Michael K. Hurst Named Chair of Equal Access to Justice Campaign
by Jessica D. Smith
Michael K. Hurst has been named Chair of the 2012-2013 Equal Access to Justice Campaign benefiting the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP). A partner with Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail Shank LLP, Michael has been a tireless advocate for the Campaign for many years serving as Chair of various divisions and as Co-Chair of the Corporate Division in 2011-12.
“Michael has dedicated a considerable amount of time and effort to the pursuit of Equal Access to Justice, and we are honored to have him lead this year’s EAJ Campaign,” said DBA President Paul K. Stafford.
Mr. Hurst has been active in the Dallas Bar for many years. He currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Judiciary Committee and a Vice-Chair of the Trial Skills Section; he has Chaired the Finance Committee, Bylaws Committee, Law Day Committee, Peer Assistance Committee, the Education Symposium and the Mentoring Committee among others. Mr. Hurst first began service on the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) Board of Directors in1999 as President of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL). He was awarded the Jo Anna Moreland Committee Chair Award for his service to the Dallas Bar Association in 2009.
Mr. Hurst is a Fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation, a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a Founding Life Fellow of the DAYL. Before serving as DAYL President, he served as Chair of the DAYL’s Professionalism Committee and Mentoring Committee for six years.
During his 22 years as an attorney, Mr. Hurst has strived to serve those less fortunate in one way or another, whether by giving his time or by donating to worthy causes.
“Since the day I graduated law school, I have recognized the importance of ensuring legal aid to the poor, and have been gratified as I have strived to serve the low-income community for the last 22 years,” he said. “Now, I am tasked with leading the fundraising for DVAP at this critical time, and am hoping to count on my friends, colleagues and others to help me and the Campaign achieveour goals.”
“The need to donate for legal aid to the poor has never been more heightened and timely,” said Mr. Hurst. “While more than 25 percent of the residents of Dallas County qualify for pro bono legal services due to their income, only about 20 percent of the civil legal needs of low income and poor Texans are being met. For every one person helped, at least one qualifying individual is turned away. Our legal system is the best in the world, but we need to make our system accessible to everyone.”
The Campaign will culminate at the Inaugural of 2013 DBA President Sally L. Crawford on January 19, 2013.
Jessica D. Smith is the Communications/Media Director of the Dallas Bar Association. She can be reached at jsmith@dallasbar.org.
