The State Bar of Texas Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters Committee announced its 2025 Pro Bono Excellence award winners.
Judge Roy B. Ferguson, of Houston, received the Judge Merrill Hartman Pro Bono Judge Award; Christina Yarnell, of Austin, received the Frank J. Scurlock Award; Ricardo Loza, of San Antonio, received the J. Chrys Dougherty Award; The Mexican-American Bar Association of Houston received the Pro Bono Award; Brittany Krohn, of Houston, received the Pro Bono Coordinator Award; Robert M. Caine, of Houston, received the Pro Bono Support Staff Award; and Hunton Andrews Kurth, of Dallas, received the W. Frank Newton Award.
The recipients will be formally recognized during the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting on June 19-20 at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio.
Judge Merrill Hartman Pro Bono Judge Award—Judge Roy B. Ferguson
The Judge Merrill Hartman Pro Bono Judge Award honors a sitting or retired judge who has provided exemplary pro bono service, including outreach to attorneys to increase the quantity and quality of pro bono representation; modifications to court processes to increase access to justice; advocacy on behalf of access to justice; service as a volunteer judge for pro bono clinics; or other pro bono proceedings. Judge Roy B. Ferguson was honored for his pioneering work in expanding access to justice in rural Texas, notably through the early adoption of virtual hearings during the COVID pandemic. His innovations helped eliminate barriers for low-income and self-represented litigants. A staunch advocate for pro bono service, Ferguson actively recruited attorneys statewide, ensuring that justice reaches even the most remote corners of Texas.
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