Charles L. Smith - Jackson Walker LLP

and that endeared him to clients. He wasprobably the first candidate for State BarPresident who utilized diagrammed wallmapsof Texas geography and color-codedpins to leave no vote unasked-for in hissuccessful 1984 campaign for President-Elect. During the next year, PresidentSmith led the Bar through one of themost profound changes in its history— the adoption of mandatory MinimumContinuing Legal Education. Charlie’sbelief in the merit of this then-controversialidea did produce some dissident sarcasm(like “thanks a lot, Charlie”), but twentyfiveyears later, there can be no doubt thathis work for the passage of MCLE wasright on target. Thanks a lot, Charlie. 3In-house in the 1970s and early 80s,gentleman Jack Hebdon was the man incharge, but Charlie Smith was the handsonboss. He carried out this authority witha low-key but determined exactitude.It cannot be said that Charlie’s partnersagreed with each of his managementdecisions. But who could quarrel withinnovations like two-gender/multi-ethnichiring and enlisting professional legalassistants? In assigning work, Charliestrived to promote efficient organization oflitigation files among specialized practicegroups. For example, it was his idea thatinaugurated the first law firm appellatepractice section in San Antonio. 4Charlie’s supervision of the associateranks at Groce, Locke & Hebdon is thestuff of legend. The storied details of therelationship are beyond the scope of thisreport, but one memory stands out asillustrative of his position. In the mid 70s,we down-trodden associates were invitedperiodically to attend the opening segmentof the partners’ weekly meetings. Seizingthe opportunity, we customarily gatheredon the meeting-eve in a small diningroom above the Esquire Bar (“theUpper Room”) to formulate a bill ofgrievances for presentation the nextmorning when Charlie asked, “Doesany associate have something tosay?” Thanks to a waiter’s repeatedtrips up from the bar, eloquentresponses were inevitably articulatedthe night before. But in the soberlight of Charlie’s penetrating gaze,they usually were voiced in a fewawkward stammers and meek “nosirs.” His ritual conclusion was toask if we had enough work (I don’trecall his ever asking if we had toomuch) before dismissing us fromthe conference room.As things boomed in the 1980s,Charlie had his hands full with theaddition of many bright new litigationhires. With them, somebody had tobe the “big cheese,” and he was it.Most who began under Charlie’swing would say that his guidance hadan unforgettable impact. Charlie was agood teacher (certain questions shouldalways be asked of a deponent andcertain things should not be disclosed innegotiations). He praised fine work andhelped constructively with mistakes. Bestof all, he became a friend who inspiredby caring deeply for his law firm andthe well-being of its lawyers and staff.Charlie enthusiastically rallied the troopsas coach of the firm’s winning softballteams. He and Ann hosted delightfulretreats at the Smith family’s McQueeneylake house. 5 He still has an absolutelyuncanny knack for remembering thenames, faces, and situations of spouses,children, and significant others, and healways goes out of his way to inquireCharlie in his A&M baseball days at Kyle Fieldabout them and to greet them warmly.Is it any wonder, then, that Charliehas been honored widely and repeatedly?The recognitions he has acquired wouldtake a separate edition to enumerate.Here are just a few:• Lola Wright Foundation Awardfrom the Texas Bar Foundation forOutstanding Public Service in theEnhancement of Legal Ethics;• Lifetime Achievement Award bySt. Mary’s University School of Law;• Distinguished Law Alumnusby the Law Alumni Association ofSt. Mary’s University;1Judge Cadena taught at St. Mary’s University School of Law for several years before becoming City Attorney. During that time, he argued andwon a landmark case in the United States Supreme Court, which established that people could not be excluded from jury service because ofnational origin. More details can be found in successor Chief Justice Phil Hardberger’s memorial tribute to Judge Cadena published in Volume62 of the Southwestern Reporter Third Series.2In the summer of 1973, this writer applied for a job with the newly formed firm and happily accepted Charlie’s offer to become Groce, Locke& Hebdon’s first associate hire and twentieth attorney (after he deftly negotiated me down from my stated salary requirement). The firm’s sizesteadily grew to more than one hundred lawyers in 1990.3Charles L. Smith’s major State Bar contributions also include two periods of service on the Board of Directors, including the chairmanship in1980-81. He was on the Board when another landmark event occurred in 1984 -- the adoption of IOLTA. He has also chaired the Commissionon Judicial Conduct, as well as the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, and has served on the Board of Disciplinary Appeals.4As a result, this writer was converted in the mid-70’s from the latest stint of questionable service in each of the other sections to become theoriginal head of the appellate section (and, for a while, the foot as well).5Speaking of family, Charlie and Ann’s own offspring should be recognized. Both Jimmy and Larry were drafted into the law firm’s courier cadre atvarious times in their teenage and young adult years. Jimmy (Dr. James Smith), who now practices medicine in New Orleans, and wife Monica arethe parents of Austin and George. Larry (Lawrence D. Smith) followed the footsteps to law school (SMU), and, having begun his employment-lawpractice as an associate at Groce, Locke & Hebdon, is now a San Antonio partner in Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart. Larry and wife Kim arethe parents of Timothy, Zander, and David. Holly Smith, Charlie and Ann’s daughter, has a career in education for children with special needs.San Antonio Lawyer 7 March-April 2010