Partner, Chief Diversity Officer
Thompson & Knight LLP
Pauline E. Higgins has joined the international law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP as a partner and chief diversity officer. Higgins, who will be based in the firm’s Houston office, will expand the firm’s finance practice and focus on designing and implementing initiatives that will support the firm’s commitment to cultivate and maintain diversity.
Prior to her appointment, Higgins had been the vice president, assistant general counsel, and assistant corporate secretary for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Houston. She has also held a number of key positions with several Texas corporations, and served as chief of staff and counsel for U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana State University in 1977, Higgins earned a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Houston in 1992, and her juris doctorate from Tulane School of Law in 1989. She also earned her CPA in 1981.
During her career, Higgins has received numerous honors, including the 2005 “Sarah T. Hughes” Award from the State Bar of Texas’ Women and Law Section, the Texas Executive Women 2005 “Women on the Move” Award, and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s 2004 “Rainbowmaker” Award, among many others.
Higgins was selected as one of Texas’ 50 top in-house counsel by Texas Lawyer in 2005, and earned recognition as a “Texas Super Lawyer” in Texas Monthly magazine. Higgins has served on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors for four years, and currently serves on the State Bar of Texas Diversity Task Force. She has also been inducted into the American Law Institute.