The Genuine Cup: Soccer Strengthens Our Communities

This summer, Houston hosted the Genuine Cup — a global soccer tournament featuring 38 teams from 27 countries, representing many of the world’s biggest clubs. But this tournament is about so much more than soccer.

Hilary: So much more. The tournament brings together athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, giving them a platform to show their skills and compete at a high level. It’s built on the power of sport as a connector of people — on the idea that inclusion should be central to the global community and that everyone who wants to be on the field belongs on it. Vinson & Elkins is a big believer in this initiative, and we lent our support to it in several ways — through sponsorship, pro bono legal work, and on-site volunteering.

Keith: Right. The firm is always looking to support organizations working to strengthen our communities — not only financially, but by devoting our time and energy as well. The Genuine Cup enabled us to do exactly that, and to spend time together in an environment that was pretty different from our normal work day. We had 50 volunteers from across our Houston office helping out.

The tournament’s founder, Ignacio Torras, is a long-time friend of the firm, I understand.

Keith: He is. Nacho is a great example of what Houston is all about. A native of Barcelona, he came here to work in trading and after a few years started his own firm — Tricon — which has become one of the world’s leading chemical trading businesses.

Along the way, Nacho found time to open two of Houston’s best restaurants — BCN and MAD — and to support a number of charitable causes. He and his wife Isabel are passionate about helping the neurodiverse community, and the Genuine Cup is an example of that passion in action.

Vinson & Elkins helped out with everything from moving equipment and picking up trash to loading water, fetching game balls, directing players to their practice areas, and more. What inspired you to volunteer?

Jenny: The mission itself is inspiring. But beyond that, I was moved by the hard work that these athletes had put in to succeed at something they love — not just the physical training, but the mental preparation, too.

As I saw it, most of the athletes were from foreign countries, many having traveled more than halfway around the world. They were jet-lagged — exhausted — not to mention suffering through Houston’s oppressive summer heat.

Considering the stakes, they probably had some pre-match nerves as well. But they pushed through all that adversity to represent their club and country, and the idea of helping them toward that goal really spoke to me.

It wasn’t long ago that these athletes wouldn’t have had an opportunity like this.

Creighton: Yes, and that point really resonated with me. I’ve always been more into baseball than soccer, and before the firm got involved, I hadn’t heard of the Genuine Cup. But when I learned about it — that it aimed to extend competitive athletic opportunities to people who often lack access to them — I knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of.

In my Houston neighborhood, the local Little League hosts a monthly baseball game for children with physical or developmental disabilities. It draws a lot of volunteers — kids and adults alike. It’s collaborative, supportive, and inclusive, and it really creates a sense of community and belonging. The Genuine Cup is like that monthly game, but on a global scale.

Hilary, I hear your daughter volunteered, too.

Hilary: She did. From May until the tournament began, she worked closely with several teams, helping them get organized, distributing materials, and various other managerial tasks. And during the week of the event, she served as part of the on-site support staff, working with players and other volunteers. Anna is a soccer player herself, so playing a role in this was super cool for her.

We were talking earlier about some of the Genuine Cup’s values — connection, community, and inclusion, among others. These happen to be some of the same values driving the culture at Vinson & Elkins.

Jenny: Absolutely. I’ve practiced in-house, at an accounting firm, and at law firms, so I’ve seen a wide range of approaches to workplace culture. But the way Vinson & Elkins operates — especially how people collaborate, empower, and mentor one another — is something I hadn’t seen before arriving here. It’s really something special.

In Big Law, people often want to build their own castle, so to speak. But as soon as I joined the firm, people were essentially telling me: “We’re going to build the biggest castle together. You build the moat. I’ll build the towers. Others will build the bridge.” From day one, the focus has been on investing in one another as a way to help the firm.

Love that. As it turns out, some of the qualities that help soccer teams win matches resemble those that help our legal teams win cases and close deals.

Hilary: Exactly. In my experience at the firm, diverse perspectives strengthen efforts toward common goals. When we let go of prejudgments about people whose backgrounds and experiences differ from our own, we become better able to work together.

Keith: And when we become better able to work together, we free ourselves to do our best work, and empower our colleagues to do the same. Our connection with one another deepens, our focus on serving clients sharpens, and we become better able to help them reach their goals. This team-first approach is one of the qualities that distinguishes us from our competitors.

Creighton: The firm’s commitment to excellence is big for me, especially how broadly it applies. Of course, we’re always working to grow the business, and that commitment has gone a long way toward Vinson & Elkins’ 100-plus years of success.

But one thing I’ve always loved about our firm is that our commitment to excellence doesn’t end with our paying clients. It extends to our pro bono work, the community initiatives we support, and how we believe we should treat one another. Our work with the Genuine Cup is just one example.

Speaking of pro bono, can you tell us about the legal work we did for the organization?

Hilary: Sure. We found that the organization’s original name could put it at risk of getting bogged down in legal challenges. So, we stepped in to help the organization rebrand and handle the relevant trademark filings, to ensure that it could work toward its goals without distraction, and continue building momentum for next year’s tournament. The firm’s Intellectual Property team did great work here.

The event produced so many meaningful moments — not just for the players, but for everyone involved. Before we wrap up, tell us about one that will stick with you.

Jenny: Meeting so many athletes from across the world. Learning about their backgrounds and aspirations, sharing in their excitement, and seeing them connect with one another, despite language barriers. Yes, it was a competition, but everyone I spoke with brought a wonderful positive energy.

Creighton: I remember a goalie making two great back-to-back saves — the first with his midsection and the second with his face, which I assume was not his plan. Both were from very close range. The second shot stunned the goalie, and the attacker was able to tap in the second rebound for a goal.

The goalie was in physical pain and upset at having allowed a goal — his head was down, shoulders slumped. But instead of expressing anger at having conceded, his teammates and coaches rallied around him — reminding him of the saves, emphasizing how much they needed him, and encouraging him to continue. In an instant, the goalie’s face lit up, and his whole spirit seemed to lift. Their support was heartwarming.

Hilary: For me, it has to be watching the finals with my daughter, alongside a lot of people from the firm. The sheer quality of competition was so impressive, and the goal celebrations were so enthusiastic and genuine. My daughter had told me that it was the same for every match she saw that week, and I’m grateful to have been able to see it myself.

Keith: Mine is similar to Hilary’s. I had the privilege of participating in the closing ceremony, awarding medals to one of the winning teams. What I remember most is the joy on the faces of these athletes — it was unbelievable. I’m not sure I had ever seen anyone enjoy an achievement so much.

What they were feeling, it wouldn’t have been possible without their hard work, nor the work of everyone involved with putting the tournament together. And that, I think, is as good a case as you can make for the tournament’s success.

 

Meet the Lawyers Keith Office: Houston | Hometown: Houston | Law School: University of Texas Favorite activities outside work: Golf, skiing, hiking, and reading to my granddaughter. One book I loved and why: The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough. It’s the story of the building of the Panama Canal – and the difficulties involved in one of the world’s great infrastructure projects of all time (and a great client of the firm). Best career advice I’ve ever received: Become friends with your clients. A dream adventure: Heli skiing. If I hadn’t become a lawyer, I would have been: In a strategy or M&A role in an energy business. Hilary Office: Austin and New York | Hometown: Dallas | Law School: University of Texas Favorite activities outside work: Spending time with family. One book I loved and why: Most recently, I finished Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point Revisited. I think he is a tremendous storyteller generally, but I also really enjoyed the premise of someone going back and revisiting, and challenging, their own work from decades ago. Best career advice I’ve ever received: Make yourself useful. A dream adventure: African safari. If I hadn’t become a lawyer, I would have been: Probably a writer. Creighton Office: Houston | Hometown: Arlington, Texas | Law School: University of Texas Favorite activities outside work: Going to live music and Astros games. One book I loved and why: Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson. Larson is a great writer who can make history come alive. All of us on the Gulf Coast live with the annual threat of hurricanes, and it was fascinating to read his account of the massive hurricane that devastated the city of Galveston in 1900. I’m thankful that we have radar these days to let us know what’s coming. Best career advice I’ve ever received: Do more than is asked of you. A dream adventure: Hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. If I hadn’t become a lawyer, I would have been: A roadie or a bullpen catcher. Jenny Office: Houston | Hometown: Wagoner, Oklahoma | Law School: University of Tulsa Favorite activities outside work: Traveling the world with my husband and children. One book I loved and why: Not just one, but the Game of Thrones series. I loved the TV series, and found the books to be captivating and a great way to decompress at the end of the day. Best career advice I’ve ever received: Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. A dream adventure: Oktoberfest in Germany. If I hadn’t become a lawyer, I would have been: An FBI agent.