Andrews Kurth Partner to Receive Texas Diversity Council Award

HOUSTON – Andrews Kurth LLP Partner Gene Locke will receive a 2007 DiversityFirst (TM) award from the Texas Diversity Council. The award recognizes leaders across the state for their individual achievements and their commitment to diversity and will be presented at a special luncheon during the Texas Diversity and Leadership Conference, scheduled for May 15-16 at the Dallas Convention Center.

“I’m deeply honored to be in such outstanding company, and I very much appreciate this recognition from the Texas Diversity Council,” said Locke.

A long-time advocate for civil rights, diversity and inclusion, Locke chairs the Diversity Committee and co-chairs the Public Law section at Andrews Kurth. His practice focuses on governmental units, representing cities, counties and special districts throughout Texas. He is also a member of the firm’s Policy Committee.

Locke is the former City Attorney for the City of Houston. During this time he led the fight to maintain and improve the city’s successful affirmative action program. Earlier in his career Locke was involved in voting rights issues and organized local and national efforts related to equal opportunity.

“Gene is an outstanding leader both in the community and the legal profession,” says Andrews Kurth Managing Partner Howard Ayers. “His recognition is well deserved.”

The mission of the Texas Diversity Council is to enhance appreciation for and understanding of the value of diversity and inclusion. The group’s outreach efforts include advancing corporate leadership education and awareness of the varied dimensions of diversity; gaining commitment from leaders to discuss issues, challenge attitudes and promote organizational change that supports diversity; and promote outreach efforts to Texas youth that inspire mutual respect and understanding.

“Gene Locke was at the forefront of the discussion of diversity in the workplace before the topic became an action item on the corporate agenda,” says Dennis Kennedy, CEO and Founder of TXDC. “Gene has been a champion for equality long before the existence of the Texas Diversity & Leadership Conference, and we are honored to have the opportunity to recognize the leader that he is and thank him for his continued efforts in the area of diversity and inclusion. This award is long overdue.”

For more than a century, Andrews Kurth LLP has built its practice on the belief that “straight talk is good business.” Real answers, clear vision and mutual respect define the firm’s relationships with clients, colleagues, communities and employees. With more than 400 lawyers and offices in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, The Woodlands and Washington, DC, Andrews Kurth represents a wide array of clients in all areas of business law. For more information about Andrews Kurth, please visit andrewskurth.com.