Darrell E. Jordan
Managing Partner, Dallas
Godwin Gruber, L.L.P.

Career: After earning his LL.B. from Southern Methodist University in 1964, Darrell E. Jordan worked as a prosecutor in the office of Dallas District Attorney Henry Wade. Jordan and two colleagues later formed a small law firm that grew and eventually merged with Hughes & Luce, L.L.P. in 1982. Jordan joined Godwin Gruber, L.L.P. in July 2003 and became managing partner in October 2004.

Why did you become an attorney?
"Being a lawyer was what I wanted to do since high school. I had an uncle who was a senior partner in the New York law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell. He was my role model. I also wanted to get involved in a profession where I could make a difference. That desire led me to law school."

How did you get involved in pro bono work?
"I guess I've always been a volunteer. For most of my career, I have taken two or three pro bono cases a year. I believe it is important for attorneys to do work for people who need help without expecting payment. I have always felt that if I could help, I wanted to do so."

What was your most memorable pro bono experience?
"In 1994, Frank Newton (then chair of the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation) asked me to help defend the Texas Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program against lawsuits filed by the Washington Legal Foundation. This case was a true labor of love. I tried the case twice in Federal District Court, appeared twice in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and twice before the U.S. Supreme Court."

In 2003, the Supreme Court found in a 5-4 decision that IOLTA programs do not violate the Fifth Amendment. How did you stay motivated for the nine years you defended the Texas program?
"I am a true believer in IOLTA. I thought the challenge to the program was wrong. It was very technical and didn't address the economic reality that nothing was 'taken' from anyone through IOLTA programs. My beliefs in what we were doing kept me motivated, and the support from Hughes & Luce, where I was partner, also helped greatly."

How does Godwin Gruber incorporate and encourage pro bono work?
"Godwin and Gruber has a strong record of helping when and where needed. And, it starts with the leadership valuing pro bono work. Don Godwin and Mike Gruber are involved in pro bono work and allow the attorneys time to do it as well. As managing partner, I recognize and acknowledge publicly our lawyers' pro bono contributions. We are pro-bono friendly — the firm's policies support and encourage pro bono work. Godwin Gruber has a pro bono committee, and our lawyers are active in the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. Pro bono work is not mandatory at the firm; people do it because they feel good about it."

Why do you do pro bono work?
"Pro bono work is one of the responsibilities of our profession. And, it is certainly worthwhile. Without a doubt, helping people and seeing their looks of gratitude is worth more than any monetary reward."