FORT WORTH, Texas -- Texas A&M Regent Anthony G. Buzbee, his wife Zoe and his law firm gave a $1 million endowment to Texas A&M University School of Law in April. The Anthony G. Buzbee Dean’s Endowed Chair is the first-ever endowment gift of its kind dedicated to law school faculty, specifically the dean.
“Regent Buzbee’s extraordinary generosity will allow Texas A&M law school to invest in key strategic areas of programmatic development and hiring. I see this gift as support for the vision and trajectory we are pursuing at the law school,” said Interim Dean Aric Short.
“This is a moment of transformation for our law school, and this unprecedented financial gift reflects the incredibly supportive Texas A&M community we’ve joined. This endowment will allow us to further develop innovative, interdisciplinary, and high-impact programs that will prepare our students for the practice of law they will face in the future,” he said.
Buzbee is a prominent attorney who is the founding partner of The Buzbee Law Firm with locations in Houston, Galveston and Edinburg. A leader at the top of his profession, Buzbee of Houston, Texas, received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University and a law degree summa cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center. He also serves on the Texas A&M Board of Regents.
“I hope to encourage others to give," Buzbee said. "I am proud of the school and know we’ll be successful. I think those who are successful have an obligation to give back if they can. The law practice has been good to me, and I’m proud that we Aggies now have our own law school.” Buzbee further comments that he wants to make sure the school is fully integrated into the Aggie System.
His leadership is demonstrated not only through his gift, but also through his service to his college. While at Texas A&M he served as a Battalion Commander in the Corps of Cadets and was named a Distinguished Naval Graduate as well as a Distinguished Student and was recognized as Outstanding Commander in the Corps of Cadets. The Buzbee Leadership Learning Center, located on the College Station Quad, is named in his honor. Buzbee says these achievements shaped his life and further instilled a sense of loyalty and desire to set an example for others.
Buzbee served in the United States Marine Corps in the Persian Gulf and Somalian conflicts, earning the rank of Captain, where he received various awards including the prestigious Navy Commendation Medal. He entered law school at the University of Houston Law Center after leaving the Marine Corps.
He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and former adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center. In 2002, Buzbee was recognized by his peers in the Texas Lawyer, as one of the Top 5 “Go To Lawyers” for Commercial Litigation in the state of Texas.
Two of his notable cases include one in 2009 where a federal jury in Galveston awarded $100 million to 10 of Buzbee’s clients who alleged toxic exposure related to chemical discharge at the BP Texas City Plant -- the largest verdict recorded against BP -- as well as a settlement on behalf of 10 boys against Cadillac Ranch creator and owner Stanley March 3 (2012).
Buzbee offers internship opportunities for students, and has selected his first from Texas A&M University School of Law, 1L Shawn Johnson, to work at his Houston location for six weeks this summer. Johnson is eager to start working for the firm. “I admire what he’s done for the university and community. He really is a philanthropist. I’m happy I’ll get to work with one of the best litigators in Texas,” Johnson said.