Gene Locke
Encyclopedia
Gene L. Locke is an Attorney who lives in the city of Houston. He works for the law firm Andrews Kurth LLP. From 1995 to 1998 he was the City Attorney for Houston. Locke ran for Mayor of Houston in the November 2009 election and came in second place, forcing a run off with Annise Parker
. Locke then lost the runoff in a close vote.
, Gene fought for civil rights and women's rights, quickly distinguishing himself as a community leader recognized for his intellect, compassion and uncompromising character.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, Gene went on to attend South Texas College of Law
. He took classes at night while working a rotating shift at the Shell Oil refinery during the day. In 1981, Gene attained his Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree. Locke became Chief of Staff to Congressman Mickey Leland
(D-Texas) in Washington, D.C.
Gene returned to Houston to practice law, and his influence and reputation continued to grow. In 1995, Mayor Bob Lanier
asked Gene to serve as City Attorney, where Gene worked to revitalize downtown Houston, provide new housing opportunities, defend Houston’s successful affirmative action program, and protect neighborhoods.
tapped Locke to be the City Attorney for Houston. First as City Attorney, then in private practice, Gene led the negotiations and development of Minute Maid Park
, Reliant Park
, and Toyota Center
. When Lee Brown took office in 1998 and Lanier left, so did Locke.
Named a Texas Super Lawyer, Gene is currently a partner at Andrews Kurth LLP. He serves on the firm’s Policy Committee, Chair of the Diversity Committee, and co-Chair of the Public Law Section. He has served as Special Counsel to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) and the Port of Houston Authority, and was responsible for drafting successful small business development programs for both agencies.
in 2009. Other candidates included Peter Brown
, Annise Parker
, and Roy Morales
. He came in second place in the election, which led to a runoff election between Locke and Annise Parker
held on December 12, 2009. He lost the runoff to Parker by a margin of 6 percentage points.
In 2007, Gene received the Diversity First Award from the Texas Diversity Council. He is a prior recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from South Texas College of Law and from the University of Houston Black Alumni Association. Gene is also a past recipient of the NAACP Freedom Award for Outstanding Service.
Annise Parker
Annise Danette Parker is an American politician and the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2009...
. Locke then lost the runoff in a close vote.
Early life and career
Born in East Texas the son of a schoolteacher, Gene graduated first in his class from Pemberton High School. While a student at the University of HoustonUniversity of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, Gene fought for civil rights and women's rights, quickly distinguishing himself as a community leader recognized for his intellect, compassion and uncompromising character.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, Gene went on to attend South Texas College of Law
South Texas College of Law
South Texas College of Law is a private American Bar Association accredited law school and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools...
. He took classes at night while working a rotating shift at the Shell Oil refinery during the day. In 1981, Gene attained his Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree. Locke became Chief of Staff to Congressman Mickey Leland
Mickey Leland
George Thomas "Mickey" Leland was an anti-poverty activist who later became a congressman from the Texas 18th District and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus...
(D-Texas) in Washington, D.C.
Gene returned to Houston to practice law, and his influence and reputation continued to grow. In 1995, Mayor Bob Lanier
Bob Lanier
Robert Lanier may refer to:*Bob Lanier , former NBA star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame*Bob Lanier , businessman and former mayor of Houston, Texas*Rob Lanier, basketball coach...
asked Gene to serve as City Attorney, where Gene worked to revitalize downtown Houston, provide new housing opportunities, defend Houston’s successful affirmative action program, and protect neighborhoods.
Houston City Attorney
In 1995, Mayor Bob LanierBob Lanier (politician)
Bob Lanier is a businessman in the real estate industry who served as mayor of the city of Houston, Texas from 1992 to 1998...
tapped Locke to be the City Attorney for Houston. First as City Attorney, then in private practice, Gene led the negotiations and development of Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
, Reliant Park
Reliant Park
Reliant Park is a complex in Houston, Texas, USA, named after the energy company Reliant Energy. It is located on Kirby Drive at the 610 Loop...
, and Toyota Center
Toyota Center (Houston)
The Toyota Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The arena is home to the Rockets of the National Basketball Association, the principal owners of the building, and the Aeros of the American Hockey League.Rockets...
. When Lee Brown took office in 1998 and Lanier left, so did Locke.
Named a Texas Super Lawyer, Gene is currently a partner at Andrews Kurth LLP. He serves on the firm’s Policy Committee, Chair of the Diversity Committee, and co-Chair of the Public Law Section. He has served as Special Counsel to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) and the Port of Houston Authority, and was responsible for drafting successful small business development programs for both agencies.
Houston Mayoral candidacy
Locke ran for Mayor of HoustonHouston mayoral election, 2009
The Houston Mayoral Election of 2009 took place on November 3, 2009, to elect the successor to incumbent Mayor Bill White. White was ineligible for re-election, having served three terms. The race is officially nonpartisan...
in 2009. Other candidates included Peter Brown
Peter Hoyt Brown
Peter Hoyt Brown is a politician who held office as an at-large Council Member in the city of Houston, Texas. He was a candidate for the 2009 Houston Mayoral race, to succeed then Mayor Bill White who vacate the position due to term limits...
, Annise Parker
Annise Parker
Annise Danette Parker is an American politician and the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2009...
, and Roy Morales
Roy Morales
Roy Morales is a Harris County, Texas school board trustee and a retired air force lieutenant colonel. He was a Republican candidate in the 2009 Houston Mayoral Election, which he lost to Annise Parker.-Early life and career:...
. He came in second place in the election, which led to a runoff election between Locke and Annise Parker
Annise Parker
Annise Danette Parker is an American politician and the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2009...
held on December 12, 2009. He lost the runoff to Parker by a margin of 6 percentage points.
Community and Personal Achievements
Gene has served on the Board of Directors of the Houston Katrina/Rita Fund, the Houston Bar Association, the Houston Community College System, the University of Houston Alumni Association, and the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation. Gene continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the Center for Houston's Future, the Houston Urban Debate League Advisory Council, and the Wheeler Avenue Christian Academy. He is a trustee of the Texas Southern University Foundation, a Fellow with the American Leadership Forum, and a member of Sigma Pi Phi, Nu Boule.In 2007, Gene received the Diversity First Award from the Texas Diversity Council. He is a prior recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from South Texas College of Law and from the University of Houston Black Alumni Association. Gene is also a past recipient of the NAACP Freedom Award for Outstanding Service.