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.