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The award recognizes a Texas attorney, admitted to practice before the United States Eastern District Court who has demonstrated a superior commitment to public service. Attorneys receiving the award have distinguished themselves by significant acts or series of related acts which have contributed significantly to raising the public profile and image of the legal profession in the Eastern District of Texas. Recipients have a record of outstanding accomplishments with a commitment to public service that is marked by high standards of personal integrity and dedication. In keeping with Judge Hannah, Jr.'s own legal experience, attorneys from all manner of professional backgrounds are eligible to receive the award. Once nominated the selection is made by a panel of dignitaries from the Eastern District.
This year's winner, Pat Chamblin, graduated from the University of Texas Law School, with honors, in 1978 where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and served on the Texas Law Review. Following law school, she began practicing at MehaffyWeber in 1978 and became a shareholder in 1982. Pat is also a mediator and a gifted trial and appellate lawyer as well as a certified mediator. Pat is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Pat has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® since 1991 and as a Texas Super Lawyer® in Texas Monthly magazine since 2003. She maintains an AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
In addition to her professional accomplishments and accolades, Pat has dedicated countless hours to advance the legal profession. Pat was honored with the Texas Center Professionalism Award this year, presented by the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and the Jefferson County Bar Association. She has also been the recipient of the Michelle F. Mehaffy Pro Bono Award in Jefferson County and was named the Jefferson County Bar Association's Outstanding Young Lawyer in 1990. She is a Sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the American Bar Association.
Pat also served on the Civil Justice Reform Act Committee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. She is member of the Board of Trustees of the Texas Bar Foundation. She has served as a past Chair of the State Bar of Texas' District 3A Grievance Committee and as past Chair of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization-Personal Injury Trial Law-Advisory Committee. She is the current chair of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Committee for the State Bar of Texas. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Lawyers' Insurance Exchange and served as a Director for the Texas Association of Defense Counsel.
Pat is a Past-President of the Jefferson County Bar Association and the Jefferson County Bar Association Foundation. In fact, she has participated in almost every Jefferson County Bar Association activity, including National Adoption Day, Spindletop Spin, CLE, Lawyer's Assistance Program, Settlement Week, Client Assistance Program, and the Pro Bono Program. The Spindletop Spin is the major fundraiser of the Jefferson County Bar Foundation. Pat was instrumental in the process of starting and growing that fundraiser. She can still be found volunteering for it every year it rolls around in June. Pat also served our local bar as a Past-President of the Michelle F. Mehaffy Inn of Court.
Pat is also active in the community. She attends Westgate Memorial Baptist Church and is an active participant in the AWANA group working with kindergarten through second grade students. Pat serves as Chair of CHRISTUS Hospital's Board of Advisory Trustees. We congratulate Pat for her receipt of this prestigious award and thank her for her years of service both the firm and the profession.
