Patrick Wiseman Award for Civil Rights
The Patrick Wiseman Award for Civil Rights was established by the Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
Section to recognize attorneys for their outstanding contributions to the civil rights and liberties of
Texans.
Nominations are submitted by the Civil Liberties & Civil Rights Section membership and final
selection is made by the Council. Nominees must be a member in good standing of the State Bar
of Texas or an inactive member and have been licensed to practice law in Texas or another
jurisdiction for at least ten years.
In selecting a recipient, the Council considers a nominee’s contribution to civil rights and civil
liberties law; reputation for expertise in civil rights and civil liberties matters; reputation for
professionalism and ethics within the legal community; authorship of scholarly works and
presentations relating to civil rights and civil liberties; significant participation in the State Bar of
Texas, the Civil Liberties & Civil Rights Section, local bar associations, or other legal
organizations; and other significant contributions or experience relating to civil rights and civil
liberties law.
Congratulations to Allyson N. Ho as the 2023 Wiseman Award Recipient
We were excited to present the 2023 Patrick Wiseman Award for Civil Rights to Allyson N. Ho of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP at the 2023 Bill of Rights Course on May 5, 2023. Mrs. Ho has been described as “undoubtedly one of the premier appellate lawyers in the United States.” She has a argued many high-stakes cases throughout the United States and before the U.S. Supreme Court. She is also an active pro bono litigator who has worked on many important religious liberties cases. Her amicus briefs have been cited by the Supreme Court both during oral argument and in multiple opinions.
Past Recipients
2023 – Allyson N. Ho, Dallas
2022 – Alex Bunin, Houston
2021 – Thomas S. Leatherbury, Dallas
2020 – Bill Holston, Dallas
2019 – Mark S. Whitburn, Arlington
2018 – Chad Baruch, Dallas
2017 – Meijken Westenskow, Dallas
2016 – Eliot D. Shavin, Dallas
2015 – Judge William Wayne Justice, Austin
2014 – Ralph Brock, Lubbock
2013 – Greg Gladden, Houston
2012 – No Award Presented
2011 – Shelia Cheaney, Austin
2010 – Sarah R. Weddington, Austin
2009 – David Dow, Houston
2008 – James Harrington, Austin
2007 – Judge Jerry Buchmeyer, Dallas