Andrews Kurth Partner Receives ‘Justice David Wellington Chew Award’ from Asian-Pacific Interest Section of State Bar of Texas

DALLAS – Andrews Kurth LLP partner Kathleen J. Wu will receive the “Justice David Wellington Chew Award” from the Asian-Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas. Established in 2002, the Justice Chew Award honors those individuals whose selfless contributions benefit the Asian-Pacific American legal community of Texas.

The award will be presented on Saturday, May 19 during the APIS’ 11th Annual Retreat at the Dallas Westin Galleria.

“Kathleen is a role model to me personally and to attorneys throughout the State of Texas,” says Patsy Yung, APIS’ Chair. “She is a true trailblazer in breaking barriers and in raising the bar for minorities and women in Texas. The Justice Chew Award honors those individuals whose selfless contributions benefit the Asian-Pacific American legal community of Texas. Without a doubt Kathleen has earned this award.”

The award is named for Justice David Wellington Chew, Chief Justice of the 8th Court of Appeals in El Paso, for his pioneering achievements as one of the earliest Asian Americans in the Texas appellate judiciary. Previous recipients of the award are the Honorable Brenda Rhoades, U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Eastern District of Texas); Daniel David Hu, Deputy Chief, Civil Division, U.S. Attorney's Office (Southern District of Texas); the Honorable Karen Gren Johnson, Judge of the 95th District Court, Dallas County, Texas; and the Honorable Peter Sakai, Judge of the 225th District Court, Bexar County, Texas.

Ms. Wu writes a regular column on issues facing women and minorities in the legal profession for Texas Lawyer newspaper, and she frequently speaks about the benefits of diversity in the workplace. Ms. Wu is recognized as one of the top real estate lawyers in Texas. She is consistently included on the “best lawyers” lists published in D Magazine and Texas Monthly. In addition, Texas Lawyer newspaper named her one of six “Go To” real estate lawyers in the state. She has held several management positions at Andrews Kurth (including Dallas Managing Partner) and has for the last 6 years served on the firm’s Policy Committee.

Ms. Wu said she was honored for the recognition.

“It’s gratifying to be considered a trailblazer by my colleagues in the Asian-Pacific community,” she says. “I hope to continue earning their confidence in me.”

Howard Ayers, Andrews Kurth’s Managing Partner, called Ms. Wu an inspiration to all attorneys, regardless of ethnicity and gender.

“She continues to be a role model for young lawyers,” he said. “Her tenacity, intelligence, dedication, and courage serve as a template for lawyers everywhere.”

For more than a century, Andrews Kurth LLP has built its practice on the belief that “straight talk is good business.” Real answers, clear vision and mutual respect define the firm’s relationships with clients, colleagues, communities and employees. With more than 400 lawyers and offices in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, The Woodlands and Washington, DC, Andrews Kurth represents a wide array of clients in all areas of business law. For more information about Andrews Kurth, please visit andrewskurth.com

Contacts:

Maury Hammond, Marketing Communications Mgr. Patsy Yung

Andrews Kurth LLP APIS Chair

713.220.4691; 281.748.0055 (cell) 214.740.1454

mauryhammond@andrewskurth.com