Diversity

HWA is women-owned. HWA is a modern, egalitarian law firm.
We embrace the diversity of our firm as one of our core strengths and a foundation of all we do.

HWA is nationally certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-South, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (“WBENC”).

Certification is a detailed and involved process including an in-depth review of the business and onsite inspection to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women.
HWA is also certified as a Small Business Administration and as a Texas Historically Underutilized Business ( HUB) woman-owned small business. HWA is also a member of NAMWOLF, a professional association of Women and Minority owned law firms.

Established in 1978 as a boutique bankruptcy and real estate law firm, HWA’s founders focused on building a reputation for excellence, integrity, and community involvement that has been interwoven into the fabric of HWA and permeates its culture today. Historically, the firm’s practice areas and client base have included those at the forefront of diversity efforts.

Bankruptcy was one of the first practice areas that welcomed women and minorities. From its inception, bankruptcy has been one of the pillar practice areas of the firm. The first woman appointed as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee for the Southern District of Texas, Houston and Galveston Divisions (1984-present) is Of Counsel to the firm and has been so for over 15 years.

HWA has represented credit unions for four decades. HWA has been and continues to be active in the credit union movement People Helping People, which strives for social justice by providing people of limited economic means access to affordable banking and credit and helps strengthen communities through financial education. HWA enthusiastically participates in the Houston Chapter of Credit Unions and Credit Unions for Kids, which benefits Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

HWA hires its professionals based upon talent, performance, work ethic, and professionalism. HWA believes that the best talent is obtained by casting a wide net to obtain a broad, diverse range of experiences, backgrounds, and talents to foster innovation and collaboration, leading to greater respect, understanding, and mutual success.

HWA’s diversity mirrors that of Houston, the city we call home: the percentage of HWA’s women partners, of counsel, and associate attorneys exceed both the 2020 Houston and national averages reported in the 2020 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law firms by the National Association of Law Placement Seventy-nine percent of the staff are minorities; sixty-two percent of the staff are women.