Phil Hardberger Receives Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award from Texas Bar Foundation

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6.19.15

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that Phil Hardberger, Senior Counsel in the firm’s San Antonio office, has been selected to receive the Texas Bar Foundation’s Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award. The award recognizes attorneys whose practice has spanned 50 years or more and who adhere to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession and service to the public. He will be publicly recognized at the Texas Bar Foundation’s Annual Dinner taking place in San Antonio.

Hardberger is a renowned attorney who provides counsel to the firm’s Litigation, Appellate, Public Law and Economic Development practices. Having served two terms as mayor of San Antonio, Hardberger delivers business “know-how” with a results-oriented style that provides clients and colleagues with vision, creativity and leadership. Prior to serving as mayor, he was elected to the Fourth Court of Appeals, where he served as Associate Justice and Chief Justice. He began his legal career in Washington, D.C., where he was executive secretary of the Peace Corps and then assistant director of the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity.

During Hardberger’s tenure as San Antonio Mayor, he carried an approval rating of 86 percent and captured 77 percent of the vote during his re-election. He succeeded in extending mayoral term limits, worked diligently to continue the San Antonio River expansion, transformed thousands of lives with Haven for Hope, celebrated the opening of Toyota’s assembly plant in San Antonio, and was one of the first mayors to provide assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In recognition of his leadership and foresight in championing quality of life projects, the city of San Antonio named a new major park after him.

“Phil’s dedication and leadership have resulted in many positive changes for the city of San Antonio, the state of Texas, and especially the clients he serves,” said James B. “Jamie” Smith, Jr., Vice Chair - Texas for Dykema. “His legal acumen, integrity and compassion are unparalleled and we are deeply honored to have him on our team.”

Hardberger is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Election to the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas, representing the top one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys. He was elected to the Texas Bar Foundation in 1991. Additionally, the Texas Bar Foundation commissioned an oral history to recognize and preserve the accomplishments of Hardberger’s legal career. 

About the Texas Bar Foundation

Founded in 1965 by attorneys determined to assist the public and improve the profession, the Texas Bar Foundation has become the largest charitably-funded bar foundation in the country. The Texas Bar foundation relies on the contributions of its Fellows to improve the lives of Texans. To-date, through the generosity of the Fellows, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $15 million in grants to numerous organizations across the state. For more information please visit www.txbf.org.

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