Greenberg Traurig's Karen Kennard to Speak at Austin Bar Association Virtual Equity Summit

AUSTIN, Texas, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Karen M. Kennard, a shareholder in the Austin office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, will be a panelist at the inaugural Austin Bar Association Virtual Equity Summit on May 14 at 12:45 p.m. CT.

"I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to speak about criminal justice reform, a topic that is dear to my heart," Kennard said. "It is through these conversations that people are empowered to create change and true progress can be made."

Kennard will speak during a session titled "History and Implementation of the Tim Cole Act: Injustice as a Catalyst for Justice." This act has a very personal connection to Kennard as it is named in honor of her eldest brother Tim Cole. Cole was wrongfully convicted of rape more than two decades ago and died in prison in 1999, at the age of 39. In 2009, DNA testing proved Cole's innocence, and he was the first person in Texas to receive a posthumous exoneration and posthumous pardon.

Joining Kennard for the session are Mike Ware, executive director for the Innocence Project of Texas; and Former Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, Supreme Court of Texas.

According to the Austin Bar Association, its efforts to achieve racial equity and dismantle the systems created by institutional racism will take much longer than one year. As such, the Equity Committee will continue its work and plan to make the Equity Summit an annual event.

As a Government Law & Policy attorney, Kennard focuses her practice on government law, policy, and regulatory matters with an emphasis on municipal local government issues. Her experience spans more than three decades and includes positions as City Attorney for the City of Austin, Texas and General Counsel of the Texas Municipal League.

About Greenberg Traurig's Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firm's efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certification, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: DRIVES Twitter: @GT_Drives

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP – Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and part of its history. With approximately 130 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firm's global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the state's future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com

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Elaine Walker, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 3055790832, [email protected]

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