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51 Headnotes 1 (2026)

handle is hein.barjournals/hdba0051 and id is 1 raw text is: Dallas Bar Association January 2026 Volume 51 Number 1 Focus Labor & Employment Law Jonathan R. Childers: DBA's 117th President The Dallas Bar Association (DBA) welcomes its 2026 President, Jonathan R. Childers-the Association's 117th President. A partner at Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann, LLP and an active business trial lawyer, Childers will lead with the theme Maintaining the Mission, keeping the DBA essential to lawyers' daily work while strengthening ties with the judiciary and the Dallas community. The DBA's purpose is to serve and support the legal profession in Dallas and to promote good relations among lawyers, the judiciary, and the community. Amid rapid changes in how lawyers practice, Our job is to design programs that cap- ture that mission and make the Bar something lawyers need-practical, useful, and relevant, Childers said. Childers' path to the presidency spans more than a decade of steady Bar service. He served as President of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) in 2015, joined the DBA Board in 2016, and then served three elected terms as a DBA director before moving up the leadership ladder. I wasn't in a hurry, he says. I liked being a director. Along the way, mentors including U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay and Michael K. Hurst shaped his view that active advocates should help lead the Bar. Colleagues point to a combination of skill and authenticity. Jonathan's work ethic and command of the evidence are unparalleled by attorneys on either side, says Hurst, who hired Childers after his federal clerkship with Judge Lindsay. He is as authentic as the day is long-humble, lik- able, passionate, and relatable. People trust him because he's genuinely honest. Hurst recalled an early Houston jury trial when Childers, taking a significant role, delivered one of the most pow- erful and relatable direct examinations I have ever seen, helping secure a multimillion-dollar verdict. Retired Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn, now Childers' colleague at the firm, added: He is a brilliant lawyer and advocate, and courts are jus- tified in relying completely on the accuracy of what he says. He is the ultimate professional- a man of honor, integrity, and creativity, guided by the law in everything he does. His will be a welcoming administration, expanding the ser- vices of the Bar so that everyone can have the wonderfully positive experience in the Bar that he has had. Building on recent momentum, Childers' Maintaining the Mission theme emphasizes strengthening programs and relationships that make the DBA indispensable. The DBA has built strong programming over the years, he said. My goal is to enhance what works and make sure more members know about and can access these resources. His year will focus on three initiatives: 1. Advocacy: Expect practical, skills-focused Jonathan R. Childers offerings designed for busy calendars-short, high-value programs with tips lawyers can use the next day in a deposition, brief, hearing, transaction, or jury trial. 2. Civics and the Rule of Law: With 2026 marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the DBA will spotlight civic education for members and the community. Maintaining public trust in the profession and the importance of the rule of law is essen- tial, Childers said. The Bar can be a steady source and a grounding effect in an era of too much information. 3. Functional wellness: Childers favors prac- tical support that helps lawyers build sustainable careers-what he calls weekly maintenance. Expect mindfulness resources, conversations with successful lawyers who model balance, and family-friendly events that foster connection. A former walk-on varsity swimmer at SMU, Childers still swims-not to chase medals, he joked, but for wellness and mental health. The discipline of swimming carries into his practice, family life, and Bar service. Married with two young children, he credits intentional time man- agement and mindfulness for helping him bal- ance a busy trial docket with leadership and fam- ily commitments. Childers served as president-elect under continued on page 18 Shonn Brown to Receive the 2026 MLK Justice Award BY JESSICA D. SMITH Authentic. Dedicated. Respected. Change-Maker. These are a few terms that describe this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award recipient-A. Shonn Brown. On January 19, 2026, the DBA will present its 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award to Shonn Brown. A trailblazer in every sense, Shonn has spent her career not only mastering the law, but using it as a tool for fairness, dignity, and progress. She has built a reputation rooted in excellence, integ- rity, and service, and is known for her sharp advocacy, strategic insight, and steadfast professionalism. Though few were surprised by her selection as this year's recipient, Shonn herself was: I was completely shocked and humbled. Next, I looked at the prior recipients and then felt all of those feelings again. So many people whom I admire and I know are being impactful leaders are on this list. I'm honored to be among them. What sets Shonn apart is not only what she accomplishes-but how she does it. An advocate for empowering and propelling women and people of color to advance in leadership and business, she leads with authentic- ity, listens with empathy, and elevates those around her with generosity and intention. Colleagues describe her as a champion, a problem-solver, a men- tor, and a steady voice of reason when the moment calls for clarity and cour- age-traits she attributes to the amaz- ingly strong women in her life-her grandmother and her aunts. One example of this courage came in 2020, after her son and a group of Black teens were confronted at a North Dallas Sonic, Shonn took action to confront the injustice and share her son's story, which quickly went viral. She organized a drive-thru rally where hundreds of community mem- bers showed solidarity, turning a per- sonal incident into a public stand against racial discrimination. Her leadership prompted Sonic to issue an apology and implement bias-training, while also strengthening community awareness and unity. Brown's response transformed a moment of personal injustice into a powerful catalyst for local advocacy and action. Shonn Brown is a force for good. She exemplifies the qualities that were important to Dr. King and are crucial today. As a lawyer and business and community leader, she leads by exam- ple, unlocks opportunities for others, considers all viewpoints, advocates with logic and heart, has a passion for justice, remains calm under pressure, loves her family and community, is resilient, and lives with optimism and hope, said Jonathan Childers, 2026 DBA President. AgraduateofSMUDedmanSchool of Law, where she received both her J.D. and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Shonn is currently Vice President & General Counsel for Heidelberg Materials North America. Prior to join- ing the company, Ms. Brown was Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, ESG & Sustainability at Kimberly- Clark and also served as its Vice President & Deputy General Counsel for Global Litigation, Regulatory & Preventative. With over two decades as a trial lawyer, she has honed her skills and solidified her legal prowess. Shonn has been recognized as one of the Top 500 Business Leaders in Dallas by D CEO Magazine, and as a distinguished alumna of both SMU (2022) and the SMU Dedman School of Law (2016). Beyond her impressive legal achievements, Shonn has dedi- cated herself to strengthening the com- munity-advancing diversity in the profession, mentoring young lawyers, and giving her time and influence to causes that protect the rule of law. When choosing whether to stay involved or to evolve, Shonn advised, Continue to evaluate your activi- ties, organizations you are involved in and your actions. Are you doing them because you always have? Because that is what is expected? Or because you are trying to make a difference and be impactful? Consider how 'because of' your presence and leadership, the orga- nization will advance justice and equal- ity. If you have difficulty answering that then you should re-evaluate your involvement. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award recognizes individuals continued on page 10 Inside 10 What Texas's New Medical Marijuana Laws Mean for Employers 1 4 Immigration Enforcement: What Texas Employers Need to Know 1 7 Sidley's Pro Bono Impact 20 Online Commentary, Offline Consequences 28 Meet Your Allied Bar Presidents for 2026 RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES Don't risk being dropped from the DBA membership! Renew TODAY in order to continue receiving all your member benefits including FREE online CLE programs and Committee Communications. Look for an email reminder with links to renew your Dues online. Thank you for your support of the Dallas Bar Association!