Page 26 - Briefcase Volume 37 Number 2

LAWYERS AIM FOR THE MOON AND

RAISE NEARLY $600,000

With a theme of “Fly Me to the Moon,” the University of “With attendance and revenue numbers the highest in over
Houston Law Center’s 43rd Annual Law Gala & Auction a decade, the 2019 Law Gala was a huge success, and the
was out of this world, beginning with a countdown to a energy level was through the roof,” said Sergesketter ’95.
spectacular rocket launch video and ending with a Frank “Being asked to serve as gala chairs at a time when the law
Sinatra impersonator. About $579,000 was raised along the school is on the cusp of breaking ground for a new law
way for scholarships and other programs. building was a tremendous honor.
“The gala was a terrific night!” said Dean Leonard M. “We had a vision of where we wanted to take this gala,
Baynes. “It was a rare opportunity for the UHLC community and we saw it come together. But none of this would have
— alumni, faculty, staff and friends to come together and been possible without the generosity and hard work of
celebrate the Law Center’s success. It also is an important our past gala chairs, the host committee, the law firms that
fundraiser to support the activities of the Law Center to sponsored the event, the alumni who donated and bid on the
keep it a top tier law school. Many thanks go to the gala terrific auction prizes, and the full-time UH team who made
chairs, Bob Sergesketter and Denise Castillo-Rhodes, it all happen. We hope people will remember this year’s gala
who did an outstanding job in envisioning the theme and for years to come; Denise and I certainly will.”
securing donations. Also many thanks go to Hope Young In a celebration of life and legacy before the auction and
and her team for flawless execution.” musical entertainment, Justice Brown, who was recently
More than 600 alumni, faculty, judges, lawyers, and friends nominated for a federal judgeship, introduced a video
of the Law Center filled the ballroom at the Post Oak Hotel tribute and announced a new scholarship fund in the name
at Uptown Houston. A “Lunar Bar” welcomed guests and of Stephen Zamora, a former Law Center dean and longtime
set the stage for the night’s motif of moon and stars with professor who passed away in July 2016.
“craters” on the floor to commemorate the 50th anniversary Prior to the start of the gala, UH Law Alumni Association
of man’s landing on the moon; an ice sculpture rendering Award recipients were honored with a reception. Honorees
of the proposed new Law Center building added a more introduced by Baynes, Association President Cynthia
earthbound touch to the décor. Mabry ’10 and board members are: Tom M. Kirkendall ’79,
After a luxury “wine pull” and dinner, guests with paddles Alumnus of the Year; Gordon J. Quan, Honorary Alumnus
in hand were ready for the live auction with items ranging Award; Greg. R. Vetter, Faculty Distinction Award; James
from a bourbon tasting dinner for 10 with U.S. District M. Roach ’82, Law Fund Volunteer Award; Thomas F.A.
Court for the Southern District of Texas Judge Jeff Brown Hetherington ’98, Law Gala & Auction Award; Raj Sharma
’95 to weeklong vacation getaways to Colorado and ’03, Corporate Sector Achievement Award; Alison L. Chen
Montana. The finale, and highlight of the auction, was a ’03, Private Practice Achievement Award; Sen. Royce West
Golden Retriever puppy named Olivia Benson ’79, Public/Non-Profit Sector Achievement Award;
(“Law & Order),” who won the hearts of the Clayton Forswall ’11, Rising Star Award; Mia
crowd and fetched more than $12,000 Breaux Lorick ’14, Rising Star Award;
for the Law Center. Yvonne Ho ’06, Diversity and Inclusion
Guests ended the evening with Award; Ernie Aliseda ’91, Pro Bono/
music and dancing at an after- Community Service & Leadership
Gala party in a lounge setting Award; King Family Foundation,
that might have featured Dean’s Award; and Susan L.
Sinatra himself in his Bickley ’84, President’s Award.
heyday.

26 Briefcase 2019