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Steven Laird, name partner of Fort Worth-based Law Offices of Laird & McCloskey, has been selected the Lola Wright Foundation Award winner for 2024, the firm announced on Tuesday.
The award is a program of the Texas Bar Foundation.
Law Offices of Laird & McCloskey
Steven Laird
The award, established in 1985, is presented in recognition of outstanding public service in advancing and enhancing legal ethics in Texas.
Laird has enjoyed a reputation for striving for the highest ethical principles, having been appointed to the Texas Supreme Court’s Professional Ethics Committee and its Task Force Committee on Advertising and Referral Fees in the past.
Citing his national reputation for courtroom success and high legal standards, the Tarrant County Bar Association honored Laird with its prestigious Blackstone Award in 2021, presented to an attorney whose career embodies ethical ideals, courage and service to the legal profession.
In 2023, Laird was named to Fort Worth Inc. magazine’s list of The 400, the influential people in Fort Worth, a recognition that honors Tarrant County residents who wield significant influence in the community.
Additionally, he is a recipient of the annual Jim D. Bowmer Professionalism Award from the Texas Bar College and the Professional Award from the Tarrant County Bar Association.
Laird earned his law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1980, and an MBA from TCU in 1977. He has a bachelor’s in business from Texas Tech University, class of 1976.
Laird is also one of the few attorneys to be board certified in both personal injury trial law and civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and designated as a specialist in both civil trial and truck accident law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
The Lola Wright Foundation supports children and youth, public health and human services, education, community development and arts and culture. Together they recognize top attorneys in the state who exhibit paramount legal and professional ethics.
The Texas Bar Foundation helps organizations enhance the rule of law, focusing on programs that relate to legal assistance for the underserved, ethics in the legal profession, encouragement of legal research and education of the third branch of government.
The Law Offices of Laird & McCloskey, at 1119 Pennsylvania Ave., is a firm of truck accident lawyers with more than 50 years of combined experience.
Past winners
1985 Judge Charles Barrow, Waco; Judge David Hittner, Houston
1986 Bob Snell, Lamesa
1987 No award presented
1988 William B. Hilgers, Austin
1989 Orrin Johnson, Harlingen
1990 Judge Eugene Cook, College Station
1991 Ronald Earle, Austin
1992 Frank Baker, Bay City
1993 John F. Sutton, San Angelo
1994 Dean Frank Newton, Houston
1995 Tom Watkins, Austin
1996 Judge Ewing Werlein, Houston
1997 Louise Raggio, Dallas
1998 James B. Sales, Houston
1999 James E. Coleman Jr., Dallas
2000 John L. Hill Jr., Houston
2001 Charles L. Smith, San Antonio
2002 James H. Holmes, III, Dallas
2003 Beryl P. Crowley, Austin
2004 Lloyd P. Lochridge, Austin
2005 Guy N. Harrison, Longview
2006 Richard C. Hile, Austin
2007 Justice Douglas S. Lang, Dallas
2008 Scott J. Atlas, Houston
2009 Linda Eads, Plano
2010 Susan Fortney, Lubbock
2011 Harry Reasoner, Houston
2012 Fred Hagans, Houston
2013 Claude Ducloux, Austin
2014 W. John Glancy, Dallas
2015 Charlie Wilson, Dallas
2016 John G. Browning, Dallas
2017 Cullen M. “Mike” Godfrey, College Station
2018 G. Allan Van Fleet, Houston, Galveston
2019 Roland K. Johnson, Fort Worth
2020 Kevin Dubose, Houston
2021 Robert A. Black, Beaumont
2022 Ben Selman, Waco
2023 E. Marie Jamison, Houston