CIS of Houston honors Baker Botts for 30 years, thousands of hours in pro bono legal support

Leading law firm’s commitment to nonprofit helps serve thousands of students

Baker Botts has supported CIS of Houston for more than 30 years. Pictured: Baker Botts Partner and CIS of Houston Board Member Bill Kroger (right) with CIS of Houston CEO Emeritus Cynthia Clay Briggs (left) and a former CIS student

This National Celebration of Pro Bono Week, Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) is recognizing Baker Botts’ generous partners and associates for their unrelenting commitment to supporting students and families in their times of need.

Partner Bill Kroger, Immediate Past President of the Houston Bar Association and longtime CIS champion and board member, and the entire Baker Botts team have for 30 years helped the nonprofit proactively manage legal matters as it serves thousands of students across the Greater Houston area. When Meghan McElvy, partner at Baker Botts, isn’t working on energy litigation and regulatory proceedings, she and her colleagues have often provided pro bono legal services to CIS of Houston.

From crisis intervention, trauma and mental health counseling to providing basic necessities and other resources to families who may be struggling, CIS student support specialists work in schools to help students break down any barriers to their success. 

“Our work and expansion would not be possible without the incredible commitment from Baker Botts’ caring attorneys,” Lisa Descant, CIS of Houston CEO, said. “From leases and contracts to protection of student confidentiality, we’ve always been able to count on Baker Botts to advise and assist with any legal matter, which ultimately allows our dedicated student support specialists to focus on helping students and their families.”

CIS of Houston student support specialists serve 125,000 at campuses in Aldine Independent School District, Alief ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD, Spring ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Southwest Schools, Texas Connections Academy and Lone Star Colleges. 

In addition to millions of dollars of pro bono legal services, invaluable leadership on the board of directors, hundreds of thousands of dollars in individual and firm donations to CIS of Houston over the last 30 years, Baker Botts founded and continues to support the nonprofit’s CIS/HBA Summer Legal Internship program for high school students.