Why I Give: Julie Ungerman
Managing Counsel, Toyota North America
Managing Counsel, Toyota North America
Julie Ungerman is a third-generation attorney, though she did not follow in the family footsteps into bankruptcy law. As Managing Counsel – Labor and Employment – with Toyota North America, Julie has also continued another family tradition: giving back. Julie is a Co-Chair of the Women’s Advocacy Awards, an annual fundraiser hosted by Legal Aid NorthWest Texas. This year’s event, held June 14 at the Arts District Mansion in Dallas, is Legal Aid’s largest fundraiser but has not been held in person since 2019 due to the pandemic.
Julie also participates in pro bono opportunities through her employer. Since joining Toyota, Julie has participated in a legal clinic to serve veterans and in wills clinics for first responders. When she was in private practice, Julie provided legal counsel during a wills clinic at an area senior center among other pro bono activities. During her law school days at Southern Methodist University, Julie interned at the Housing Crisis Center. She also serves on the Community Services Fund Board, which supports the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, a joint collaboration between Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas and the Dallas Bar Association.
“My family valued education,” says Julie. “We make more than enough to survive and then some. It’s important to give back. Growing up in a Jewish household, we learned tzedakah (the Jewish term for doing what’s right). It’s important to help others who need it.”
She is instilling that value in the next generation as well with her niece and nephew. “Every year during the holiday season we adopt angels,” explains Julie. “When we started this tradition, one of them asked me why their mommy or daddy didn’t just buy the gifts for them. I had to explain that not everyone is able to afford to do that. They have learned the joy of giving back.”
Julie likes to keep her philanthropy “under the radar” as she explains it, but her support of civil legal representation for low-income families and individuals is not her only charitable endeavor. She also gives to support the Jewish community and a local domestic violence shelter. “I think it is our responsibility to help others who are in need,” she says.
Julie’s leadership, expertise, and generosity are making a tremendous difference in the lives of Legal Aid’s clients and in the Dallas community.
Julie also participates in pro bono opportunities through her employer. Since joining Toyota, Julie has participated in a legal clinic to serve veterans and in wills clinics for first responders. When she was in private practice, Julie provided legal counsel during a wills clinic at an area senior center among other pro bono activities. During her law school days at Southern Methodist University, Julie interned at the Housing Crisis Center. She also serves on the Community Services Fund Board, which supports the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, a joint collaboration between Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas and the Dallas Bar Association.
“My family valued education,” says Julie. “We make more than enough to survive and then some. It’s important to give back. Growing up in a Jewish household, we learned tzedakah (the Jewish term for doing what’s right). It’s important to help others who need it.”
She is instilling that value in the next generation as well with her niece and nephew. “Every year during the holiday season we adopt angels,” explains Julie. “When we started this tradition, one of them asked me why their mommy or daddy didn’t just buy the gifts for them. I had to explain that not everyone is able to afford to do that. They have learned the joy of giving back.”
Julie likes to keep her philanthropy “under the radar” as she explains it, but her support of civil legal representation for low-income families and individuals is not her only charitable endeavor. She also gives to support the Jewish community and a local domestic violence shelter. “I think it is our responsibility to help others who are in need,” she says.
Julie’s leadership, expertise, and generosity are making a tremendous difference in the lives of Legal Aid’s clients and in the Dallas community.