From left, Houston Bar Association President Benny Agosto Jr., HBA Treasurer and Harvest Celebration Co-Chair Jennifer A. Hasley, HBA Auxiliary President Keisha Philips, and Harvest Celebration Co-Chair and Houston Bar Foundation Chair Travis Torrence.
The fundraising event was sponsored by the HBA, Houston Bar Foundation, and the HBA Auxiliary.
“The HBA is committed to increasing its community service through much-needed pro bono legal services,” said HBA President Benny Agosto Jr. in a news release. “The 70th annual Harvest Celebration was truly record setting, and we want to thank all of the sponsors, the HBA team, and Houston lawyers who are dedicated to making the HBA and Houston the best that it can be. Certainly, raising over $870,000 in one night for Houston Volunteer Lawyers absolutely proves that.”
The celebration was held on Veterans Day and also celebrated the HBA members who are veterans and called attention to the Veterans Legal Initiative, which provides legal aid for low-income veterans through Houston Volunteer Lawyers, or HVL.
“Pro bono lawyers play a vital role in ensuring that our most vulnerable Houstonians have access to justice to meet their basic legal needs,” said Travis Torrence, Houston Bar Foundation chair and Harvest Celebration co-chair, in a news release. “I’m proud that the Harvest Celebration’s record-breaking fundraising has enabled us to be at the forefront of guaranteeing our neighbors and veterans will have access to justice, regardless of their income.”
The Harvest Celebration was designated a fundraiser 20 years ago and has raised almost $9.5 million for pro bono legal services in Harris County.
For more information about the HBA, go to hba.org.