Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Executive Director David Hall will retire from his position after 42 years at the helm, the organization announced Wednesday.
“It has been my honor and privilege to work alongside colleagues and friends with such inspiring values, compassion, and dedication for justice,” Hall said in a statement to staff announcing his decision. “Siga la lucha.”
The Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Board of Directors plans to form a hiring committee to conduct a nationwide search for Hall’s successor, who will lead the nonprofit that provides free legal services to Southwest Texas residents who are unable to afford them.
“David and the people (has led) at TRLA are legendary in Texas colonias, barrios, and poor neighborhoods for their aggressive, fearless, first-rate lawyering for the most impoverished and oppressed Texans,” said John Henneberger, an affordable housing expert, in the organization’s statement. “He’s never shied away from a fight. He has cut a broad swath in Texas for longer than almost anyone else has been doing social justice work.”
Before joining TRLA in 1975, Hall was director of the South Texas Project of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation and a staff attorney for the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee. He was featured in the Texas Legal Legends project, created by 2008-2009 State Bar President Harper Estes to share the perspectives and stories of legendary Texas lawyers. Watch his interview here.
Read more about Hall and his announcement on the TRLA Facebook page, and learn more about the organization at trla.org.