Page 10 - Briefcase Volume 38 Number 1

FAMILY LEGACY DONORS

MALCOM DISHONGH ’93 &

KENNETH DISHONGH ’20

SHARE MUTUAL LAW CENTER EXPERIENCE

From the time he was in fourth grade, Malcolm Kenneth Dishongh, who is referred to as Drew by his
Dishongh intended to become a lawyer. The 1993 classmates, was named in part after his father’s close
University of Houston Law Center alumnus participated friend Andrew Thigpen. Thigpen passed away in
in debate in high school which earned him a scholarship 1998, but his legacy of advocacy lives on at the Law
at Houston Baptist University. Throughout most of Center with the Andrew B. Thigpen ’93 Scholarship
his law school tenure he worked full time at Abraham founded by Malcolm Dishongh in honor of his friend.
Watkins to sharpen his skills. It is awarded annually to a student who wins an essay-
“I was 10 years old and never changed my mind,” he writing competition.
said. “I set my career path on what I wanted to become, “Andy and I worked at Abraham Watkins and went to
and every step of the way I worked with counselors, the Law Center together,” Malcolm said. “One of my
school administrators and different activities that greatest memories was studying for the bar with him
would help me.” and knocking ideas off of him concerning the bar

His son, Kenneth Andrew Dishongh’s path to law school exam and how to prepare for it.”
was not as direct. But the 2020 Law Center graduate Malcolm Dishongh currently works as a solo
eventually received instruction from some of the same practitioner and is the owner of Dishongh Law, PLLC
Law Center professors who taught his father. Among in Humble, where he assists clients in civil litigation,
Kenneth Dishongh’s favorite activities at the Law Center including family and probate law issues, among
was participating on the mock trial team. other matters.
“I was very aware of the different legal markets and I “Through law school and through practice, I have been
preferred Houston’s,” Kenneth Dishongh said. “There’s able to help people,” Malcolm said. “That’s why I got
been a lot of growth here in the past 10 or so years and into law, and it’s what I’ve been able to do with my law
that really had a big impact on my decision.” degree. The greatest satisfaction I get is referrals and
“I’m very interested in the soft IP world, copyrights, recommendations from previous clients.”
trademarks, trade secrets and those sort of issues. I’m Malcolm Dishongh’s firm was one of the lead donors of
also really interested in labor and employment law.” the Law Building Campaign: More Than Bricks. With his
Kenneth Dishongh initially intended to practice medicine, giving, he hopes to see the Law Center become a world
but had a change of heart when he thought he would class learning environment with the implementation
be better suited for a career in law. During his time as a and use of growing technology that helps students be
college student, he changed his major to political science, prepared for the ever-changing legal environment.
a popular choice for pre-law students. “I hope that others will see the vision that the Law

“It was kind of a shock because we hadn’t discussed it Center has to continue to improve its top-tier law school
before his undergraduate years at Texas A&M at all,” status and create the team-work spirit of accomplishing
Malcolm Dishongh said. “It had never been a topic of something that in a few years we can all celebrate and
discussion. With me, I knew what I was going to do from appreciate for many years to come,” he said. “The building
an early age. Kenneth realized it when he was in college. campaign is bringing a collective spirit to a singular goal
He really thought the process through and chose the best – make the University of Houston Law Center the best
school not only for him, but how he wants to proceed in it can be.”
his life and his career.”

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