Gardere Partner James Cooper Named 2012 Recipient of Jim D. Bowmer Professionalism Award

March 27, 2012 - PRLog -- HOUSTON – The College of the State Bar of Texas has chosen James Cooper, Co-Chair of the Policyholder Specialty Practice Group at Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, as the 2012 recipient of the Jim D. Bowmer Professionalism Award. Mr. Cooper will be recognized at the Annual Banquet for the Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, in Houston, Texas.

The award has been presented annually since 1994 to attorneys who demonstrate a high level of professionalism, elevate the prestige of the legal profession, promote legal ethics, further continuing education of lawyers, and serve as an inspiration to others. A cash award of $1,000 will be given to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation in Mr. Cooper’s name.

"I am honored to receive this very prestigious award,” says Mr. Cooper, whose practice at Gardere focuses on insurance coverage litigation and arbitration, in addition to commercial maritime matters. "I am personally committed to professionalism in my own practice, and have always tried to mentor other lawyers to do the same through my bar-related activities."

Mr. Cooper is consistently recognized as a “Leading Lawyer for Business” by Chambers USA and he regularly appears in the Texas Super Lawyer list based on his work in insurance matters. He serves on the Board of the Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court, an organization that promotes civility and professionalism in the practice of law. He also is former co-chair of the Houston Bar Association's Professionalism Committee, and in 2010 was presented with an HBA President's Award in recognition of his committee work. Mr. Cooper also serves as an editor of the LexisNexis Texas Annotated Insurance Code and is a Council Member of the Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

The College of the State Bar of Texas is an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best-trained attorneys in Texas. Members are qualified attorneys who are interested in both high ethical standards and improved training for all Texas attorneys. The award is named in honor of Jim D. Bowmer of Temple, Texas, the originator of the idea of the State Bar College and a co-founding father of the College.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, an AmLaw 200 firm founded in 1909 and one of the Southwest's largest full-service law firms, has offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Mexico City. Gardere provides legal services to private and public companies and individuals in areas of corporate, litigation, energy, tax, real estate, financial services, government affairs, hospitality, intellectual property, labor and employment and environmental. For more information, contact Kristin Butler at 214.999.4843 or kbutler@gardere.com.