The Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program have established the DVAP Endowment, which will help fund legal aid to the indigent in Dallas. The endowment was created by DBA President Michael K. Hurst to secure long-term aid should DVAP lose traditional funding methods.

Several attorneys and companies have stepped in to donate money to the endowment. Aubrey Connatser, of Connatser Family Law in Dallas, donated $50,000 in honor of her mentor, Ken Fuller, who died in 2014. The late KoonsFuller partner was a regular volunteer with DVAP even after retiring.

“Aubrey Connatser knows the importance of ensuring that legal aid to the poor is funded for generations. For all people, for all time. I was not surprised when she once again wanted to put her money where her heart is, and become the DVAP Endowment’s first major donor to honor the memory of Ken Fuller. Aubrey’s leadership will no doubt have a lasting impact on our community,” Hurst said in a press release.

Others who have stated they intend to donate money to the endowment include:

  1. Lynn Pinker Cox Hurst/Jane and Michael Hurst—$50,000;
  2. Jerry Alexander of Passman & Jones—$50,000;
  3. Hunt Consolidated, through Ray Hunt, David Hernandez, Hunter Hunt, and Chris Kleinert—$50,000;
  4. David and Michele Hernandez—$10,000;
  5. Highland Capital Management, through Jim Dondero—$50,000;
  6. Vistra Energy, through Stephanie Moore and Dan Kelly—$50,000;
  7. AT&T, through David McAtee—$50,000; and
  8. David and Christy McAtee—$10,000.