Jackson Walker partner Paul Watler presented the 2014 James Madison Award to Donnis Baggett, Executive Vice President of the Texas Press Association and former publisher and editor of The Bryan–College Station Eagle, during the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas’ State Conference in Austin on Sept. 12, 2014.

Named for First Amendment author President James Madison, the award is presented each year to those who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment. Mr. Baggett was recognized for his work in fighting for open government and the First Amendment.

In presenting the award, Mr. Watler said that Texans are fortunate to have Baggett fighting for the public’s right to know what its government is up to.

A past recipient of the James Madison Award, Mr. Watler has a long history of advancing the Foundation’s mission. He served as president in 1996–99 and remains on the Foundation’s board of directors.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the public’s right to know about their government and other public entities. To learn more about the organization, CLICK HERE.

Mr. Watler focuses his legal practice on complex commercial and media litigation. He has been named by Texas Lawyer magazine as the “Go To” lawyer for media litigation in Texas, placing him among an elite group of the state’s top 29 lawyers across all practice areas. Mr. Watler has also been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1995, has been named one of the 250 Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine; and has been named a “Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters annually since 2003.