Randy Farber is a partner in JW's Houston office, specializing in real estate, finance and corporate law. Like most transactional attorneys, his practice involves intensive document review and drafting of contracts and other legal documents.
Randy is highly respected by his colleagues and clients for his expertise and attention to detail in his practice areas. He has received many accolades from clients and professional organizations. Randy also takes pride in mentoring and teaching associates. After 20 years of practicing law, he is still driven today by a work ethic that helps him maintain a very successful practice.
Remarkably, at one point Randy wasn't sure he could continue to practice law. In the early 80s he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary disease which causes gradual vision loss and often blindness. By the mid-90s, although he still had functional sight, his peripheral vision changed substantially. He was able to sustain his normal lifestyle until 2005, when he lost most of his peripheral vision and realized he could not drive safely.
It was then that Randy decided to contact the Division of Blind Services (DBS), a division of the Texas Department of Assistive Rehabilitation Services. At DBS he underwent extensive evaluation and training that covered assistive technology for the visually impaired such as talking computers and note takers. The instruction also incorporated life skills for daily living and mobility training, which included guidance on using a walking cane. At this point, Randy was able to read through a 12-point font document, but it was a slow and arduous process.
After evaluating different types of equipment that could help him at work, in March of 2006, Randy began working with a closed circuit TV and a computer with customizable software to magnify and read documents. However, by 2007 that equipment was no longer adequate for his needs and he began to work with JAWS (Job Access With Speech), a software program that reads computer screens and makes personal computers accessible to blind and visually impaired users.
With gradual blindness a reality, Randy contemplated his options going forward to continue his practice. Of the options explored, he decided that learning Braille was essential to his ability to continue to practice law. Braille proficiency at 50 words per minute is the desired rate and 25-30 is considered functional. In the beginning stages, Randy's rate was 10-20 words a minute. To put that into perspective, it took him a year, reading an hour a night, to complete his first Harry Potter novel. He is currently reading Braille at 25 words a minute.
Randy's goal is to become proficient enough at Braille to use a refreshable Braille display and embosser to maximum potential. This equipment would enable Randy to reproduce Braille from text on the screen, and would permit him to read with his hands as well as listen to the computer. Also, documents could be printed in Braille directly from the computer.
Randy explained that the unemployment rate among visually impaired people is approximately 70%, and most disabled lawyers work in non-profit corporations, government, or sole/small group practices. However, Randy is confident that with today's technology a visually impaired person can accomplish whatever he or she wants. They just need to identify the methods to be used and how to apply today's technology.
One of Randy's long time clients, Warren Savery at Crescent Real Estate, said "When I first learned of Randy's sight problem, I noticed immediately that he was very proactive about conquering this situation before it even began to become a problem for him. Randy never complained one time about his situation and has always had a 'let's move forward' attitude about it. Additionally, I never saw any drop off in the quality of Randy's work which is amazing considering the amount of detail he is known for. Randy has been the 'Keeper of the Gate' since day one in Greenway Plaza and Crescent is proud and fortunate to have him on our team."
Despite his deteriorating vision and the time dedicated to rehabilitative training, Randy was named a "Texas Super Lawyer" from 2004-2007 by Thomson Reuters. He was also named a "Top Lawyer" by H Texas magazine in 2009 and 2010.
Additionally, in June 2010, Randy received the Promethean Award from the Texas Rehabilitation Association. The award is given to a person with a disability who has demonstrated self-motivation and personal courage in overcoming their disability beyond the assistance provided by any public or private service agency.
Two of Randy's longtime colleagues, Kurt Nondorf and Bruce Ruzinsky, recently commented on their respect and admiration for Randy.
Kurt – "Over the several years that Randy and I have worked together at Jackson Walker, I have witnessed the gradual deterioration of his eyesight. However, his spirit and zeal with which he approaches his practice and represents his clients remain undiminished. Randy is an incredibly courageous individual who exemplifies all that is good and noble in our profession, and I am proud to be his partner."
Bruce - "I have worked on many deals and projects with Randy since his substantial loss of vision. Randy continues to produce top quality work product, often working late at night and/or on weekends to meet applicable deadlines. He is a true professional who takes pride in his work and in obtaining excellent results for our clients. Randy is an amazing person."
Randy is a member of the National Association of Blind Lawyers, a division of the National Federation of the Blind and a member of the State Bar Committee on Disability Issues. He has also been a panelist at CLE conferences and an invited speaker at a disability law symposium.
CLICK HERE for further information on the Department of Assistive Rehabilitation Services and the Division of Blind Services.
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Jackson Walker Diversity Committee Chair nominated for Trailblazer Award Bruce Ruzinsky has been nominated for the 2011 Trailblazer Award by the Texas Minority Counsel Program. The nomination is based on efforts to promote diversity within the legal profession. Award winners will be honored during the 2011 TMCP Awards Presentation on September 8, 2011.
Jackson Walker Honored by the University of Houston BLSA The Black Law Student Association at the University of Houston Law Center held its annual alumni reception on April 30, 2011. Jackson Walker was presented with a plaque of appreciation for its continuous support of the fall scholarship banquet. Jamila Patten accepted the plaque on JW's behalf.
Dallas Associate, Lauren Mutti, Co-Chairs Annual Dinner & Dialogue Hosted by DAYL – The Dallas Association of Young Lawyers hosted a dinner party designed to facilitate open discussion about sensitive topics which are often not discussed due to political correctness. The forum titled "Diversity of Thought: Moving Beyond Discussions of Black and White and Into the Gray" was held at the Belo Mansion in Dallas on May 19th. Jackson walker was a gold sponsor of the event.
Jackson Walker Sponsors Dallas Reception for The Texas Minority Counsel Program – The Reception will be held on June 28th at PepsiCo/Frito Lay Headquarters. Dallas partners Suzan Kedron and Tracey Wallace plan on attending the event, along with some invited JW clients. The reception is usually well attended by in house lawyers and outside counsel, and helps to promote the annual TMCP event which will be held in Austin this year on September 9 – 11. Tracey Wallace will also be speaking on the Labor and Employment panel at the TMCP conference in Austin. This year's conference will have in-house counsel representatives from American Airlines, TXU Energy, Dell, AMD, Belo Corp., AT&T, J.C. Penney, State Farm and Dean Foods just to name a few.
Houston Summer Clerks Attend Luncheon Hosted by the HBA's Minority Opportunities in the Legal Profession Summer Clerkship Program – The Summer Associates Luncheon was held on June 1st at the Houston Club. The topic discussed was "Branding Yourself: Building and Maintaining a Successful Career in Law in any Economy." All six JW Houston Summer Clerks attended the event, along with Bruce Ruzinsky, Diversity Committee Chair and Houston associate, Chevazz Brown.
PIPELINE - Encouraging Diverse Young People at an Early Age – Managing partner, Wade Cooper has become a member of the Pipeline Committee of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).
Jackson Walker, in conjunction with the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), hosted a group of students at our Dallas office on May 4th, for lunch and a series of programs in support of Street Law. The Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program partners corporate legal departments with nearby, diverse high schools, in an effort to engage the students, teach them more about civil law, and encourage them to consider careers in the legal profession. This program is a national partnership between Street Law and the Association of Corporate Counsel. The aim of the Street Law program is to encourage minority students to pursue legal careers. More information on the program, including a video, is at
www.streetlaw.org/acc. Thanks to Paul Watler, Suzan Kedron, Kevin Jones, Alia Derrick and Shakeeb Mir for their involvement on JW's behalf in the program. Lucy Humble in our marketing department coordinated the event, which was sponsored by the diversity committee.
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CONTINUING TO CULTIVATE COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
San Antonio partner Marcello Tamez joined the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Jackson Walker became a first time sponsor of Bar None through Dallas partner Scott McElhaney's involvement with the Dallas Bar Foundation and the Dallas Bar Association. Bar None is an annual musical variety show supported by local attorneys and law firms. Bar None raises funds for the Dallas Bar Foundation's support of the Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Scholarships at the Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law. To date, more than $1,400,000 has been awarded to the Hughes Scholarship fund.
Jackson Walker was a first time sponsor of the University of Houston Asian Law Students Association Spring Banquet (ALSA) on April 13. Houston associates Cynthia Lam and Samir Najam attended the event. Pictured are the officers of ALSA and the guest speaker, former Solicitor General of Texas, James C. Ho.
Jackson Walker was a gold level sponsor of the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas' 15th Annual Conference and Retreat on April 15-17, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The theme was "Building Bridges; Creating Dynamic Relationships in a New Decade" and featured Lawrence Tu, General Counsel for Dell, Inc. interviewing Don Liu, General Counsel for Xerox Corporation for an "Inside the General Counsel's Office" discussion. The Justice David Wellington Chew Award was also presented to an individual who significantly contributed to the APA community in Texas.
Preeminence requires diversity. We at Jackson Walker have a responsibility to our community, clients and to each other to foster and promote diversity. The firm is committed to that responsibility and philosophy through awareness, action, and a culture in which all individuals are afforded the opportunity to excel. The Firm is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the
policy of the Firm to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran's status, disability or handicap.
For more information: www.jw.com/diversity
Diversity Committee Members:
• Melissa Bates
• Ling Chwang
• Alicia Duleba
• Alesia Foster
• Joel Heydenburk
• Margaret Hopson
• Suzan Kedron
• Scott McElhaney
• Lauren Mutti
• Jorge Padilla
• James Prappas
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• Joshua Romero
• Bruce Ruzinsky, Chair
• Joan Sostek
• Robert Soza
• Michelle Steckel
• Marcello Tamez
• April Vasquez
• Soraya Walden
• Jerry Webberman
• Leonard Woods
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About JW Diversity
jw2 - Jackson Walker Women
