Top Latino Lawyers 2017
Al Cardenas
Senior Partner Squire Patton Boggs
Alberto P. Cardenas Jr. Counsel, Tax Vinson & Elkins LLP
MIAMI, FL 305-577-2808 al.cardenas@squirepb.com www.squirepattonboggs.com
HOUSTON, TX 713-615-5980 bcardenas@velaw.com www.velaw.com
Al Cardenas is nationally recognized for his leadership in law, business and politics. He has served as an adviser to US Presidents. As a senior partner at Squire Patton Boggs, he chairs the Latin America and Florida Public Policy Practice Groups and is Deputy Practice Leader of the Public Policy Group. Ronald Reagan chose Al for his transition team, making him responsible for the transition of the US Department of Commerce. President Reagan also appointed him to chair the President’s Commission on Small and Minority Business Affairs and later as Special Ambassador to St. Kitts-Nevis upon that nation’s independence in 1983. Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush appointed Al to the Board of Directors of the Federal National Mortgage Association from 1985 to 1990. He also served on the President’s Trade Policy Commission. Governor Jeb Bush appointed Al as a member of the Board of Trustees of Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University. He is a former Trustee of Miami Dade College.
Beto represents businesses affected by America’s immigration laws, and advises corporate and academic clientele seeking resolution on statutory and regulatory issues. He has extensive experience in drafting legislative solutions on diverse matters and in his state and local tax practice, assists clients with issues pending before governmental entities, including negotiation of tax abatements on behalf of newly constructed industrial and commercial properties, and industrial district agreements for facilities located in cities’ extra-territorial jurisdictions. During the 109th and 110th Congress, Beto served as general counsel to the senior United States Senator from Texas, the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, advising her on judicial appointments, legal affairs, and legislative matters Building a better Houston is a passion for Beto, and he dedicates a substantial portion of his time to making sure nonprofit, civic and cultural organizations and poverty-stricken individuals have high-quality legal representation. He is a member of the board of directors of the Houston Food Bank, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, BakerRipley, Texas Tech University School of Law Foundation, and the Houston Parks Board.
Kristina Cruz Skidmore Shareholder Odin, Feldman, Pittleman PC
Emily Detoto
Founder and Managing Partner The Law Office of Emily Detoto
RESTON, VIRGINIA 703-218-2171 kristina.cruzskidmore@ofplaw.com www.ofplaw.com
HOUSTON, TX 713-227-2244 emily@emilydetoto.com www.emilydetoto.com
During what is arguably the most impactful time in any person’s life, Northern Virginia divorce attorney Kristina Cruz Skidmore carefully guides her clients through their family law matters with zealous advocacy and compassionate listening. While out-of-court resolution is always her preferred outcome and initial goal for any client, Kristina advocates with poise, passion and legal acumen in the courtroom when settlement is not possible. Kristina has been recognized by her peers and by industry publications among the best and brightest attorneys under 40. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, Kristina was selected for inclusion as a Virginia and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers Rising Star in Family Law. In 2014, she appeared on Lawyers of Color’s Second Annual Hot List, which recognizes early to mid-career minority attorneys working as in-house counsel, government attorneys, and law firm associates and partners. She was also recognized by Virginia Business magazine among its 2015 listing of Legal Elite, a compilation of notable attorneys throughout the state who are under 40.
Since becoming an attorney in 1996, Emily Detoto has dedicated her entire career to the practice of criminal law. Detoto, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2002, is a graduate of Michigan State University and St. Mary’s University School of Law. Ms. Detoto worked as a briefing attorney at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and is a former prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Detoto has been recognized in H-Texas Magazine: Best Lawyers in Houston 2004; H-Texas Magazine: Best Lawyers “For the People” 2005, 2006; Texas Monthly Magazine: Texas Rising Star 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009, and in the United Who’s Who Registry. Ms. Detoto is a frequent lecturer at CLE’s across the nation. Emily is a graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming and was selected to serve on the faculty of the Trial Lawyers’ College. Ms. Detoto has also served as a faculty member for the Texas Criminal Trial College held in Huntsville, Texas for nearly 15 years. In 2003, Ms. Detoto served as co-counsel in The State of Texas v. Clara Harris, also known as “The Mercedes Benz Murder,” and in 2011, served as CoCounsel in the Polygamist Leader Trial, The State of Texas v. Warren Jeffs, Ms. Detoto’s cases have been featured on the “The First 48,” “Anderson Cooper,” “Good Morning America,” ”20/20,” and “Inside Edition.
20 • November / December 2017