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Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Attorney Awards, presented by the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association (TCWLA) and Travis County Women Lawyers’ Foundation (TCWLF) during their annual Grants & Awards Luncheon held April 24. The event celebrates the incredible work being done to support women, children, and families in our community.
Austin Bar Foundation Chair Mary-Ellen King, Partner at Lucosky Brookman, received the Public Interest Award.
AYLA President Jenna Malsbary, Associate Counsel at CapMetro, received the Pro Bono Award.
Judge Amy Clark Meachum of the 201st Civil District Court received the Outstanding Achievement Award.
Megan Kempf, Associate Director of Policy at Texas Health and Human Services, received the Government Service Award.
Paige Duggins-Clay, Chief Legal Analyst at the Intercultural Development Research Association, received the Advancement of Minority Interests Award.
Adeola Ogunkeyede, Chief Public defender in Travis County, received the Criminal Justice Award.
Michelle Kwan, Partner at Jackson Walker, received the Corporate/Transactional Award.
Lisa Tsai, Managing Partner at Reid Collins & Tsai, received the Litigation/Appellate Award.
Jeana Patel, Principal Recruiter at Jobot, received the Advancement of Women’s Interests Award.
The Law Firm of Amber Russell (LOAR) received the Firm Award.
The foundation also announced the recipients of its 2026 grant cycle.
Vecina, an organization that empowers immigrant justice advocates through mentoring attorneys, educating communities, and mobilizing volunteers, received the Impact Grant for $40,000.
The following organizations received traditional grants of $10,000:
Austin Sanctuary Network: Supports immigrants fleeing violence or in danger of deportation.
Casa Marianella: Supports displaced immigrants and asylum seekers and promotes self-sufficiency by providing shelter and support services.
Dress for Success: Empowers women to achieve economic mobility by providing a global network of support, workplace attire, and development tools for success.
Friends of Paws in Prison: Supports the work of the Paws in Prison program at the Coleman Unit in Lockhart, Texas, by teaching inmates to train dogs that are rescued from rural kill shelters.
Saint Louise House: Empowers women and children to overcome homelessness by providing stable housing and wraparound services with highly individualized support.
Seedling Foundation: Provides school-based mentoring to children impacted by parental incarceration.
TCWLA President-Elect Cassandra Pillonel with Public Interest Award winner Mary-Ellen King.
TCWLA President-Elect Cassandra Pillonel with Pro Bono Award winner Jenna Malsbary.
Outstanding Achievement Award winner Judge Amy Clark Meachum (center) together with Judges Jan Soifer, Jessica Mangrum, Maya Guerra Gamble, Catherine Mauzy, Daniella DeSeta Lyttle, Sherine Thomas, and Maria Cantú Hexsel.
The TCWLA/TCWLF Award winners. (L-R): Firm Award winner Amber Russell of the Law Office of Amber Russell (LOAR); Government Service Award winner Meghan Kempf; Pro Bono Award winner Jenna Malsbary; Women’s Interests Award winner Jeana Patel; Advancement of Minority Interests Award winner Paige Duggins-Clay; Corporate/Transactional Award winner Michelle Kwan; TCWLA President-Elect Cassandra Pillonel; Criminal Justice Award winner Adeola Ogunkeyede; Litigation/Appellate Award winner Lisa Tsai; Public Interest Award winner Mary-Ellen King; TCWLA President’s Award winner Rachel Luna; TCWLA President Melissa Lorber; and Outstanding Achievement Award winner Judge Amy Clark Meachum.
Members of the TCWLA and TCWLF boards of directors.
