Who we are
Recognize & Support
The Houston Young Lawyers Foundation was created in 1992 to support the charitable programs of young lawyers in Harris County. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality and availability of legal aid, health, human
welfare, and education services provided by Greater Houston nonprofit organizations through targeted
volunteering and grants, while building leadership capability through a deeper appreciation of giving. By 2030, we intend to enhance the quality of life for at least 20,000 Greater Houston residents and distribute $500,000.
Who we are
Recognize & Support
The Houston Young Lawyers Foundation was created in 1992 to support the charitable programs of young lawyers in Harris County. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality and availability of legal aid, health, human
welfare, and education services provided by Greater Houston nonprofit organizations through targeted
volunteering and grants, while building leadership capability through a deeper appreciation of giving. By 2030, we intend to enhance the quality of life for at least 20,000 Greater Houston residents and distribute $500,000.
Our programs
HYLF Cornerstone Programs
In addition to the Grant Program, other programs that are the cornerstones of HYLF’s commitment to making a difference include:
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our Board Leadership

Sherry Rodriguez | Chair
Sherry Rodriguez entered the nonprofit sector in 2019 as a Development Director for Texans Can Academies...

Brenda Adimora - Chair-Elect
Brenda represents plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of commercial litigation matters at Susman Godfrey...

Kristen Bates | Secretary
Kristen Bates is an associate attorney at The Strong Firm, P.C. in The Woodlands, Texas where she represents clients in civil litigation...

Veronica Rossitto | Treasurer
Veronica is an associate at Stibbs & Co., P.C. Her practice focuses on transactional matters related to acquisition and disposition...

Whitney Larkin | Immediate Past Chair
Whitney Larkin is with Union Pacific Railroad. A native Houstonian, Whitney received her undergraduate degree from University of Houston...
Our Board of Trustees

Mariame Aana
Mariame is an attorney licensed in Texas, New York, and Washington D.C. She has been working as a Houston-area non-profit lawyer since 2014, practicing in the fields of immigration and family law...

Femi Aborisade
Femi Aborisade is a Director on HYLA’s Board of Directors. Before becoming an Energy and Infrastructure Associate at Sidley Austin LLP...

Anietie Akpan
Anietie is a Staff Attorney for METRO, where she practices compliance, public information, and transit law. After receiving her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘Em!), Anietie received her law degree from St. Mary’s S[...]

Brooksie Boutet
Brooksie is a Snell Montgomery, LLP. Over her five years as a HYLA member, Brooksie has co-chaired the Mentorship & Transitions Committee and been highly involved in the Adopt-an-Angel Program. In 2019, she completed the Leadership Academy and was [...]

Zachary Caballero
Zachary Caballero is a Poet and First-Generation Trial Lawyer at Padilla & Rodriguez, LLP. He graduated from South Texas College of Law-Houston with honors in 2017 as a National Moot Court Champion and Member of the Order of Barristers. Since then,[...]

Kelley Clark Morris
Kelley is a litigation associate at Gray Reed & McGraw LLP, focusing on energy and commercial disputes and appellate matters...

Michael Clinton
As an attorney at Perdue & Kidd, Michael Clinton represents plaintiffs in personal injury claims as well as pharmaceutical and medical device litigation across the country...

Akilah Craig
Akilah is an associate in the Houston office of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, and is a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment group.

Alex Farias-Sorrels
Alex is actively involved in the Houston Bar Association and is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. She also chairs the HYLF Strategic Planning Committee...

Amy Farish
Amy’s practice at Yetter Coleman focuses on commercial litigation with experience that includes representing clients in a diverse range of disputes involving class action securities, intellectual property, and complex contract issues...

Phil Haines
Phil has a corporate and securities practice with a focus on public and private offerings, acquisitions and divestitures...

Samantha-Anne Nadolny
Samantha-Anne Nadolny is an accomplished, driven and business-savvy professional, experienced corporate lawyer, compliance professional and business leader with a demonstrated history in the multiple industries, specializing in construction, oil & [...]

Leah Nommensen
Leah Buenik Nommensen is a commercial litigation associate at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP...

Daniel O'Neil
Daniel is a personal injury trial lawyer with Thompson, Coe, Cousins and Irons. A Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, Daniel served HYLA the past bar year as Director, co-chair of the CLE Committee, Chair of the Spanish Class Committee, and a member of[...]

Michael Reed
Michael is with Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and practices labor and employment...

Joe Savoie
Joe R. Savoie serves clients in the areas of fiduciary litigation, probate, trust, and guardianship litigation, and commercial and business litigation...

Kristy Sledge
Kristy Gabrielova Sledge is a long time member of the Houston Young Lawyers Association and the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation...

Lori Yount
Lori Yount represents businesses in all phases of disputes, with a focus on construction-related litigation. Lori came to the firm in 2018 with significant experience in insurance defense and commercial litigation.
Our Ex-Officio Members

Lucy Cain | Executive Director
Lucy has been with HYLA/HYLF since May 2015. Before working with HYLA/HYLF, she was with the Houston Bar Association (HBA) for over 30 years...

Kelly Hanen
Kelly is a trial associate at Baker Botts and has been on the HYLA Board since 2018. Prior to joining Baker Botts, Kelly graduated from UT Law and Dartmouth College. During her time on the Board, Kelly has served as co-chair of HYLA’s Membership Comm[...]