64 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 B eing in business for 40 years is no easy accomplishment. For the KoonsFuller law firm, determining how to celebrate their longevity was clear as day. KoonsFuller established the KoonsFuller Family Law Foundation, which granted a total of $200,000 to some of the charitable organizations with which they’ve worked during their nearly half-century of existence. “What better way after 40 years of success than to share that success with the people who work so hard?” says Ike Vanden Eykel, CEO and Managing Shareholder in the firm’s Dallas office. The firm operates five full-service locations including Dallas, Houston, Denton, Plano and Southlake. The scope of the foundation is about giving back to the community in which each attorney practices. “The charities are local, and that’s a unique thing about such a large law firm,” notes Sherri Evans, Managing Shareholder in the Houston office. “It’s important for us to remember that each of our offices is part of a community. It makes it more personal.” Firm leaders began to brainstorm about how to mark the firm’s 40th anniversary, and the decision to establish a charitable foundation was unanimous. “The concept of giving back to the community emerged, and we decided to form a foundation to benefit charities all over Texas,” says Evans. The selection process began with an invitation to charitable organizations that focus on family-related issues to make a grant request. The response was overwhelming. In addition to designating the amount of money they were requesting, grant applicants were required to provide detailed information such FAMILY LAW FIRM GIVES BACKTO FAMILIES KoonsFuller Family Law Foundation awards $200,000 in grants at Dallas and Houston events By Karyn Brodsky To give back in a meaningful way to charities in North Texas and commemorate its 40th anniversary, KoonsFuller launched the KoonsFuller Family Law Foundation. On November 2nd, friends, families, colleagues, and leaders and board members from 22 non-profits gathered at the Dallas Omni for a spectacular night of wine tasting, food pairings and $100,000 in grant awards to charities serving children and families. Top row - Dave Wehrly (Resource Center), Paige McNamara and Tom Stallings (Alliance for Children), Rick Robertson, Sherri Evans, Charla Bradshaw, Ike Vanden Eykel, Heather King, Dr. George Holden and Ona Foster (Family Compass) Bottom row - Julie Bice and Alan Doreantes (TACA), Patrick Palmer (Our Calling), Susie Morrissey (PediPlace), Jeff Woodward and Rhealyn Carter (Dallas Theater Center), Ann Sheets (Campfire First Texas), Jesh Batra (Family Gateway)