University of Houston Law Center alumna Justice Ruby Kless Sondock ’62, left, is presented the first Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award by newly-elected HBA president Benny Agosto, Jr. (Photo courtesy of the Houston Bar Association)
May 21, 2019 — University of Houston alumna Justice Ruby Kless Sondock and Professor Lonny Hoffman were recognized for their achievements at the recent 2019 Houston Bar Association Annual Dinner.
Sondock was presented with a new HBA accolade for her outstanding accomplishments and leadership for women in law. In the future, the Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award will be presented to leading women attorneys in the Houston area.
Sondock is a pioneer in the law who graduated as valedictorian and one of only five women in the Law Center class of 1962. After practicing law for many years, she was appointed to the 234th District Court in 1977, making her the first female state district judge in Harris County. Sondock was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in 1982, making her the first woman to serve in a regular session of the court. She was proclaimed a "Texas Legal Legend" by the litigation section of the State Bar of Texas in 2016.
The Law Center also hosts the Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Lectureship in Legal Ethics Jurist-In-Residence program, which recently completed its third year. The program brings sitting jurists to campus for a day of interaction with students, faculty and the Houston legal community. Each jurist provides a lecture on a legal ethics issue important to the community.
Hoffman, the Law Foundation Professor, was recognized for exceptional service and leadership, and was the recipient of the President’s Award. He teaches Procedure I, Procedure II and Reenvisioning Law, a colloquium style course.
University of Houston Law Center Professor Lonny Hoffman (second from the left) was one of several recipients of the President’s Award at the 2019 Houston Bar Association Annual Dinner. (Photo courtesy of the Houston Bar Association)
