National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Houston Section has named Kim Ogg and Dori Kornfeld Goldman as the 2017 Women of Influence:
As Harris County’s first Democratic District Attorney in nearly four decades, Kim Ogg is ushering in a wave of progressive criminal-justice reforms, including victims’ rights and increasing the transparency and diversity of her office.
Dori Kornfeld Goldman is a partner at Yetter Coleman LLP and was co-counsel in a recent landmark case reforming the Texas foster care system.
Awards will be presented at the Women of Influence Luncheon on Friday, September 15, at the Houston Racquet Club. The public is welcome; registration is recommended.
“Both DA Ogg and Trial Attorney Goldman are using their legal expertise and personal values to bring about changes that will positively
affect the lives of children and families in our community.” said NCJW co-President Jody Sweed. “These issues are important to our members and central to NCJW’s mission.”
“Kim Ogg and Dori Goldman embody our belief that progressive ideals can be turned into action,” said NCJW co-President Marlene Matzner. “Through litigation, this year’s award winners are safeguarding individual rights and improving the quality of life for Houstonians.”
“Throughout her life, Kim Ogg has focused on making communities safer, putting family safety at the center of her work,” explains Deedee Ostfeld, NCJW Board Member. “NCJW is honoring DA Ogg because of her lifework and commitment to pursue justice, especially regarding consumer fraud targeting seniors, human traffickers in our community, and protecting families from gang members.”
Foster care reform is a paramount concern for NCJW. In February, over 100 members and guests attended Hannah’s Vision to learn how to effectively advocate for children in foster care from Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Lisa Falkenberg and Katy attorney Alex Hunt. Then in April, members gathered to more fully understand the implications of the ruling in the Texas foster care case and the next steps to advocate for those affected by this class action lawsuit.
“We are recognizing Dori because of her dedication and leadership in Jewish programs and institutions in our community and for her recent trial work that we believe will lead to major improvements in our foster care system,” explains Bari Fishel, NCJW VP Community Service and Advisor.
EVENT REGISTRATION
Reservations are recommended to attend The Women of Influence Luncheon on Friday, September 15 at 11:30 a.m. Prior to the luncheon, patrons may attend a private reception, which starts at 11:00 a.m. The cost of the luncheon is $42 with an advanced purchase and $50 at the door. Patron tickets cost $72 and must be purchased in advance. For registration and more information, check the website www.ncjwhouston.org or email specialevents@ncjwhouston.org.
AWARD RECIPIENT BIOS
Kim Ogg
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a native Houstonian, has been a nationally recognized victims’ rights advocate for nearly three decades. From 1986 to 1994, Ogg served as prosecutor for Harris County, where she rose to the level of chief felony prosecutor. In 1994, she was appointed by Mayor Bob Lanier as Director of Houston‘s first Anti-Gang Task Force, where she oversaw a 40% reduction in gang crime. From 1999 to 2006, she served as executive director of Crime Stoppers, before entering private practice. During her legal practice, she fought for the rights of families, individuals accused of crimes, and police officers all the way to the Supreme Court.
In 2016, Ogg won election to the District Attorney’s Office. Ogg intends to make our communities safer and be fiscally responsible to the taxpayer she is charged with protecting. To accomplish this, she advocates against sending tens of thousands of low-level drug offenders to jail and instead wants to keep them in the work force. The savings may then be used for the investigation and prosecution of violent gangs and professional criminals. She is also a strong champion for bail reform and the diversion of the mentally ill to non-jail facilities. She is committed to the pursuit of justice against public corruption, white-collar crime, consumer fraud—especially of the elderly, human traffickers, environmental polluters, and gang members.
“As the daughter of a kidnapping victim, I know the pain of victims,” Ogg said. As a prosecutor and Director of Crime Stoppers, I have protected our streets. As an attorney, I have fought and won to protect the rights of citizens all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Taxpayers can depend on me to stand up to corruption and demand accountability.”
Ogg is a graduate of the South Texas College of Law and the University of Texas at Austin.
Dori Kornfeld Goldman
Dori Kornfeld Goldman is also a native Houstonian. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her law degree from Harvard Law School.
Goldman is an appellate and trial partner at Yetter Coleman LLP. Active in high-stakes litigation, she focuses her law practice on crafting the trial and appellate strategy for cases in state and federal court.
Along with her co-counsel, Goldman represented 12,000 Texas foster children in a class action lawsuit that challenged pervasive failures in the Texas foster care system. After a two-week trial, the court issued a 255-page opinion finding widespread constitutional violations and appointed independent special masters to effect systemic reform. Goldman said, “As an attorney, I am excited to have the opportunity to be involved in litigation that is making a substantial impact on so many lives in our community.”
She is married to Adam Goldman and is the proud mother of Amelia and Dalia.
National Council of Jewish Women is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.