Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Chair Holland N. O'Neil has been named one of five "Women at the Pinnacle of the Legal Profession" by the Association of Women Attorneys. These outstanding women lawyers will be honored at the AWA's Premier Women in Law Gala on March 25, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency Houston-Downtown.
Each year, the Houston AWA Chapter honors successful women in law in conjunction with the AWA Foundation's annual fundraiser. The five "Women at the Pinnacle" were selected for recognition based on their professional achievements, and Ms. O'Neil exemplifies the theme of this award. In June 2013, Ms. O'Neil was elected chair of Gardere’s Board of Directors, making her the Firm’s first female leader. In addition to leading the Firm, Ms. O'Neil serves on Gardere's Compensation Committee, Lateral Hiring Committee and Women's Council, while also maintaining a successful Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization practice.
"The Association of Women Attorneys has been the source of strength, support and empowerment for female lawyers in Houston, as well as throughout Texas, for as long as I can remember," says Ms. O'Neil. "I am honored to be recognized as a leading female attorney by such a wonderful organization and humbled to be considered an inspiration for the legal community's future female leaders."
Ms. O'Neil was recently recognized as a co-recipient of the Turnaround Award: Healthcare and Life Science Deal of the Year (over $100 Million), an award which recognizes the leading distressed investing, restructuring and turnaround professionals across the United States and in international markets. For the past nine years, she has been named to the list of The Best Lawyers in America© for her work in bankruptcy and business reorganization. She has also been recognized for the past 10 years by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for her bankruptcy and restructuring work in Texas. Additionally, she was listed in D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas and Best Women Lawyers in Dallas, and she has consistently been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers.
In addition to honoring successful women in law, the Premier Women in Law Gala is a fundraiser for the AWA Foundation. Six deserving law students from each of the three law schools in Houston — South Texas College of Law, Thurgood Marshall College of Law and the University of Houston Law Center — will be honored and receive scholarships at the gala luncheon.
"The AWA is proud to honor the success that these five women have achieved," says AWA President Brooke McNabb. "I want our young members, and the aspiring female law students who receive our scholarships, to enjoy the success of these impressive women. These role models make it possible for the next generation of women in law to envision the great things that are in store for them."
