Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans Raises Over $1,055,000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2026

Media contact: Rebecca Johnson
Public Affairs Director, State Bar of Texas
512-427-1714; [email protected]

Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans Raises Over $1,055,000

Gala Co-Chairs Sandra L. Phillips (left) and Monica Karurturi encourage attendees to break last year's fundraising record by donating through a QR code. Photo by Bill McCollough.

AUSTIN - The Texas Access to Justice Commission, together with its co-sponsor, the State Bar of Texas, honored veterans from across the state at the Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans, held Thursday night at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. This year's gala marked a record-breaking fundraising milestone, raising more than $1,055,000 through the generous support of a broad coalition of sponsors. Proceeds from the event will help expand access to critical civil legal services for low-income Texas veterans.

This year's event was co-chaired by Sandra L. Phillips, senior vice president of enterprise integrity, chief legal officer and chief sustainability officer of Toyota Motor North America and Monica Karuturi, executive vice president and general counsel of CenterPoint Energy. Supreme Court of Texas Justice Brett Busby - who also serves as the court's liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Commission - served as master of ceremonies. Seven justices of the Supreme Court of Texas attended this year's gala.

The keynote speaker was Steven Grayhm. Grayhm is an acclaimed actor and filmmaker whose work spans film, television and stage. His screen credits include "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," alongside Jon Voight; Netflix's "Between;" and appearances in "Medal of Honor" as well as extensive stage performances. Most recently, he wrote, directed, produced and stars in "SHEEPDOG," a feature film developed over 12 years in close collaboration with military veterans and medical professionals that explores trauma, recovery and post-traumatic growth. The film has won 15 major film festival awards, was released in theaters earlier this year to critical acclaim and is now available across all major streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime and Apple TV. In 2020, Steven founded Team House Studios, a production company dedicated to hiring and training military veterans both in front of and behind the camera, advancing storytelling as a powerful tool for healing and purpose.

This year's gala brought in sponsorships from 17 different companies, 28 law firms, two foundations and several individual supporters. The Presenting Sponsors were CenterPoint Energy and King & Spalding. Champion-level sponsors contributing $35,000 each included AT&T, Baker Hostetler Greenberg Traurig, Halliburton, H-E-B, Latham & Watkins, McKool Smith, the Moody Foundation, Nelson Mullins, TOYOTA, Troutman Pepper Locke and Vinson & Elkins LLP. Advocate-level sponsors contributing $25,000 each were Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Two awards and one special recognition were presented at this year's gala. Justice Busby presented the 2026 James B. Sales Boots on the Ground Award to Jessie G. Campbell. Campbell, supervising attorney of pro bono involvement at Lone Star Legal Aid, has transformed access to justice for low-income Texans across a region encompassing one-third of the state. Under her leadership, more than 4,800 Texans received legal assistance in a single year, reflecting both the scale and impact of her work. Campbell has modernized and strengthened pro bono programs by streamlining systems and integrating innovative technologies, enabling more attorneys to serve more effectively. She has also been a leading force in disaster legal response and a dedicated mentor who supports and empowers volunteer attorneys.

The 2026 Harry M. Reasoner Justice for All Award was presented to Laura Burstein. In her former role as assistant dean, Burstein made a lasting and personal impact at SMU Dedman School of Law through her unwavering commitment to access to justice. She welcomed each incoming class with a powerful call to public service, mentored students through the public service externship program, and strengthened the work of the law school's clinics, faculty and pro bono initiatives-most notably growing the Pro Bono Honor Roll to recognize graduating students dedicated to service. Though she recently concluded her full-time role at SMU, her commitment to service continues in her new role as pro bono counsel at O'Melveny & Myers, where she partners with SMU's First Amendment Clinic.

Norton Rose Fulbright Houston partner Reagan M. Brown was recognized with a Special Recognition for Outstanding Service in Support of Access to Justice for exceptional dedication and outstanding service in educating and mentoring young Texas legal aid attorneys. Over 13 years as course director and several additional years as a faculty member for the commission's Trial and Pre-Trial Academies, Brown has been an invaluable resource for the Texas legal aid community by delivering instrumental training and experience to benefit both legal aid attorneys and their clients.

Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans
Harriet E. Miers, of Troutman Pepper Locke, formerly Locke Lord, chairs the Texas Access to Justice Commission. Justice Brett Busby serves as the Supreme Court of Texas liaison to the commission. The commission's executive director and general counsel is Nina Hess Hsu. The proceeds from this event will be distributed by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation to support civil legal services for low-income veterans across Texas.

Texas Legal Aid
More than five million Texans qualify for civil legal aid, typically defined as individuals living at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Around 90% of the civil legal needs of low-income Texans go unmet due to inadequate funding and limited resources. This statistic aligns with national trends, where a significant portion of civil legal issues for low-income individuals remain unaddressed.