About Our Event

22nd Annual Austin Bar Foundation Gala 
Saturday, January 25, 2025

Four Seasons Hotel - 98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Doors open - 6:30 p.m.

The gala raises funds for the nonprofit Austin Bar Foundation, which supports law-related community projects that provide legal assistance to those in need, legal education to the community at large, and supports attorney well-being. Funds raised at the gala support the operation of the Foundation and  law-related projects, such as the Diversity Fellowship Program, Justice Mack Kidd fund, the CANLAW clinic, Law-Related Education, Austin Adoption Day, and Veterans’ Legal Clinics. Since its inception in 2003, the Foundation has raised over $1.4 million for area legal-related programs.

Through the grant program, the Foundation furthers our mission to improve public awareness of the legal system, the administration of justice, and the delivery of legal services. Past recipients include CASA of Travis County, American Gateways, Volunteer Legal Services, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, Austin Community Law Center, Austin Classical Guitar’s juvenile justice program, Texas Fair Defense Fund, Texas Rio Grande Legal Services, and many others.

Grants funds raised through Fund-A-Need will support suicide prevention as well funds to support local attorneys and their families when facing mental health issues and substance abuse. 

Honoring Austin lawyers who have excelled in their profession and service to the community will be a highlight of the evening. The Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s award recipients.

2025 Distinguished Lawyer Award Recipients: 

David Armbrust, Armbrust & Brown PLLC

Denise Davis, Davis Kaufman PLLC

Thomas R. Phillips, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas

David H. Walter Community Excellence Award Recipient:

Austin Kaplan, Kaplan Law Firm PLLC

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Thank you to our Sponsors!