During the 2019 DBA Law Day Luncheon, the DAYL was fortunate to be able to present three awards to deserving people. Dena DeNooyer Stroh was recognized as the DAYL 2019 Outstanding Mentor Award Recipient, Marisa Jeffrey was recognized as the DAYL 2019 Outstanding Young Lawyer Recipient, and Matt Osborne was recognized as the DAYL 2019 Liberty Bell Award Recipient.
DAYL 2019 Outstanding Mentor Award Recipient – Dena DeNooyer Stroh
Dena DeNooyer Stroh is a graduate of Yale University and SMU Dedman School of Law, cum laude. She currently serves as General Counsel and Ethics Officer for the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA). Dena has inspired and served as a role model for countless young lawyers, taking time to mentor them on a continual basis, whether in person or through her involvement and leadership in the DAYL, DBA, DWLA, Inn of Court, or Attorneys Serving the Community. One example where she has had a significant impact on the development of young lawyers is through her work as a Facilitator of the DAYL Leadership Class, a role she has served in since 2011. Additionally, Dena focused on the development of young lawyers as a past President of both the DAYL and the DWLA creating several impactful programs designed to improve the skills of young attorneys. She is a frequent public speaker and moderator on panels dedicated to the development of young lawyers and has an extensive record of service to the community, having served in many roles and capacities over the last twenty years including currently as the Vice Chair for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. It is for these reasons that Dena is the perfect recipient of the 2019 DAYL Outstanding Mentor Award.
DAYL 2019 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award Recipient – Marisa Jeffrey O’Sullivan
Marisa Jeffrey O’Sullivan is a graduate of the University of Missouri, magna cum laude, and SMU Dedman School of Law, cum laude. She currently is an associate at Amy Stewart PC where she has developed a specialty in the area of cyber insurance. She is entrusted with handling large insurance coverage litigation, policy reviews in all commercial lines, coverage claims, and client presentations. Marisa is praised by clients for her ability to take complicated and challenging legal issues and explain the law in a way that makes sense so that clients can make informed decisions. Marisa is also recognized for her writings on insurance law contributing to publications such as the Litigator’s Practice Guide on Texas Insurance Coverage Litigation and Inside Counsel magazine’s online publication. She also regularly presents to in-house and outside legal counsel on insurance topics, including cyber insurance, corporate risks, and e-discovery in coverage cases. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the DWLA and the DAYL. Perhaps her biggest impact can be seen in her leadership of the Women’s Mentoring Circle, a hugely successful women’s mentorship program. It is for these reasons and many others that Marisa was selected as the 2019 DAYL Outstanding Young Lawyer.
DAYL 2019 Liberty Bell Award Recipient – Matt Osborne
Matt Osborne is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio and the Monterey Institute of International Studies. He currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). The mission of O.U.R. is to bring attention to the global epidemic of child sex trafficking, rescue children from sexual slavery, and assist law enforcement with seeking justice for those who violate children. Before joining O.U.R., Matt served a 12-year career with the CIA and the State Department. In the CIA, Matt worked issues related to terrorism, chemical and biological weapons programs and proliferation, and the political transition in Iraq. He regularly provided secrets and analysis to US Presidents, senior cabinet officials, and the National Security Council. In his role as a Foreign Service Officer and diplomat, Matt served overseas in Spain, Venezuela, and Mexico, where he specialized in the fight against terrorism, illegal narcotics, organized crime, and human trafficking. He also organized official visits for former President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. With O.U.R., Matt has led a total of 15 undercover rescue operations that resulted in the liberation of 171 human trafficking victims and in the arrest of 54 traffickers. He is described as having a servant’s heart, and as being committed to the cause of rescuing exploited children. Because of Matt’s efforts to provide freedom to the most vulnerable in our society, the DAYL is honored to present the 2019 DAYL Liberty Bell Award to him.