Donald C. McCleary - Gradere Leadership Scholarship

The attorneys and staff at Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP have endowed, through the Dallas Bar Foundation, the Donald C. McCleary-Gardere Leadership Scholarship in memory of Don McCleary, a former managing partner, leader, and friend.

 

The scholarship will be awarded annually and is another key piece of his legacy. Don McCleary was a visionary leader – a master at motivating others to achieve their goals and always quick to give others credit for their achievements. Don imparted to all who worked at Gardere the importance of community involvement and civic leadership.

 

He embraced diversity before it became a well-used word, not just based on race or gender but on diversity of ideas. Don made friends easily and cultivated allies, and was a loyal and trusted friend. He grew from a small-town boy in rural Texas to a man of the world who taught himself to work for what he believed in and be unafraid of criticism along the way.