OFF THE RECORD

Brad Allen: Firing for Funds

By Jason Ostrom

Brad Allen, a partner at Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, is a man who has found a way to turn a favorite childhood pastime of shooting skeet and trap into a way to give back to the community and support a great organization, Special Olympics Texas. Brad devotes hundreds of hours each year to raising money for Special Olympics Texas and does so primarily through his leadership of and participation in the Sporting Clays Tournament. This event, held annually at the American Shooting Center, pits individual shooters against one another, competing in various categories, to shoot clays and win prizes. Sporting Clays, often called “golf with a shotgun” or “Texas golf,” involves shooting clay targets (that look like small orange Frisbees) at a variety of stations with different presentations of targets to mimic bird hunting. In the past, this event has not only brought a great turnout of people within the legal community and beyond, but also has been known to attract the media, such as the local TV stations. All of the money (and the attention) raised by the tournament goes to Special Olympics Texas.

The tournament was the brain child of Lisa Moran and Brad Allen. In 1998, the two came up with the idea when looking for a new way to raise money for Special Olympics Texas through the Houston Young Lawyers Association. Acting as co-chairs for the event, Lisa and Brad coordinated the first tournament and netted $15,000 for the cause and 117 participants—both records for a first year event at the time. Lisa moved and could not continue in her position as co-chair in the years following, so Jason Truitt, an attorney and friend of Brad, came on to help organize and lead the event for the second year.

Conoco, looking for a vehicle through which to provide support for Special Olympics, saw the promise in this burgeoning tournament and became title sponsor of the event. The company, now ConocoPhillips, is in its seventh year as the title sponsor. Brad and Jason have remained co-chairs of the organizational committee, which is a composite of ConocoPhillips’ employees, Houston Bar Association members, and Special Olympics staff. Brad’s law firm has also played a pivotal role in the success of the event, providing both financial backing and encouraging Brad to devote his time to it. With the involvement of ConocoPhillips, the support of Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, and the efforts of volunteers like Brad and Jason, the tournament has grown into the second largest sporting clays tournament in the State of Texas, with close to 600 participants each year. The proceeds from the seven annual tournaments exceeds $500,000 donated to Special Olympics Texas. The goal for the 8th Annual ConocoPhillips Sporting Clays Tournament is to raise $135,000 or more for Special Olympics Texas.

The tournament serves not only to benefit Special Olympics, but also those who participate in it, by giving them a fun, family-oriented atmosphere in which to enjoy sporting clays. Brad, for example, grew up shooting skeet and trap with his father. Their enjoyment of the sport gave them common ground and helped form a bond between a military father and his son. This bond is evident at each Sporting Clays Tournament, where the two men compete against one another and enjoy it wholeheartedly.

However, it is not only men who participate in this tournament. Both Brad’s wife, Gretchen, and Jason’s wife, Angie, volunteer their time to make the tournament a greater success. Young people also play an important role in the tournament, as every year the high school Sunday class at Atascocita Lutheran Church, which Brad teaches, volunteers and competes in the tournament. “I bring the youth and my family every year, because at one time they learn the benefit of Christian service, benefit the athletes of Special Olympics, learn gun safety, and have lots of clean fun,” Brad says.

The next Sporting Clays Tournament is scheduled for March 16-17, 2007, at the American Shooting Center in Houston. Anyone desiring more information on how to spend a fun-filled day outside with family and friends while supporting a wonderful cause at the Sporting Clays Tournament, whether by participating or volunteering, should contact Special Olympics Texas at 713-290-0049 or Brad Allen at 713-632-1790.

Jason Ostrom is a partner at Ostrom/Sain, LLP and a member of The Houston Lawyer editorial board. His practice area focuses on probate and fiduciary litigation.

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