Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Clinics staff attorney Lynn Rodriguez, former student Ola Campbell ’15, and 3L Katherine Hawkins all received Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV) Pro Bono Awards at the Tarrant County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Awards Luncheon Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at the City Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
Rodriguez, a 2004 graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, has been a clinic supervisor and staff attorney for the Texas A&M School of Law Family Law and Benefits Clinic Veterans Project for the past two years. She began her volunteer work for TLTV in 2016, the same year she became employed by the law school.
Rodriguez was awarded TLTV’s Eagle Service Award for 2018. The Eagle Service Award is given to the volunteer attorney who provides service in several categories of assistance to the TLTV program. Comparable to an MVP award, the categories of service considered are: serving on a TLTV committee, attending clinics, attending outreach events, mentoring other attorneys, and providing pro bono representation to TLTV clients.
Rodriguez said she is grateful to receive the TLTV Eagle Service Award. “I am honored and a bit embarrassed. I am not good with public recognition, but this honestly feels really good.”
Tarrant County Bar Association Pro Bono Programs Director Melissa Sircar, works closely with Rodriguez. “Lynn is always a pleasure to have around—she is enthusiastic about our program and the impact it has on veterans’ lives. Other attorneys enjoy working with Lynn—she is supportive of her colleagues, always cheerful, and has a wonderful ability to make us all laugh,” says Sircar.
Sircar says not only Rodriguez’s passion, but also her expertise in the field has a positive impact on TLTV. “No other attorney volunteering for our program has the depth or breadth of knowledge that Lynn has when it comes to veterans’ issues. Lynn is the only attorney that can advise one of our veteran clients without having to do research and Lynn is generous with her knowledge.” says Sircar.
Texas A&M School of Law third-year student Katherine Hawkins received the TLTV Law Student Volunteer Award. “I truly feel honored to be recognized for TLTV. They [TLTV] do such great work for our veterans, and just being a part of what they're doing is a privilege,” says Hawkins. Hawkins has worked with TLTV since May 2017.
“I volunteer with TLTV because we have a large community of veterans in this area. They [veterans] have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and yet they are under-serviced and often under privileged. To be able to provide any help for them, especially in helping them access the justice system, is the least I can do for them,” says Hawkins.
Former clinic student Ola Campbell of The Law Office of Ola Campbell, received the TLTV Attorney Volunteer Award. She also serves on the TLTV committee and assists with monthly clinics.
Sircar believes compassion for veterans is TLTV’s key ingredient for success. “Veterans need to know that the public at large cares for them. Non-lawyers can volunteer to do intake at the clinics, to talk with veterans as they wait to see a lawyer. Volunteering for Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans is a great way to give back to those who have given so much to their country,” says Sircar.
Other TLTV awards presented at the event included Community Partner, Community Volunteer, Steadfast Service, and Service after Service. Legal Line Attorney of the Year and Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services (TVAS) awards were also presented: Pro Bono Awards, Attorney Mentor, Paralegal Volunteer, Law Firm Partner and Community Partner.
- Article by Tyra Kelly, Communications Specialist, Texas A&M University School of Law