HISTORY OF DALLAS LAWYERS AUXILIARY

During a reception given in 1926 by the Dallas Bar Association, the Honorable M.N. Chrestman, President, requested that Mrs. Kenneth Foree, Sr., extend an invitation to all wives of association members to meet and form an organization to support the Bar Association. On March 17, 1926, a group assembled at the Chrestman home to organize The Dallas Lawyers Wives' Club. There were ninety-three charter members.

In the Spring of 1992, the Club changed its name to Dallas Lawyers Auxiliary. With approximately 200 members, the Auxiliary is now a tax exempt corporation whose purposes are civic and philanthropic as well as social.

The Auxiliary raises funds for the Dallas Lawyers Auxiliary Foundation which contributes annually to the Auxiliary's Endowed Scholarship Fund at the SMU Dedman School of Law. The Auxiliary also presents a Scholastic Achievement Award of not less than $750 annually from the General Fund to a second year student at the SMU Dedman School of Law based on academic achievement.

The Dallas Lawyers Auxiliary has made a continuing financial committment to preserve and maintain the elegance of the Belo Mansion (Dallas Legal Education Center). Since its purchase by the Dallas Bar Association, it has been named a National Historic Landmark, and the Auxiliary provides docents who conduct tours on a regular basis for the public. At Christmas, beautiful traditional decorations are provided and installed by members of the Auxiliary. The Dallas Lawyers Auxiliary has served on the House Committee of the Dallas Bar Association.

Since 1983, the Auxiliary has given the Justinian Award annually to a member of the Dallas Bar Association for outstanding volunteer service in the Dallas community. The award is presented in the spring at a luncheon in honor of the awardee.

A twenty-four page booklet, Now You Are 18, provides information on legal rights and responsibilities for high school students throughout Dallas County. From the inception of this project in 1987, the Auxiliary has distributed 1/3 million free booklets.

Dallas Lawyers Auxiliary initiated steps which led to the formation of a statewide organization for local Bar Auxiliaries — Texas Lawyers Auxiliary. Judy Abright Troy of the Dallas Lawyers Wives' Club, Inc. was elected its first president. DLA has succeeded in bringing Dallas lawyers and their spouses into closer fellowship with one another. It is nonpolitical, nonpartisan and nonsectarian. In 2005, the auxiliary went online and registered the website www.dallaslawyersauxiliary.org.