Luke Soules Award

The Luther (Luke) Soules III Award is presented in January of each year by the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas, at the Litigation Update Institute. The award is given to an attorney who embodies excellence in the practice of the law and exemplary service to the State Bar. It is designed to recognize Texas legal practitioners who demonstrate outstanding professionalism and community impact.

Luther (Luke) Soules, III, was the first recipient. Past honorees include Jim Coleman, Dicky Grigg, the Honorable Royal Furgeson, Kim Askew, George W. Bramblett Jr., Eduardo Rodriguez Jr., Stephen L. Tatum, David J. Beck, James L. Branton, Jim Harrington, Claude Decloux, Harper Estes, the Honorable Eva Guzman, Hon. John G. Browning, Talmage Boston, and Layne Kruse.

Selection Criteria and Rules
The nominee should embody the following:

• Demonstrated commitment to equal justice under law.
• Conduct promoting the rule of law.
• Outstanding examples of professionalism.
• One or more significant contributions to the community as a result of legal representation or service to the State Bar.

The nominee must be an attorney admitted to practice law in the State of Texas for a minimum of 10 years and be in good standing with the Bar.

The nominee cannot appear on a ballot in a contested race for elected office in the same year as nominated for the award.

The nominee cannot currently serve as a member of the Litigation Section Council of the State Bar of Texas.

Nomination Application Information:

The nominator should provide the following information:

• Name, address, telephone number, and email for nominator and nominee.
• Provide (either in curriculum vitae or in a one-page synopsis) the following information about the nominee:
• Schools attended (degrees, honors)
• Professional affiliations
• Published works and legal presentation
• Other background information
• One-page explanation stating the reasons why the nominator believes the nominee should be selected to receive the award, again in light of the selection criteria:
• Demonstrated commitment to equal justice under law.
• Conduct promoting the rule of law.
• Outstanding examples of professionalism.
• Community impact as a result of the practice law.
• One or more significant contributions to the community where they reside, the State of Texas, or on a national level, as a result of legal representation.

Nominations will be reviewed by a select committee chosen by the chair of the Litigation Section. Nominations must be submitted by December 13, 2024. The recipient will be notified before the end of the year and is encouraged to attend the 2025 Litigation Update Institute on January 30-31, in San Antonio, to receive the award.