Champions for Justice to be Celebrated at 2025 Good Apple Dinner

AUSTIN, Texas—Texas Appleseed will honor Houston attorney Travis Torrence with its 2025 J. Chrys Dougherty Good Apple Award, recognizing his outstanding leadership demonstrated through mentorship of emerging legal talent, dedicated service within the Bar, and unwavering commitment to nonprofit service. The organization will also honor law firm Alston & Bird with the 2025 Pro Bono Leadership Award for its vital partnership and outstanding pro bono support. 

Both awards will be presented at the nonprofit’s Good Apple Dinner, which brings together local and statewide leaders in the legal, advocacy, business, and education communities in Texas. This year will be the 24th year Texas Appleseed has held the event. Sponsorship opportunities are available now for the event, which takes place on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons in Austin.

Good Apple Award
Mr. Torrence serves as U.S. Head of Legal at Shell USA, Inc., where he leads a team of over 150 lawyers. He has spearheaded efforts to further Shell’s commitment to pro bono work, leveraging the company’s legal expertise to assist those in need. Beyond his role at Shell, Travis’ spirit of service is shaped by personal experience and reflected in his leadership roles across a range of organizations. He is the Past President of the Board of Directors of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Foundation, which promotes justice and equity for the LGBTQ+ community within the legal profession, and a long-time supporter of Bo’s Place, a nonprofit bereavement center in Houston that supports grieving children, families, and adults. 

Torrence also plays a critical role in mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. As the Chair of the Executive Council of the Yale Law School Fund Board, he invests in emerging legal talent by supporting student needs, scholarships, and innovative educational programs grounded in equity and impact. His service on the Board of Directors of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation is critical to expanding access to legal services for low-income Texans. Travis also serves as Chair of the Hollyfield Foundation and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Yale Alumni Fund and the Dean’s Advisory Council for Tulane University’s School of Liberal Arts.

Pro Bono Leadership Award
Texas Appleseed is pleased to present the 2025 Pro Bono Leadership Award to Alston & Bird, a law firm that has been a vital partner in our pursuit of justice. Their openness, creativity, and unwavering support were essential in preparation for and during Texas’ 89th legislative session. 

The firm served as a critical resource, taking on four time-sensitive projects, including efforts to address the Texas Juvenile Justice Department’s nondisclosure of data related to mental health services. From protecting the integrity of our law school access program to advising on data privacy and responding to urgent legislative needs, Alston & Bird consistently rose to the moment. Their deep commitment to pro bono service drives lasting, systemic change for communities across Texas.

About Texas Appleseed
As one of the most trusted resources for data-driven policy analysis and solutions, Texas Appleseed advocates at the state and local level for fair, just, and equitable laws. Our work has shaped hundreds of laws and positively affected millions of Texans by breaking down barriers through transformative policy solutions. Visit www.TexasAppleseed.org for more information.

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