Thompson & Knight Gains Finance Expert and Diversity Leader

DALLAS – The international law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP today announced the addition of Pauline E. Higgins as a Partner and Chief Diversity Officer. She is the former Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, and Assistant Corporate Secretary for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Houston.

Ms. Higgins will expand the Firm’s finance practice and focus on designing and implementing initiatives that will support the Firm’s commitment to cultivate and maintain diversity. She will join the Firm on June 29, and will be based in the Houston office.

“We are honored to have Pauline join us,” says Pete Riley, the Firm’s Managing Partner. “She has the experience, savvy, and passion to lead us in achieving our diversity goals. She is the rare lawyer who has been recognized nationally for success in developing and advancing minorities as evidenced by her numerous awards. Pauline is also a recognized master in the art of mentoring.”

As demonstrated by her many honors, community and civic involvement, and prolific career, Ms. Higgins has effected change. In addition to her many responsibilities as an executive, attorney, and civic leader, she became a trailblazer through her steadfast commitment to encourage, mentor, and create opportunities for women and minority lawyers.

“Thompson & Knight’s strong commitment to diversity was the deciding factor for me,” Ms. Higgins says. “The Firm shares my passion to make change happen. I am thrilled to become a part of such a dynamic organization.”

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University in 1977, Ms. Higgins went on to earn her LL.M. degree in Taxation from the University of Houston in 1992, and her Juris Doctor degree from Tulane School of Law in 1989. She also earned her CPA in 1981.

During her career, Ms. Higgins has received numerous honors, including the 2005 Sarah T. Hughes Award from the State Bar of Texas’ Women and Law Section, the Texas Executive Women 2005 Women on the Move Award, and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s 2004 Rainbowmaker Award, among many others.

She was selected as one of Texas’ 50 top in-house counsel by Texas Lawyer in 2005, and earned recognition as a Texas Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly magazine. Ms. Higgins has served on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors for four years, and currently serves on the State Bar of Texas Diversity Task Force. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, Ms. Higgins held a number of key positions with several Texas corporations, and also served as chief of staff and counsel for U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

About Thompson & Knight

Since 1887, Thompson & Knight LLP has consistently made a positive impact on its clients’ successes. With its practice focused on the energy industry, the Firm has extensive resources in litigation, tax, insolvency, and international energy matters. The Firm has approximately 420 attorneys and offices and alliances in Algiers, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, London, Mexico City, Monterrey, New York, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Vitória. Thompson & Knight represents companies, government entities, and individuals in local, regional, and national markets around the world.