Jackson Walker congratulates Christopher R. Mugica on being selected as a finalist for this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Minority Counsel Program (TMCP). Chris and the other finalists will be recognized during the Keynote Awards Luncheon at the 30^th Annual TMCP Conference held on November 2-4, 2022, in Dallas, Texas.

Each year, the TMCP Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an attorney who has demonstrated extraordinary support and advocacy for the advancement of underrepresented individuals, women, and LGBTQ+ people in the legal profession over the course of their legal career.

As noted by one of Chris’ proudest advocates, Jackson Walker Managing Partner Wade Cooper: “Chris is the kind of leader and mentor we need in our profession—intelligent, seasoned, giving with his time and knowledge, and, most importantly, one who does not shy from embracing diversity and inclusion.”

“Chris is the kind of leader and mentor we need in our profession.”

Chris has made significant contributions toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout his career. He has mentored and supported women and diverse attorneys within the firm as a member of Jackson Walker’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and has held leadership positions on the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) as an Executive Committee member and co-chair of the Alumni Symposium and on the Steering Committee of the TMCP for seven years. In addition, Chris joined a Color of Justice Program panel in 2021 that introduced the legal profession as a potential career path to young diverse students.

While his impact on DEI has been substantial, his focus has always remained fixed on people and making the lives of others better around him, particularly involving the greater Austin community. He has served on the Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America as a member of the Executive Board, as a Chaplain to the local area troop, and as an Assistant Scout Master. Also, since 2011, Chris has co-chaired the annual Travis County “Do the Write Thing Challenge,” a program that, through classroom discussion and the writing of essays, teaches children how to deal with anger, bullying, and other conflicts in a constructive way without resorting to violence.

His strong commitment to serving his community has strong ties to his background. “I recognize that without the kindness and generosity of others, as well as the efforts of those that attempted to level the playing field, I would have never had the opportunity to enjoy the success I have,” said Chris. “Appreciation for this opportunity is what has always motivated me to give back and help pave the road for the next generation of lawyers – especially those from underrepresented classes.”

“I recognize that without the kindness and generosity of others, as well as the efforts of those that attempted to level the playing field, I would have never had the opportunity to enjoy the success I have.”

In addition to being named a TMCP Lifetime Achievement Award finalist, Chris will speak during the TMCP Conference with Emma Cano (Jefferson Cano) on November 3 as they discuss how litigators can build bridges and overcome obstacles with opposing counsel.

Jackson Walker is a proud sponsor of the TMCP, for which Dallas partner Nate St. Clair serves as a Steering Committee member for the fourth consecutive year. For more information about the legal diversity conference, visit the Texas Minority Counsel Program page of the State Bar of Texas website.

Meet Chris

Christopher R. Mugica has a broad commercial litigation practice that includes fiduciary litigation, first-party insurance defense, and consumer and employment litigation. Chris has handled a wide variety of complex commercial matters for clients, including class action, fraud, and fiduciary litigation. He also has sophisticated experience in real estate litigation representing developers, lenders, and property owners associations.

For more information about Chris and his background, see “Embracing the Opportunities We Are Given.”