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August 21, 2025 - HighGround is proud to announce our induction into the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) 100 Club. This distinction indicates that every full-time attorney in our office is a member of the DBA, an organization committed to supporting the legal community in Dallas and promoting good relations among lawyers, the judiciary and the public.

Since 1930, HighGround’s trust and legal team has served our client partners through their expertise in charitable gift, tax and estate planning. The team currently includes four attorneys who specialize in nonprofit law and legislation affecting tax-exempt organizations:

• Joe Hancock, SVP and Chief Legal Officer
• Randy K. Dixon, Senior Associate General Counsel
• Jennifer Babisak, Associate General Counsel
• Tommy Choi, Associate General Counsel

HighGround’s trust and legal team provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to support nonprofit organizations and their donors. Our in-house attorneys collaborate closely with development staff to stimulate charitable giving through targeted training and personalized consultation with donors and their financial advisors.

The team provides gift administration tailored to meet the diverse and evolving needs of nonprofit organizations. From evaluating and accepting complex assets to preparing legal documentation and overseeing gift execution, they ensure that every gift aligns with the donor’s personal goals while generating the greatest impact for the organizations they support.

Additionally, the trust and legal team actively monitors legislation and informs client partners on emerging opportunities and risks. For example, the passing of Texas House Bill 456 in 2024 granted certain charitable organizations an exemption from mineral interest taxation. HighGround attorneys have worked closely with local governments and eligible nonprofit partners to apply for and benefit from this exemption. Most recently, our team responded to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), highlighting the bill’s impact on nonprofit organizations and donors.

HighGround’s legacy of advocacy extends to the national stage. Former HighGround leaders Terry Simmons and Tal Roberts played key roles in the passage of the Charitable Gift Annuity Antitrust Relief Act of 1995 and the Philanthropy Protection Act of 1995, both signed into law by President Clinton.

Our attorneys are members of the Dallas Estate Planning Council as well as the national and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. Joining the DBA’s 100 Club reflects HighGround’s ongoing commitment to the legal profession and our dedication to providing exceptional service and resources to our client partners.

You can learn more about HighGround’s trust and legal services at highgroundadvisors.org/gift-planning. If you have any questions about how we can best serve you, please contact us at trust@highgroundadvisors.org or 214.978.3300.