches including Bela Karolyi and winning honors in all categories. Kim graduated from Boswell High School in 1995, and went on to complete her undergraduate studies at Texas Wesleyan University. She later attended Baylor Law School on a full, merit-based scholarship and graduated with honors. Kim was a well-known and talented attorney in Fort Worth serving in the field of criminal law. She was well loved by all including judges, court staff, and both defense and prosecuting attorneys. Fort Worth Magazine and 360West named Kim a top attorney from 2016 to 2023. Kim was also an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Texas Wesleyan University.

In 2019, Kim founded her own law firm – Knapp Begley Law and worked tirelessly with her law partner, Lanny Begley, to ensure justice was possible for all seeking her services. A dynamic trial attorney, Kim was well known for her delivery in the court room.

Kim will be remembered for her quick wit. Family, friends, colleagues, and clients enjoyed her dry sense of humor, coupled with a brilliant legal mind. Her vivacious spirit was contagious and the perfect antidote for a bad day. She adored her two German shepherds, Memphis and Mishka. Kim loved spending time with family, cooking gourmet dishes, and was always keen for a great live concert.

Kim’s sudden departure from this world, leaves all who knew her broken-hearted.

Thank you for your light, may it shine on forever. Follow Kim’s lead, and live life with zest and flair. We love you always, Kim. g