Kazakhstan
Official name: Republic of Kazakhstan Population: 14,825,000 as of 2005.
Meet the Kazakhstan Office
Size: Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest nation in the world by area. Neighboring territories: Kazakhstan stretches over a vast expanse of northern and central Eurasia. A portion of its territory west of the Ural River is located in eastern-most Europe. It shares borders with Russia, the People’s Republic of China, and the Central Asian countries Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and has a coastline on the Caspian Sea.
Members of the Bracewell team in Kazakhstan are, front row from left: Daniar Bektembaev, Anton Yanchenko, Vasily Zolotyuk, Greg Vojack, Aidar Yegeubayev, Gani Bitenov and Tatyana Valuyeva. Back row from left: Valeriya Shabunina, Katerina Li, Saltanat
History: Kazakhstan was a member of the former
Sadyrbayeva, Togzhan Zhailganova, Zhanar Kassymbekova, Marina Suvorova, Assel Alibekova, Alina Joldasbekova, Damilya
Soviet Union. Following the dissolution of the
Sarsenova, Zhibek Kassymova, Dauren Adinayev and Sergey Zhukov.
Soviet Union, Kazakhstan declared its independence on Dec. 16, 1991, and is now a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Historians maintain that humans first domesticated
Since first establishing a presence in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1994, Bracewell & Giuliani has developed a vibrant practice that has played a leading role in helping the country create and expand its banking infrastructure, securities markets and legal and court systems. Today, the firm continues to
the horse in the vast steppes of this nation. Government/legal system: Kazakhstan is a constitutional republic. The president is the head of
advise the government of Kazakhstan on the evolution of its infrastructure and helps major international companies and banks with a variety of legal needs.
state and the commander in chief of the armed forces, and may veto legislation that has been
The Almaty office consists of 12 attorneys, three managers—finance, office and IT; two accountants,
passed by the bicameral Parliament.
two translators, and one consultant, operations specialist, paralegal, receptionist and secretary. The
Major industry: Energy is the leading economic
majority of the attorneys and staff are from Almaty, with others from Russia and Turkmenistan. The
sector. Kazakhstan holds about 4 billion tons of
Astana office has one full-time attorney, Yurity Ponomarenko. Inside Bracewell polled the attorneys
proven recoverable oil reserves and 2,000 cubic kilometers of gas. Industry analysts believe that planned expansion of oil production, coupled with the development of new fields, will enable
and staff on what life is like in Kazakhstan. Zhibek Kassymova, an accountant and Almaty native, says everyone should see the country’s beautiful
the country to produce as much as 3 million barrels
mountains. Finance manager Damilya Sarsenova said Kazakhstan is not like Russia. “We do not live in
per day by 2015, lifting Kazakhstan into the
rural areas riding horses and living in portable homes like nomads.” Another Almaty native, associate
ranks of the world’s Top 10 oil-producing nations.
Aselina Tulegenova, said, “It is a wonderful country with great oil and gas development, beautiful people
Natural resources: Kazakhstan has the secondlargest uranium, chromium, lead and zinc reserves in the world, the third largest manganese reserves, the fifth largest copper reserves, and ranks in the Top 10 for coal, iron, and gold. It is
and a great future.” Senior associate Aidar Yegeubayev added, “Almaty is the best city in the world!”
Office Life Attorneys and staff were quick to highlight their favorite aspects of their jobs. “I enjoy working with
also an exporter of diamonds.
skilled specialists,” said accountant Dauren Adinayev. Associate Saltanat Sadyrbayeva agreed, adding,
Climate: Continental with hot summers and cold
“It affords me an opportunity to expand my knowledge of international business, economics and the law.”
winters. Precipitation varies between arid and semi-arid.
Source: Information compiled from various Web sites, including Wikipedia.org and kazakinfo.com.
Agriculture: Kazakhstan is the sixth-largest producer of grain in the world. Chief livestock products are dairy products, leather, meat and wool.
Associate Valeriya Shabunina likes being involved in huge projects, which sometimes lead to new Kazakhstan legislation. Office manager Marina Suvorova, described by friends as energetic and a great multi-tasker, likes building a team and involving employees in the corporate culture “and realizing that things are changing for the better.” Sarsenova has the distinction of being the first person in Kazakhstan to receive an MBA from a Western university—East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas (see related story at left). She noted “I enjoy working with figures and people. I like working with my team because I see them learning from me while I am learning from them. The most challenging feature of my job is that the work we do never ends. There is always something new.” Paralegal Anton Yanchenko, described as an outgoing person and fun to be with, likes his job
Kazakhstan’s First MBA Bracewell finance manager Damilya Sarsenova is the
because of the new experience and knowledge he gains. Yegeubayev said he likes being part of a team that has become a market leader. “I have contacts with intelligent people from various countries. I have
first person in the country of Kazakhstan to receive an
access to many areas of economics both in my country and abroad,” he noted. Associate Vasily
MBA from a Western university. At the time she was
Zolotyuk, a former Russian army pilot, said, “I could not enjoy doing anything else.”
awarded the degree in 1993 from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, it wasn’t recognized by educational authorities in her home country. “When I returned to Kazakhstan to continue working as an economist for Kazakh State University, the head of the university sent my diploma to the
Outside of Work Attorneys and staff enjoy various activities outside of work, including working out, reading, cooking, sports, spending time with friends and sewing. Associate Alina Joldasbekova, whose heroines include actress Audrey Hepburn, said she likes having fun when not at work. Sadyrbayeva said, “I enjoy listening
department of higher education to get an approval
to music, including Moby and Orbital, and watching classic American and British television series.”
for my promotion from a trainer to a professor.
Suvorova enjoys “spending time with my daughter, reading and playing sports.” Zolotyuk has two
However, the Ministry of Education in Kazakhstan said they had no precedent case of someone with such a degree,” she recalled. At the time, Kazakhstan had only one Western-type institution providing education at the same level, Kazakhstan Institution of Management, Economics &
favorite pastimes—biking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.
Recommended Reading Reading is a widely shared passion in the Kazakhstan offices, with suggestions ranging from the practical recommendation of consultant Ruslan Galkanov—Easy Ways to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr to Pride
Prognostication (KIMEP). Even though the first KIMEP
and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the classic favorite of Sadyrbayeva to the technical selection of IT manager
graduates completed their MBA degrees in the spring
Sergey Zhukov, who gives two thumbs up for MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit: Implementing and
of 1994, it was still a few more years before American university-issued MBAs were recognized in the country. I N SID E B R ACEWELL | FA L L 2006 | PAGE 8
Managing Microsoft Exchange Server. The Soviet Civilisation by Sergei Kara-Murza and Finansist by Theodore Dreiser are among those listed by associate Gani Bitenov.
inside
bracewell happenings from in and around our firm
Fall 2006
•
In this issue…
Welcome to the premier issue of Inside Bracewell—the place to get the inside scoop on goings on in the firm. • Bracewell Ranked No. 5 in Nation Among Best Law Firms for Women —page 2 • Marcy Kurtz Named Woman on the Move—page 3 • Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?— page 4 • New Digs in Big D—page 5 • Paul Fox Still Making Headlines— page 6 • Meet the Kazakhstan office—page 8
Firm Debuts New Look for Letterhead, Business Cards and Marketing Materials The firm is just completing a project to update the graphic look of printed materials— from business cards to new business proposals. This is the third time Bracewell has undertaken this step in its 60-year history and according to Patrick Oxford, it’s rare
We Know Energy
that the look of the new materials has been so rapidly embraced by the partners. The goal of this effort was to make sure Bracewell was presenting itself in a high quality, current way, while also allowing for last minute Patrick Oxford Managing Partner
changes to marketing or new business materials. The firm 711 Louisiana Street Suite 2300 Houston, Texas 77002 713.221.1432 Office 713.000.0000 Mobile 713.000.0000 Fax
engaged Zünpartners, specialists from Chicago in graphic
patrick.oxford@bgllp.com
design for large professional service firms, to assist with this effort. Said Oxford about this project, “This is part of our overall program to try and keep the firm looking as high quality as our services to clients. Our new law offices in Dallas, our new conference center in Houston, our new offices in New York, in all of these undertakings your management team tries to project the firm as you want it projected. So too, is our approach with these marketing materials.“
Headline Text Here
The pieces of this new look will PRACTICE DESCRIPTION
begin rolling out in mid October, with a new folder to hold marketing materials, some standard
electronic forms for E-newsletters and invitations, a revised look for lawyer profiles and practice area descriptions and an exciting new cover and layout for our most popular piece, We Know Energy. We’ll also be providing each office with a more attractive and upscale method to package new business proposals and by FIRM OVERVIEW
(continued on page 2)
(continued from page 1)
Thanksgiving, our stationery and business
their marketing materials. The impact
substance of the various brochures or
cards will be ready with the new logo
is that without a sophisticated use of
proposals can be easily and cheaply
and colors.
photography, Bracewell ended up looking
updated, so that each piece speaks to
dated. Many of the new images we’ll be
the client’s particular need.
You’ll notice three changes with these new pieces.
using reference the nature of our client’s business, rather than, for example, lawyers
First, we’ve updated and expanded
sitting around a conference room table.
the colors we use in promoting the firm beyond our historical “Bracewell Blue.” You’ll soon see these new colors on our portal and in the new firm Web site. Secondly, we’ll be using a smaller and more conservative version of the firm’s name as our logo, and an increasing use of black and white photography. We made this decision after our design firm showed us that most national firms were
Finally, we’ve developed the new
Stay tuned for more information on these new materials. We’ll have a section on the portal that describes the font and color guidelines, and IS and Accounting
materials so that they greatly increase
are updating internal forms and letter-
the uniformity of our printed and online
head templates for the new look. For
marketing efforts. This helps ensure
questions or more information on this
consistency of image across practice
project, please contact Wendy Horn,
areas and office locations, as a visual
Director, Marketing and Business
cue to our clients that we can coordinate
Development at ext. 1137.
their projects seamlessly. While the exterior look of printed pieces will be more uniform, in each case the
uniformly taking this approach with
Bracewell Ranked No. 5 in the Nation Among Best Law Firms for Women Bracewell & Giuliani ranked No. 5 out of 105 U.S.
attracting and
law firms in a recent survey of women attorneys
retaining talented
who were asked about advancement, training,
women professionals
work-life balance and other issues. The firm was
is right on target.”
the only Texas-based firm in the Top 10. Members of the Women’s Law Association at
The firm’s Women’s Initiative has instituted various
Harvard Law School surveyed 16,000 women
work policies, including a path to
lawyers and received about 4,000 anonymous
partnership that allows for flexible
responses to produce the report, “Presumed
work hours and encompasses the
Equal: What America’s Top Women Lawyers
professional activities needed for attaining
Really Think About Their Firms.”
partnership. “This program has been
The questions focused on advancement opportunities, training, inclusive atmosphere, business development, work-life issues, mentoring and leadership. While the report found that many women believe their firms don’t provide enough opportunities to make partner or foster an environment that values diversity and family, Bracewell placed in the Top 10 in terms of firms providing the best opportunities to women. “Bracewell emphasizes the recruitment, development, retention and promotion of women lawyers,” said Managing Partner Patrick Oxford. “Having one of the nation’s most prestigious law schools produce a report ranking us in the Top 5 on this issue reinforces that Bracewell’s focus on
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“Today, women are involved in every facet of the firm’s leadership, serving as section heads, committee chairs, and members of the firm’s decision-making leadership and mentors,” said Victoria Garcia, San Antonio labor partner. The Presumed Equal findings were presented at the Alliance for
effective at retaining female lawyers
Women’s seminar series on women
and has fostered a supportive culture
in the profession held in Chicago
in which women can have families,
and are available in book format.
continue their law practice, become partners, and secure top management positions within the firm,” said Professional Development General Counsel Jennifer Jacobs. “Bracewell takes an active role in making sure that higher ranks throughout the firm are diversified and reflect the environment that’s outside of Bracewell,” said Tamara Stiner, Houston trial associate.
Right: Marcy Kurtz, Houston bankruptcy partner, is being honored as a “Woman on the Move,” by Texas Executive Women and the Houston Chronicle. Below: Kurtz, competing in one of her many races, completed her 50th marathon in October 2005.
Marcy Kurtz Named Woman on the Move “Working pro bono cases benefits the community, Bracewell and the attorneys who take them on. It gives lawyers experience outside of their practice area and helps them stay in touch with the human aspect of law.” – Marcy Kurtz
docket of pro bono cases and encourages others at the firm to do the same. Today, one-third of the firm’s attorneys handle pro bono cases, and Bracewell is recognized as a leader in this area. “Working pro bono cases benefits the community, Bracewell and the attorneys who take them on. It gives lawyers experience outside of their practice area and helps them stay in touch with the human aspect of law.”
Marcy Kurtz, Houston bankruptcy partner,
One of Kurtz’ first pro bono clients in the late 1980s
has faced many challenges during her professional
was AIDS Foundation Houston. “Not a lot was known
career, such as making partner, serving as lead
about AIDS and HIV back then and their clients needed
counsel on numerous cases, establishing the firm’s
help in fighting discrimination with employment, hous-
pro bono program, serving on the boards of several
ing and medical needs,” Kurtz recalled.
community organizations and running 50 In addition to her involvement with the AIDS marathons. Rising to these challenges has earned Foundation, Kurtz has provided legal advice, chaired Kurtz recognition as a Woman on the Move by fun runs and volunteered many hours with The Texas Executive Women. Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation. Texas Executive Women and the Houston Chronicle
“The work I do for mental health is inspired by my
will honor Kurtz and nine other outstanding women
brother, Jeffrey, who is mentally challenged. I am
leaders in the Houston area at the 2006 Women on
very proud of all he has accomplished. He lives in a
the Move November luncheon to celebrate their
group home, has a job and shares the family’s love
professional and community accomplishments.
for fitness and the outdoors.”
On a Different Kind of Stage
Always on the Move
While always prepared for trial, Kurtz was not eager
Literally a woman on the move, Kurtz ran her 50th
to face the “grilling” by the Texas Executive Women
marathon in October 2005. She has competed in
awards committee. “I can argue cases in packed
marathons across the country, and in her twenties
courts, give media interviews about running
and thirties, was among the Top 10 women runners
marathons, talk all day about how great my family
in Houston. Kurtz has run the Houston Marathon 20
and friends are, but having to answer so many
she stands out even among the talented
personal questions was tough,” she admitted.
and accomplished.”
“Texas Executive Women is a group that I have long admired for its excellent programs for women. I feel honored to be included with so many of my friends and colleagues who have been prior recipients. Two of my Bracewell partners, Carrin Patman and Ileana Blanco, are among those outstanding professional women."
A Calling to Community Service A deeply held belief in the importance of helping
times, finishing twice in under three hours. In fact, she was running on the day she learned that she had made partner at the firm. “I was nervous and decided to go for a quick three-mile
others is Kurtz’s legacy from her father. “He was a
run in Memorial Park.” When she finally got home
wonderful doctor, much loved by his patients, and
and got the call with the good news, she
generous in giving his time and medical care,” Kurtz
confessed to those that had been trying to reach
said. He instilled the idea that being educated and
her on the phone that she had been so stressed
being a professional is a gift that must be used to
that she had run for 18 miles.
According to the nomination form, Kurtz was
benefit others. This idea is a fundamental reality for
selected because she is an “independent woman
Kurtz that is expressed in her personal and profes-
concluded, “Marcy Kurtz, with her generous spirit,
of energy, discipline, intellect and has a vast com-
sional life. Dismissing any praise or credit for her
talents and drive, has created a truly wonderful life.
mitment to helping others. A highly skilled attor-
service to others, Kurtz stated firmly, “I do what I do
She has always been a Woman on the Move.”
ney, lifelong athlete and devoted friend and family
because it’s important to me.”
member with a strong creative bent and unique style, Marcy is truly remarkable. Despite her sincere belief that nothing about her is extraordinary,
As the Women on the Move nomination form
Kurtz developed Bracewell’s Pro Bono Task Force in 1991 and continues to coordinate the program along with a multi-office team. She maintains an active
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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? and writers of the first order; Yogi Berra, the great
fabulous and very interesting.” She also cited her
party for eight that could include anyone in
New York Yankee from the 50s; myself, along with
favorite musician and flute player Ian Anderson of
today’s world or another world, Bracewell &
our wives, at 21 Club in New York. We’d discuss the
Jethro Tull.
Giuliani attorneys and staff were full of inventive
greatest game ever invented, how that game has
and interesting ideas that might even surprise
changed for the better or worse in the last 50 years,
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Honored
who were and are the best gamers and other matters
guests ranged from artists, athletes, authors,
which we deem of critical importance to Western
actors and comedians to family members, patriots
Civilization. The last exchange would take place over
and inspirational figures.
brandy and cigars after the dinner party.”
When given the opportunity to host a dinner
Mel Luna, San Antonio secretary, said she would
Austin secretary Patricia Turner said she would
invite entertainers George Lopez, Robin Williams, Ellen
invite Cher, Candice Bergen, Gloria Steinem, Mother
DeGeneres, Mel Gibson, Kevin James, Wanda Sykes
Teresa, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, her parents and
and Sandra Bullock “all for their comedic views.”
her cousin, an innovative and influential artist and her
Luna said, “I like to laugh and make others laugh
greatest mentor.
with me or at me. It is an important factor to a healthy life.” Other Bracewell fans of comedy included Washington
She said, “My dinner guests consist of mostly strong, creative women who lived their lives uniquely and on the ’sidelines,’ always doing things differently from the
environmental associate Harrel Conner, who listed
maddening crowds of conformity. I would want them
Bill Cosby because “he made the world laugh together.”
to tell me how their ratios of hard work and talent
Washington secretary Karen Bishop named George
over chance happenings and freaky opportunities have
Carlin since“he can take a perfectly normal situation
contributed to their career and personal successes.”
and turn it into something hilarious.” Sue Boggs, regional client relations manager in Dallas, cited Bill Murray and Denis Leary “because guys like them are way more interesting than Brad Pitt.”
”I would dine with baseball player Sandy Koufax, Thomas Jefferson and Moses because no good dinner avoids politics or religion.” – Jason Hutt
Other desired guests of Conner included his Howard University professor of history, Dr. Jeanne Toungara, “because she’s the most brilliant person I know and my surrogate mother in D.C.; Nelson Mandela, because for my generation, he is the symbol of a mighty struggle; Colin Powell, who epitomizes social mobility and places integrity over opportunity; Maya Angelou, for telling
Some of the more famous picks from past eras
Bishop, who admires ”Churchill’s stance in staunching
leader Mahatma Gandhi, and songwriter and musician
the English people against Hitler.”
Bob Dylan, all of which were submitted by Washington office GRAS associate Joshua Zive.
Wege’s other desired guests were Albert Einstein, San Antonio secretary Jan Contreras said she would want Sean Connery and Antonio Banderas present for obvious reasons;
of our time that generally had many talents;” cyclist
Anderson Cooper, CNN
Lance Armstrong, who Wege visited at the Tour de
anchor, because “he’s
Debbie Roan’s as well; George Washington, Golda Meir, Apostle Paul, Martin Luther, Christian Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom and American spy Nathan Hale rounded out Roan’s list. “I find them to be inspiring in the devotion, and sometimes sacrifice, of their lives to gain freedom for others and because they each stuck to their objectives and their principles in the midst of an overwhelming range and intensity of attacks,” she said. Managing Partner Patrick Oxford picked an ESPNapproved guest list, saying he would include “Peter Gammons and George Will, baseball commentators
I N SID E B R ACEWELL | FA L L 2006 | PAGE 4
Roan’s other favorites included Alexander Hamilton,
Boggs finished her list with Belinda Gates, who she said “is quietly changing the world for the better;”
hood is the worst possible preparation for life;’”
pioneer Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, political and spiritual
Ronald Reagan, who is a pick of Austin office manager
Coming to Dinner.’”
actors and even a few infamous names.
Houston corporate and securities counsel Mary Donna
Bishop said she would invite, in addition to Churchill,
so that I could ask the other guests to `Guess Who’s
stogies “just to hear him say things like `a happy child-
Grateful Dead Jerry Garcia, author and gonzo journalism
Wege’s own travels in Europe.
definitely be Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy
influences chosen ranged from authors, artists, sculptors,
and then Winston Churchill, a choice he shares with
Hemingway’s novel, The Sun Also Rises, inspired
She added that her last two choices “would most
Kinky Friedman, who she would even let puff on his
Walter Payton, lead guitarist and vocalist for the
Washington environmental associate Jason Hutt.
asks ’what can I bring?’ I can say, ’Opus One, please.”
to their desired guests. Celebrities and well-known
golfing buddy, who passed away in 1994, follows;
Ernest Hemingway, a choice he shares with
field day;” vintner Robert Mondavi, “so that when he
Bocelli and famed fashion designer Richard Tyler.
and the results of determination.”
basketball great Wilt Chamberlain, football legend
France in 2004; and his favorite author growing up,
“because when he sees my blank walls, he’ll have a
singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow, operatic crooner Andrea
first, because of his Christian beliefs; his father and
Jack Nicklaus; Michelangelo, whom he calls “a genius
Karen Bishop said she would invite Leonardo da Vinci,
because she symbolizes the power of the black woman
included basketball player and announcer Bill Walton,
smartest scientist of all time;” his college idol, golfer
“No good dinner avoids politics or religion.”
that through adversity I rise; and Oprah Winfrey,
said he would want Jesus Christ at the dinner table
so he could discuss the theory of relativity with “the
Koufax, Thomas Jefferson and Moses because he said,
New Yorker journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell,
with their picks, citing beloved patriots and influential legends. Houston bankruptcy partner Mark Wege
Hutt would like to dine with baseball player Sandy
the world why the caged bird sings and reminding me
Many dinner party organizers saw stars when it came
Many participants went in a more serious direction
“My dinner guests consist of mostly strong, creative women who lived their lives uniquely and on the ’sidelines,’ always doing things differently from the maddening crowds of conformity.” – Patricia Turner
George Plimpton, who “could tell us about the great parties he once had and what it was like to watch Ali box up close;” Washington Post editor Katherine Graham, “to hear about Watergate and the Georgetown Ladies’ Social Club.”
1. Administrative assistant Tami Napier methodically unpacks. 2. Corporate partner Janice Davis is thrilled with her new office.
High up in the 38th, 39th and 40th floors of the spectacular Fountain Place, designed by architect I.M. Pei, is the new Dallas office of Bracewell & Giuliani.
1
3. From left to right: Alice Hagemann from the Dallas records center, Dallas operator/receptionist Charlotte Woolley, Houston manager of reception and conference center services Fontaine Dearth, Wayne Rhodes from Houston facilities and Brent Carlson from Dallas’ IS team discuss logistical details of the reception area.
2 3
New Digs in Big D Bracewell relocated the Dallas office over Labor Day weekend to new offices at Fountain Place, one of downtown Dallas’ most distinctive buildings. Our new offices at 1445 Ross Avenue opened
4
for business on Sept. 5. Approximately 50 lawyers plus staff occupy 54,000 square feet on the 38–40th floors. The new space can accommodate doubling of our team in Dallas, a fact the Dallas Business Journal noted in a recent article where Bracewell & Giuliani was ranked as “one
5
of the fastest growing law firms in Dallas.”
6
In addition, the new location includes a conference services center and a full catering kitchen. We’ll host a reception Oct. 26 for clients and contacts to see our new space. Look for pictures of this fun event in the next issue of Inside Bracewell.
4. Karen Walker, conference services secretary, takes a short break from unpacking. The new location dedicates twothirds of one floor to client-focused conference and meeting space featuring 10 meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art video and communications technology.
7
5. REEF partner Chris Olive is already hard at work the Tuesday following the Labor Day weekend move. 6. The new space features a full-service catering kitchen for staging refreshments and meals for clients. 7. An organized system of labeling crates helped make the move a smooth one.
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8. REEF paralegal Trisha Rainwater finds a place for everything in her new office.
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Bracewell Legends
Paul Fox Still Mak When he’s not at work, Fox rides the open road on his BMW bike. Here he is pictured in the Grand Tetons near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
“Paul is not only a leader, but can also be a great team player. In short, he is an all-around guy who exemplifies the best in our firm.” – Chuck Shoneman
Circleville, Texas. Population 43. It’s not the type of place you’d expect to wind up on the map of notoriety. But for many at Bracewell & Giuliani, the name of this little town conjures up a smile, for this town serves as the setting for Circleville Report, a newsletter about this fictional Bracewell office created by Austin partner Paul Fox in the 1990s. Written to “create a parallel universe for sharing some of the occasional absurdities of the firm,” as he put it, the publication is a classic example of the tremendous wit and disarming charm of Fox, who grew up outside the tiny community 40 miles northeast of Austin.
Widely known for his expertise in gas and electric utilities, Fox earned a reputation for doing things with dedication and intensity early on. The son of two career school teachers, Fox quit high school after his junior year following a disagreement with the principal’s decision not to allow the recently desegregated Taylor High School to have an integrated prom. Fox believed all students should be invited and dropped out of school when the principal stripped him of his class president responsibilities for disagreeing with his decree. Getting into Harvard without the Sheepskin Having already taken the SAT and with only a half-credit of PE still needed to graduate, Fox discovered a form in the library where he could apply for admission to Harvard without a high school diploma. He applied, was accepted and spent what would have been his senior year in high school as a freshman at the prestigious Ivy League school. He never did receive his high school diploma. After graduating with a bachelor of arts cum laude in English in 1970, Fox was offered a job “as junior sub-assistant editor for Atlantic Monthly in Boston. But the remuneration was less than what an apartment would cost me. My parents had suffered enough with Harvard tuition, so I decided it was time to get a job,” he said. Fox ended up applying to The University of Texas School of Law and got in despite his self-described “less-than-stellar” LSAT scores. Over the next two years, he went through a fast-track program for a law degree, while enjoying UT baseball and the Austin progressive music scene. Fox noted, “You could pay a buck to go to Armadillo World Headquarters and see Bruce Springsteen as the opening act.” After graduating from law school in 1972, Fox signed on as the sole associate for a trial practitioner who was nearing retirement. “It was an eat-what-you-shoot type of employment arrangement,” said Fox, who tried a jury case a week after he received his bar license. But after two years, he was ready for something new. Mr. Fox Goes to Washington Fox moved to Washington, D.C., at the end of 1974, joining a small specialty firm that worked with
INSIDE BRACEWELL | FALL 2006 | PAGE 6
king Headlines on your toes.” Fox returned to
“Being surrounded by people this good and smart is the most professionally satisfying thing I can imagine.”– Paul Fox
Austin in 1993 to head the Austin office, and has carried on his essentially federal practice from there.
Bracewell client Prosperity Bancshares invited Legendary Work Style Colleagues described Fox as
Houston corporate partners Will Luedke and Charlotte Rasche to join the financial holding
intellectual, exacting, demanding
company’s CEO and board members in presiding
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Bracewell
and thought provoking. “Although Paul demands
over the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell on
hired Fox to start its FPC practice. As he puts it,
much of his team, no one works harder than he
in his classic dry-witted style, “I was the only
does and he leads by example,” Shoneman said.
the Federal Power Commission (FPC), now the
person in Washington dumb enough to take on
Today, Fox spends the summer months working
the job as an associate. I stole every client that
from his personal office in Pullman, Washington,
wasn’t locked down to build our practice,” he
where his wife, Shelly, teaches rhetoric and
remembered, laughing.
composition at Washington State University.
Oct. 2 in New York. A client since 1983, Prosperity also relied upon Bracewell’s expertise in 1998 to take the Texas-based financial firm public.
A Nose for News With the introduction of the new quarterly employee
A year later, Chuck Shoneman joined Fox and
While most people know of his love of long-dis-
publication, Inside Bracewell, the editors assembled
the rest, as they say, is history. With Fox focusing
tance motorcycling, he says one thing that might
an editorial board to help identify stories for future
on the litigation side and Shoneman on the
surprise colleagues is the fact that he doesn’t
issues. These colleagues will serve as the eyes and
business side, the two built Bracewell’s energy
ride a Harley Davidson. He likes riding his BMW
regulatory practice into one of the best in the
bike to all parts of the Great American West,
industry. Today, they are co-heads of the firm’s
including the Texas Big Bend Region, and
from a business achievement to a personal accom-
Energy and Telecommunications Markets and
between British Columbia and Washington State.
plishment or hobby—please contact one of the
Regulation Practice.
An avid amateur photographer, his favorite sub-
editorial board representatives.
Shoneman said three things make Fox a legendary figure in the firm. “First, Paul is one of the smartest lawyers in the firm and has achieved fabulous results for his clients over the years. Second, he is a highly personable fellow with a great sense of humor, who exemplifies the culture of our firm. Third, Paul is not only a leader, but
ears of the firm to help communicate the culture, accomplishments and key activities across all offices.
jects are his two children, Travis, an eighth-grader at St. Andrew’s in Austin, and Katharine, a junior economics major at Stanford and member of the
If you have a noteworthy accomplishment to share—
Below is an alphabetical listing of the Inside Bracewell editorial board: Judy Brasher, Dallas office secretary Eric DeLeon, San Antonio trial associate
women’s varsity lacrosse team. Fox said there are several things that have been personally satisfying about his career.
Aryn Diggle, Washington office secretary Elaine Edon, Houston office secretary Travis Gill, Houston labor associate Sharon Holberg, Houston office secretary
“First, it is gratifying to operate on behalf of
can also be a great team player. In short, he is an
some really terrific clients, particularly the
all-around guy who exemplifies the best in our firm.”
Canadian clients who I have been blessed to
Jeff Horner, Houston public law partner Karen Jackson, San Antonio office secretary Shelby Kelley, Washington trial associate Bryan Loocke, Houston REEF associate
Fox’s subspecialty is cross-border trade in
represent for almost three decades. It’s very much
Will Luedke, Houston corporate and securities partner
electricity and natural gas with Canada and
a close relationship experience and I find that to be
Carrin Patman, Houston trial partner
Mexico, a practice he has pursued since 1978.
a real positive side of our cross-border trade work.”
Erik Petersen, Washington environmental associate
“We’ve always been fortunate to have major
“Second, it is satisfying to see where the firm has
Stan Pietrusiak, San Antonio labor associate Chris Rentzel, Dallas trial partner
cases going on continually, and it has kept things
progressed over the past 29 years and the high
fresh and exciting,” said Fox, whose typical cases
quality of practice we have now and will have in
Quetta Shwadlenak, Dallas office secretary
are complex, multi-party proceedings that often
the future. Being surrounded by people this good
Joe Stallone, Austin trial associate
last several years.
and smart is the most professionally satisfying
Patricia Turner, Austin office secretary
“The firm has been a fantastic work platform and we’ve had great support. Professionally, it’s
thing I can imagine,” he said.
Kristy Sexton, Houston office paralegal
Gary Wright, Houston bankruptcy associate As always, feel free to contact Toni Brown
He’d like his professional legacy at Bracewell to
been very satisfying. We always seem to get real
be continually growing and increasingly vibrant.
mindbenders in terms of cases and it keeps you
“That’s what a lot of us have worked many
in Marketing and Client Relations at ext.1285.
decades to do. I’m excited about the new generation of leadership emerging from the partner and associate ranks all over the firm. I look forward to the day when they take it and run with it.”
An avid amateur photographer, Fox’s favorite photo subjects are his daughter, Katharine, and son, Travis.
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