How To Recognize A Law School

Transcription

1 ST. MARY S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Fall Distinguished Law Graduates

2 A NOTE FROM THE DEAN Dear fellow graduates, Many of you have already heard about my retirement during our annual Distinguished Law Graduate Dinner in October. It was an honor to be recognized alongside our distinguished graduates during such a momentous occasion. Once again, we broke records in attendance and I am proud to have such a response from our alumni and the local community. Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who joined to celebrate honorees The Hon. Karen H. Pozza ( J.D. 91), Peter E. Hosey ( J.D. 79) and David C. Courreges ( J.D. 05). As the end of my final fall semester approaches, I am pleased to announce that the Center for Legal and Social Justice recently was recognized by the Texas Access to Justice Commission, marking the second time the School of Law has received the commission s Commitment to Service Award, which you will read about in this issue. Already I have been able to visit many of our alumni across the nation during my farewell tour. I want to personally thank all my fellow graduates for your involvement in our alumni chapters and your continuing commitment to the law school. It was a pleasure to travel and visit with you, learning about how you are making a difference in your communities. It is because of the generous support of many of you that we have been able to establish an excessive 80 scholarships since I became dean. We greatly appreciate your generosity. I hope you enjoy this issue of Law Notes and stop by St. Mary s to see our new classrooms in the Law Classroom building, which will be ready for use in the spring semester. Sincerely, On the cover: The St. Mary s community celebrated the 2013 Distinguished Law Graduates in October. See story page 5. Charles E. Cantú, Dean and St. Mary s University Distinguished South Texas Professor of Law

3 Reflections on a Legacy of Service Charles E. Cantú s history with St. Mary s University School of Law goes back. Way back. First coming to St. Mary s as a law student in the early 1960s, he returned in 1966 to join the faculty, and St. Mary s has been his home ever since. In May 2013, Cantú will retire as Dean of the School of Law, capping 48 years of teaching and leading at St. Mary s. He is the longest-tenured Hispanic law professor in the country, one of the few Hispanic deans nationwide, and the St. Mary s University Distinguished South Texas Professor of Law. For all of his accomplishments, Cantú is particularly proud of his time as dean. He counts among his top accomplishments emphasizing the Catholic and Marianist identity at the school and initiating the China program. However, Cantú s focus has been not just on academics but also building a stronger sense of community both internally and externally. lawnotes p.1

4 Charles recognized and reasserted the law school s and the University s common mission of faith, community and academic excellence. Each institution has benefited We are all part of the same family the St. Mary s family and I am proud that we can all join together to accomplish our mission of excellence, Cantú said. University Provost André Hampton said Cantú was the right person at the right time for the School of Law. The law school has flourished under Dean Cantú s leadership. Even amid troubling trends besetting law schools around the country, the law school s enrollment is stable, its financial condition is strong and its graduates are employed, Hampton said. As a St. Mary s graduate, Charles recognized and reasserted the law school and the University s common mission of faith, community and academic excellence. Each institution has benefited from this reawakening of our common bond. Hampton added that Cantú s dedication to the mission has benefited the law school as well. As a faithful servant of Mary, Charles has worked tirelessly to leave the law school that bears her name in a better condition than he found it. On this point, he exceeded expectations. As a result, his successor will be handed over leadership of a real jewel of a law school with a bright future, he said. Since starting in 2007, Cantú has helped raise about $8 million and created about 80 scholarships. He has fostered relationships with alumni, encouraging the expansion of the Law Alumni Association to a total of 11 chapters, with a goal of increasing engagement and participation. Dean Cantú has been an outstanding ambassador for St. Mary s, helping to raise the law school s profile across the country, said Marty Truss ( J.D. 96), president of the Law Alumni Association. He has also been exceptionally focused on increasing scholarships and opportunities for our law students and his many successes will impact generations of law students to come. Cantú considers increasing alumni chapters and alumni engagement one of his prime objectives and plans to add a 12th chapter in Honolulu this spring. The School of Law seeks to graduate students who are not only outstanding practitioners of the legal profession, but also citizens of the world fully prepared to carry out the University s mission of service for the common good. Perhaps nothing speaks more directly to that than the Center for Legal and Social Justice, which for the second Top to bottom: Celebrating the annual Red Mass in San Fernando Cathedral; Cantú meeting with students on a trip to India; Cantú posing with alumni and faculty members in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building p.2 lawnotes

5 Recognitions the St. Mary s School of Law has received under the leadership of Dean Cantú: The Advocacy Program has excelled in regional and national moot court and mock trial competitions, including three national championships The St. Mary s Law Journal is in the top 2 percent of law reviews most cited by state and federal courts and is the only law review in the nation that annually publishes an issue devoted to the topic of legal malpractice and ethics The School of Law was named a 2012 and 2013 Best Value Law School by The National Jurist The School has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal as among the nation s best for post-law school, full-time employment based on its analysis of information reported to the ABA The School is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as among the nation s best for post-law school, full-time employment based on its analysis of class of 2011 employment data reported to the ABA Clinical students were selected for the prestigious Equal Justice Works Fellowship in 2012 and 2013 time both while Cantú has been dean has received the prestigious Law School Commitment to Service Award from the Texas Access to Justice Commission. This award honored St. Mary s for educating students on access to justice issues, one of the finest traditions of the legal progression. In addition, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a collaboration between the Bill Greehey School of Business and the Center for Legal and Social Justice, was recognized by the American Bar Association for its efforts to assist low-income and under-served communities. The school also has nurtured the Catholic and Marianist heritage through courses on canon law and the death penalty, and an ongoing dialogue on Catholic Social Teachings in the law school experience. Cantú spearheaded the addition of a major program that has broadened the law school s international reach The St. Mary s Institute on Chinese Law and Business, which started in In just a few short years, the program has proven popular with students and effective in preparing them for the global legal world. In 2013, the Institute placed 12 St. Mary s law students in internships with law firms and employers in China. Additionally, the dean has supported the expansion of the school s LL.M. program, which attracts both U.S. and foreign students, and overseen the impressive success of the Evening Law Program, which has produced some of the school s top graduates in recent years. In spring 2014, the law school will unveil another mark of progress a significant addition to the Law Classroom Building that will provide much-needed space for students and faculty. Considering the long list of accomplishments from the past seven years, Cantú hopes that he has left a long-term mark on the direction of the St. Mary s School of Law. Living a life of significance to me means that long after you have left, there is a lingering positive feeling of your presence, said Cantú. The School of Law has been nationally recognized for post-law school employment numbers for graduates. Honoring Dean Cantú s Service to St. Mary s by Thomas M. Mengler, J.D., St. Mary s University President For almost 80 years the St. Mary s University School of Law has been dedicated to educating prudent, successful and ethical attorneys. And for more than half of that, Charles E. Cantú ( J.D. 64) has been a part of the effort first as a law student, then as a faculty member and, for almost seven years now, as dean. In his time as dean, he has found ways to emphasize the Catholic and Marianist heritage through courses on canon law and the death penalty as well as an ongoing dialogue on Catholic Social Teachings in the law school experience. He recognizes that our mission calls us to not just prepare students to practice law, but also to graduate students who become leaders in their communities dedicated to the common good. Twice under Cantú s direction, the School of Law has received the Law School Commitment to Service Award from the Texas Access to Justice Commission and two students were selected as Equal Justice Works Fellows. These are recognitions that speak directly to our Catholic and Marianist traditions and to Cantú s own priorities for our school. In recognition of Dean Cantú s leadership and in appreciation for his almost 48 years of service, in which he has taught thousands of students and helped prepare generations of law graduates, we are establishing the Charles E. Cantú Distinguished Professor of Law. As graduates of St. Mary s School of Law, many of you had at least one class from Dean Cantú and know firsthand his passion and love for St. Mary s. I hope that you will consider giving a gift toward establishing this professorship in his honor. For additional information on giving to the Cantú Distinguished Professorship, contact Collanne West at cwest@stmarytx.edu or lawnotes p.3

6 CAMPUS BRIEFS Mock Trial Team Excels at National Event St. Mary s mock trial team once again performed well, reaching the semifinals in the 2013 National Trial Advocacy Competition hosted by Michigan State University School of Law. The team includes Joe Patton, Brad Runcie, Jessica Pritchett, Travis Rodriguez and Leslie Rodriguez. They faced teams from Southern Methodist University, Columbus and Cooley in the preliminary rounds, and John Marshall in the semifinals. The team is coached by adjunct Professor Nicole Thornbro. Law School Comes Together for Boo Bash School of Law this year hosted its 15th annual Boo Bash celebration on campus for faculty, staff, students and their families to enjoy a night of fun. The event is hosted each year by the Law Campus Ministry Office, with Sister Grace Wall, F.M.I., and more than 40 student volunteers facilitating the games, food and candy giveaway. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and the Pecan Grove was filled with everything from princesses to monsters. The School of Law s Boo Bash is a tradition that started in 1998, allowing law students, faculty, staff and their families to enjoy Halloween festivities on campus, promoting community and fun. Ryan Patrick, age 2, sports his Lightning McQueen costume. Ryan is the son of Suzanne Patrick, director of the Law Career Services Center. St. Mary s Hosts Lone Star Classic St. Mary s School of Law hosted the 2013 Lone Star Classic in October. The annual invitational mock trial tournament draws schools from across the nation. This year, South Texas College of Law and Faulkner Law made it to the final round, with Faulkner taking the top prize. Career Services to Hold Job Fairs The St. Mary s Office of Career Services is joining with the other Texas Law Schools to host legal job fairs in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, Midland and the Rio Grande Valley. The job fairs are designed to increase opportunities for students in markets outside of their immediate school. Employers with hiring needs for the summer or fall of 2014 or who are seeking recent graduates for permanent positions will have the opportunity to screen the materials of law students and recent graduates and preselect their candidates for interviews. The law schools will work together to schedule selected candidates to interview at the employers offices or designated interview site on the day of the job fair in their area. Registration for employers to interview is now open. For more information contact Suzanne Patrick at or spatrick@stmarytx.edu. New Professor Joins Law Faculty The School of Law has welcomed a new faculty member this fall, David A. Grenardo, who specializes in commercial litigation. Grenardo, a graduate of the Duke University School of Law, practiced law for three major firms Jones Day, DLA Piper and King & Spalding for nearly a decade before joining the legal academy. During his practice, he represented clients, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses and individuals, in a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters. He also dedicated a significant part of his practice to pro bono work, including protecting the rights of domestic violence victims, the developmentally disabled and First Amendment litigants. He has received numerous awards, including the Frank J. Scurlock Award from the State Bar of Texas, the Wiley W. Manuel Award from by the State Bar of California, the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Distinguished Service Award, and Texas Civil Rights Project Pro Bono Champion. p.4 lawnotes

7 Cantú, at left; Dent, at right Portrait of Dent, McCaul Added to Law School Dean Charles Cantú and University President Thomas Mengler unveiled a portrait of Dwain Dent ( J.D. 76) in September and Congressman Michael T. McCaul ( J.D. 87) in August in the Law Alumni Room s Wall of Honor. Dent is an experienced attorney and has tried numerous cases throughout Texas. Dent is also the founder of the Dent Law Firm and the Spencer B. Dent Memorial Foundation. During last year s annual Distinguished Law Graduate Dinner, Dent received the 2012 Distinguished Law Graduate award. He is a Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, the State Bar of Texas, and the National Board of Trial and Advocacy. Dent is also a member of the Law Alumni Association and president of the Fort Worth Chapter. McCaul is currently serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and also co-chairs the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, which he founded shortly after he was elected to Congress in He was also a recipient of the School of Law s Distinguished Graduate Award in San Antonio Celebrates Red Mass McCaul The 61st annual Red Mass, which celebrates the San Antonio area legal community and invites blessings on the judicial year, was held in October at San Fernando Cathedral. The Most Rev. Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio, was the principal presider, and The Rev. Martin Leopold served as homilist. The Hon. Larry Noll (B.A. 67, J.D. 72), of the 408th Civil District Court of Bexar County, offered reflections. The tradition of Red Mass dates to 13th century Europe when both the bench and bar attended the Mass together at the beginning of each judicial session. The name is derived from the scarlet robes worn by judges and red vestments worn by priests in honor of the Holy Spirit. The tradition was revived in San Antonio 61 years ago by the School of Law and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of San Antonio, which organize the event with San Antonio legal organizations, the judiciary and the State Legislature. Alumni Association Honors Distinguished Law Graduates The St. Mary s University Law Alumni Association honored three graduates The Hon. Karen H. Pozza ( J.D. 91), 407th District Court of Bexar County; Peter E. Hosey ( J.D. 79), Jackson Walker LLP in San Antonio; and David C. Courreges ( J.D./M.P.A. 05), Courreges PC in Austin at the annual Distinguished Law Graduate Dinner in October. Pozza received the Distinguished Law Graduate Award for a judge, and Hosey received the Distinguished Law Graduate Award for a practicing attorney. Courreges was honored with the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. Pozza practiced civil litigation privately before election to her current seat on the bench, which she has held since Pozza serves on the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation Advisory Board, the Bexar County Juvenile Board, and the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and St. Mary s Alumni Association boards. She is also the co-founder of the Community Justice Program, which has allowed her to give back to the community and provide free legal service for individuals who cannot afford an attorney. Hosey has more than 30 years of experience practicing energy law and is board-certified in oil, gas and mineral law with the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is also an Adjunct Professor at St. Mary s, President of the St. Mary s Law Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors for the St. Mary s School of Law Alumni Association. Hosey has given back to St. Mary s by creating the Leopold-Hosey Scholarship for deserving law students studying real property law. Courreges is the founding shareholder of Courreges PC and has more than a decade of direct experience in government law. He has remained dedicated to the University, serving as an Adjunct Professor and helping create and administrate the Frank J. Madla and Irma Rangel Legislative Internship Program, as well as the legislative externship programs for the School of Law. Courreges is the immediate past president of the St. Mary s Alumni Association the youngest in the Association s history and the Law Alumni Association s representative on the University s Board of Trustees. lawnotes p.5

8 KUDOS & CLASS NOTES 1956 Charles L. Smith, LL.B., San Antonio, of counsel at Jackson Walker LLP, was named to S.A. Scene s 2013 Best S.A. Lawyers list Ronald F. Ederer, J.D., San Antonio, was reappointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Racing Commission The Hon. Charles A. Gonzalez, J.D., San Antonio, chief of public engagement for VIA Metropolitan Transit, was an honoree at the 2013 Westside Honors sponsored by the Westside Development Corporation. The Hon. Ted G. Seel, J.D., Victoria, is the Victoria County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Warren A. Wolf, J.D., San Antonio, received the Percy Foreman Lawyer of the Year Award from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. A 1966 Eagle Scout Award recipient, he also received the 50-year Veterans Award from the Boy Scouts of America Claude E. Ducloux, J.D., Austin, a name partner with Hill, Ducloux, Carnes & de la Garza, received the 2013 Lola Wright Foundation Award from the Texas Bar Foundation Dawn Finlayson, J.D., San Antonio, a member of Barton East & Caldwell PLLC, has been named a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Rebecca A. Gregory, J.D., Dallas, who is of counsel with Curran Tomko LLP, has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board. Mark H. Miller, J.D., San Antonio, a partner at Jackson Walker LLP, was named to S.A. Scene s 2013 Best S.A. Lawyers list. The Hon. Victor H. Negron Jr., B.A. 75, J.D., former judge of the Texas 438th District Court, is of counsel with the Ford Law Firm. John M. Vaught, J.D., Denver, a partner at Wheeler Trigg O Donnell, is president-elect of the Denver Bar Association and will become president in Lawrence A. Waks, J.D., Dallas, a partner at Jackson Walker LLP, has been named to the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America Peter E. Hosey, J.D., San Antonio, a partner at Jackson Walker LLP, was named to S.A. Scene s 2013 Best S.A. Lawyers list. Frank Z. Ruttenberg, J.D., San Antonio, is a partner with Haynes and Boone LLP. F. Scott Spears Jr., J.D., Austin, has been reappointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Lower Colorado River Authority Board of Directors Sara E. Dysart, B.A. 74, J.D., San Antonio, has been elected to the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors and admitted to membership in the American College of Real Estate Attorneys. Dennis C. McCabe, J.D., Vestal, N.Y., has been appointed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to serve on the Binghamton University Council. Patrick B. Tobin, J.D., San Antonio, managing partner of the San Antonio office of Jackson Walker LLP, was named to S.A. Scene s 2013 Best S.A. Lawyers list and to the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America The Hon. John Cayce, J.D., Fort Worth, retired chief justice of the Texas Second Court of Appeals and a partner with Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP, was appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to a six-year term as a member of the Texas Board of Law Examiners Richard G. Garza, B.A. 78, J.D., San Antonio, a partner at Jackson Walker LLP, was named to S.A. Scene s 2013 Best S.A. Lawyers list. Charles E. Hardy, J.D., San Antonio, a partner with Higdon Hardy & Zuflacht LLP, has been elected president of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and been named a Texas Super Lawyer in Family Law by Texas Monthly magazine J. Matthew Dow, J.D., Austin, managing partner of the Austin office of Jackson Walker LLP, has been named to the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Rebecca Fe de Montreve-McMinn, J.D., LL.M. 06, San Antonio, is vice chair of the Biotechnology, Medical Research and Clinical Ethics Interest Group of the American Bar Association Health Law Section. Susan C. Mathews, J.D., Houston, is of counsel in the Financial Institutions Advocacy Group of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC Peter M. Koelling, Ph.D., J.D., Oak Park, Ill., director and chief counsel of the American Bar Association Justice Center, has received a doctorate in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. John P. Mitcham, J.D., San Antonio, is a soldier s counsel in the U.S. Army North Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Sam Houston. He previously spent 17 years as the chief of legal services for the Military District of Washington Office of the Staff Judge Advocate and recently retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a colonel of armor/cavalry. Sharon Breckenridge Thomas, B.A. 82, J.D., San Antonio, has been appointed to the Texas Workforce Commission s Commission on Human Rights by Gov. Rick Perry Laura J. Tocci, J.D., Alquippa, Penn., a partner with McMillen Urick Tocci Fouse and Jones, received the Judge James E. Rowley Service Award from the Beaver County Bar Association and has become a certified member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum The Hon. Carol V. Bush, J.D., Waxahachie, who is County Judge for Ellis County, has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board. The Hon. Gregory T. Perkes, J.D., Corpus Christi, associate justice of the Texas Thirteenth Court of Appeals, received the Judge Paul W. Nye Professionalism Award from the Corpus Christi Bar Association. Earl K. Straight Jr., J.D., Austin, is an attorney with the Wenholz Law Firm Malcolm L. Rigsby, Ph.D., J.D., Donaldson, Ark., who completed his doctorate in Sociology from Texas Woman s University in December 2012, is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and coordinator of the Criminal Justice Program at Henderson State University Vincent Gonzalez, J.D., Kingsville, is an assistant district attorney with the Kleberg County District Attorney s Office. Robert J. Bobby Perez, J.D., San Antonio, is senior vice president general counsel and corporate relations for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. Moises V. Vela Jr., J.D., Gaithersburg, Md., a partner with Scarinci Hollenbeck PC, is the founding director of the firm s Washington, D.C., office Kevin P. Yeary, B.A. 88, J.D., San Antonio, is the first chair assistant district attorney in the Appellate Division of the Bexar County District Attorney s Office Dana Dunlap Clarke, J.D., Arlington, has been named Assistant Attorney General of the Year for the Texas Office of the Attorney General s Child Support Division Fort Worth Region. Craig A. Harlow, J.D., Pearsall, has been appointed an immigration judge for the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review s Pearsall Immigration Court. D. Wade Hayden, J.D., San Antonio, managing partner of Hayden & Cunningham PLLC, has been appointed to the Texas Private Security Board by Gov. Rick Perry. Thomas J. O Brien, J.D., Dallas, is a partner at Rose Walker LLP Lauren Ranly Duke, J.D., Corpus Christi, is a senior trust officer at American Bank. Robert E. Longo, J.D., Paradise Valley, Ariz., vice president and general counsel-western areas for Waste Management Inc., has been elected to the board of directors of the Fiesta Bowl organization, which hosts the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. The Hon. Renée Forinash McElhaney, J.D., San Antonio, former judge of the Texas 73rd District Court, has joined Beirne, Maynard & Parsons LLP as a partner. Cheryl Ann Oldham, J.D., Alexandria, Va., who is vice president of education policy for the United States Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the board of trustees of Ashford University, located in Clinton, Iowa. p.6 lawnotes Note: Locations in Texas and all major U.S. cities do not have the state identified.

9 1994 Julia C. Mann, J.D., San Antonio, a partner with Jackson Walker LLP, has been selected as a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and was named to S.A. Scene s 2013 Best S.A. Lawyers list. Whitney M. Reilly, J.D., Dallas, is an attorney recruiting specialist with Legal Network Yvonne M. Acosta, J.D., El Paso, executive nursing officer for operations and innovation for the University of Texas at El Paso College of Nursing, is presidentelect of Hospice El Paso. The Hon. Robb D. Catalano, J.D., Fort Worth, judge of Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 3, has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments. Jason D. Hawkins, J.D., Frisco, is federal public defender for the Northern District of Texas L. David Anderson, J.D., Dallas, is a partner in the commercial litigation group of Wick Phillips. Terra L. Bay, J.D., Chattanooga, Tenn., is an assistant attorney with the U.S. Attorney s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Linda Everett Moyé, J.D., Washington, D.C., is chief of labor relations and performance management for the Federal Communications Commission. Derek L. Seal, J.D., Austin, a shareholder in Winstead PC, has been selected for the Chambers USA Guide 2013, a listing of the leading lawyers and law firms in the country Charles P. Koutras, J.D./M.A., San Antonio, is chief of legal assistance in the U.S. Army South Office of the Staff Judge Advocate Rolando B. Pablos, B.A. 92, J.D., El Paso, is the chief executive officer of the Borderplex Bi-national Economic Alliance, an economic development organization serving the El Paso-Las Cruces-Ciudad Juárez region. Shoshana L. Thoma-Isgur, J.D., Fort Worth, is of counsel with K&L Gates LLP The Hon. Luz Elena Chapa, B.A. 95, J.D., San Antonio, was elected to the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals. Christine E. Reinhard, J.D., San Antonio, a partner with Schmoyer Reinhard LLP, has been selected as a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Frederick Saporsky III, B.A. 96, J.D./M.A., San Antonio, and wife Jamaica welcome son Eric Hudson, born Aug. 10, The Hon. Fred T. Van Soelen, J.D., Colvis, N.M., was appointed a judge of the New Mexico Ninth Judicial Circuit Court by Gov. Susan Martinez Jason W. Fatheree, J.D., Dallas, and wife Nancy welcome son John Walker, born Dec. 11, He is a partner at Crouch & Ramey LLP and was named to the 2013 Texas Rising Stars list by Texas Super Lawyers. Ina Marie Minjarez, J.D., San Antonio, is an attorney with the Espinoza Law Firm PLLC Capt. Thomas H. Marrs, J.D., Edwardsville, Ill., who serves in the U.S. Air Force, is a Judge Advocate General Officer assigned to the U.S. Central Command Joint Theater Supporting Contracting Command at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. Jon G. Moog, J.D., Helena, Mont., is deputy disciplinary counsel in the State of Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Norma O. Ortiz, J.D., Edinburg, has been named Assistant Attorney General of the Year for the Texas Office of the Attorney General s Child Support Division McAllen Region. 1st Lt. Brandt E. Schneider, J.D., Spring, who serves in the Army National Guard, is a Judge Advocate General officer assigned to the Kabul Base Cluster Staff Judge Advocate s office at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. C. Clark Welder, J.D., Beeville, has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Real Estate Research Advisory Committee, which advises the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University Blakley Latham Fernandez, J.D./ M.A., San Antonio, received the Brenda Vickrey Johnson Award for Small Business at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce 2013 Tribute to Women Business Leaders Awards. Harold Oliver, M.S. 91, J.D., San Antonio, is chief external affairs officer for Accion Texas, the nation s largest nonprofit micro lender. Melinda A. Vidaurri-Galvan, B.A. 96, J.D., Laredo, is director of the Community Supervision and Corrections Department for Webb and Zapata Counties. David M. Wildes, J.D., Houston, is legal counsel with LINN Energy Bradley B. Clark, J.D., Austin, who has opened his own law firm, the Bradley B. Clark Law Group PC, and launched a legal startup, Lawful.ly, was selected for the 2013 Texas Rising Stars list by Texas Super Lawyers. Daniel Esparza, J.D., Austin, a senior adviser to Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., received the Texas Houser Award, which honors Texans committed to improving availability and access to shelter for lowincome families, from the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service. Kelly Wright Kelly, B.A. 00, J.D., Spring, is managing partner of the Law Office of Kelly Kelly. David R. Rangel, J.D., San Antonio, is of counsel with Davidson Troilo Ream & Garza PC Angelica M. Campos-Beach, LL.M., San Antonio, is an attorney with DLG Luce Salazar PLLC. Daniel M. Martinez, J.D., San Antonio, has been elected a shareholder of Winstead PC. Kathryn A. Stephens, J.D., San Antonio, is a staff attorney with the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals. Vanessa E. Valdez, J.D., San Antonio, is an associate with Vidaurri, Lyde, Rodriguez & Haynes LLP Lauren S. Ciminello, J.D., San Antonio, senior counsel at Jackson Walker LLP, was named to S.A. Scene s 2013 Best S.A. Lawyers list. David C. Courreges, J.D./M.P.A., Austin, is the founding shareholder of Courreges PC and a 2013 Austin Under 40 Awards legal professional honoree. Sara Jane del Carmen, J.D., Grand Prairie, has been appointed as an associate judge/magistrate for the Town of Pantego Municipal Court. Kathleen M. Kilanowski, J.D., Dallas, is an associate with Deans & Lyons LLP. Lt. Col. James F. Korth, J.D., Fort Worth, an associate at Cantey Hanger LLP, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and appointed battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines. Jose J. Treviño Jr., J.D., San Antonio, has been named a shareholder at Ray Valdez McChristian & Jeans PC Alysha Travis Bissell, J.D./M.A., San Antonio, and husband Jacob welcome daughter Dylan Margaret, born Nov. 20, Jason E. Cruz, J.D., and wife Catherine R. Casiano, J.D./M.B.A. 07, San Antonio, welcome daughter Paloma Vida, born Aug. 6, Giselle Finne Gafford, J.D., Dallas, is an attorney with Slates Harwell LLP. F. Scott de la Garza, J.D., San Antonio, is a name partner with DLG Luce Salazar PLLC. Michael Y. Kim, J.D., Dallas, is a partner with Scott Viscuso PLLC. Zachary O. Luce, J.D., San Antonio, is a name partner with DLG Luce Salazar PLLC. Brian F. O Gorman, J.D., San Antonio, and Gretchen Jean Stieren married on March 23, Richard A. Ramirez, J.D., Houston, is a partner with Clayton & Ramirez PLLC. Eduardo Romero, J.D., Laredo, is a partner at Villarreal & Romero PLLC. The Hon. Adrian A. Spears II, J.D., San Antonio, was appointed as an associate municipal judge for the city of Von Ormy. Emily Kinney Stroup, J.D., San Antonio, an associate with Tinsman & Sciano Inc., has been appointed to the Nueces River Authority Board of Directors by Gov. Rick Perry. Lorien K. Whyte, J.D., San Antonio, is an attorney with Brin & Brin PC. lawnotes p.7

10 2007 John G. George Jr., J.D., San Antonio, an associate with Beirne, Maynard & Parsons LLP, was named to the 2013 Texas Rising Stars list by Texas Super Lawyers. Lori Ann Hall, J.D., Kerrville, is corporate counsel for the SALT Group. Kimberly P. Mabel, J.D., Dallas, an associate with Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, was named to the 2013 Texas Rising Stars list by Texas Super Lawyers. The Hon. Arturo I. Martinez de Vara, J.D./M.A., Von Ormy, was reelected to a third term as mayor of Von Ormy. J. Barrett Shipp, J.D., San Antonio, an associate with Heinrichs & De Gennaro, PC, was named a 2013 Rising Star by S.A. Scene Magazine. Jason A. Smith, J.D., Houston, a senior associate with Burleson LLP, was board certified in oil, gas and mineral law. Amanda N. Torres, J.D., Corpus Christi, is an associate with Branscomb PC Matthew R. Adams, J.D., Asburn, Va., is in-house counsel for DTREDS LLC. Sareta M. Davis, J.D., Austin, is an assistant district attorney with the Travis County District Attorney s Office. Emily L. Jirovec, J.D., Corpus Christi, is a staff attorney for the Texas 5th Administrative Judicial Region. Harvey Wayne Johnson II, J.D., San Antonio, and Lauren Michelle Thompkins married on May 18, Jennifer K. Loftin, J.D., Corpus Christi, is an associate with Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams LLP. Jeffrey W. Martin, J.D., Dallas, has joined the Willis Law Group PLLC as an associate. Brandy D. Marty, J.D., Austin, is chief of staff to Gov. Rick Perry and has worked in the Governor s Office since 2007 and has been appointed by Gov. Perry to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The Hon. James A. Rodriguez, J.D., San Antonio, received the 2013 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association. He was reappointed as a municipal judge for the city of Von Ormy. Aldo Salazar, J.D., San Antonio, is a name partner with DLG Luce Salazar PLLC. Maurine Heinrichs Shipp, J.D., San Antonio, served on the planning committee for the University of the Incarnate Word s Annual ELEVATE Women s Conference and spoke on practical planned giving Jeremy D. Allen, J.D., San Antonio, is an associate with Hoblit Ferguson Darling LLP. Capt. Nancy E. Carlson, J.D., M.B.A. 10, Houston, is a trial counsel in the Judge Advocate General s Office of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, an Army National Guard unit from Texas currently deployed to Kuwait. Kacy L. Dudley, J.D., Austin, is an associate with the Vaught Law Firm P.C. Benjamin E. Farish, J.D., Raleigh, N.C., has opened a solo practice, the Farish Law Firm. Emily C. Jeffcott, J.D., New Orleans, is an attorney with the Lambert Firm PLC. Ashley N. Patton, J.D., and Chase W. Butler, J.D. 10, San Antonio, married on June 1, She is an associate at the Law Office of Arthur G. Augustine. He is a partner at LaHood & Butler. Austin M. Sanford, J.D., San Francisco, is an assistant district attorney with the San Francisco District Attorney s Office. J. Austin Smithson, J.D., Washington, D.C., is legislative director for Congressman Louie Gohmert, who represents the First District of Texas Capt. Andrew J. Ashford, J.D., Killeen, is a Judge Advocate General officer with the Army National Guard and is assigned to the Kabul Base Cluster Staff Judge Advocate s office at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. Paige M. Frankenberry, J.D., Austin, has opened Frankenberry Law, a solo practice. Fernando D. Gireud, J.D., San Antonio, is an associate attorney with Eric M. Bernal & Associates. John T. Hicks, J.D./M.A., San Antonio, has opened his own firm, the Law Office of John T. Hicks PLLC. Emileigh Hubbard, J.D., Sherman, is a law clerk for Magistrate Judge Amos L. Mazzant of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Andrew J. Skemp, J.D., San Antonio, is an attorney with the Janicek Law Firm PC Michael D. Holcomb, J.D., Conroe, is an associate with the Ward Law Firm. James J. O Brien, J.D., San Antonio, is an attorney with Mazurek Alford & Holliday PC. Brett L. VanGheluwe, J.D., San Antonio, is a staff attorney for the Bexar County Civil District Courts Victoria Marie Bongat, J.D., Converse, is a clinical teaching fellow at the St. Mary s University School of Law Center for Legal and Social Justice. Jose E. Galvan, B.A. 08, J.D., San Antonio, is an attorney with the Poncio Law Offices. Roy Neal Linnartz, J.D., New Braunfels, a solo practitioner, has been named to the College of the State Bar of Texas, an honorary society for attorneys who complete at least double the required hours of continuing legal education each year. Courtney J. London, J.D., Bartlesville, Okla., is an attorney with the Heskett Law Firm. Natalee B. Marion, M.B.A. 09, J.D., Eastland, has completed a judicial clerkship with the Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals. Brittany J. Martineau, J.D., and Brendan C. Holm, J.D. 13, San Antonio, married on Jan. 5, She is a commercial escrow officer with Stewart Title Company. Mary E. Neal, J.D./M.A., San Antonio, and Todd Grubbs married on Aug. 4, Joseph T. O Neill, J.D., Plano, is an assistant county attorney for Hunt County. Natalie E. Zertuche, J.D., San Antonio, is a compliance portfolio officer for Accion Texas Inc Rachel M. Ambler, J.D., San Antonio, is a law clerk with Pulman, Cappuccio, Pullen, Benson & Jones LLP. Hilary Ann Bell, J.D., San Antonio, has opened the Law Office of Hilary A. Bell. David R. Quintanilla, J.D., Austin, has enrolled in the London School of Economics where he is pursuing a master s in Philosophy and Public Policy. LAW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT S CORNER By Marty Truss, LAA President If you were one of the 1,000 or so guests at this year s Law Alumni Association Distinguished Law Graduate Dinner, you enjoyed a reminder of the bonds that connect us as graduates of St. Mary s School of Law. This year s event boasted a record 114 table sponsorships the largest crowd of any Distinguished Law Graduate Dinner to date. The extraordinary support and attendance was due to the efforts of Assistant Dean Al Hartman ( J.D. 73), Director of Law Alumni Relations Collanne Bramblett West ( J.D. 10) along with sponsorship chair and previous Distinguished Law Graduate, Joe Casseb ( J.D. 77). Thanks to each of you. In addition to moving tributes to each of the honorees, the night was made even more special by accolades and thanks to Dean Charles E. Cantú, who will retire as dean in Because this is his last academic year as dean, the Board of the Law Alumni Association gathered on stage along with the many attending former Distinguished Law Graduate honorees to say a special thanks. The tribute to Dean Cantú at this year s dinner is surely just the first of many to come before his official retirement at the end of the academic year. In his nearly five decades with the School of Law and his service as dean over the past six-plus years, Dean Cantú has left an indelible mark on St. Mary s and on tens of thousands of students and graduates of St. Mary s. He left his mark on me first by giving me my first law-related job as his research assistant after my first year of law school. I knew right away that Dean Cantú was an extraordinary man, as a teacher, mentor, scholar, diplomat and gentleman. On behalf of that first-year law student and the countless others that he has influenced over the years, thank you, Dean Cantú. Thank you for everything. p.8 lawnotes

11 IN MEMORIAM 1940s 1942 Aubrey Elliott Jr., LL.B., Austin, died April 28, s 1950 Maj. Travis E. Alley, LL.B., Granbury, died July 19, The Hon. Roy W. Stroud, LL.B., Selma, died March 9, The Hon. Earl W. Tracy Jr., LL.B., San Antonio, died Aug. 23, Ronald A. Piperi, LL.B., Houston, died April 26, s 1962 Robert Norvell Graham Jr., LL.B., San Antonio, died Feb. 22, The Hon. Michael B. O Quinn, J.D., San Antonio, died Aug. 8, Donald A. Williams, J.D., Salem, Va., died July 30, Eugene S. Prashner, J.D., San Antonio, died July 11, s 1970 John J. Jandt, J.D., Seguin, died May 11, John L. Gamboa Jr., J.D., Fort Worth, died July 29, Larry J. Benson Sr., J.D., San Antonio, died Oct. 28, Homero C. Canales, J.D., Alice, died March 25, Rogers T. Storey Jr., J.D., San Marcos, died March 24, David L. Clarkson, J.D., San Antonio, died June 12, Richard Gabriele, J.D., Dallas, died Jan. 26, Emmett Moore, J.D., Houston, died April 9, Col. Homer L. Walker, J.D., Frisco, Colo., died May 24, Christopher B. Kim Weixel, J.D., San Antonio, died June 28, Jack B. Lee, M.D., J.D., Beaumont, died March 30, s 1980 Randall C. Stegall, J.D., Keller, died Feb. 27, Thomas W. Wallace, J.D., San Antonio, died July 12, Glenn M. Douglas, J.D., Houston, died Aug. 17, Mark M. Ferguson, J.D., San Antonio, died July 7, Tamara Farris Gordon, J.D., Fort Worth, died March 25, s 1990 Charles D. Grant Jr., J.D., Austin, died March 16, Ross H. Ehlinger, J.D., Austin, died March 3, Clinton T. Harmon, J.D., San Angelo, died Feb. 21, Kevin T. Shea, J.D., Spring, died April 28, James Ashley Herring, J.D., Biloxi, Miss., died July 30, s 2001 John C. Frausto, J.D., San Antonio, died Aug. 19, CALENDAR St. Mary s University School of Law Newsletter Dec. 14, 2013 Law School Hooding Ceremony, December Completion of Legal Studies President Thomas M. Mengler, J.D. Jan , 2014 Board of Advocates Federal Bar Association Spring Moot Court Competition School of Law Dean Charles E. Cantú ( J.D. 64) Feb. 28, 2014 March 21, 2014 Symposium on Legal Malpractice & Ethics Law Homecoming CLE Day Editor Anndria Flores (B.A. 12) April 4, 2014 April 11-12, 2014 Fiesta Oyster Bake May 17, 2014 The Scholar s Immigration Symposium School of Law Commencement For more information on these or other events, please check our website at For alumni event information, please contact Al Hartman at ahartman@stmarytx.edu. We want a note from you! Keep us up-to-date on your accomplishments by dropping us a note. You can submit your information to aflores11@stmarytx.edu or by fax at lawnotes p.9

12 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID St. Mary s University One Camino Santa Maria San Antonio, Texas ST. MARY S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Distinguished Law Graduate Dinner THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Champions St. Mary s University School of Law and Dean Charles E. Cantú Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys Underwriters Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, L.L.P. Chapa Law Group, P.C. Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated Kennard Blankenship & Robinson P.C. Rossy and The Hon. Poncho Nevarez, The Hon. Luz Elena and Miguel J. Chapa, Mariela and Orlando Lopez, Adriana Benavides Maddox and Edward Maddox, and Greta and Noe Saucedo/ Class of 1999 Marty and Julie Truss/Class of 1996 Unico Cattle Company Valero Energy Corporation Sponsors Allen, Stein, & Durbin P.C. The Hon. Karen and The Hon. Ray Angelini, The Hon. Marialyn Barnard, The Hon. David Berchelmann, The Hon. Michael LaHood, The Hon. Donna Rayes and The Hon. Gloria Saldaña ARAMARK Ariel House Law Office Austin Chapter of the Law Alumni Association Banks & Banks P.C. Barton, East & Caldwell, P.L.L.C. Beldon Roofing Company Law Offices of William Douglas Bineham and Law Offices of Aida R. Rojas The Hon. Mary Anne and Coll Bramblett Brock Person Guerra Reyna, P.C. Burt Barr & Associates, L.L.P. Canales & Simonson, P.C. SA Liquors at Costco Courreges P.C. William R. Crow and Richard Noll Davidson Troilo Ream & Garza Davis, Cedillo & Mendoza, Inc. Davis Law Firm The Hon. and Mrs. Rudy Delgado Dwain Dent Dilley Law Firm Drought, Drought & Bobbitt, L.L.P. Ruben Gabriel Duarte Duncan, Bressler & Liu, Inc. Sara E. Dysart Jeff and Renna Embry The Francis Law Firm, P.C. Frost Bank Gardner Aldrich, L.L.P. The Hon. Ana Lisa Garza Law Office of Robert Garza Arnulfo and Janice Gonzalez Gonzalez Chiscano Angulo & Kasson, PC Goode Casseb Jones Riklin Choate & Watson, P.C. Gravely & Pearson, L.L.P. The Hon. Paul W. Green The Law Office of Sue M. Hall and the Law Office of Carl Robin Teague Albert Hartman Haynes & Boone L.L.P. Senator and Mrs. Glen A. Hegar A.L. and Charlotte Hernden The Herrera Law Firm Thank you The Hon. Barbara Parker Hervey and Richard Langlois Hilliard Muñoz Gonzales L.L.P. The Hispanic Law Alumni Association Hoblit Ferguson Darling LLP Hornberger Sheehan Fuller Beiter Wittenberg & Garza, Incorporated Peter H. Hosey Jackson Walker L.L.P. James K. Jones Jr. Jefferson Bank Jon Christian Amberson, P.C. Kauffman & Killen, Inc. Patrick J. Kennedy Sr. Kiester, Lockwood, Ciccone & Bollier, LLP Kustoff & Phipps, L.L.P. Langley & Banack, Inc. Professor Aloysius A. Leopold The Hon. Alma L. López-Cavazos and Emilio Cavazos Lindow Stephens Treat LLP Law Offices of Margaret M. Maisel, P.C. Law Offices of Pat Maloney, P.C. The Hon. Sandee Bryan Marion and The Hon. Polly Jackson Spencer The Law Offices of William McAllen and the Law Offices of Jose Gonzalez Congressman and Mrs. Michael McCaul and the Mays Family Foundation David McQuade Leibowitz, P.C. Mexican American Bar Association of San Antonio Mark Murray and Van Hilley Naman Howell Smith & Lee, PLLC Norton Rose Fulbright O Connell & Avery LLP O.G. Alvarez & Associates, P.C. Oliva, Saks, Garcia & Curiel, LLP Pearl Associates, L.C. The Hon. Karen and Dan Pozza Pulman, Cappuccio, Pullen, Benson & Jones LLP The Hon. and Mrs. Israel Ramon Jr. Jack and Laura Richmond The Hon. Irene Rios and the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association Law Offices of Fidel Rodriguez Jr. Rose Walker, L.L.P. Salinas Law Firm San Antonio Bar Foundation Sparr & Geerdes, Inc. Scott and Teresa Spears The Snow Law Firm St. Mary s University St. Mary s University School of Law Foundation Star Shuttle and Charter The Hon. Catherine Stone, The Hon. Barbara Nellermoe, The Hon. Larry Noll, The Hon. Laura Parker, Dinah Gaines and Bob Garza Law Office of George A. Taylor Tinsman & Sciano, Inc. The Uresti Law Firm, P.C. Paul R. Vahldiek Jr. Valdez, Jackson & Treviño, PC Wayne Wright LLP Clark B. Will Wilson, Pennypacker & Thomson, L.L.P. and Law Office of Beth Watkins