Polsinelli issued the following announcement on Oct. 3.
Michael D. Pegues, a Dallas-based Polsinelli shareholder and vice chair of the firm’s national Intellectual Property & Technology Litigation practice, has received the 2018 Trailblazer of the Year Award from the Texas Minority Counsel Program (TMCP).
According to the TMCP, the Trailblazer of the Year Award recognizes an outside counsel who has promoted diversity within the legal profession through the hiring, retention and mentoring of minority, women and LGBT attorneys; by partnering with minority-, women- and LGBT-owned law firms; and by participating in Bar and/or community activities designed to promote diversity within the legal profession.
Established by the State Bar of Texas, the TMCP is an annual client development, networking and CLE event that was created to increase opportunities for minority, women and LGBT attorneys who provide legal services to corporate and governmental clients. This year’s TMCP conference will be held Oct. 17-19 in Houston, where award winners will be honored during the Keynote Awards Luncheon.
“Mike’s steadfast commitment to supporting and advancing the legal careers of traditionally underrepresented groups is equally inspirational and impactful, and he is well-deserving of this honor,” said Jon Henderson, managing partner of Polsinelli’s Dallas office and chair of the firm’s national Corporate and Transactional practice. “His stewardship of diverse lawyers and initiatives, both within the firm and the broader community, continues to help transform the legal profession and foster an environment of equal treatment and fairness.”
Pegues believes that the legal, or any community for that matter, will not be changed by the acts of a single person. So, while he humbly accepts the recognition from the TMCP, he also recognizes the efforts of the both finalists for the award, Debra Tsuchiyama Baker from Baker Wotring LLP and Chevazz Brown from Jackson Walker LLP. Baker and Brown have worked tirelessly within their firms and the legal community to bring equality and inclusiveness to the practice of law.
Pegues’ efforts hold true to the words of James Baldwin who said, “not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until faced.” Pegues desires to couple his efforts with others to face and cause change in the legal community and thereby eliminate the need for this award and the TMCP. Until then, he plans to continue his efforts to level the playing field for those who desire to pursue a legal career.
Polsinelli’s Texas offices, with more than 70 professionals in Dallas and Houston, have grown by tenfold in less than a decade. This robust local presence provides a gateway to a national, full-service law firm that delivers the highest caliber of legal work and client service, infused with deeply held Midwestern values. Polsinelli is strongly committed to supporting businesses ranging from entrepreneurial, innovative start-up companies to middle-market leaders across a wide range of industry sectors, and the firm is significantly involved in many of the region’s key civic and community service groups.
Original source can be found here.