Monica Karuturi Takes Helm as 2023 Chair of Houston Bar Foundation
CenterPoint Energy executive already has strong record as a champion for access to justice
(HOUSTON – February 9, 2023) – Monica Karuturi, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CenterPoint Energy, assumed the position as the 2023 Chair of the Houston Bar Foundation at the Foundation’s Annual Luncheon on February 9 in downtown Houston. Karuturi succeeds Christian A. Garza of Enterprise Products.
The Houston Bar Foundation, established as the charitable arm of the Houston Bar Association (HBA) in 1982, supports programs that provide legal representation to the indigent, promote community understanding of our legal system, and foster the administration of justice.
“I am honored to serve the Houston Bar Foundation as Chair at such an exciting chapter in the Foundation’s history,” said Karuturi. “We just celebrated a record-breaking Harvest Celebration in the fall, which raised over $1 million to support pro bono provided through Houston Volunteer Lawyers. The generosity of our Fellows continues to thrive, and the nominating process for a new class of Fellows has already begun.”
The Foundation gave special thanks to the supporters of the Kay Sim Endowment for Access to Justice in Houston, which ensures the sustainability of these important pro bono legal services now and into the future.
In addition to her work for the Foundation, Karuturi previously served as a Commissioner of the Texas Access to Justice Commission for six years and on the Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters Committee of the State Bar of Texas. She is currently a member of the Texas Access to Justice Commission’s Working Group on Access to Legal Services for Low-Income Texans, and on the Houston Pro Bono Joint Initiative Planning Committee, the Advisory Council of the Tahirih Justice Center, and the Board of Directors of the CenterPoint Energy Foundation.
The Foundation’s board includes Quentin L. Smith of Vinson & Elkins LLP and Krisina Zuñiga of Susman Godfrey LLP as Vice Chairs, and Hillary H. Holmes of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, who will serve as Treasurer. They are joined by incoming 2023-2025 directors Sara Keith of Shell USA, Inc.; Holly Nini of CITGO Petroleum Corp.; Andrew Gratz of LyondellBasell; and Christopher D. Northcutt of Chevron Corporation. 2022-2024 Directors of the Foundation’s board are Alistair Dawson of Beck Redden LLP; Linda Hester; Sejal Brahmbhatt of Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP; and Richard Whiteley of Bracewell LLP. Christian A. Garza will serve on the board as Immediate Past Chair. HBA President Christopher V. Popov of Vinson & Elkins LLP will serve as Ex Officio, as will HBA Executive Director and Secretary of the HBF Board Mindy Davidson.
The Foundation also recognized recipients of the Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards, as well as winners of awards from the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) and in recognition of an Outstanding Legal Article for The Houston Lawyer. The recipients are:
Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards
LyondellBasell- 2023 Corporate Law Department Winner
Baker Botts L.L.P. - 2023 Large Law Firm Winner
Beck Redden LLP- 2023 Mid-Size Firm Winner
Diggs & Sadler- 2023 Small Law Firm Winner
Martin RG Marasigan Law Office - 2023 Small Law Firm Winner
Jane L. Ray- 2023 Individual Winner
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Hillary Holmes, and The Pro Bono Squad – 2023 The Heart of Pro Bono
DRC Awards
Jill Arntz - Longevity of Exemplary Service to the Dispute Resolution Center
Brenda Page - Outstanding Contribution to the Dispute Resolution Center
Outstanding Legal Article in The Houston Lawyer
Jennifer Davidow, Akilah Craig, and Xperanza Uvideo, co-authors of “Generational Perspectives on Adapting to the Evolving Legal Landscape,” published in the May/June 2022 issue of The Houston Lawyer.
Additional information about the Houston Bar Foundation can be found on our website at hba.org.
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The Houston Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the Houston Bar Association. The Foundation supports programs that help provide legal representation to the indigent, promote community understanding of our legal system, and foster the administration of justice.
