Locke Lord’s Harriet Miers Selected as Texas Legal Legend by State Bar of Texas; Highest Award Bestowed

February 9, 2017 – Harriet Miers, former Managing Partner of a Locke Lord predecessor firm and former Counsel to the President of the United States, has been chosen for induction into the prestigious Texas Legal Legends. A project of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Legal Legends are recognized for their lasting impact and extraordinary contributions to the legal profession and is the highest award bestowed by the organization.

"Harriet is the epitome of the desired qualities of a Legal Legend,” said Jennifer Doan, Treasurer of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. “She serves the bar with the perfect mix of legal brilliance, ethical elegance, grace and toughness -- all while striving to ensure those without access to justice receive representation.  Having personally observed her example for the past 30 years, there are few, if any, who have had a greater impact on women lawyers in our nation, in Texas and in Dallas.  We are delighted she is receiving this award."

Miers was the first woman hired at the Dallas firm of Locke Purnell Boren Laney & Neely in 1972 and became the first woman to lead the Firm, then known as Locke Purnell Rain Harrell, in 1996. In 1999, when Locke Purnell merged with Houston-based Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, she became Co-Managing Partner, a position she held until she left to serve in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001-2007 as Staff Secretary, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Counsel to the President.

In 2005, Miers was nominated by President Bush for Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court to replace retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Miers ultimately withdrew her nomination to the high court, remaining in her position as White House Counsel. Miers returned to Locke Lord as a Partner in 2007 and is a member of the Firm’s Litigation and Public Policy sections.

“I can think of no one as deserving as Harriet for this honor,” said Jerry Clements, Chair of Locke Lord. “She has been a leader within our Firm and a champion for both women and minorities in the legal profession. As a mentor, Harriet provides the example of what we all aspire to in the legal community and embodies a dedication to justice, service and professionalism. Her lifetime of accomplishments is remarkable and we are proud to support and share her lasting impression, not only at Locke Lord but across the profession.”

Throughout her distinguished career, Miers has been committed to public service and served in many professional and community volunteer positions. A graduate of Southern Methodist University and of SMU Dedman School of Law, she was the first woman president of the Dallas Bar Association as well as the State Bar of Texas.

This honor follows Miers’ selection in 2015 by Texas Lawbook as one of 50 “Lions of the Texas Bar.” Among her many recognitions and awards: in 2005, Miers received the Sandra Day O'Connor award from the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism and the Robert G. Storey Award for Distinguished Achievement from the SMU Dedman School of Law. She also has received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both SMU and the SMU Dedman School of Law. In 1979, she was honored as the Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers.

For her work as Counsel to the President, she received the Department of Justice Edmund J. Randolph Award in January of 2007 for her "dedicated service to justice, the President, and the United States of America." She also received the Agency Seal Medal awarded by the Central Intelligence Agency, an award given by the CIA to people outside the Agency who have made significant contributions to the work of the Agency.

Miers will be honored by the State Bar of Texas at a ceremony that will take place at SMU Dedman School of Law on in April.  She will join the company of past Texas Legal Legends inductees including  Royal Ferguson, Jr., Blackie Holmes, Joe Jamail, Carolyn Dineen King Harry Reasoner, Ruby Sondock and, as of last week, H. Ron White who was the first African-American District Court judge in Dallas County and was the third African-American member of the Dallas Bar.

###

About Locke Lord LLP
Locke Lord is a full-service, international law firm of more than 20 offices designed to meet clients’ needs around the world. The Firm has a history that spans more than 125 years and is a worldwide leader in the middle market sector. Locke Lord advises clients across a broad spectrum of industries including energy, financial services, fund formation, health care, insurance and reinsurance, private equity and venture capital, public finance, real estate, and technology, media and telecommunications, while providing a wealth of experience through its complex litigation, intellectual property, tax, regulatory and transactional teams.