Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Cristina Portela Solomon has been inducted as president of the Houston Association of Women Attorneys, effective April 1.
The AWA is the only organization in the Houston area that focuses exclusively on the advancement of women law students, lawyers and judges. Ms. Solomon’s appointment was formally announced at the organization’s AWA Premier Women in Law Luncheon held on March 23.
“Cristina has established herself as one of the most respected and capable attorneys in the Houston legal community,” says Gardere Chair Holland N. O’Neil. “She is a tireless advocate for the advancement of women in the practice of law, as evidenced by her impressive professional achievements and dedication to AWA.”
Ms. Solomon is a partner in Gardere's labor and employment practice group. She is a seasoned trial lawyer who represents clients on employment matters in both state and federal court. She devotes a significant amount of her practice to trade secret litigation and has developed a reputation throughout Texas for successfully prosecuting and defending cases involving emergency relief in injunctive proceedings. Ms. Solomon, who is fluent in Spanish, often represents clients in employment matters throughout Latin America and Mexico.
Under the AWA bylaws, the president must first serve as president-elect for the year preceding her term. Each year, the president-elect is nominated by the incoming president and approved by a majority vote of AWA members. In addition to serving as the organization’s president-elect, Ms. Solomon has acted as chair of the AWA Foundation’s Board of Trustees and also served on the nominating committee for the annual Premier Women in Law luncheon, the foundation’s primary fundraising event.
“Cristina has assembled a remarkable Board, who will continue building on the accomplishments of the organization,” says Christina Ponig, the outgoing AWA Houston president. “The Board is poised to do great things this year in the Houston legal community, guided by Cristina’s capable leadership. This will be an outstanding year for the AWA.”
The AWA Houston began in 1976 as a small group of women attorneys gathered in an empty courtroom to discuss ways to combine their strengths to improve opportunities for all women lawyers and promote recognition of their capabilities. Today, the AWA hosts a variety of fundraisers, educational events and scholarships designed to empower women to maximize their potential for success in the legal profession.
