InRe Magazine - Fall 2019

InRe

FA L L 2019

THE MAGAZINE OF

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW HOUSTON

THE SOUTH TEXAS DIFFERENCE STCL Houston’s unique mission, values, and people attracted its newest president and dean, Michael F. Barry.

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THE SOUTH TEXAS DIFFERENCE You’ve heard it before. The “South Texas Difference” encapsulates what makes us who we are: a supportive, student-focused community that provides an excellent legal education in a premier location — the heart of downtown Houston. These core values are best demonstrated through stories. You’ll read just a few of them in the pages that follow.

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South Texas College of Law Houston

THE MAGAZINE OF SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW HOUSTON

FA L L 2019

CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND DEAN IN BRIEF

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Features A RUNNING START

President and Dean Michael F. Barry has run 67 marathons. He is applying lessons learned in the race as he begins his journey at South Texas.

ONE TO WATCH: SHIVEN PATEL

THE SOUTH TEXAS DIFFERENCE

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In this series, discover stories that exemplify the uncompromising values that set STCL Houston apart.

A SOUTH TEXAS FAMILY AFFAIR

Three parent-child duos are building strong bonds and a shared legacy as they attend South Texas concurrently.

SAVING LIVES THROUGH THE LAW

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Students in the Asylum and Human Trafficking Clinic are using their burgeoning legal skills to combat real-life threats.

CLOTHING STUDENTS IN CONFIDENCE

Faculty members Shelby Moore, Gena Singleton, and Amanda Peters founded the Law Suits program to give students a competitive edge in the form of professional wear.

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Departments CLASS NOTES

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FACULTY NOTES DISCOVERY

A peek into the law school’s archives ON THE RECORD STACKS

Recommended reading from South Texas professors MY TESTIMONY

Adjunct Professor Douglas McNabb CHAMBERS

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Fred Parks Law Library

Fred Parks law Library

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW HOUSTON ADMINISTRATION

Michael F. Barry President and Dean Steve Alderman Vice President of Human Resources and General Counsel Gregory A. Brothers Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Catherine Greene Burnett Vice President, Associate Dean, and Professor of Law Vanessa Browne-Barbour Vice President, Associate Dean of Academic Administration, and Professor of Law Jennifer Hudson Corporate Secretary and Senior Executive Assistant to the President and Dean Mindy Guthrie Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations Randy Marak Vice President of Information Technology and Director of Information Systems 6

T. Gerald Treece Vice President, Associate Dean, Special Counsel to the President, Professor of Law, and Director of Advocacy Jeffrey Rensberger Vice President for Strategic Planning, Institutional Research and Professor of Law Diane Summers Vice President of Marketing and Communications John J. Worley Vice President and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Professor of Law BOARD OF DIRECTORS

J. Kenneth Johnson ’86 Chairman Larry Baillargeon ’74 Genora Boykins ’85 Darryl M. Burman ’83 Theresa Chang ’96 Robert A. Eckels ’93 Stewart W. Gagnon ’74 Eva Guzman ’89 Chris Hanslik ’95 Michael Hays ’74 Randy R. Howry ’85 Michael K. Hurst ’90 Don D. Jordan ’69 Nicholas J. Lanza, Jr. ’89 Joseph K. Lopez ’78

South Texas College of Law Houston

Michael W. Milich ’97 Imogen S. Papadopoulos ’84 Gordon Quan ’77 Jeff Rusk ’83 Andy Sommerman ’86 Randall Sorrels ’87 Brant J. Stogner ’06 James D. Thompson III ’86 Ruthie Nelson White ’96 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brant J. Stogner ’06 President Ryan Haun ’06 President-Elect Elizabeth W. Dwyer ’07 Vice President, Admissions Committee Walter J. Kronzer III ’83 Vice President, Career Networking Committee Donald H. Kidd ’91 Vice President, Development Committee Jon Paul Hoelscher ’05 Immediate Past President Tim W. Ballengee ’09 Bradley S. Bell ’99 Richard D. Berlin ’06 Elizabeth L. Bolt ’07 Courtney T. Carlson ’08

Melanie R. Cheairs ’89 Adam P. Curley ’08 Paul A. Darrow III ’07 Darcy M. Douglas ’07 Jennifer L. Falk-Massoud ’06 Samantha E. Frazier ’11 The Hon. Keith F. Giblin ’89 Bradford J. Gilde ’04 Katherine M. Gonyea ’08 Ronald W. Haggerty ’96 Misty A Hataway-Coné ’01 Catina M. Haynes ’06 James R. Helton ’14 Christine D. Herron ’10 Chastiti N. Horne ’98 Walter J. Kronzer III ’87 Gabe Lerner ’10 E. Xerxes Martin IV ’11 W. Troy McKinney ’86 Tonya Rolland McLaughlin ’06 Col. Christopher W. Miner ’94 Lindsey C. Moorhead ’11 Desrye M. Morgan ’96 Gus E. Pappas ’88 Andrew D. Pearce ’07 Wade R. Quinn ’88 Aaron M. Reimer ’07 Bernabe G. Sandoval III ’04 Sharon M. Schweitzer ’89 Donald S. Sepolio ’89 René M. Sigman ’02 The Hon. D’Lisa R. Simmons ’90 Bradley S. Tegeler ’02 Gabe T. Vick III ’07 Peter B. Wells IV ’05 Paul B. Wyatt ’13

INRE STAFF

Amanda Jackson Green Managing Editor Diane Summers Vice President of Marketing & Communications Claire Caton Director of Public Relations Pete Vogel Creative Direction & Design Megan Salch Writer InRe is published by South Texas College of Law Houston for the law school’s alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends.

Please direct correspondence or inquiries to: Amanda Jackson Green South Texas College of Law Houston 1303 San Jacinto, Houston, Texas 77002-7006 713-646-1760 news@stcl.edu.

COPYRIGHT 2019

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW HOUSTON,

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

A Message from the President & Dean

The theme of this issue of InRe — “The South Texas Difference” — is one I can speak to with both conviction and passion. It is, after all, the reason I chose to join South Texas College of Law Houston.

The South Texas Difference encompasses many hallmarks of our law school.

It shines through the student-centered teaching of our professors. It reverberates through the collegiality of our hardworking students. It shows up in the capability and professionalism of our alumni in the courtroom and boardroom. It is our calling card to a national audience.

It supports and sustains our mission: to “provide a diverse body of students with the opportunity to obtain an exceptional legal education, preparing graduates to serve their community and the profession with distinction.”

Most importantly, the South Texas Difference describes our faculty and staff and the life-changing impact they have on generations of dedicated students and their families — who then go on to enhance their workplaces, the country, and the field of law.

I am honored to join the South Texas family and contribute to the nearly centuryold South Texas Difference. My wife, Lee, and I are proud new Houstonians, and we appreciate the warm welcome you have given us.

Like you, I believe we are here to make an indelible difference through education, partnership, and mentorship. STCL Houston is known for making a difference — in the lives of students and in the nation’s fourth-largest city — and we will continue to carry this worthy baton. Just as important, we must focus on the future and make plans that will support the next century of South Texas Difference-makers.

I believe the stories you’ll read in the following pages will reinforce your assurance of the true South Texas Difference. In “One to Watch,” you’ll discover one student’s inspiration to become an advocate through overcoming adversity. In “My Testimony,” you’ll learn how one adjunct professor changed his career and decided to make more of a life-changing difference by shifting his perspective. In “Law Suits,” you’ll see how our faculty and staff clothe our students in confidence. And, in “Saving Lives Through the Law,” you’ll read how students in our Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics applied classroom knowledge to help save the lives of a Honduran family facing extreme human trafficking abuse.

Indeed, the South Texas Difference has a global reach. Thank you for the role you play in extending its legacy.

Kind regards,

Michael F. Barry President and Dean

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IN BRIEF Derrick Johnson ’97, NAACP president and CEO, addresses May graduates

Derrick Johnson ’97

South Texas alumnus Derrick Johnson ’97, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), presented the keynote address at the law school’s May 2019 commencement ceremony, during which he encouraged graduates to use their unique skill sets to make an impact in their workplaces, communities, and in the political arena by championing equity and equality, remaining open to differences of opinion, promoting civil discourse, and building “an inclusive reality where individuals and their talents can be appreciated in ways in which we can perfect this democracy.”

Renovations, new vehicle advertising raise campus profile in Downtown Houston As part of the law school’s continued efforts to ensure the campus is inviting and reflective of the STCL Houston brand, the building has received several new updates, including artistic elevator wraps in the tower and library and several new wall murals. Also, the school’s service vehicle got a makeover with a brightly branded wrap that is sure to be noticed by Houstonians and prospective students on the road.

Black Alumni Chapter establishes Bar Prep Award After identifying a need for additional bar preparation support in the STCL Houston community, members of the Black Alumni Chapter of the Alumni Association united to create a Bar Prep

Leaders of the Black Alumni Chapter pose at the Black Law Student Association’s spring banquet with recipients of the group’s new student award.

Members of the Energy Alumni Chapter join forces with the Oil & Gas Law Society for their inaugural Career Expo.

Award that would provide financial support for selected members of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) to pay for a commercial bar prep course. The inaugural fundraising effort resulted in more than $5,000, allowing the chapter to award two students — Johanna Trees and Ashleigh Nwanguma —at BLSA’s spring banquet.

Energy Alumni Chapter, Oil & Gas Law Society unite for first Career Expo The student-run Oil & Gas Law Society partnered with the Alumni Association’s Energy Alumni Chapter this spring to organize its first Career Expo. The event brought together students and recent graduates with representatives from law firms and companies in the energy field to learn more about their practice areas, prospective jobs, and summer internships.

Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy now online, accepting submissions

After a recent makeover, the law school’s service vehicle now serves double duty as a moving billboard.

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Established in 2016 with a grant from alumnus Benny Agosto, Jr. ’95, the Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy (HJLP) provides a forum and opportunity for the expression and dissemination of scholarly work on law-related issues that affect the United States Hispanic community.

Submissions are open to academics,

IN BRIEF Alumni, colleagues establish scholarship fund honoring Professor Tobin Sparling

2019 Give Day 2019 | Thank you to all the generous donors who contributed on Give Day 2019, including our $10,000 challenger, Darryl M. Burman ’83!

524 donors $73,288 raised (includes match) 294 alumni donors

As Professor Tobin Sparling announced his retirement this spring after 26 years at STCL Houston, Professor Maxine Goodman and Stephen Goodman established the Tobin A. Sparling Scholarship in honor of his distinguished career. Alumni, friends, and colleagues contributed more than $45,000 to endow the fund, which will be awarded to a part-time student who expresses a strong interest in legal research and writing.

107 students 70 employees 53 friends $110.80 average gift $160.69 average alumni gift

practitioners, judges, and current students on a rolling basis. Guidelines, past issues and the latest issue are available on the journal’s new webpage at stcl.edu/ hispanic-law-journal.

Sixth-floor terrace now home to community garden STCL Houston staff members banded together to form a community garden to beautify the campus’s sixth-floor terrace.

Led by librarian Monica Ortale ’93, volunteers have planted flowers, tomatoes, squash, and a variety of fresh herbs. The team sends out campus-wide harvest notices when produce is ready for picking, so employees can share the bounty with friends and family.

Crawfish boil returns Alumni, family, and friends gather for the Young Alumni Council’s signature spring crawfish boil at Cottonwood Houston.

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IN BRIEF The Gala 2019 raises nearly $500,000 for scholarships More than 400 alumni, faculty and staff members, judges, elected officials, and friends of South Texas came together in May for the law school’s Gala 2019, which raised nearly $500,000 for scholarships.

Hosted at The Ballroom at Bayou Place, the black-tie event offered an opportunity for attendees to reconnect with classmates, honor the many individuals who are foundational to the school’s success, celebrate STCL Houston, and raise money to help alleviate students’ financial burden through a live auction and “paddles up” fundraiser.

Save the date for The Gala 2020, scheduled for April 18 at the Omni Houston Hotel.

Photos: 1. President and Dean Don Guter and Pat Guter 2. Gala Chairs Michael S. Hays ’74 and Connie Hays 3. Host Committee Chairs Elizabeth W. Dwyer ’07 and Alexander G. Dwyer ’07 4. Board Chair J. Ken Johnson II ’86, Melissa Johnson, Lee Barry, and President and Dean Michael Barry 5. Randall O. Sorrels ’87, Alexandra L. Farias, Lynne Liberato ’80 and James B. Flodine ‘81 6. Young alumni dressed to impress at the Gala 7. Exec. VP Emeritus Helen B. Jenkins, Wilbur E. Suggs ’09 and Kellee Suggs 8. Photo booth fun with alumni and friends 9. Board Chair J. Ken Johnson II ’86, Kim K. Ogg ’86, and E. J. Salcines Jr. ’63 10. Patrick Hughes, Buffy K. Martines ’02 and Richard N. Laminack ’87 11. Michael W. Magee ’90, Melissa M. Magee ’90, Brenda Lanza and Nick Lanza Jr. ’89 12. Sundeep Grewal ’03 and Sharnjit Grewal 13. Class of ’74 celebrates the Gala with matching “Fighting ’74s” baseball hats 14. Aaron H. Heckaman ’07, Emily Heckaman, Reid McLaughlin, Tonya Rolland McLaughlin ’06, Susan Oehl ’06, Michael Autenreith, Ryan K. Haun ’06

PlatinumSponsors

Susan K. Anderson and Richard H. Anderson Jr. ’82 Laminack Pirtle & Martines, L.L.P.

Gold Sponsors

Elizabeth W. Dwyer ’07 and Alexander G. Dwyer ’07/ Kirkendall Dwyer LLP J. Weldon Granger ’74 Connie Hays and Michael S. Hays ’74 The Shelton Law Firm Zehl & Associates, PC

SilverSponsors

Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto, & Aziz alliantgroup, LP Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC Laurent A. Baillargeon ’74 Barnes & Noble College at South Texas College of Law Houston BoyarMiller The Honorable Theresa W. Chang ’96 and Peter Chang, M.D. Fleming | Nolen | Jez, L.L.P. Frost Wealth Advisors / Michael W. Milich ’97 Gray Reed & McGraw, LLP Haun Mena PLLC Julia B. Howry and Randy R. Howry ’85 Jane R. Hurst and Michael K. Hurst ’90 Jackson Walker L.L.P. Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P. Barbara J. Jordan and Don D. Jordan ’69 Katine & Nechman L.L.P. Sally J. Langston ’91 The Lanier Law Firm, P.C. Lynne Liberato ’80 and James B. Flodine ’81 Lockton Companies, LLC Matthews & Associates / David P. Matthews ’88 MehaffyWeber, P.C. Perdue & Kidd, LLP Porter Hedges LLP/ Porter Hedges STCL Houston Alumni Sharon M. Schweitzer ’89 and John Robinson Tindall England, PC Tracey & Fox Law Firm

Bronze Sponsors

Dean James J. Alfini and Carol Alfini Archer Systems, LLC Council Member Dwight A. Boykins and Genora K. Boykins ’85 Professor Vanessa S. Browne-Barbour DISCO Daniel D. Horowitz, III P.C. Brenda C. Lanza and Nicholas J. Lanza Jr. ’89 Imogen S. Papadopoulos ’84 STCL Energy Alumni Chapter Pohlman USA Court Reporting & Litigation Services Sylvia L. Quan and Gordon J. Quan ’77 Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. SynerMark Properties C. David Towery ’79

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South Texas College of Law Houston

IN BRIEF

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STCL Houston’s 11th president and dean brings a vision for the future, a respect for the past, and a commitment to student-focused leadership.

Introducing Michael F. Barry President and Dean

WRITTEN BY AMANDA GREEN

Michael Barry

STCL Houston’s new leader gets a running start outh Texas College of Law Houston’s newest president and dean, Michael F. Barry, is — among many other things — a marathon runner. In fact, just last year he became the 107th member of the 50sub4 club, an elite group of runners who have completed an under-fourhour marathon in each of the 50 U.S. states.

Long-distance running is a passion and a pursuit Barry stumbled upon in 2001, when his sister asked him to train with her for a 10K race. While he had always been active and enjoyed the outdoors, he had never considered himself an athlete.

“I mean, my high school sport was debate,” he said with a chuckle.

However, Barry has always had a competitive spirit.

As such, when he received an invitation in the mail to train for the Richmond Marathon shortly after that first 10K, he jumped at the challenge — and a challenge it proved to be.

“I had trained, but not very well,” Barry recalled. “I hit a wall at mile 21. I pushed through and managed to finish in three hours and 58 minutes, but it was excruciating.”

At the finish line, he swore off another marathon. His mind, however, would not rest. Over the following days, he was nagged by his thoughts: “How can I adjust my training? What would happen if I did XYZ differently?” The idea of what could be led him to set a series of new goals: to complete another marathon, to beat his time from that marathon, to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and eventually, to complete the 50sub4 by the end of his 50th year — which would mean completing nine races in eight months to beat the clock. He checked each goal off the list.

What he may have lacked in natural athleticism, Barry makes up for in curiosity, vision, and discipline — innate gifts he brings to his role as the new leader of South Texas.

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His skills and experience qualify Barry to lead South Texas into its next chapter, but his heart for its mission and its people make him the right person for the job.

Asking big questions

Much like his running journey, many of Barry’s accomplishments have started with simple questions: Why (or why not)? How? What if ?

This inquisitiveness is what led him to major in English and religious studies at the University of Virginia before going on to earn his J.D. at Yale Law School and a master’s degree in theology from the University of San Francisco.

“I’m very interested in a deeper understanding of who we are and what we’re called to be,” Barry said. “And theology served as a good counterbalance to my litigation practice.

Litigation can be an antagonistic sport with a ‘versus’ in every situation, while theology emphasizes the places where we can find common ground.”

After law school, Barry clerked for Senior Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and later for Chief Judge Gerald Bard Tjoflat of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Under their guidance, he got a behind-the-scenes education in how law is made, how

President and Dean Michael Barry engages with colleagues Amanda Green, director of communications (left) and Debra Berman, director of the Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution.

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Dean Barry gathers with student leaders to collect feedback as part of his fall listening tour.

Michael Barry

“[Barry] leads people to make bold moves because he has the restraint and patience to be discerning about change. He’s going to take small steps toward big objectives, and he will make South Texas better at being who you want to be.”

– STEPHEN SHEPPARD, FORMER DEAN OF ST. MARY’S SCHOOL OF LAW

judges assess arguments, and the importance of integrity in proceedings. These lessons served him well as he spent five years in private litigation practice, trying class-action and intellectual property cases before joining then-fledgling credit card company Capital One, where he created and ran the litigation department.

Later, he became a senior executive at USAA in San Antonio, Texas, where he sharpened his business acumen and further developed his talents in strategic leadership.

“I enjoyed corporate practice because it is so proactive,” Barry said. “Corporate litigation is not just an end in itself; it is a means to accomplish a larger business opportunity.”

Data is paramount in a corporate environment, and Barry relished using facts and figures to establish goals, support decision making, and measure outcomes.

When he took his most recent post as assistant dean and practitioner-in-residence at St. Mary’s University School of Law, Barry applied his cumulative experience to tackle one of the law school’s biggest concerns at the time. Bar passage rates were at historic lows — both at St. Mary’s and across the state of Texas.

Charged with developing a solution to address these deficiencies, Barry started with a data-focused approach. He created a 700,000-cell database to measure performance for all St. Mary’s students over a seven-year timespan and identify predictors of success and failure on the bar exam.

Armed with this valuable information, Barry was the architect of a comprehensive Law Success program, including wide-reaching curriculum changes, a redesign of the 3L bar preparation course, and implementation of supplemental bar preparation mechanisms to support students. Most impressively, the law school developed a dedicated Law Success Office and hired 15 full-time J.D.s to centralize legal research and writing and bar skills courses, identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, and provide targeted, individualized remediation.

“Throughout the process of getting the Law Success Program off the ground, [Barry] proved that being detail-oriented and having a strong focus on the big picture are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they’re equally necessary to carry out such a major strategic initiative,” said Stephen Sheppard, former dean of St. Mary’s School of Law. “He made it a point to understand the situation thoroughly first, so that our tactical moves supported a

meaningful strategy.”

Barry plans to apply the same approach during his first 90 days at STCL Houston by embarking on a listening tour, during which he will collect feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Greater Houston community that will inform the priorities for his tenure.

“I’ll spend a whole lot of time listening, learning, and observing,” the new leader said. “It’s important to me to respect the school’s past and engage everyone in identifying and helping design our course for the future.”

Anticipating the future

As a runner, Barry recognizes that race conditions are dynamic. While the distance of every marathon is the same, each race comes with its own challenges, climate, and terrain. He learned early on the importance of a nimble and thoughtful approach.

He applies the same philosophy to his leadership: staying in the moment, but always with one eye on the path ahead.

“With Mike, everything is possibility,” said Barry’s wife, Lee. “He has an energy and an optimism that allow him to look at any situation and see its potential.”

This ability to imagine the future — a characteristic that first drew Lee to him when they met more than 30 years ago at The University of Virginia — also is what motivated Barry to pursue the deanship at South Texas College of Law Houston. He recognized the law school’s strong foundation and its potential to continue as a leader in a rapidly changing legal landscape.

“As trends in legal practice shift, so do firms’ expectations of new attorneys,” Barry noted. “Law school graduates need to be able to hit the ground running. They need to be technologically savvy, and they need to be able to accomplish the tasks that technology can’t. We have a responsibility to prepare our graduates for this new reality.”

“What I particularly appreciate about South Texas is the opportunity to work in an environment where everyone cares so much about students and is open to how we can evolve our approaches to ensure we are serving them. The schools that anticipate changes in the legal environment are going to succeed; those that don’t will be left behind. I’m excited to see South Texas be a part of those who are preparing for the future.” stcl.edu

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Michael Barry

Taking small steps to accomplish bold goals

Curiosity and vision brought Barry to the race, but discipline has taken him across the marathon finish line 67 times. That first race confirmed something he already knew: preparation matters.

“There is a saying among running coaches: ‘A marathon is hundreds of miles. The last 26.2 is just the finish.’ It’s a philosophy that applies to any long-term pursuit, from taking the bar exam to executing a strategic plan. The work you put in before the event is at least as important as the event itself.”

Raised in a military, Irish-Catholic family, Barry says regimen and consistency played a big part in his upbringing, and his parents taught him the importance of honoring one’s commitments. His enthusiasm for big ideas and future planning is balanced by a measured approach and an earnest desire not just to

Above, Barry wearing the finisher’s shirt from the Mayor’s Marathon in Anchorage, AK, one of 67 marathons he has completed.

Right, Barry returns to Alaska for a more leisurely visit, on a summer 2019 cruise.

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get the job done, but to do it well. He believes that the process is just as important as the outcome, if not more.

“For someone as visionary as Mike, it can be easy to be distracted by opportunities, to take on too much too quickly,” Sheppard said. “But he leads people to make bold moves because he has the restraint and patience to be discerning about change.

He is not going to come in and flip the place upside-down.

He’s going to take small steps toward big objectives, and he will make you [at South Texas] better at being who you want to be.”

Uniting others around common goals

From the stands, running may seem like an individual sport, but Barry says the pastime is so special to him because it is a group effort. He cherishes the camaraderie among the runners who encourage one another along the way. He also is quick to point out that each medal is attributable to his support system, especially Lee and their daughters, Kate and Lizzie, who cheer him on and hold down the home front while he trains and travels.

Barry’s spirit of teamwork and sense of community naturally translate to the office. Bill Ford ‘79, an STCL Houston alumnus who worked closely with Barry as outside counsel for USAA, said, “Dean Barry is one of those players who makes everyone else on the court better. He always comes from a place of compassion for people and consideration for the best interest of the whole. He challenges everyone around him to step up their game, and the entire organization benefits.”

His skills and experience qualify Barry to lead South Texas into its next chapter, but his heart for its mission and its people make him the right person for the job.

“My primary focus always will be uniting the South Texas community around common goals: educating practice-ready legal leaders in scholarship and service to the community; building on an excellent culture of success, access, diversity, and commitment; and enhancing the law school’s reputation as one that anticipates and prepares for the future of legal education,” Barry said. “I cannot do any of that alone, and who would want to?”

Connect with Dean Barry Dean Mike Barry is seeking alumni feedback to help him shape coming priorities for South Texas.

1 Complete the fiveminute feedback form at stcl.edu/connect.

2 Send your thoughts directly to Dean Barry at president@stcl.edu.

3 Attend Alumni Weekend and visit with Dean Barry personally. Learn more at my.stcl.edu/alumniweekend.

Here are three ways you can connect with him.

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Shiven Patel, 3L

ONETOWATCH

Shiven Patel:

Advocating for Something Bigger WRITTEN BY MEGAN F. SALCH

hiven Patel’s parents and doctors thought the young boy merely needed adjustments to his glasses. He recalls often running into things, especially at night. It wasn’t until he was 10 years old that he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that causes loss of peripheral vision and leads to night blindness.

Patel faced challenges in school as a result of not being able to see well and not being able to read as fast as the other students.

The diagnosis was challenging because there was no real explanation for it.

“I wanted to be an advocate for people with disabilities,” Patel said. “When I was in high school, I faced a lot of discrimination as a result of my disability.” He cited teachers not wanting to accommodate his needs in the classroom and making accommodations difficult to attain.

“Having to advocate for myself in high school made me think maybe I should be advocating on a bigger level,” Patel explained.

After graduating from the University of Houston Downtown, Patel chose South Texas College of Law Houston for its unique curriculum that truly prepares students to practice law upon graduation. Patel was eager to put his learnings to good use, but his journey followed an unexpected path.

During his second semester in law school, he attended a Disability:IN conference that fostered disability inclusion in the workplace. The one-week conference was sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), a nonprofit that advocates for the legal rights of people with disabilities. Patel discovered AAPD offered college students and post-graduate students the opportunity to access high-level internships in law and public policy in the Washington, D.C. area. The program partnered with The George Washington University to provide students with a certificate in disability advocacy at the end of the conference.

“This was definitely something right up my alley,” Patel said.

Despite the rigorous application process with approximately 200 applications from across the country, Patel was selected as one of 27 interns for the 2018 class. Next, interns prioritized their interests and the nonprofit placed the participants. Patel didn’t list American Airlines because he didn’t believe it was a viable option. However, he did mention in his initial interview a passion for aviation.

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“American Airlines made this dream come true,” Patel said fondly. “I was able to work and contribute to the aviation industry within the Government Affairs and Regulatory Affairs Offices.”

American Airlines was committed to meeting Patel’s needs, too. When he arrived that first day in the summer of 2018, he discovered the computer screen was smaller than anticipated, so he requested a screen reader and screen reading software. The equipment was installed the next day.

“It came pretty fast,” he said, pleased. “American Airlines’ policy was that I just needed to ask for anything that I needed.”

The bulk of his work was for the Government Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. He was tasked with attending congressional hearings on the airline’s behalf and writing summary reports as well as researching bills such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) Appropriations Bill that directly affected the airline. Also sharing his time with the Regulatory Affairs Office, Patel reviewed DOT contracts with the airline’s vendors to ensure DOT compliance.

Reminiscing on his internship, Patel was amazed at how much coordination happened behind the scenes. He was floored that his actions could impact hundreds of flights. Still, he is proudest of the Disability Advocacy Certificate program that he completed through AAPD. “I am a disability advocate,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming of that since I was a freshman in high school… That was a very big deal for me.”

This milestone certainly influences his future. In the summer of 2019, Patel returned to Washington, D.C. for a legal internship with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). NDRN is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities.

“I'm definitely building my resume in disability rights law and disability advocacy,” Patel said. “I think that, especially what I did this summer, will give me the skills that are needed to practice.”

With a promising future, Patel looks toward a more inclusive business world. “I bring a different perspective to the table, and that difference fosters some creativity on my part,” he said. “Always pursue the things that you’re passionate about.”

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THE SOUTH TEXAS COMMUNITY

IS STRONG, DIVERSE, DEDICATED, AND COMMITTED

TO MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE LEGAL PROFESSION,

IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

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South Texas College of Law Houston

South Texas College of Law Houston is set apart from other law schools by its uncompromising values.

For generations, prospective students and alumni alike have pointed to the hallmarks of the law school that make it both a magnet for aspiring attorneys and a beloved home for decades-long employees.

As the law school’s values reflect, South Texas is built upon the foundations of community, collaboration, service, and support — and it well deserves its reputation as a welcoming, respected stalwart of excellence in legal education for nearly a century.

THE SOUTH TEXAS DIFFERENCE WRITTEN BY CLAIRE CATON

In her May 2018 commencement address to South Texas graduates, Kim Ogg ’86 — STCL Houston alumna and Harris County District Attorney — referred to the law school as “an incubator for thousands of great lawyers who came from humble beginnings ... with their hearts and minds deeply rooted in the real-life, everyday practice of law.” Perhaps the school’s unique values, reflected throughout the community, are best described by the three stories that follow and the many others like them. From generational ties to suits and ties, South Texas’ influence is experienced across the world.

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A SOUTH TEXAS

FAMILY

AFFAIR

arents play many roles in the lives of their adult sons and daughters: cheerleader, role model, teacher, and friend. Three parent-child duos are adding another layer to this special bond — as classmates and study partners at South Texas College of Law Houston.

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WRITTEN BY MEGAN F. SALCH

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South Texas College of Law Houston

Denise and Tabitha Hooten

Tabitha said. “We came to the conclusion that we were going to “I’m very grateful because I realize this is a gift,” Denise apply to law school.”

Hooten said about attending law school alongside her Denise applied first to South Texas’ program and took addaughter Tabitha. “I know it’s rare.” vantage of a deferral grant to start in the spring of 2018. Tabitha After years of being a stay-at-home mom, Denise returned to began her next journey at Baylor Law School in the fall of 2017. school in her hometown of Waco to pursue a career in counselIt wasn’t until Tabitha visited her mom in Houston over spring ing. A professor there, who also was a lawyer, shared his experience break 2018 that she fell in love with the South Texas campus working with foster children and judges. “He said, ‘You can and people. really make an impact on these kids, if you’re a lawyer,’” Denise “I thought, ‘This is so nice. Everyone is so friendly. It’s a recalled. The words kindled an interest deep inside her. much more casual and collaborative atmosphere,’” At the same time, her daughter Tabitha comTabitha said, laughing. “Plus, I’d like to go to school pleted her undergraduate degree and moved to San with (Mom) because that’d be fun and it’s a built-in Antonio. She started a master’s degree program FOLLOWING study partner.” with the goal of becoming an English professor, but A PASSION FOR Denise said if she’d known Tabitha would transsomething didn’t feel right. “The challenge to me was: SERVICE fer, she wouldn’t have delayed her start. The two have ‘Who are you serving in life and who are you fighting enjoyed studying together and Denise has caught up for?’ ” Tabitha said. That’s when things aligned, and life on courses so that the pair can finish at the same time. pointed her in a new direction. The book “Love Does” The two live together as well and found it surprising by author and attorney Bob Goff had quite an impact how well they’ve been able to balance each other in and out on her. The book is about discovering a secretly incredible life in of school. an ordinary world.

“We know where those boundaries are and respect that we Then at church, Tabitha met Christine Caine, who with her want to…” Tabitha said slowly, pausing. husband started the A21 Campaign to combat human trafficking “…like each other,” Denise laughed, finishing her daughter’s through educational campaigns, protecting survivors and partnersentence. ing with law enforcement. It was a lightbulb moment for Tabitha.

The two are good at perspective as well, acknowledging that The combined experiences changed her path as she began the curriculum is challenging. considering leaving the master’s program for law school, an “Studying for finals together, I saw [Tabitha’s] reflection in entirely new idea for the young adult. When her parents next the window and thought, ‘I want to make sure we’re enjoying came for a visit, the mother and daughter began talking about this moment,’” Denise said. “I want to enjoy the journey, not just law school. the end result.”

“We were going through the same thing at the same time,” stcl.edu

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Jake and Michael Loessin

tenacity needed to finish.

While Jacob “Jake” Loessin attended the University of “We’re grinders,” Michael explained. “ I taught Jake to grind.

Texas at Austin (UT), he dreamed of working for ESPN We may not be the top of the class, but we’re going to be the upon graduation. When the sports station experienced hardest working in the class.” a round of layoffs, Jake realized he wanted to pursue Jake admits he’d grown accustomed to asking his dad for adanother route. vice over the years. Now, he finds the roles reversed. “It’s kind of While working in downtown Houston, Jake befriended weird that he’s calling me up, asking me for advice,” Jake said. a gentleman with some personal connections to South Texas.

“And Jake’s giving me the same advice that I gave him beStan Leong took Jake under his wing and encouraged Jake to fore I came in,” Michael said. “Don’t compare yourself attend law school. “He took me on a tour of South to others. You can do it.”

Texas and even introduced me to his personal friend In their limited spare time, the two still attend Dean [Donald J.] Guter,” Jake said. “I just fell in love MODELING UT games and make time for family. Michael’s wife with this place.”

TENACITY AND quizzes him on assignments and Jake calls his mom He studied for the LSAT as he finished his unWORK ETHIC daily. Both agree that she’s been quite supportive of dergrad work and then started law school in the fall their venture. Michael said he’s looking forward to of 2017. When Jake spoke with his father, Michael, taking her on a trip to thank her when his schedule about the courts, torts, and all that he was learning as calms a bit. a 1L at South Texas, his dad paid close attention.

What’s ahead for this father and son? Only in his first year, Michael had served 30 years at the Houston Police Department Michael isn’t quite sure what he wants to do yet. Jake worked and was considering his future. He decided on law school. for an insurance defense firm over one summer and hopes to get “Jake is my inspiration. He worked very hard to get here,” more practical experience with a plaintiff ’s attorney or with a Michael said. “But I worked probably harder than he did.” judicial clerkship before graduation in 2020. Regardless, the two Michael liked the part-time program that South Texas agree that working together is more important than chronologoffered, which allowed him to continue his full-time role with ical or pecking order. The roles may change, but the dedicated the police department and work other part-time jobs while relationship remains. attending law school. Michael is quick to point out the 24

South Texas College of Law Houston

Ernest and Jaclyn Barbosa

Jaclyn enrolled as a part-time student, while Ernest began as Classmates often tell Dr. Ernest Barbosa and his a full-time student. Initially, the two kept their family relationdaughter Jaclyn that they couldn’t imagine attending ship a secret since they weren’t sure how others would respond. law school with their own family members.

However, they found it was easier to be upfront and transparent “We’ve been through a lot,” Jaclyn explained. about their unique situation. Jaclyn laughed that her father even Jaclyn was born prematurely, and her dad’s protective nature got to know a lot more people since he was on campus more. kicked in. She later wore braces on her hands and legs. “He’s had “A lot of classmates asked, ‘How come y’all never feed each to defend me, but not here,” she added. other answers when you’re called on?’” Jaclyn said. She told them, Being lifelong learners may be in their blood. When Ernest “Because he’s got this. I’ve got this. We don’t need each other’s was a biomedical engineering student at Texas A&M University, help in front of people.” he shared some ideas with an orthopedic surgeon, who suggested Still the two admit to helping each other behind Ernest patent the concepts. From that moment, he the scenes with studying and accountability. The two considered law school, but said he prefers to concenlived together their first year of school and were good trate on one thing at a time. He actually first became a GROWING study partners. Jaclyn said competition between them dentist with a practice in Brownsville. When he later TOGETHER AS never played a part of their story either. was diagnosed with cancer, his fingers went numb for LIFELONG “I wanted him to understand the material as several years. To make a living, Ernest changed gears, LEARNERS much as he wanted me to,” she said. “I knew how his buying and selling office properties. He discovered he brain works so if I was understanding something, I really enjoyed the negotiations, but the contracts were could explain it to him so that he would get it too.” troublesome. It proved another motivation to consider Ernest pushed her to study and stay motivated. law school, but that took a backseat to pursuing his master’s Ernest plans to pursue patent law, while Jaclyn is interested degree first. in corporate or civil law. Being independent is important to both “That [MBA] degree also reignited the desire for law of them. school,” Ernest said. “I really enjoyed evaluating the business “I told her that I’m going to spend all my money. I’m not opportunities that I reviewed.” going to leave you anything, but what I will leave you with is the In fall 2016, Ernest and his daughter Jaclyn both enrolled desire to get your own money,” he said. “I think she’s taken that at South Texas College of Law Houston. Like her father, Jaclyn to heart because she does not need me. It makes me feel better found several influences that prompted her to apply. She remembecause when I’m around, it’s because she wants me there.” bers attending a “Career Day” event in middle school, where all In fact, Jaclyn believes the key to attending law school with a three of the speakers had attended STCL Houston. It sparked parent is entering that decision with both people on the same page. her interest. She also recalls visiting her grandparents in down“Our relationship is tighter now more than ever,” she said. town Houston, where she saw the campus and the old Court of “It’s an amazing experience.”

Appeals. It was invigorating. stcl.edu

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STCL Houston Clinics students apply classroom knowledge to combat real-life threats

SAVING LIVES THROUGH THE LAW WRITTEN BY CLAIRE CATON

ussian writer Anton Chekhov noted, “Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.”

This, in a sentence, aptly refelects the mission of the Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics at South Texas College of Law Houston, where the practice of students in the law school’s Asylum & Human Trafficking Clinic recently helped save the lives of a Honduran family facing severe trafficking abuse.

When Maria* was first referred to STCL Houston’s Clinics by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), she was enduring a forced marriage with a Honduran man who made her work at a cantina and then as a domestic servant, all against her will.

After he forced her to work in a brothel, he battered another man who had sexually assaulted her and then claimed that he “owned her” because of his action.

Stunned by the brutality of her case, but empowered by their belief that they could help, STCL Houston students joined forces with their professor, Kristin Zipple-Shedd — a public interest attorney in the law school’s Asylum & Human Trafficking Clinic

R

— to apply their classroom knowledge and combat a real-life threat.

Shortly before Maria became a client of STCL Houston’s Clinics, a county prosecutor’s office identified her as a victim of domestic violence, and her abuser was deported to Honduras, where he began to terrorize her family. Upon interviewing her, the Clinics team quickly determined that Maria was a victim of human trafficking. They immediately went to work to pursue the rights and remedies owed survivors of human trafficking and to help rescue her family.

At the time, students and staff in the law school’s Asylum & Human Trafficking Clinic already were helping Maria’s 12-year-old son Miguel* seek asylum following extreme violence and death threats

by Maria’s abuser. Her trafficker routinely followed the children to school and stole their lunch money, destroyed their belongings, killed the family dogs, sexually assaulted Maria’s mother, and stabbed Miguel when he attempted to defend his grandmother during a physical assault.

“Several generations of South Texas Clinics students have

“It’s extremely rewarding to provide real help to trafficking victims who desperately need it.”

– NATALIE ROMERO

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South Texas College of Law Houston

worked hard on Maria’s case,” said Zippleimmigration benefit that allows certain victims Shedd. “Bringing their burgeoning legal of trafficking to remain in the U.S. for up to skills and a fierce determination to serve four years) for Maria, her daughter, eldest son, others, the students have helped save and and parents. They also won asylum for Maria’s Honduras has been a noted target for radically improve the lives of a helpless son, Miguel, who now has full, permanent human traffickers in recent years; traffickers often subject their victims to forced labor mother, her young children, and her parU.S. residency status. and forced criminal activity. ents. Maria’s and her family’s rescue from “It is heartening to know that our collabthe horror of human trafficking could not orative legal services have the ability to give have happened without the tenacity and commitment of teams victims like Maria and her family a second chance in the United of students and legal and social service providers.”

States, where they can rebuild their lives and live free from their Indeed, when the students and staff identified Maria as a tormentors,” said Cristina Gonzalez, an STCL Houston student human trafficking victim, they collaborated with federal law enwho worked on Maria’s case. “Maria’s story is one of many that forcement and social services programs to ensure she gained the demand and deserve this freedom.” benefits to which she was entitled. Her collaborative care team Maria now lives outside of Houston and plans to visit South included representatives from KIND, the International OrganiTexas’ Clinics classes each semester to share her story with students zation for Migration, and the YMCA, among others. and to emphasize the power law students wield as future attorneys.

“Our success in this case is due solely to the availability of “I believe South Texas College of Law Houston’s Clinics and opportunities provided by the Asylum & Human Traffickare a godsend,” said Maria. “Their pro bono work on my behalf ing and Immigration Clinics at South Texas College of Law has forever changed my life and the lives of my family. With the Houston,” said Natalie Romero, a paralegal employed by the law Clinics, I was able to come out of the black hole where I lived school, who first met Miguel and his twin sister while interning — and with access to an attorney, I was finally able to see the at KIND. “It took so long, with so many moving parts, but our light. I finally had someone who had my back.” team approach proved effective in removing Maria and her family With tears in her eyes, she said, “My family’s future has never from danger and a hopeless future. looked so bright. I never imagined the possible future we have “Doing this work can be dangerous, but it is worth it,” she now. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my kids could said. “It’s extremely rewarding to provide real help to trafficking go to college in the U.S. and have the life that I never had.” victims who desperately need it.” *Client names have been changed to protect their identities.

Maria’s legal team successfully secured T-visas (a temporary

Natalie Romero, a paralegal employed in South Texas College of Law Houston’s Asylum & Human Trafficking Clinic, interviews a 37-year-old Honduran woman and her daughter whom South Texas students and staff rescued from extreme human trafficking abuse.

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WRITTEN BY DIANE SUMMERS

LawSuits:Clothingstudentsinconfidence WRITTEN BY DIANE SUMMERS

e all have heard the saying, “The clothes make the man.” And while most would agree that what is inside counts much more — intellect, compassion, integrity — appearance does matter, especially when you’re making a first impression with a potential employer.

Three innovative women at South Texas College of Law Houston — two professors and an assistant dean — understand this reality and established a program to ensure law students’ professional interview attire reflects their full potential.

The “Law Suits” program at STCL Houston provides students with two critical necessities for landing their first legal job: a professional suit and the confidence a well-tailored appearance can bring.

Many law students are unable to invest in professional attire and struggle with how to “look like a lawyer,” especially when personal resources are scarce.

Four years ago, professors Amanda Peters and Shelby Moore founded the clothing program designed to provide qualifying students with suits and accessories in professional styles and colors.

The program has grown exponentially — both in the number of items available to students and in student participation.

Several years ago, the professors visited with two students who did not have business clothing to wear to summer internships. Peters and Moore learned that the students did not have

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Above, left to resources to put together the appropriate right: Professor attire, so they purchased professional suits Shelby Moore, and separates for them. This sparked the Assistant Dean realization that there likely were many Gena Singleton, and Professor students in this situation who would benefit Amanda Peters, from having access to gently-used profesfounders of sional clothing. Peters and Moore recruited the Law Suits program.

Gena Singleton, assistant dean for Student Academic Affairs, to help them in this effort. Hence, Law Suits was born.

What began in a single room with a few donated suits for women has grown into a large, two-room operation with commercial-grade clothing racks holding hundreds of items, sorted by size and category. The women’s space has sections dedicated to skirts, pants, suits, individual jackets, and even shoes, handbags, and accessories. The men’s space has jackets, shirts, and drawers of ties — assorted in size and color. Students can enter the closets, try on professional wear, and check it out for their use.

No payment or donation is required, but students are asked to log their names and the items they wish to take. Students are allowed to take two sets of professional attire, and are not required to return items. Many students are grateful for the support and return items when they are no longer needed.

The closets have grown through donations received by faculty, staff, and alumni, and also include several purchased items.

Law Suits provides students with nocost professional attire for interviews, jobs, and internships.

All three women have become savvy online shoppers, finding sharply discounted professional clothing that is new or gently used. These items round out the availability of sizes, styles, and colors available for students, enabling them to select the items that make them interview-ready and build their confidence.

Students who use the Law Suits program often write heartfelt letters to Peters, Moore, and Singleton, expressing their gratitude for the support the program provides. One student wrote, “I just finished my internship as a judicial intern and law clerk for a civil judge, and every day I mixed and matched the two suits and dress that I got from this program… At the time I got the internship, I had no way of being able to get a nice suit.”

Another student — a single mother of two young children — wrote, “Thank you for the suits you provided me with this semester. I had three interviews for summer internships, and I ended up with offers from all three.”

Peters appreciates the sincere letters written by those who have benefited from Law Suits. “Students are touched by the kindness of Law Suits and the donors who have contributed,” she said. “It’s moving to receive something you need at a time when you cannot find the means to obtain it.”

The Law Suits program also offers tips on how to dress professionally. Singleton and Moore wrote guidelines on professional dress — what is considered appropriate, respectful, and polished. Students have noted that following these tips

Want to make a tax-deductible, monetary or in-kind contribution to the Law Suits program?

Contact Gena Singleton at gsingleton@stcl.edu

maximized their confidence as they walked into their first internship or clerkship opportunity.

This innovative program is just another product of the law school’s strong sense of community and commitment to providing excellent service throughout the entire student experience.

“For me,” stated Singleton, “community means that we accept students as they are when they walk through our doors.

For some students, this may mean helping them with some of the basic necessities of life and of this profession. Our students receive their donated items with gratitude and then turn around and give back to the program when they are alumni. This is one way we support each other and maintain community.”

“We know that South Texas College of Law Houston provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to practice in the legal profession. Law Suits helps them feel like they belong in any law office,” said Peters.

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CLASS NOTES 1969-1979 Philip W. Boyko ’77 will be closing his law practice in the coming months after 40+ years as sole practitioner. Instead of retiring, he accepted a position as in-house counsel for a local trucking company. He said the position literally fell in his lap, and he is very much looking forward to his second act.

He feels forever in debt to STCL Houston as the institution that gave him a chance in 1975, when few others would.

Sheryl T. Dacso, DrPH ’79 was recognized by her firm, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP as Pro Bono Partner of the Year. She was subsequently short listed by Chambers as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, based on her work setting up a medical legal partnership between Lone Star Legal Aid and The University of Texas Physicians.

Jack C. Frels ’71, former Harris County assistant district attorney, chief of the narcotics division and the organized crime drug enforcement taskforce (western district of Texas) and chief of the criminal division (southern district of Texas) for the U.S. Department of Justice, has been regional counsel for the Texas Border Prosecution Unit, Region 2, since 2015.

The Honorable John R. Hall ’69 is semi-retired and is serving as a visiting judge. He just returned from a transatlantic cruise to Ireland. He is trying to grow old as gracefully as possible!

J. Alexander Johnson ’ 75, former assistant attorney general, Department of Justice, is an accomplished trial lawyer. Johnson is an active member of the Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts and Federal Court Bars. As a prolific writer he has recently published articles, “Insuring 30

Against Cybercrime” in the New York State Bar Assoc. Journal and “Uncharged Misconduct Under 404 (b)” in the Michigan Bar Journal. It is important to note that Evidence Rule 404 (b) applies equally to civil and criminal cases. These articles cover Texas, Michigan, New York, California state and federal practice.

Mr. Johnson is a regular contributor to the New York State Bar Assoc.

Journal and Michigan Bar Journal.

His articles are available at http:// ssrn.com/author=1653603.

Robert B. Langston ’70 is now retired after 49 years of solo practice.

He has many memories of trials, judges, friends, opponents and the evolution of law. One of his best friends and classmates, Andrew G. (Drew) Shebay ’70 recently passed.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

James M. Loveless ’74 joins Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, one of North Texas’ premier family law firms, opening the firm’s Fort Worth office. A fourth-generation Texan from Fort Worth, he has been board-certified in family law for 39 years. Known throughout the state for his work in high-profile family law matters, he has been recognized on the The Best Lawyers in America list since 1987 and the Texas Super Lawyers list since 2003.

Morris C. Ludtke ’75 retired in 2010.

He helped his wife through pneumonia and breast cancer in 2018-19. They both are enjoying their grandkids and travel. He is grateful to Baylor Breast Care Center and Dr. C. Kent Osborn.

Richard A. Manzo ’78 is semi-retired after 40 years of trial law and

South Texas College of Law Houston

being board-certified for more than 24 years. He looks back and smiles when he sees the new school and remembers what it looked like in 1975 when he first pulled up. He has great memories of Dean Walker and would like to hear from Bob Bateman ’77.

The Honorable William H. Overton ’79 returned to his home in St. Petersburg, FL when he graduated law school.

He was a prosecutor for 10 years and a judge for 28 years. He has now been “retired” for 3 years; he serves as a senior judge, basically filling in when necessary. He got married to Dolores, had two sons and now has six grandchildren who keep him and his wife very busy. In addition, he loves to cruise and has been to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Alaska, the Baltic and the Danube River, to name a few. He is glad to see that STCL Houston continues to prepare men and women to be leaders in the profession of law.

William T. Snypes Jr. ’77 retired in 2016.

He and his wife, Suzanne, have been doing quite a bit of traveling since. They just got back from 25 days touring Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. He can’t say he misses work.

assistant general counsel at Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

He moved from Houston to Dallas for the in-house counsel experience and has enjoyed his supervisory role and concentration in labor and employment law. He recently spoke on sexual harassment in the #MeToo workplace in El Paso and Oklahoma City.

The Honorable Susan M. Brown ’85 was appointed by Governor Abbott as the presiding judge of the newly created 11th Administrative Judicial Region. This region covers Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Brazoria, Matagorda, and Wharton counties.

Abner Burnett ’87 has been practicing criminal defense law exclusively for about 11 years as a public defender for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA). He says it rewards him, professionally and personally, more profoundly than he anticipated or deserved. Abner retired from private trial lawyer practice in 2002 and moved to Mexico. In 2004, he took the position as director of the South Texas Civil Rights Project. In 2008, he moved over to TRLA to help establish its public defender program.

Trey Bergman III ’80 served as the chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Texas. His term ended in May 2019.

Lieutenant Colonel Maria C. Lopez ’86 was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. The confirmation makes her the top federal prosecutor for the Tampa-based district, which includes 35 Florida counties, from Jacksonville to Naples.

Peter R. Brannan ’86 just celebrated twenty years as senior

Edward A. Conley ’80 is hanging back in his hometown of Abilene,

William W. Torrey ’76 was named the 2019 District Attorney of the Year by the Cattle Raisers Association.

1980-1989

CLASS NOTES TX. He is mostly retired and only taking one-time court appearances Ben J. Cunningham ’82 just returned from beautiful Banff, Canada, where he spoke at the International Academy of Mediators at the (magnificent) Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel. It was a great conference for attorney mediators from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

imously. One of the chief judge’s main duties is to preside over the assignment of his colleagues to their respective divisions. He also represents the judiciary in official functions.

Roland Garcia Jr. ’86 won a $15 million jury verdict in a complex commercial and government contract dispute for client CDM Smith in Galveston County, Texas. The verdict and judgment were recently featured as a Top 20 Verdict by Texas Lawyer Magazine.

Ellen P. Gede ’85 moved back home to the Washington, D.C. area many years ago. She has been married for 36 years to her husband, Chris, and they have a son, also named Chris, who is 26 years old.

They have a 3-year-old sheltie who is like a daughter. She misses Houston during the D.C. winters.

Harold D. Dampier Jr. ’87 spent the last year as a senior strategic advisor supporting the development of the free legal aid system in Kosovo. Prior to that, he was working in Dhaka, Bangladesh as chief of party for a USAID Rule of Law Project.

Richard J. Evrard ’83, a member of Bond, Schoeneck & King, was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019 in the category of sports law for the 13th consecutive year.

The Honorable Ronald N. Ficarrotta ’82 was reelected as Hillsborough’s chief judge for another two-year term. Ficarrotta was first elected as the chief judge of the Tampa-based 13th Judicial Circuit in 2015. His fellow judges reelected him unan-

Lyle V. Gripp ’87 got married to Sharon Johnson Gripp in 2016.

Shawn A. Lecuona ’86 reports that in a letter mailed May 14, 2019, the SCOTUS acknowledged the truth of identity and legitimate purpose in a petition for rehearing in case 18-869.

Leila V. Hammer ’89 joined EOG Resources in January 2018 and is now working downtown and enjoying the cosmopolitan life Houston has to offer.

The Honorable Bonnie C. Hellums ’81 retired in 2014 as the judge of the 247th Judicial (Family) District Court after serving for 20 years. During that time she started the Family Intervention Court — the only family drug court in Harris County — later followed by the Infant and Toddlers Court, which provides wraparound services to the small children of addicts. She currently serves as a visiting judge

in numerous counties, in addition to serving as a mediator and arbitrator. She just received the T. Berry Brazelton Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award for the state of Texas. She has been appointed

by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Dept. of Family and Protective Services Advisory Council. Obviously, she is a retirement failure. She and her husband, Carel L. Stith ’01, also find time to travel and see their ten grandchildren.

Steven C. Howard ’83 with Steven C. Howard, P.C. of Houston has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Only the top one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys are invited to become fellows.

Steven J. Kherkher ’89 has successfully tried and won his last five personal injury lawsuits.

His verdict against defendant Monsanto in St. Louis, Missouri was over $46 million dollars on behalf of three individuals who developed Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from the defendant’s PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl).

Lynne Liberato ’80 received the 2019 Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Appellate Lawyer Award from the Texas Bar Foundation. The award recipients exhibit an outstanding appellate practice while maintaining a strong commitment to providing legal services for the underserved.

The award recognizes dedication to mentoring young attorneys as well as a strong moral compass to guide

both professional and personal pursuits. A prolific speaker and writer, she co-authored with U.S. District Judge David Hittner "Summary Judgments in Texas"; often called the "bible" of summary judgments, which was most recently published in the spring 2019 South Texas Law Review.

Joseph H. Malley ’86 was named a 2018 Elite Trial Lawyers finalist by The National Law Journal in the privacy and data breach area of law. The winners for each category were announced at the Elite Trial Lawyers event on October 5, 2018, at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Kurt A. Malmquist II ’83 is running Hawthorne Farms in Wisconsin.

Scott D. Marrs ’89, regional managing partner - Texas for the Akerman LLP law firm in Houston, has been appointed a fellow (one of the highest grades of membership) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a professional membership organization representing the interests of alternative dispute resolution practitioners worldwide.

Marrs, a trial attorney and arbitrator with substantial domestic and international experience, assists clients with business disputes.

Neil C. McCabe ’82 is of counsel to Roberts Markland LLP in Houston (with partner Sean Roberts ’96). He was again selected to Texas Super Lawyers in 2018. In October of 2018, he married Linda Carswell and honeymooned in Paris. They now reside in the 7th Arrondissement in Paris, France.

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CLASS NOTES The Honorable David M. Medina ’89 has been elevated to shareholder at law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka.

Justice Medina works with clients in multiple industries on various trials, business transactions and appeals.

Justice Medina previously served on the Texas Supreme Court and authored over 90 Supreme Court opinions.

13th year by Texas Monthly/Texas Super Lawyers magazines, an honor awarded to only .001 percent of licensed Texas lawyers.

Bonnie Bowes Reinke ’89, formerly with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, is now vice president and assistant general counsel with Inform Diagnostics, Inc. in Irving, Texas.

Bernardino C. Agosto Jr. ’95, partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, took office as president of the Houston Bar Association for the 2019-2020 bar year at the HBA Annual Dinner on May 16, 2019. Benny is the first native Spanish speaker and second Latino to serve as HBA President in the association’s 149-year history.

During his tenure, he will focus on the three core initiatives of building leaders, celebrating diversity, and serving the community. Additionally, he is the founding editor of the South Texas College of Law Houston Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy, launched just this year. This academic journal will address key issues of the Hispanic community, including social work, public policy, government, and other important areas. He also was named to the Top 100: Houston Super Lawyers list for the second year in a row and the Texas Super Lawyers list for the 14th year. He also received recognition as a Top Latino Lawyer for 2018

by Latino Leaders Magazine.

Robert C. Rice ’86 taught as an adjunct at STCL Houston off and on for almost 20 years, in addition to his full-time practice. After taking a couple years off, he will be teaching again as an adjunct for the Spring 2020 semester, when he will teach an alternative dispute resolution course.

David K. Sergi ’85 was elected as a State Bar of Texas (SBOT) director for District 15 (Comal County up to Odessa and San Angelo). If any of you want to discuss how the SBOT can better serve you, please let him know.

Randall O. Sorrels ’87, partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz and president of the State Bar of Texas, has been named the Best Lawyers® 2019 Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs ”Lawyer of the Year” in Houston. Only one attorney is recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for each practice area and location, and this marks Mr. Sorrels’ third year to receive this honor from Best Lawyers. Additionally, he has been recognized as one of the top 100 Houston lawyers for the 32

The Honorable Gerald L. Zimmerer ’84 was elected to the 14th Court of Appeals Place 3 on November 7, 2018, for a six-year term commencing January 1, 2019. His investiture was March 5, 2019, in the 14th Court of Appeals, Harris County.

1990-1999

Myrna S. Agris, EdD ’91 was promoted to associate vice president at Morgan Stanley in Houston.

James M. Alpert ’93 is a registered patent attorney at the United States Patent & Trademark Office,

South Texas College of Law Houston

representing both domestic and foreign clients.

William S. Anderson ’94 was elected to serve a three-year term on Bracewell’s management committee. A partner in Bracewell’s Houston office, Anderson is co-chair of the firm’s corporate and securities department and head of the firm’s financial institutions practice. He has extensive experience in merger and acquisition (M&A) and capital markets transactions, including providing advice to boards of directors, conflicts committees, and financial advisors. The Legal 500 United States has consistently recognized his national leadership in large-deal M&A transactions and capital markets equity and debt offerings.

Charles R. Arnold II ’90 recently celebrated 27+ years of state service including 17+ years with the Office of the Attorney General serving as a regional administrator/ assistant attorney general. He supervises the managing AAGs covering 49 East Texas counties and has led the most successful Attorney General’s Office Child Support Division region in state goal attainment for the past 13 years. He recently was awarded the Excellence Award in Goal Achievement.

Sanjay R. Chadha ’95 opened his own law practice in downtown Houston, focusing on civil, immigration, and technology law after three decades in large corporations with various executive roles. Sanjay brings his background as chief information officer, chief technology officer, entrepreneur, and engineer to his practice.

Maricarmen G. Dollar ’97 was selected for the Equal Justice Works Disaster Recovery Legal Corps, a two-year fellowship program that places 18 lawyers in Texas and three lawyers in Florida, where they work with established nonprofit legal services organizations to serve the highest-need communities in disaster-affected areas. Hosted by Houston Volunteer Lawyers, she will deliver legal assistance to individuals affected by Hurricane Harvey, including title clearing, contractor disputes, insurance coverage disputes, FEMA appeals, assistance with mortgage forbearance and foreclosure matters, evictions, and other landlord/tenant issues.

The Honorable Robert Eckels ’93 joined Husch Blackwell as partner in the firm’s highly regarded Real Estate, Development & Construction industry group.

Jill S. Arntz ’95 received her arbitration, basic mediation, advanced mediation, and elder and adult family mediation certificates. She opened McCarthy Arntz ADR and looks forward to helping people resolve conflicts through alternative dispute resolution.

Samuel J. Byington III ’98 was inducted into the Society of Petroleum Engineers Legion of Honor at their annual awards banquet in May, in recognition of his 50-year continuous membership in the Society of Petroleum Engineers as of 2019.

Captain Joseph R. Gutheinz Jr. ’96, of the Gutheinz Law Firm, LLP was honored with the

CLASS NOTES Distinguished Alumni Award from California State University, Sacramento in May 2019. He also was featured in his 14th episode on “NASA’s Unexplained Files” on the Science Channel (May 2019) ahead of his upcoming movie, “Operation Lunar Eclipse.” He was featured in The Saturday Evening Post (May/ June 2019 edition) in a story titled “The Moon Rock Hunter,” about his successful efforts to find missing moon rocks.

Christopher P. Hanslik ’95, chairman at BoyarMiller, became chair of SEARCH Homeless Services on July 1, after serving on the board of directors and on various committees since 2010.

Michael K. Hurst ’90, of boutique Texas litigation firm Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst, was elected to a three-year term as director of the State Bar of Texas. He has been recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Commercial Litigation by U.S. News & World Report for eight consecutive years. He also has been named as a “Texas Super Lawyer” since 2003 and a “Top 100 Lawyers in Texas” since 2005, as seen in Texas Monthly magazine. Additionally, he has been acknowledged as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Labor & Employment Litigation and Real Estate Litigation by U.S. News & World Report from 2014-2019.

Michael has been selected as a “Best Lawyer in Dallas” for Business Litigation by D Magazine from 2008-2018, and a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation in 2017 and 2018. In 2015, he was the first male recipient of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association’s Louise B. Raggio award. In 2018, Michael served as the president of the Dallas Bar Association and was awarded the “Best Mentor” award by Texas Lawyer.

Daniel B. Isenhower ’97 retired in August 2019 after 16 years as inhouse counsel with Devon Energy.

He lives and practices part-time in the Austin area.

Shay E. Johanson ’98, a business attorney with more than 20 years of experience, joined BoyarMiller as of counsel. Previously, Shay was a principal at an independent Houston-based law firm. He has extensive experience as in-house counsel and acted as general counsel for multiple oilfield services companies. He has represented clients in the energy and technology industries and in cross-border transactions.

Ronald E. Jones II ’94 recently was promoted to serve as deputy managing counsel - capital metro area – for the United States Postal Service.

Michael P. Lyons ’99, cofounder of the Texas-based trial firm Deans & Lyons, has earned selection to D Magazine’s 2019 Best Lawyers in Dallas listing. The Best Lawyers in Dallas list is determined through peer voting and extensive review by an independent panel of distinguished attorneys working in concert with the magazine’s editors. Known for employing innovative strategies, Lyons has earned a reputation as a client-first, "go-to" trial lawyer for catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, as well as highly complex business disputes. This is his seventh time to earn D Magazine honors, and he is one of a select few to be recognized for both business litigation and personal injury trial work. He has earned selection to the 2019 listing of The Best Lawyers in America for his commercial litigation work.

April C. Montgomery ’96 is on the front lines of animal rights activism in California to ban horse racing amid 26 dead race horses at one track alone since December 2018. She has made local and national news repeatedly through live protests and speaking engagements before the California Horse Racing Board. She is working on a ballot initiative so California voters can decide. She is a patron turned activist after seeing firsthand the breakdown of a race horse and the behind-the-scenes activities.

Mark T. Murray ’90 received recognition from the State Bar of Texas CLE, and earned a Standing Ovation Award for Staff Appreciation for an Outstanding Volunteer for 2018.

Monica M. Ortale ’93 had the opportunity to work on the STCL Houston Hispanic Journal of Law & Policy thanks to Benny Agosto Jr. ’95 and support from the law school. Read the most recent issue on diversity at stcl.edu/HJLP. Patricia D. Petty ’91 is a paralegal instructor at the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University, where she teaches contract law and Texas civil procedure.

Kevin P. Riley ’90 was appointed to managing partner for the Houston office of Mayer LLP. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas, and Albuquerque, with 30 lawyers strong and growing.

Mark H. Ritchie ’96 is now admitted to the rolls as a solicitor in England and Wales in addition to being admitted to practice in New York and Washington, D.C. He is a fully qualified mediator and arbitrator, is a fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration,

and is listed on the rolls of qualified arbitrators for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, the New Zealand International Arbitration Centre, the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre, the Asian International Arbitration Centre, and the Vienna International Arbitration Centre.

T. Jason Smith ’98, formerly senior director and legal counsel for Apttus, is now advisory senior manager for Deloitte. He also is a recipient of the Fastcase 50 Award, which honors a diverse group of lawyers, legal technologists, policymakers, judges, law librarians, bar association executives, and people from all walks of life.

Paul M. Sternberg ’96 opened up a full-time practice in the new and emerging field of internet defamation.

The Honorable Scott E. Stevens ’94 was sworn in as a justice on the 6th District Court of Appeals located in Texarkana, Texas on January 1, 2019. The 6th District Court of Appeals covers 19 counties in Northeast Texas.

Rosann F. Willrodt ’98 is enjoying retirement and living in San Antonio.

Jill W. Young ’96, with more than 22 years of experience representing clients in complex probate, trust and fiduciary litigation matters, announced the formation of the law firm of Young, Graves & Burt.

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CLASS NOTES 2000-2009 Julie Blair ’03, a solo practitioner focusing on immigration and nationality law, has accepted a position as director of foundation and corporate relations at STCL Houston.

The Honorable Michael De Leon ’00 was elected judge of County Court at Law #7, a domestic violence court in Bexar County, Texas. Prior to his election, Judge De Leon was a 17-year felony prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.

Daniel M. Elustondo ’07 returned to Houston in July to begin his position as senior legal counsel for Shell Oil Company, specializing in advising the business on anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, and trade controls matters. He previously worked abroad as a compliance manager in the Sultanate of Brunei for a 50/50 joint venture between Shell Oil Company and the Brunei government.

The Honorable Amanda R. Flora ’04 recently was appointed as a full-time magistrate judge in Henry County, Georgia. She took office on

January 1, 2019. She and her husband also adopted their first child, Trevor Lee Flora, who was born on December 28, 2018. The adoption was finalized on April 25, 2019.

Joe A. Flores ’01 recently was asked by the world-renowned Hagee ministries to join a panel on bullying and gun control issues as legal advisor for Trinity Broadcast Network. He commented on the myths and reality of gun control in America and whether or not we are the most violent country in the world. The results were surprising.

Kathryn E. Gottlieb ’09 celebrated her fifth year as general counsel at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast in Houston in January.

Cynthia Hodges ’07 received an LL.M. in environmental law from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon in 2008. She moved to Washington and was admitted to the bar in 2010. In 2013, she formed Scott Free Investments, LLC. She also has written and translated a number of books, such as “Monsieur Baucher and His Arts: A Serious Word with Germany’s Riders” by Louis Seeger, “The Splitting Image: Exposing the Secret World of Doubles, Decoys, and Impostor-Replacements,” and most recently, “Plastic Macca: The Secret Death and Replacement of Beatle Paul McCartney.” This past April, she travelled to Washington, D.C. to visit family, art museums, and Mount Vernon. She currently is translating “System der Reitkunst”

by Louis Seeger from German.

Jared B. Howenstine ’09 has been promoted from associate to counsel at Cantor Colburn, one of the largest IP law firms in the United States. He concentrates his practice in intellectual property and information technology. He focuses

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his practice on patent prosecution, counseling, licensing, and patent infringement litigation, representing companies from a broad range of industries, with clients of all sizes, from solo inventors to start-up companies to Fortune 100 corporations. His utility patent prosecution and counseling practice has involved mechanical medical devices, tools, automotive components, oilfield exploration and production equipment, additive manufacturing, consumer electronic devices, wireless communication, machinery, elevators, heating and cooling systems, and aerospace and aeronautics components. He also has represented and counseled clients for design patents related to tools, automotive components, and electronic devices.

Jay B. Ingram ’08 started off with a law firm out of law school and then went in-house to Noble Energy, where he is now the managing counsel for Noble’s U.S. Onshore Assets.

Brandon James ’06 opened his virtual law practice at brandonjameslaw.com.

Sara M. Keith ’07 recently joined Shell Oil Company’s Global Litigation Americas team as legal counsel, bankruptcy and credit.

Brian B. Kilpatrick ’09 was named as a shareholder of Wilson Cribbs + Goren, one of the largest boutique real estate law firms in Texas. A former commercial real estate broker, he joined the firm in 2015.

His practice focuses on real estate law, including real estate, business, and bankruptcy litigation.

Matthew D. Lea ’06 has joined Winstead’s finance and banking practice group as a shareholder in the Houston office. Matthew represents lenders and borrowers in conventional and mezzanine energy financing and related secured transactions, including reserve-based lending and revolving and term credit facilities.

Heather L. Long ’06, previously of Aldous\Walker, opened Heather Long Law in Dallas. Heather is a career trial lawyer with experience handling complex personal injury cases throughout Texas and New Mexico.

Karl P. Long ’09 joined Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz as an associate.

Michelle C. Mishoe Miller ’05 was promoted to shareholder and chief operating officer at Kennard Miller Hernandez, PC in August 2018.

The firm specializes in labor and employment law.

Ashley M. Naumann ’09 joined the Houston office of LyondellBasell Industries as counsel, operations.

Courtney E. Palm ’03 was promoted to partner in HooverSlovacek LLP. Dylan B. Russell ’03 argued a case at the Supreme Court of Texas in January 2019, in Agar Corp. Inc. v. Electro Circuits Int’l LLC, Case 17-0630. In April, the Court issued

CLASS NOTES a favorable opinion that reversed decades of lower court opinions which had concluded the limitations period for all civil conspiracies was two years. Now the underlying tort dictates limitations.

Hector L. Sandoval ’03 started a new firm, Sandoval Law Firm, in January 2019, with a focus on non-subscriber and auto accident cases in Houston and South Texas.

Christopher L. Sbrusch ’09 left his position as managing attorney at Loncar Associates in Odessa, Texas in late April to start his own practice in the piney woods of Palestine, Texas.

W. Michael Schuster II ’07 was reappointed as an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business.

Additionally, his coauthored article, “Sampling Increases Music Sales: An Empirical Copyright Study,” will be published in the American Business Law Journal, which is ranked in the top 1.5% of peer-reviewed law journals. The paper can be found online at: https://ssrn.com/ abstract=3226292. Beginning in fall 2019, Michael will be an assistant professor at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

Brant J. Stogner ’06, partner at Houston-based personal injury law firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, has been selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list for 2018 for the sixth consecutive year.

He is board-certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He obtained this certification within the first five years of his practice, the soonest

this certification can be earned in Texas. His current legal practice focuses on representing individuals who have been involved in catastrophic personal injuries, gas explosions, commercial auto wrecks, workplace injuries, drownings, shootings, wrongful death cases, and brain injuries. He currently serves as president of the South Texas College of Law Houston Alumni Association.

Jennifer O. Stogner ’06, of the Houston personal injury law firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, has been named to the Texas Rising Stars list for 2019 for the second consecutive year. Her inclusion on this list indicates that she is among the top 2.5 percent of attorneys under the age of 40 in Texas or those who have been in practice in Texas for 10 years or less.

She is an experienced trial attorney who has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, including individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. She joined Abraham Watkins as of counsel in 2018 and represents individuals and family members who have been injured or killed by the negligence of another. Her current practice focuses on a wide range of personal injury matters, including wrongful death, catastrophic injury, car and trucking accidents, construction accidents, product defects including automobiles and tires, traumatic brain injuries, explosions, medical malpractice, and insurance litigation.

William R. Stukenberg ’05 has been named office managing principal of Jackson Lewis’ Houston office.

He focuses his practice on a

wide range of areas, from day-today employment counseling to complex employment litigation. He has served as the office’s litigation manager since 2015.

Erika A. Subieta ’06 joined Charles Schwab as director of legal counsel. Charles Schwab is a leading investment services and asset management firm and serves as a premier custodian for independent advisors.

Mark R. Thiessen ’03 is now board-certified in criminal law and DUI Law. He loves trying big cases alongside his wife, Taly Thiessen. He is honored to be named in Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas. In his free time, he received his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and enjoys adventuring with the family. He works to live, and does not live to work.

The Honorable Charles R. K. Vance ’05 is starting his fifth term as a municipal judge for the City of South Houston.

The Honorable Christine H. Weems ’00 was elected to serve as judge of the 281st Civil Judicial District Court in Harris County.

2010-2019 Camrii Hampton ’18 got married to Khary Alexcee in Houston in March 2019. She took and passed the February bar exam and she landed a job as in-house counsel.

Lisa M. Angelo ’13 is now a certified privacy law specialist by the International Association of Privacy Professionals and accredited by the ABA. She also earned two other internationally recognized

certifications in privacy: Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). For the past five years, she has had a solo practice focused on data privacy, cyber insurance, and other technology-related contracts and law.

Sean C. Berwald ’18 is excited to announce that he has joined Toeppich and Associates doing oil and gas transactions and title work.

Whitney L. Breedlove ’14 started a new job in October 2018 as corporate legal counsel for Musket Corporation, the trading and logistics branch for Love’s Travel Stops.

L. Michelle Brockway ’10 has joined Christensen Building Group as its general counsel.

Christopher C. Burt ’10, a BoyarMiller senior associate, won a victory for his client when the Supreme Court of Texas delivered an opinion on April 12 that changed the interpretation of a Texas law that has existed since 1879, stating that an applicant for probate is charged with the failure of any predecessor to probate a will before them.

Mario A. Cicconetti ’13 was promoted by the U.S. Army to the rank of major, a field grade officer position. Now in his 14th year with the Army, he currently serves as defense counsel in the U.S. Army Reserves, representing soldiers facing separation from the Army. In his civilian career, he is a felony assistant district

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CLASS NOTES attorney at Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Michelle A. Ciolek ’12, of the Houston personal injury law firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, has been named to Texas Rising Stars list for 2019. This marks her first year on this list, which appears annually in the Super Lawyers and Texas Monthly magazines.

Christopher G. Cottrell ’12 joined Winston & Strawn LLP in the Houston office along with the rest of the energy M&A/A&D team.

Roberto C. Flores ’13 was been selected for the Equal Justice Works Disaster Recovery Legal Corps, a two-year fellowship program that places 18 lawyers in Texas and three lawyers in Florida, where they work with established nonprofit legal services organizations to serve the highest-need communities in disaster-affected areas. Hosted at YMCA International Services, he will provide services before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Executive Office of Immigration Review for those recovering from Hurricane Harvey.

Matthew R. Frontz ’15 was elected to shareholder at Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli. The new shareholders were elected based on their superior client service and dedicated legal commitment. He specializes in electrical engineering/computer science patent prosecution.

Kaitlyn N. Garcia ’16 opened her firm KNG Law’s second office location in Tampa, Florida. She is expecting a baby in September.

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Jackson P. Gayle ’17 joined Blank Rome LLP as an associate in the real estate group. He is based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

He previously worked at Vinson & Elkins LLP. He concentrates his practice on real estate, finance, and general corporate transactional matters.

Kristina Keramati Gurka ’11 and Michael Gurka were blissfully wed by Father Francis at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Houston on July 7, 2018. The couple took their vows in front of their proud parents and 300 friends and family members who traveled from Vancouver, Scotland, and London. Their 14-member wedding party included their siblings and best friends from elementary school, high school, Texas A&M, UTSA, and South Texas College of Law Houston. They welcomed their first child, Landon Michael Gurka in August. Michael and Kristina are excited to start their new adventure and happily embrace their new role as parents.

Lytch Tornow Gutmann ’10 was elected to Bracewell’s partnership, effective January 1, 2019.

She focuses on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint venture formations and general corporate matters, most notably in the midstream and upstream sectors. She also handles private equity transactions and has a thorough understanding of the capitalization process for such transactions. Gutmann has served as lead counsel or co-lead on strategic transactions for Concho Resources, Denham Capital, Kinder Morgan, La Caisse, Plains All American Pipeline, and Vopak.

Adam T. Hamilton ’13 joined Fox Rothschild LLP in Dallas as an associate in the litigation department. He handles litigation matters

South Texas College of Law Houston

with a primary focus on insurance defense, automotive liability, and commercial transportation liability.

Ian A. Holcomb ’15 moved to KPMG’s London office to provide tax consulting services for European clients making U.S.-inbound investments.

Geoffrey G. Hoover ’10 and his trial team were voted as the 2018 Trial Team of the Year by The National Trial Lawyers, specifically for trucking accidents. In 2018, he and his trial team obtained over $413 million in jury verdicts. This included a $101 million jury verdict and a $260 million jury verdict, both of which were tried against trucking companies. In each case, the companies were represented by multiple defense firms. He also was recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys.

Jill E. Jester ’10 was elected chair of the board of regents at Texas Woman’s University. She also serves as chair of the Denton Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

Brandon L. B. Joseph ’15 was promoted to senior associate attorney at McClure Law Group, PC in Dallas, Texas, in January 2019. He also was named a 2019 Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star.

Cameron Phillips ’15

Lena B. Laurenzo ’15, joined the Houston law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz as an associate attorney. Her current practice focuses on a wide range of personal injury matters, including 18-wheeler, commercial vehicle, and automobile accidents; pedestrian accidents; Jones Act and maritime cases; workplace injury; and wrongful death. After practicing law for only three years, she was recognized by Super Lawyers on the Texas Rising Stars list.

Andrew C. Nelson ’10, 2010 valedictorian, was promoted to partner by Houston trial and appellate firm Wright Close & Barger LLP in January.

Ford A. Peters ’13 was promoted to business development advisor at Fieldwood Energy LLC. De Andrea S. Petty ’16 will celebrate the second anniversary of her law office in Waco, Texas this year. She has been sworn into the United States

CLASS NOTES Federal Court, Western District of Texas, where she practices criminal law out of Fort Hood, Texas.

Cameron J. Phillips ’15 was elected president of Panola County Bar Association.

Julliana Reyes ’16 founded a personal injury litigation law firm, Bailey Reyes, PLLC with law partner Christopher Bailey. Bailey Reyes, PLLC serves the Beaumont, Houston, and Southeast Texas areas.

Ciro J. Samperi ’10 joined Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz as an associate attorney. He focuses his practice on a wide range of personal injury matters, including serious automobile and 18-wheeler accidents, catastrophic injuries, and premises liability cases. He began his legal career defending businesses and soon discovered his passion for helping those who have been injured through the negligence of others. His prior legal experience and knowledge of how companies fight injury claims has given him a unique perspective and skillset that he applies to his cases today.

Stacy E. Saxon ’15 currently serves as the head of the Navy Legal Assistance Office at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and was selected as the Naval Legal Service Command Junior Officer of the Quarter for the period of January 2019 through March 2019.

Antoine C. Schellinger ’13 assumed a new position as senior vice president of corporate devel-

opment for Koch Project Solutions in June 2019. He previously was the executive vice president and general counsel of Global Management Partners.

Ashley M. Scott ’10 was hired as a senior litigation attorney in the Houston office of Cordell & Cordell, the nation’s largest domestic litigation firm focusing on representing men in family law cases.

Meghan L. Smolensky ’17 was selected for the Equal Justice Works Disaster Recovery Legal Corps, a two-year fellowship program that places 18 lawyers in Texas and three lawyers in Florida, where they work with established nonprofit legal services organizations to serve the highest-need communities in disaster-affected areas. She will serve at Lone Star Legal Aid, where she will help those affected by Hurricane Harvey, including assisting with landlord-tenant, insurance claims, and FEMA related appeals.

Erin R. Swanson ’13 won the Republican nomination for judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2.

Emily B. Taylor ’14 became an associate at Rapp & Krock, P.C. this year.

Robert B. Thomson Jr. ’12 deployed to Afghanistan as operational law counsel with the Texas Army

National Guard in 2017. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Alix L. Udelson ’14 joined Blank Rome LLP’s Houston office as an associate in the labor and employment group. She is experienced in defending employers in state and federal court litigation and arbitration proceedings, and before administrative agencies, in a wide range of employment law claims, including those involving discrimination and harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, failure to hire, and wrongful termination. She routinely devises and reviews employment guidelines and policies, as well as employment agreements and restrictive covenants. She also regularly works with human resources and in-house legal departments to address an array of workplace legal issues, including investigations into claims of workplace impropriety, leaves of absence, disciplinary actions, workplace safety, reductions in force, and wage and hour compliance.

Maria F. Vazquez ’17 was selected for the Equal Justice Works Disaster Recovery Legal Corps, a two-year fellowship program that places 18 lawyers in Texas and three lawyers in Florida, where they work with established nonprofit legal services organizations to serve the highest-need communities in disaster-affected areas. Hosted at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, she will provide legal assistance in immigration matters to low-income individuals directly affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Melissa G. Vest ’17 joined Baker Donelson as an associate.

Angelina E. Wike ’16 joined Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz as an associate attorney. She began her legal career practicing at an insurance defense firm, where she gained valuable knowledge about the insurance industry and learned firsthand the litigation and settlement tactics used by insurance companies and defense firms. Most recently, she represented residential and commercial policyholders in breach of contract and first-party bad faith claims at another prominent plaintiff’s firm in Houston. Her current practice at Abraham Watkins focuses on a wide variety of personal injury matters, including automobile accidents and premises liability, and representation of first-party policyholders in disputes against their insurance companies.

Jackie Wilhite ’17 joined Baker Donelson as an associate.

Kelly M. Woods ’13 of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz has been named to the Texas Rising Stars list for the second consecutive year.

Her personal injury practice has focused on representing individuals who have been involved in car accidents, premises liability accidents, oil field accidents, defective drugs and products, and maritime injuries.

She is licensed to practice in both Texas and Louisiana and is admitted to all federal district courts in both states. In 2018, she secured nearly $50 million in settlements for her clients.

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CLASS NOTES

Collette

New Arrivals Daylene Collette ’18 graduated last year and took the bar while eight months pregnant. She is happy to say that the bar stress didn’t interfere with getting this precious one here.

Storck Hall

Reyes-Centeno

Bianca de Lachica ’13 welcomed a beautiful baby boy named Eduardo de Lachica IV in February 2019.

Gwyndolene H. Elliott ’16 had a baby boy on October 11, 2018. His name is Holden Harrison Elliott.

Janelle Storck Hall ’16 and Shaun Raymond Hall welcomed Carter Ryan Hall, born 9 weeks early on June 23, 2018, weighing 2 lbs 12 oz.

Robertson

Tracey L. Reyes-Centeno ’08 gave birth to twin boys in February (her third and fourth kids) and was recently promoted to vice president and director of private trust at Tolleson Wealth Management in Dallas.

Woolet

Cara H. Woolet ’17 and her husband, Keyl, welcomed Hayes Gordon Woolet on November 11, 2018.

Cheranda P. Robertson ’13 recently added a baby girl to her family.

Have you visited Online Class Notes yet?

Enjoy 24-hour access to news about fellow alumni at my.stcl.edu/classnotes

n Stay connected by updating your contact information at my.stcl.edu/expressupdate.

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South Texas College of Law Houston

n If you are celebrating a recent birth, submit a Class Note with your baby’s name, and we’ll send you a free “Future Graduate” onesie.

n All submissions to Class Notes are subject to editing for length, clarity, accuracy, and appropriateness.

The Challenge to Give Back Challenge coins (like those pictured here) are part of a longstanding military tradition. Leaders give them to individuals in recognition of exemplary values or a job well done — along with a challenge to continue the good work. Dean Emeritus Don Guter — who previously served as the 37th Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy — challenged attendees at The Gala 2019 to continue their legacy of supporting South Texas in our mission to provide an exceptional legal education to our students. Your contributions to student scholarships have the potential to change lives.

Accept the challenge, and give today at my.stcl.edu/giving. stcl.edu

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FACULTY NOTES JOSH BLACKMAN Professor of Law

Professor Blackman delivered more than 30 presentations in fall 2018, on subjects including campus free speech; the 1st and 2nd amendments and 3-D printed guns; and a recap of the Supreme Court session. He also has made hundreds of media appearances on outlets including Fox news, Bloomberg, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Washington Post, and the New York Times. He has several articles scheduled for publication in 2019, including “The Irrepressible Myths of Cooper v. Aaron” 107 Georgetown Law Journal (2019), “Improper Commandeering” 21 University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law (2019), and “The Once and Future Privileges or Immunities Clause” 25 George Mason Law Review (forthcoming 2019), which he coauthored with Ilya Shapiro. He was the author of an amicus brief for the Cato Institute for Damen Guedes, et al, v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (March 8, 2019) and an amicus brief for the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty in Whole Women's Health v. Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (June 25, 2018).

CATHERINE GREENE BURNETT Vice President, Associate Dean, Professor of Law, Director of Clinical Programs

Dean Burnett presented at the State Bar of Texas CLE in Advanced Criminal Law in July 2018, on the topic, “Extraneous Acts: Never Good, Mostly Bad, Always Ugly.” She also presented to

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the Hidalgo County Bar Association Bill of Rights Criminal Law Conference in January 2019, on extraneous acts and sex offender registration. Her other recent CLE presentations include “Screening Claims” at the Center for American and International Law and “Avoiding Ineffective Assistance of Counsel” at Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s 8th Annual Excellence in Indigent Defense Series in February 2019. Her presentation, “Client Choice—The Vindication of Personal Autonomy for Indigent Criminal Defendants” was well-attended at STCL Houston’s Annual Ethics Symposium, as well.

ELAINE CARLSON Professor of Law

Professor Elaine Carlson published the annual update of her six-volume treatise, “McDonald & Carlson, Texas Civil Practice,” published

by Thompson Reuter and available online through Westlaw. She also published an updated edition of her textbooks on the subject: “Dorsaneo, Crump, Carlson & Thornburg, 2018-2019 Edition, Texas Civil Procedure: Pretrial Litigation” (Carolina Academic Press) and “Dorsaneo, Crump, Carlson & Thornburg, 2018-2019 Edition, Texas Civil Procedure: Trial and Appellate Practice” (Carolina Academic Press).

Professor Carlson was reappointed to serve on the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee charged with recommending to the court proposed and amended rules of civil procedure, appellate procedure, rules of evidence, and other matters assigned by the court. Most recently, she chaired the sub-committee charged with drafting rules to address ethical use of social media by judges and litigators.

She also serves as a member of the sub-committee promulgating

South Texas College of Law Houston

proposed civil procedure rules regarding specificity requirements in submission of jury charge questions and in judgments of the grounds asserted in involuntary parental termination cases. Another sub-committee she serves on is exploring alternative methods to service by publication to effectively afford notice to defendants in Texas civil lawsuits.

Professor Carlson and her daughter Courtney Carlson ’07, a litigation partner at Jackson Walker, co-authored a comprehensive paper analyzing developments in Texas Civil Procedure, which they presented in Austin at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Appellate Practice Seminar in September of 2018 and in Houston at the University of Texas 42nd Annual Page Keeton Civil Litigation Conference. In addition, Professor Carlson addressed Texas Procedural Updates in October at the South Texas College of Law Houston CLEs presented during Alumni Weekend.

RICHARD CARLSON Professor of Law

The U.S. Supreme Court recently cited Professor Carlson’s article, “Why the Law Still Can’t Tell an Employee When It Sees One and How it Ought to Stop Trying,” 22 Berkley Journal of Employment and Labor Law 295 (2001). The Court relied on the article in New Prime, Inc. v. Oliveira regarding the scope of the Federal Arbitration Act exemption for certain classes of workers. He and Professor Scott Moss completed the fourth edition of their casebook, “Employment Law” (Wolters Kluwer 2018). Professor Carlson also published three articles in the past year: “Peevyhouse,” in The Best and Worst of Contracts Decisions: An Anthology, 45 Flor. St. U. Law Rev. 1, 85 (2018) (V. Ricks ed.); ” The

Sincerely Religious Corporation”, 19 Marq. Benefits & Soc. Welfare L. Rev. 165 (2018); and “Employment by Design: Employees, Independent Contractors and the Theory of the Firm,” 71 ARK. L. REV. 127 (2018).

AMANDA HARMON COOLEY Wayne Fisher Research Professor of Law

Professor Cooley’s article, “Justiciability and Judicial Fiat in Establishment Clause Cases Involving Religious Speech of Students,” will be published in Volume 22 of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law. TED L. FIELD Professor of Law

This past academic year, Professor Field gave two presentations covering patent law and patent-law careers to the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Houston Chapter and the National Society of Black Engineers Houston Professionals.

DEREK FINCHAM Professor of Law

Professor Fincham completed an article titled "The Blood Antiquities Convention as a Paradigm for Cultural Property Crime Reduction," which was published in Volume 37 of the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal (2019). In October 2018, he published an editorial in the Houston Chronicle titled "I'm a law professor. Kavanaugh isn't fit for the Supreme Court." He also assisted

FACULTY NOTES Jake Halpern in understanding the legal loopholes surrounding art theft for a profile of Vjeran Tomic in The New Yorker, titled "The French Burglar Who Pulled off his Generation's Biggest Art Heist." Finally, in April he participated in a panel at Cardozo Law School discussing how blockchain technology will impact the art trade.

RANDALL KELSO Professor of Law

Professor Kelso’s most recent article, “Clarifying Viewpoint Discrimination in Free Speech Doctrine,” is scheduled to be published in an upcoming issue of the Indiana Law Review. In March 2019, he attended the National Conference of Constitutional Law Scholars, hosted by the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and their Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government.

CHRISTOPHER KULANDER Professor of Law and Director, Harry L. Reed Oil & Gas Law Institute

In March 2019, the board of directors of STCL Houston promoted Professor Kulander to full professor and granted him tenure. He received the news while serving as a Fulbright Scholar at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania during his recent sabbatical. While in Lithuania and Poland, Professor Kulander researched the economic, political, and legal possibility of exporting significant amounts of North American-sourced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Baltic region, whether local sources of natural gas may augment the area’s imported LNG, and whether this American-led

effort may deliver some measure of economic and geopolitical security to the region. He also taught two courses to the Lithuanian students: International Energy Law & Economics and Comparative Oil & Gas Law. In August 2018, the 31st iteration of the “Institute’s Institute,” the Energy Law Institute for Attorneys and Landmen, successfully returned to the school with Professor Kulander at the helm after Hurricane Harvey washed away the 2017 meeting. In fall 2018, he co-authored the seventh edition of the casebook “Cases and Materials on Oil & Gas Law” (West Academic) and its companion, “Forms Manual and Teacher's Manual” with professors from The University of Texas, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Oklahoma.

In addition to presentations given to the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (“The Oil & Gas Lease: Defining the Royalty Obligation” and ”The Royalty Obligation, Division Orders, and Check Stub Statutes”) and the University of Warsaw ”American LNG & European Energy Security”), Professor Kulander published two articles, "Conveying Pooled Mineral Interests” and “The Curious Case of Aery v. Hoskin” in the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas & Energy Law and ”2017 Oil & Gas Case Law Update” in the South Texas Law Review in early 2018.

JOSEPH LEAHY Professor of Law

Professor Leahy's article, titled "Intermediate Scrutiny For Corporate Political Contributions," was published by the Florida State University Law Review in July 2018, 44 Fla. St. U. L. Rev. 1119 (2017). Professor Leahy also submitted an amicus brief, pro se, in a case pending before

the Texas Supreme Court, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. v. Enterprise Products Partners, L.P., No. 17-0862.

His article based on that brief, tentatively titled “An LLC is the Key: The False Dichotomy Between Inadvertent Partnerships and the Freedom of Contract,” was accepted for publication by the Texas Tech Law Review, Volume 52 (forthcoming in 2020).

KATERINA LEWINBUK Professor of Law

Professor Lewinbuk recently returned from Moscow, where she taught a weeklong course on applied lawyering at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, widely considered the most elite university in Russia. Professor Lewinbuck paired her legal expertise with her Russian language skills to teach students in the course how to draft English-language legal documents, conduct client interviews, resolve disputes as a mediator, and structure arguments. After the course, she evaluated students in a legal English competition. During her travels to Russia, Professor Lewinbuck also gave a lecture at the O. Kutafin Moscow State Law University, where she shared her knowledge on the fundamentals and recent developments in the U.S. legal system.

BRUCE MCGOVERN Professor of Law

Professor McGovern published the semi-annual cumulative supplement to the treatise “Federal Income Taxation of Individuals,” which he co-authored with the late Professor Boris I. Bittker and Professors Martin J. McMahon and Lawrence A. Zelenak. Professor McGovern also spoke on recent developments in federal income taxation at numer-

ous conferences, including the Southern Federal Tax Institute in Atlanta, the Virginia Conference on Federal Taxation at the University of Virginia, the ABA Tax Section’s midyear meeting in New Orleans, and the J. Nelson Young Tax Institute at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Professor McGovern received the Outstanding Programming Award from the State Bar of Texas Tax Section for his monthly webcast, the “First Wednesday Tax Update.”

AMANDA PETERS Helen & Harry Hutchens Research Professor

The second edition of Professor Peters’s textbook, “Texas Criminal Procedure,” was published in January 2019 by Wolters Kluwer.

VAL RICKS Professor of Law

Professor Ricks’ article, "Authenticating Resolutions of Agency Authority in Large Transactions: Justifying Doubt Suppression," was published in the Corporate Counsel Review, the scholarly journal of the Corporate Counsel Section of the State Bar of Texas.

JEFF RENSBERGER Professor of Law

Professor Rensberger had two articles published this year: “The Metasplit: The Law Applied After Transfer in Federal Question Cases,” 2018 Wis. L. Rev. 847, and “Of Hats and Robes: Judicial Review of Nonadjudicative Article III Functions,”

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FACULTY NOTES

T. Gerald Treece Courtroom

53 U. Rich. L. Rev. 623, (2019). He presented on administrative law at the University of Akron School of Law Center for Constitutional Law’s September 2018 Conference, “Erie at Eighty, Choice of Law Across disciplines and about strategic data usage” at the AccessLex Legal Education Data Forum in Washington, D.C. in March 2019.

CHARLES “ROCKY” RHODES Professor of Law

Professor Rhodes presented papers on state constitutionalism and personal jurisdiction at the annual conference of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools (SEALS), where he also participated in discussion groups on modern ag42

gregate litigation and pedagogy in procedural courses. He hosted the Honorable Jeffrey Sutton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and moderated Judge Sutton's talks at STCL Houston regarding his recent book, “51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law.” Professor Rhodes continues to be frequently in demand as a speaker and commentator, presenting his annual recap to federal judges and practitioners in the Southern District of Texas regarding the Supreme Court's recently completed term, giving the keynote address on the relationship between the freedoms of speech and press and a free society at the annual Galveston County Bar Association

South Texas College of Law Houston

Law Day celebration, and providing commentary to national, statewide, and local print and broadcast media on numerous constitutional and procedural issues.

MARK E. STEINER Professor of Law

Professor Steiner was a member of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas for the fourth year in a row. Texas lawyers qualify for the Pro Bono College if they complete a minimum of 75 hours of qualified pro bono services in a year. He spoke on notario fraud at the Hispanic Issues Section Biannual CLE and Legislative Day in March in Austin.

He also published a review-essay, "Lawyer Lincoln, Case by Case," in

the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association.

KENNETH WILLIAMS Professor of Law

Professor Williams was appointed visiting professor at Universidade Federal da Bahia (Brazil), where he will teach during summer breaks.

He was quoted in the Washington Post story, “Why the Dallas Officer who Killed her Neighbor Might Have Trouble with a Deadly Force Defense.” He participate in several media interviews, including one with KPRC Houston for a segment titled “Is Current Law Enough to Protect Children,” and another regarding the Mueller report for KCOH Radio 1230 Houston.

THE J.D. DIFFERENCE Building champions.

NAMED #1 BEST OF THE DECADE by PreLaw Magazine for Best Moot Court.

NATIONAL ADVOCACY WINNER: 131 TIMES. No other law school has won half as many.

More ABA NATIONAL APPELLATE ADVOCACY CHAMPIONSHIPS than any other law school in the U.S. More Scribes BEST BRIEF LEGAL WRITING AWARDS than any other law school in the U.S. 17 FIRST-PLACE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ADR COMPETITIONS, ranking as a top law school for ADR.

Hire a South Texas grad:

stcl.edu/hirechamps

1303 SAN JACINTO • HOUSTON, TEXAS • 713-659-8040

discovery Rare miniature law book collection

The Fred Parks Law Library’s Rare Books Collection has tiny treasures hiding within it. Our miniature books, all of which were published in the 16th or 17th centuries, were popular with students. Their small size (most are under 4 inches tall) meant the books were less expensive to produce and thus less expensive to buy. Prior to the mechanization of the book industry, books were printed and bound by hand — a time-consuming and expensive process. By making “pocket editions,” printers and publishers could save money on paper and pass those savings on to their customers. Reflecting the Rare Books Collection itself, this selection of our tiny titles include Roman law, English common law, and Maritime law.

Top book: Justinian I. Institutiones Imperiales, 1511 Bottom book: Corpus Juris Civilis, 1607 The Corpus Juris Civilis (Body of Civil Law) is a fundamental work. Issued by order of Emperor Justinian I, the goal was to modernize and codify Roman Law while reconciling conflicting laws. One of our larger rare books, measuring 16 inches in height.

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South Texas College of Law Houston

John Selden, De Successionibus Ad Leges Ebraeorum, 1638 An exposition of the rabbinical law of inheritance. Seldon is well-known as a scholar of England’s ancient laws and constitution, but also was a scholar of Jewish law.

Inside covers are graced with handmade, marbleized end papers.

Ordonnance de Louis XIV ... Touchant la Marine, 1687 Significant as the first modern maritime code and a landmark in the history of insurance.

This work appears to contain the first published statement on life insurance. Our copy is complete with original, hinged, brass clasps.

Justinian I, Digestorum, Seu Pandectarum, 1581 As part of Justinian I’s codification effort, and to remove conflicting opinions of jurists, he ordered that jurists’ works be condensed into just 50 books (as opposed to 1,500).

Once completed, all juridical statements not included in the Digest were declared invalid.

A seven-volume set, of which we have only the last three encompassing books, 28-50.

Justinian I, Institutiones Imperiales, 1511 One of the first pocket-sized editions of the Institutes. Intended for students, the Institutes is a synopsis of the reformed Roman legal system.

Hand-written notations on the inside front cover date to 1511.

Shown actual size at just four inches in height. stcl.edu

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Ordonnance de Louis XIV, 1687

Justinian I, Institutiones Imperiales, 1511

John Selden, De Successionibus Ad Leges Ebraeorum, 1638

Hugo Grotius, De Mari Libero, 1633 Illustration detail on opposite page

Sir Thomas Littleton, Littleton’s Tenures, 1671

Johan Loccenius, De Jure Maritimo, 1652

Ranulf de Glanville, Tractatus De Legibus & Consuetudinibus Regni AngliĂŚ, 1673

Justinian I Digestorum, Seu Pandectarum, 1581

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South Texas College of Law Houston

Hugo Grotius, De Mari Libero, 1633 A classic of international maritime law. Using an argument based on natural law, Grotius argues for the free navigation of the seas.

The title page features the book’s only illustration, which is quite detailed at just three-and-a-half inches in height.

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“ Whatever you expose to the public, you don’t have an expectation of privacy. So if a police officer can stand on the corner and record the license plate numbers of cars that drive by, then the police can use technology to do the same thing, neither of which would qualify as a search under the definition of the Fourth Amendment.” professor geoffrey corn on the dea’s use of surveillance equipment in the houston area khou11 | nov. 11, 2018

“The law isn’t supposed to prevent you from advocating for a boycott, it’s just supposed to prevent you from actually doing a boycott.” professor charles “rocky” rhodes on airbnb’s potential violation of a texas policy that prohibits companies entering contracts with state government entities to boycott israel texas public radio | march 6, 2019

“No duty [to consider a Supreme Court nomination] can be found in text, history, or practice.” professor josh blackman the atlantic | may 19, 2019

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South Texas College of Law Houston

“The commitment to veterans must continue. We owe them more than gratitude and applause. We owe them our promise that their sacrifices for us will not be overlooked.

One way to honor their service is to step up and help veterans receive the legal assistance they deserve.” president and dean donald j. guter (retired) opinion: “fighting for veterans who need legal aid” houston chronicle | nov. 7, 2018

“It will be the legal minds of this nation to right-size the course of this nation ... We must ask ourselves as lawyers and future lawyers, ‘Are we building a nation that we want to see, or are we building a new tribalism?’” derrick johnson ‘97 may 2019 commencement address

“In the same way racial profiling of African Americans as criminals may create the crime of ‘driving while black,’ profiling of Asian Americans as spies ... may be creating a new crime: ‘researching while Asian.’ ” visiting scholar andrew kim on the nih and fbi targeting ethnic chinese scientists searching for a cancer cure bloomberg business week | june 13, 2019

stcl.edu stcl.edu 4949

stacks

From a masterful look at America’s state governments to an account of prison life from a fictional death-row inmate, here’s what STCL Houston faculty and staff pulled from their shelves this summer.

Check out their personal reviews — in 150 words or less.

Ted L. Field Professor of Law

1 The Nix by Nathan Hill The Nix is a fiction book about Samuel Andresen-Anderson, who in the present day is an English professor at a small Chicago-area college. His mother walked out on his family when he was a child.

One day, Samuel sees his mother on television—because she was caught on video throwing rocks at a presidential candidate—so he begins a search for his mother.

The book jumps between his present-day life, his childhood in a small town in Iowa, his mother’s college days at the University of Illinois at Chicago (my alma mater, coincidentally), and his family in Norway, from whom he learns about the legendary “Nix” his mother told him about as a child. The author’s time-jump technique is effective, the characters are well developed, and the story is compelling and entertaining. Thanks to STCL Houston Librarian Monica Ortale for recommending this title to me!

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Charles “Rocky” Rhodes

Monica Ortale

Katherine T. Vukadin

2 51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law

by Jeffrey S. Sutton

3 Confessions of an Innocent

4 Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer

Man by David R. Dow

Professor of Law

Due to our myopic focus on the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution, the role of state courts and state constitutions in formulating American constitutional law is rarely acknowledged. Judge Sutton’s book strives to correct this deficiency through a series of stories bringing to life the vital contributions of state courts to our American constitutional tradition in fields as diverse as public school funding, compelled sterilization, the exclusionary rule, and mandatory flag salutes. The Supreme Court is not always the hero in these tales, with state courts frequently leading the way to protect our cherished liberties. His stories are masterfully told in a manner understandable to a layperson while still offering revelations for those well versed in state constitutional law. As a fellow believer in the significance of state courts in American constitutional law, I found his proposals both thought-provoking and inspirational. We were privileged to have him speak at STCL Houston last semester, and his insights are too valuable to be missed.

South Texas College of Law Houston

Associate Director of Public Services (Library)

This new release by law professor David R. Dow is a thought-provoking tale of an innocent man saved from execution at the last moment.

Set in Houston, we meet young, up-and-coming chef Rafael Zhettah, 38, who marries the older love of his life, (who just happens to be a billionaire; it could only happen in Texas), Tieresse, 50. When he is convicted of bludgeoning her to death, and sent to death row, Rafael meets a variety of characters. There is no mystery here. Friends who also read the book were drawn in by the detail of life in prison and the relationship development between the characters. The legal aspects are excellent — Dow knows his stuff.

No mystery here, either.

The title tells you he is innocent, but the mystery is how we are to suspend all belief as Rafael concocts his elaborate revenge.

Kidnapping two Texas Supreme Court judges? Creating an elaborate scheme to hide them in an abandoned rocket silo in Kansas… really? I guess you could focus on whether or not he is still ‘innocent’ and whether or not revenge is justified. It might be worth the read over the summer break.

Professor of Law

We all write, and we all would like to write better. On this premise, Benjamin Dreyer, Random House’s copy chief, takes the reader on a merry walk through common writing errors, rules and non-rules, and stylistic preferences. Dreyer’s English is a friendly and modern writing guide; its central charm, though, is the voice of Dreyer himself. As he patiently sets out both basic and more-obscure rules of writing, Dreyer invites us to share his guiding principle: a delight in the way words sound.

Existing guides doubtless contain the same lessons. But those may grow dusty on the shelf until we reluctantly consult them for reference. Dreyer’s English, on the other hand, is hard to put down. Dreyer delivers his lessons with elegant language and wry humor. One caveat: Dreyer’s excerpts from his literary favorites are so appealing and well-chosen that your purchase of this book will likely result in several more.

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Stock your bookshelves for fall reading!

Complete our reader survey at 3

stcl.edu/readersurvey

by Oct. 15, 2019, for your chance to win all of the books in this feature. stcl.edu

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My Testimony: Doug McNabb ’80

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South Texas College of Law Houston

D

ouglas McNabb ’80 is a retired practicing attorney and an adjunct professor of law at South Texas College of Law Houston. In practice, his expertise was exclusively U.S. federal criminal defense and international and extraterritorial criminal defense, including international extradition and issues involving the defense of international fugitives wanted by INTERPOL. During his nearly 40-year career, he has represented individuals in all 48 contiguous U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of the five U.S. territories. He was attorney of record in 238 federal criminal cases involving more than 40 different countries.

For each of the past several years STCL Houston’s Student Bar Association has awarded him its Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award. He teaches international criminal law, comparative law, federal white-collar criminal law, and comparative legal systems. He is known for his use of creative tools to engage his students in the learning process. This fall he is teaching a comparative law course, in which he supplements his lectures with up to 250 foreign film clips to dramatize criminal procedure in action in 56 countries. Next spring, he will teach a comparative legal systems course on Sharia law and the jurisprudence of Islamic law. The objective, unbiased lectures will be supplemented with classroom appearances by Islamic scholars discussing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and criminal law.

I graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1980 and returned in 2012 as an adjunct professor. My practice necessitated extensive domestic and international travel. I was flying somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 miles a year.

It came with a lot of personal sacrifices. I was rarely at home.

It was my wife of 45 years who assembled the kids’ bicycles and attended school events. When I was at home, I was exhausted.

The last thing I wanted to do was get on another airplane and travel somewhere for vacation. It’s fair to say I was doing a lousy job at balancing my work and personal life.

In 2014, three-quarters of the way through my fall course, I began experiencing a sensation of electrical shocks running down the right side of my face whenever I tried to chew food. I was in excellent physical shape and thought nothing of it. I visited my dentist, who referred me to an oral surgeon, who referred me to an ENT doctor. He diagnosed me with Stage 4 cancer, which, my doctor made clear, is generally fatal. I went in for a pill and came out crying. I recall the physician’s assistant patting me on the back and telling me she would pray for me as my wife and I walked through the reception area.

I was referred to MD Anderson Cancer Center, where they assembled a team of four doctors to assess my prognosis, three of whom were chairmen of their respective specialties. They said they would do their best to help me live, but they were going to beat me up in the process — which they did — with no guarantee. I went through three aggressive rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation five days a week for seven weeks, while receiving two

more rounds of chemo. At that time, the administration and faculty at South Texas worked to cover my class. I will never forget Associate Dean John Worley telling me that he would hold my position open for me until I returned. That meant a lot.

My last treatment was March 20, 2015. Ninety days later I went back to MD Anderson for a scan to determine whether the treatment got all, some or none of the tumor. As I entered the machine that would scan my body to determine the tumor’s status, I felt a tremendous sense of peace. I was prepared to accept whatever the Lord had planned for me. The scan came back clear.

My entire life changed in that moment. I dialed back my practice, made more time to invest in my family, and returned to teach at South Texas. I have never asked “Why me?” as it relates to getting cancer. But I ask every day “Why me?” as it relates to being allowed to continue living. The Lord must have a plan for me; I just don’t know what it is. Next year will mark my fifth anniversary, when MD Anderson says I can consider myself to be a cancer survivor.

I find great joy in teaching and interacting with my students.

I care about them, challenge them, and push each to be the very best that they can be. My students know that my door is always open, and they come to see me for advice about their challenges both in and outside the classroom. I am so grateful to Dean Worley and registrar Mandi Gibson for allowing me to teach the courses I do. It is incredibly rewarding. And I have never been happier in all my life.

MY TESTIMONY

In this InRe feature, we share firsthand stories, opinions, and accounts from your professors and fellow alumni.

Want to share something notable you’ve done recently? A tale of your first time in the courtroom? Some insight you’ve gained since graduation? Email us at news@stcl.edu with the subject line: “My Testimony.” stcl.edu

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chambers

Professor Phillip Page’s sixth-floor office is lined floor to ceiling with textbooks, beloved novels, opera recordings and other mementos accumulated over his more than 30-year career at South Texas.

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South Texas College of Law Houston

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

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Houston, Texas 77002

PERMIT NO. 8451 HOUSTON, TX

2019

October 25-26, 2019 my.stcl.edu/alumniweekend Featuring the

Investiture of Michael F. Barry The eleventh president and dean of South Texas College of Law Houston

South Texas College of Law Houston provides a diverse body of students with the opportunity to obtain an exceptional legal education, preparing graduates to serve their community and the profession with distinction.