Immediate Past State Bar of Texas President Allan K. DuBois recently received the St. Thomas More Award from St. Mary’s University School of Law for his work in bringing attention to the mental health and substance abuse issues attorneys face.
The law school presents the award each year to a judge, lawyer, law professor, or other individual who has made exceptional contributions to legal education, the profession, or government.
DuBois, who served as president in 2015-2016, told the Texas Bar Blog he is grateful and humbled by the honor from the law school.
“It is truly a recognition of the incredible work of the dedicated Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program staff, tremendous efforts of over 850 volunteer attorneys in Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, and countless generous donors supporting the Sheeran-Crowley Trust, who sustain it financially as a treatment safety net for struggling colleagues in need of our assistance,” DuBois said.
During DuBois’ term as State Bar president, more than $500,000 was donated to the Sheeran-Crowley Memorial Trust, which helps attorneys who can’t afford needed medical treatment for substance abuse, depression, or other mental health issues.
“His efforts in raising awareness may have done more to save and improve the lives of Texas attorneys than any other presidency in the history of the State Bar,” law school representatives inscribed on the award plaque. “He demonstrates character in action.”