ADL Southwest honors Ann B. Stern, Karl Stern with Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award
ADL Southwest’s Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award Luncheon stands as a marquee Houston event for professionals. It draws more than 800 community members, board leaders, elected officials and attorneys each year.
This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, April 28, at the Hilton Americas-Houston. A networking reception begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a one-hour program at noon.
Named for the late ADL board chair Karen H. Susman, renowned for her legal prowess and dedication to community improvement, the award celebrates those who channel their expertise into advancing freedoms, equal opportunity, diversity and speaking out against bias and bigotry.
This year’s honorees, Ann B. Stern and Karl Stern, embody these values through their transformative leadership in philanthropy, law and civic service.
Ann B. Stern is a champion of equity and community solutions. As president and CEO of Houston Endowment since 2012, she has directed over $1 billion in grants toward education, civic engagement, arts access and quality-of-life initiatives across Greater Houston.
Stern is a Houston native with degrees from The University of Texas at Austin. Her career spans private law practice, academic leadership and a pivotal role as general counsel and executive vice president at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she managed clinical operations and tackled poverty’s impacts.
Her collaborative approach underscores that enduring change stems from investing in people and partnerships, aligning seamlessly with ADL’s commitment to pluralism, social cohesion and opportunity.
Karl Stern is a pillar of legal excellence and justice. A nationally acclaimed commercial trial lawyer, Stern founded and leads the Houston office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP after three decades at Vinson & Elkins, where he served as managing partner. His office has secured over $1 billion for clients while upholding pro bono, mentorship and civic duties.
Early in his career, Stern defended First Amendment rights in a pro bono prison case, later chairing the Houston Bar Foundation and handling diverse pro bono matters from divorces to death penalty appeals – exemplifying law as a force for justice.
Joining the program is James Pasch, ADL’s vice president of litigation. He will offer insights into ongoing efforts against antisemitism and extremism.
Pasch will spotlight cases challenging campus discrimination, kindergarten through 12th-grade harassment, employment bias and actions against hate groups – demonstrating law’s role in safeguarding civil rights.
Past luncheons have similarly honored inspiring figures like Warren W. Harris (2023), Macey Reasoner Stokes and Barrett H. Reasoner (2025) and Shawn Raymond (2024), each advancing ADL’s mission through their considerable professional and civic leadership.
These leaders remind us of the profound community impact, possible through principled action.
The public is invited to hear inspiring speeches, calls to action and learn how liberty and justice thrive – all in one impactful hour.
To learn more about the event, go to adl.org/houstonjur2026 or contact Mary Gentry-Roberts at mgentryroberts@adl.org.
Randi Sonenshein is ADL senior regional director for Texas and Oklahoma.