TAYLOR, OLSON, ADKINS, SRALLA & ELAM, L.L.P. ATTORNEYS AT LAW

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1 TAYLOR, OLSON, ADKINS, SRALLA & ELAM, L.L.P. ATTORNEYS AT LAW 6000 WESTERN PLACE, SUITE 200 FORT WORTH, TEXAS Telephone (817) Toll Free (800) Fax (817) Carvan E. Adkins Robert M. Allibon Daniel R. Barrett Ashley Dierker Elizabeth Betsy Elam Jenny Gravley Drew Larkin Lisa Mares Bryn Meredith Wayne K. Olson Paul V. Previte Fredrick Fritz Quast Tim G. Sralla Charlotte L. Staples George A. Staples, Jr. E. Allen Taylor, Jr. Kathleen Wells Cara Leahy White Steven A. Wood December 13, 2011

2 ATTORNEYS Carvan E. Adkins Founding Partner Carvan was born in Abilene, Texas in 1957 and obtained his B.B.A. degree from Baylor University and his M.B.A. and J.D. degrees from Texas Tech University. His practice consists primarily in two general areas of presentation, counsel to public entities and employment law addressing employment issues and disputes from the job interview to post-termination litigation. Carvan serves as General Counsel to several Mental Health Mental Retardation Community Centers as well as the State entity, Texas Counsel of Mental Health/Mental Retardation Community Centers and local Workforce Development Boards. The position of general counsel to public entities necessarily involves addressing a variety of legal issues on behalf of the public entities and their employees. In the area of employment law, he has represented clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Texas Commission on Human Rights, the United States Merit Systems Protection Board, and the State and Federal courts of Texas. Public Entities Labor and Employment Law B.B.A. Baylor University 1980 M.B.A. Texas Tech University 1984 J.D. Texas Tech University 1984 U.S. Court of Appeals, 5 th Circuit U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas Certified Mediator Texas Bar Association, Administrative and Public Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Health Law and Labor & Employment Law Sections Tarrant County Bar Association, ADR and Labor & Employment Law Sections Awards, Publications & Presentations Open Records and Open Meetings Issues presented to the Community MHMR Center Law Liability Workshop on September 25, Privacy Issues Surrounding Internet and Usage presented to the Texas Water Conservation Association Property/Casualty Claims Workshop on July 31, 2001 Privacy Issues Surrounding Internet and Usage presented to Texas Council Risk Management Fund on March 14, 2000 Privacy Issues for Public Employees which was presented to Texas Council Risk Management Fund on March 30, 1999 Demystifying the EEOC Process, presented to Texas Council Risk Management Fund participants on January 20, 1999 Defending Wrongful Discharge Claims, National Business Institute 1995 Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Where Do We Go After Vinson? Professional Systems, Inc., 1987

3 Robert M. Allibon Partner Rob was born in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania in He graduated Cum Laude from Texas Christian University in 1997 with a B.B.A. in finance, and then attended Texas Tech University School of Law where he obtained his J.D. degree in Rob began his legal career as an associate with Fielding, Barrett & Taylor, LLP in 1990, and then joined Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, LLP when it formed in 1997, where he has been a partner since Rob has extensive experience in municipal law, currently serving as primary city attorney for the Cities of Bridgeport, Crowley, Haslet and Hudson Oaks. He also handles all types of eminent domain matters for the firm s representative clients and on a contract basis for other governmental entities, including major drainage, utility, and right-of-way projects, park land acquisitions, and new municipal buildings/facilities. Municipal Law and Litigation Public Law Eminent Domain Texas Christian University 1987 Texas Tech University School of Law 1990 U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas State Bar of Texas Tarrant County Bar Association Texas City Attorney s Association International Municipal Lawyers Association

4 Ashley D. Dierker Associate Ashley was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas in She graduated from Texas A&M University in May of 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and received her J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. While in law school, she participated in Moot Court and was a co-chair of the 2008 Ben T. Altheimer Spring Moot Court competition. Before joining TOASE, she served as assistant City Attorney as litigator for misdemeanors filed in the City of Bryan Municipal Court. She currently serves as municipal court prosecutor in the following cities: Euless, Springtown, Joshua, Saginaw, Haslet, River Oaks, Hudson Oaks and Burleson. Municipal Law Municipal Court Prosecutor Texas A&M University 2005 University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville 2008 State Bar of Texas Tarrant County Bar Association Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Texas City Attorneys Association

5 Elizabeth Betsy Elam Founding Partner Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Betsy attended the University of California at Berkeley and received an A.B. degree in Anthropology. She was later awarded an academic scholarship and attended the Southern Methodist University School of Law, where she received her J.D. degree. After graduation she was an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Fort Worth, before joining Fielding Barrett & Taylor, LLP in Betsy s primary area of practice is municipal law, with emphasis on open government issues, annexation, election law, economic development. She is currently serving as City Attorney to the cities of Aledo, Aurora, Benbrook, Everman, Joshua, and River Oaks. Major economic development projects include the Mansfield National Golf Course, Big League Dreams in Mansfield, Joshua Station in Joshua, and South Pointe in Mansfield. Municipal Law Public Law A.B. University of Berkeley 1975 J.D. Southern Methodist University School of Law 1986 State Bar of Texas, Administrative and Public Law and Government Lawyers Sections Tarrant County Bar Association, Women Attorneys Section Texas City Attorney Association Awards, Publications and Presentations Texas Municipal Annexation, Presented to the Texas City Managers Association, June, 2007

6 Jenny Gravley Associate Jenny was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and graduated from Texas Christian University, magna cum laude, with a degree in International Communications and minors in Spanish and English. She attended the University of Oklahoma College of Law and while in school, she participated in the University of Oklahoma s study abroad program at Brasennose College in Oxford, England. She also received a pro bono award for her work with Legal Aid. Prior to joining TOASE she worked at Evans, Daniel, Moore & Evans from 2007 until Jenny s current legal practice is focused on municipal law and she has extensive municipal court experience. She also conducts Attorney General certified Open Government training for City Boards and Officials. Municipal Public Information/Open Meetings Litigation BS Texas Christian University, Magna Cum Laude 2003 JD University of Oklahoma College of Law 2006 Am. Jur. Award, Torts II Recipient: Merit-Based Tuition Waiver Professional Affiliations & Memberships U.S. District Court, Northern, District of Texas State Bar of Texas Tarrant County Bar Association, Women Attorneys Section Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Board of Directors present Tarrant County Bar Association, Bench Bar Committee Chair, FW-TCYLA Spring Fiesta, 2011 TWU and TCYLA Mentor Program Awards, Publications & Presentations Voted a Top Attorney, Fort Worth, Magazine Co-Author, Local Oil & Gas Regulations And Upcoming Legislative Initiatives, Planning and Zoning for Lawyers, Planners and Public Officials Conference, June 2010 Speaker, Mis-session Legislative Update for the 82 nd Legislature, North Texas Municipal Clerks Association Professional Seminar, March 2010

7 Drew Larkin Associate Drew was born in Fort Worth, Texas in He graduated from St. Edward s University with a B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric. He attended St. Mary s University School of law where he obtained his J.D. Prior to joining TOASE, Drew s practice primarily consisted of representing several municipalities and economic development corporations in the Houston, Texas area. Municipal Law B.A. St. Edward s University 2002 J.D. St. Mary s University School of Law 2007 Professional Affiliations & Memberships State Bar of Texas Tarrant County Bar Association Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Texas City Attorneys Association

8 Lisa D. Mares Associate Lisa was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and was raised in Niagara Falls, New York and Sour Lake, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999 with a sociology major and a government minor. She received her joint degree in 2006, earning a Master s Degree in Public Policy from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to her legal career, she worked as an Elections Coordinator for the Travis County Clerk s Office and as an Assistant Committee Clerk for the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence of the Texas State Legislature. During the joint degree program, she was a policy intern for the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Mexican-American Legal Defense and al Fund, as well as a law clerk for the North Carolina Department of Justice, the North Carolina State Board of Elections and the Charlotte City Attorney s Office. Municipal Law Public Law University of Texas at Austin 1999 Duke University 2006 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2006 State Bar of Texas State Bar of North Carolina ( Inactive) Tarrant County Bar Association, Women Attorneys Section Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Hispanic Women s Network of Texas Fort Worth Mexican American Bar Association of Tarrant County Texas City Attorneys Association Awards, Publications & Presentations How Much Will That Substandard Building Demolition Really Cost You (Co-Author); Texas City Attorneys Association Issues and Pitfalls Before the Texas Ethics Commission (Co-Author); Suing and Defending Governmental Entities Boot Camp Conflicts of Interest Who is Your Client? (Co-Author); Suing and Defending Governmental Entities Boot Camp. 2010

9 Bryn D. Meredith Partner Bryn was born in Nyon, Switzerland in Before joining the firm, he worked as Assistant City Attorney for City of Corpus Christi from His primary area of practice is municipal law and is currently serving as City Attorney to the cities of Alvarado, Maypearl, Saginaw, Dish and Weston. In addition, he provides sophisticated guidance on all municipal oil and gas matters in the Barnett Shale including conducting Town Hall meetings as well as drafting, editing and amending mineral lease agreements. Municipal Law Oil and Gas B.A. Southern Methodist University 1995 JD St. Mary s University School of Law 1999 U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas State Bar of Texas Tarrant County Bar Association, Energy Section Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Texas City Attorneys Association

10 Wayne K. Olson Founding Partner Wayne was born in Lima, Peru in From 1979 until 1987, he was an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Fort Worth, working primarily on zoning, planning, and development matters. He currently serves as City Attorney for the cities of Euless, Lake Worth, Haltom City, Kennedale, and Cross Timber and as general counsel for the Tarrant County District. Wayne Olson has practiced his entire career representing governmental entities. His over thirty years of experience has enabled him to acquire a knowledge and understanding of the issues that confront public entities and allow him to provide useful insight on how these entities can best manage their issues. He takes pride in providing sound, useful legal advice on all aspects of operating a local governmental entity. Wayne has extensive experience in land use matters, including zoning, platting, and other development matters; regulation of sexually oriented businesses; inverse condemnation and takings; eminent domain; governmental immunity; employment law; and nuisance abatement. He has also represented dozens of local governmental entities on behalf of the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool on matters involving employment discrimination; wrongful arrest and use of excessive force; drainage and flooding liability; trespass; due process violations; First Amendment and other constitutional violations. In addition to various state trial courts, Wayne has practiced before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States District Courts of the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts, the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Courts of Appeal for the Fort Worth, Dallas and Eastland Districts. Representation of municipalities and other governmental entities Land use, including zoning, platting, and other development matters Municipal Employment Eminent Domain Litigation Defense Texas Tech University 1974 B.B.A. - Real Estate, Southern Methodist University 1976 J.D. University of Texas School of Law 1979 United States Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, 5 th and 11 th Circuits U.S. District Courts, Northern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas State Bar of Texas, Administrative and Public Law and Government Lawyers Sections Tarrant County Bar Association Texas City Attorney Association International Municipal Lawyers Association American Bar Association - State and Local Government and Government Lawyers Sections

11 Awards, Publications, Presentations and Activities Adjunct Professor, Texas Wesleyan School of Law, Fort Worth, Texas - Local Government Law, Spring 2011 Certified Open Government Training under Section , Texas Government Code Center for American and International Law - Planning and Zoning for Lawyers, Planners and Public Officials - Presentation on Local Oil and Gas Regulation and Upcoming Legislative Initiatives: What to Expect Now and in the Future, June 30, 2010 Past Employment Positions Fielding, Barrett & Taylor, LLP, Partner, Reynolds, Shannon, Miller, Blinn, White & Cook, Associate, City of Fort Worth, Assistant City Attorney,

12 Fredrick Fritz W. Quast Associate Fritz is a graduate of Baylor University Law School, where he served as an Articles Editor and Executive Editor for the Baylor Law Review. His law school honors include being a recipient of the Harry R. Jones Memorial and the Angus S. McSwain-Texas A&M University Scholarships, being inducted into Phi Delta Phi, and being a pupil in the Abner V. McCall American Inn of Court. After law school, he served as law clerk for the Honorable Terrie Livingston, Justice, Second District Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, from In 2010 and 2011, Fritz was recognized as a Rising Star in Government/Cities/ Municipalities by the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star Edition published by Law & Politics and the Texas Monthly. He was also recognized as a Top Attorney in Fort Worth in municipal law in the November 2010 edition of Fort Worth, Texas Magazine. Before law school, he attended Texas A&M University in College Station, where he proudly served as a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Texas Aggie Band. A fifth generation native Texan, he was born in Bryan, Texas, and was raised in the small central Texas town of Comanche. Appellate (Public Entities and Officials) Litigation (Public Entities and Officials) Annexation Condemnation and Inverse Condemnation Zoning and Land Use Nuisance Abatement/Substandard Structures Municipal Law Civil Rights First Amendment B.S. in Political Science, Texas A&M University 1997 J.D. Baylor University School of Law 2001 United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas United States District Court for the Western District of Texas United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit State Bar of Texas, Appellate and Government/Administrative Sections Tarrant County Bar Association, Appellate Section Bench Bar Conference Committee ( ) Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Texas City Attorneys Association Eldon B. Mahon American Inn of Court, Barrister (2007) Membership Committee Chairman ( )

13 Awards, Publications & Presentations Named a Rising Star in the area of Government/Cities/Municipalities by the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star Edition published by Law & Politics and The Texas Monthly for 2011 Named a Top Attorney in Municipal Law by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine for 2010 Co-Author, How Much Will That Substandard Building Demolition Really Cost You?, Texas City Attorneys Association Fall Meeting, Corpus Christi, October 2010 Named a Rising Star in the area of Government/Cities/Municipalities by the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star Edition published by Law & Politics and the Texas Monthly for 2010 Co-Author, Conflicts of Interest - Who is Your Client?, 2009 TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Attorney Workshop, Austin, August 2009 Panel Discussion on Municipal Regulation of Gas Drilling, Texas Wesleyan School of Law Energy Symposium, Fort Worth, March 2009 Panel Discussion on Urban Drilling and Relevant Legal Issues, 2009 Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Symposium, Austin, January 2009 Co-Author, Hot Topics in Regulating Development, State Bar of Texas, Suing and Defending Government Entities Conference, Austin, July 2008 Speaker, Texas Open Government & Ethics, Northeast Leadership Forum Council Boot Camp, Westlake, July 2004 Author, Does Morally Straight Mean Only Straight is Moral?: The First Amendment Versus Public Accommodation Laws in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 53 Baylor L. Rev. 507 (2001)

14 Tim G. Sralla Founding Partner Tim attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1979 with highest honors. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor fraternities and attended the University of Texas School of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif, and graduated with honors in Tim has practiced in Fort Worth since 1983, primarily in the areas of municipal law and appellate advocacy. He represents clients in many types of disputes, including actions alleging negligence and general torts, employment, zoning, takings, Fair Housing Act, fraud, violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, breach of contract and breach of warranty. He is currently serving as City Attorney to the cities of Southlake and Richland Hills. In addition to the various state trial courts, Tim has practiced before the United States District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. He has also appeared before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, and Federal Circuits, the Supreme Court of Texas and various State Courts of Appeals. Tim has served as an adjunct professor of law at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and serves as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Court of Appeals for the Second Appellate District of Texas, and as chair of the Appellate Section of the Tarrant County Bar Association. He has spoken at several seminars regarding various topics relating to appellate, trial practice and municipal law. Specialization Certifications Specialist in Civil Appellate law; Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1987 Public Entities Appellate B.A. University of Texas 1979 J.D. University of Texas 1982 U.S. Supreme Court Texas Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, and Federal Circuits. U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Texas Bar Association, Appellate and Government Lawyers Sections Tarrant County Bar Association, Appellate Section (former chair) Texas City Attorneys Association Awards, Publications and Presentations How Much Will That Substandard Building Demolition Really Cost You? (Speaker); Texas City Attorneys Association. Fall Conference 2010

15 E. Allen Taylor, Jr. Founding Partner Allen is a Fort Worth native and currently serves as City Attorney to the cities of Burleson, Southlake, Mansfield, and Cleburne. He is the former Chairman of the Plan Commission of the City of Fort Worth, a former member of the Zoning Commission of the City of Fort Worth, a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Local Government Studies of The Center for American and International Law and was previously a member of the Pre-Application Review Panel and the Section 208 Water Quality Advisory Committee of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. He has served as a speaker and panelist for a number of conferences and seminars in these fields and has authored a number of articles in the land use and development law area. Prior to embarking on a legal career, Allen Taylor served as Planning Director of the City of Edinburg, Texas, Director of Planning & Community Development of the City of Pharr, Texas, and the Director of Planning & Community Development for the City of Killeen, Texas. Public Law Municipal Law Land Use Law Master of Urban Planning, Texas A&M University 1973 B.A. Texas A & M University 1973 Master of Public Administration, Southwest Texas State University 1980 J.D. Baylor University School of Law 1983 Honors Cum Laude National Order of Barristers Law Review: Research and Topics Editor Texas Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals 5 th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals 10 th Circuit U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas U.S. District Court Western District of Texas Texas Bar Association, Administrative and Public Law and Litigation Sections Tarrant County Bar Association Institute for Local Government Studies of the Center for American and International Law American Planning Association Texas City Attorneys Association American Bar Association - State and Local Government and Environment, Energy and Resources Sections

16 Awards, Publications and Presentations Impact Enabling Legislation A New Approach to Exactions (Co-Author), Zoning and Planning Law Report, No. 11, Vol. 2, February, 1988 How to Develop Use Impact Fees Successfully, Institute on Planning, Zoning and Eminent Domain, 1988

17 Cara Leahy White Associate Cara is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of South Texas College of Law and currently serves as City Attorney to the City of Azle and the Towns of Edgecliff Village and Annetta North. In addition to Municipal Law, she focuses her practice on Personnel and Employment Law, providing advice and counsel to human resource professionals and front-line managers on all personnel matters, particularly disciplinary matters. She also drafts and reviews personnel policies and regularly provides training on all employment matters including sexual harassment prevention and supervisory training. Personnel and Employment Law Municipal Law Election Law B.B.A. Texas A&M University 1994 J.D. South Texas College of Law 1997 Honors: Suma Cum Laude and The Order of Lytae Law Review: Assistant Articles Editor U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit State Bar of Texas, Labor & Employment Law Section Tarrant County Bar Association, Labor & Employment and Women Attorneys Section Texas Municipal Human Resources ociety for Human Resources Management Texas City Attorneys Association Awards, Publications & Presentations Lifestyle Rights of Employees: Social Networking, Cell Phones, Cigarettes, and Off-duty Alcohol Use. Presented to Texas Council of Community Mental Health & Mental Retardation Centers (April 2010)

18 Steven A. Wood Associate Steven joined the firm as an Associate in March Prior to that time, he was employed by Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C., and practiced primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate, banking and school law. Since joining the firm, he has developed an extensive litigation practice, primarily involving the defense of municipalities, and has also served both nonprofit organizations and homeowners. Municipal law Municipal litigation Appellate law Wills and Probate Homeowners B.A. in Political Science, Baylor University 1996 J.D. St. Mary s University School of Law 2001 Professional Affiliations & Memberships State Bar of Texas, Labor & Employment Law, Litigation and Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Sections Tarrant County Bar Association Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Awards, Publications & Presentations Zoning Boards of Adjustment: Pitfalls to Avoid, presented at the Texas City Attorneys Association Summer Conference, June 2011 What Have I Gotten Myself Into?, presented at a joint meeting of City Councils of Joshua, Cleburne and Burleson, January 27, 2011 Gas Pipeline Litigation: The New Frontier, presented at the Texas Wesleyan School of Law Energy Symposium, April 15, 2010 Zoning Litigation, presented to the Midwest Texas Planning Association, September 2, 2009 Recent Federal Cases of Interest to Cities, presented to the Texas City Attorneys Association, June 2008

19 OF COUNSEL Daniel R. Barrett Dan was born in 1955, and graduated in 1975 from the University of Texas at Austin where he received a B.A. in Government. He received his J.D. degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates where he served as the Fort Worth Chapter President in 2002 and National Board director in He is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, Founding Fellow of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation, a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates Foundation, a former director of Texas Trial Lawyers Association ( ), past director and President of Tarrant County Trial Lawyer s Association, past director of Tarrant County Bar Association, former district director of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and past president of the Tarrant County Civil Trial Lawyers Association. Specialization Certifications Personal Injury Trial Law; Texas Board of Legal Specialization Civil Trial Advocate ; National Board of Trial Advocacy Commercial Litigation Business Torts Construction Defense Governmental Entity Litigation Legal Malpractice Breach of Fiduciary Duties Personal Injury Wrongful Death B.A. University of Texas at Austin 1975 J.D. Texas Tech School of Law 1979 US District Court for the Northern District of Texas US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas US Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit US Supreme Court Texas Bar Association, Litigation Section Tarrant County Bar Association Texas Bar Foundation American Board of Trial Advocates Texas Trial Lawyers Association - Associate Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association National Board of Trial Advocacy Martindale-Hubbell Awards, Publications & Presentations Author of the book Cheaper to Kill than to Maim: A Patient s Guide to Medical Malpractice in Texas, 2002

20 Authored journal and other articles and made invited presentations for such publications and organizations as the Texas Bad Faith Bulletin, Trial Advocacy in Texas, Texas Health Law Reporter, the American Board of Trial Advocates Masters in Trial, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Morning News, The Tarrant County Physician, The Fort Worth Business Press and others Named Super Lawyer Texas Monthly Super Lawyers each year since beginning of publication Member of the Texas House of Representatives December 2007 January 2009

21 Paul V. Previte Paul was born in Rome, NY in 1969, received his B.A. in English from the University of New York at Buffalo in 1991 and his J.D. from St. Mary's University School of Law in While attending St. Mary's, he was a Moot Court Octa-finalist and a member of the Phi Delta Phi Fraternity. A veteran of hundreds of trials, he is the Chief Prosecutor for over 20 municipal courts in North Texas and an Associate Judge for the Town of Pantego, Texas. In addition, he represents citizens accused of misdemeanor and felony crimes in the counties of Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Johnson, McKinney and Parker. His primary areas of practice include municipal defense, municipal prosecution, criminal defense, and general civil litigation. Municipal Prosecution for over 20 municipal courts General Civil Litigation Criminal Defense Municipal Defense B.A. University of Buffalo 1991 J.D. St. Mary's University School of Law 1994 U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas State Bar of Texas Tarrant County Bar Association Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association State Bar of Colorado State Bar of Pennsylvania State Bar of New York

22 Charlotte L. Staples Charlotte was born in Lubbock, Texas in She obtained her Bachelors of Arts degrees in Psychology and Communications from the University of North Texas in For many years she was employed with Child Protective Services and other social work organizations, and continues doing volunteer work for people in need. In 2011 CASA nominated her as CPS attorney ad litem of the year. While attending St. Mary s, she was president of their chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, International Legal Fraternity and clerked for Judge Robin Sage. She is a mediator trained in mediation, negotiations and family law mediation. Her primary area of practice for TOASE is municipal law. Municipal Law B.A. University of North Texas 1991 J.D. St. Mary s University School of Law 2002 U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section Tarrant County Bar Association

23 George A. Staples, Jr. George was born in Lynn County, Texas in He traces his ancestry to George Staples of Amherst County Virginia (now West Virginia) who came to Texas in 1858 to cowboy for his brother in law. His ancestor moved to Kerr County where he taught school before enlisting in the service of the Confederacy, survived that and named his three sons after officers he served under. His prewar correspondence with his father, Charles Staples, are treasured possessions of the subject of this resume, who happens to believe that history is wasted on the young. George received his B.A. in Government from North Texas State University and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in He began his practice in 1965 as an assistant city attorney for the City of Lubbock. He practiced in Victoria from , and in Tarrant County since He served as executive director of the Golden Crescent Council of Governments from He has served as Director of the Texas City Attorneys Association and a member of the Advisory Board of the Municipal Legal Studies Center of the Southwestern Legal Foundation, now The Center for American and International Law. He advises several economic development corporations (Art , Sec. 4A and 4B) and acts as city attorney for six cities, and is currently defending several cities in state and federal litigation involving takings and federal civil rights claims. He has an active trial and appellate litigation practice limited to the defense of cities and public officials in civil rights, personnel actions, eminent domain, zoning and other issues. Municipal Law Eminent Domain Civil Rights Employment Law Zoning Litigation B.A. North Texas State University J.D. University of Texas School of Law 1965 Texas Supreme Court Northern District of Texas Southern District of Texas Eastern District of Texas Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals United States Supreme Court State Bar of Texas Tarrant County Bar Association Texas City Attorneys Association Advisory Board of the Municipal Legal Studies Center of the Center for American and International Law Society

24 Kathleen Wells Kathleen is a Texas native and graduate of Midway High School in Waco. After graduation from University of Texas at Austin in 1971, she taught English and history in grades 7-11 in public schools in Austin and Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1979 she graduated with honors from law school at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where she won individual and team awards in moot court competitions. For over 20 years in private practice, Kathleen has tried lawsuits and appealed cases in state and federal courts. As Director of Legal Services at the Texas Association of School Boards in Austin, she supervised seven attorneys in providing legal and policy services to over 1,000 Texas school districts, community colleges, and regional education service centers. She served as the attorney for the TASB Legal Assistance Fund, coordinated membership and activities of the Texas Council of School Attorneys, consulted with Texas public school officials on legal issues, analyzed bills during legislative sessions, and wrote numerous legal articles and training materials. She has been a guest speaker at state and national seminars and trained school officials on legal topics, such as open meetings, open records, fraud prevention, employment contracts, procurement, conflicts of interest, and the No Child Left Behind Act of She has been active in state and local bar activities, including District 7A Grievance Committee and the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. Municipal Law School Law Employment Law Commercial Litigation Creditor Bankruptcy B.A. University of Texas 1971 J.D. Texas Tech School of Law with honors 1979 Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM) 2007 U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit State Bar of Texas, School Law Section Texas Council of School Attorneys Eldon Mahon Inn of Court Tarrant County Bar Association, Women Attorneys Section Texas City Attorneys Association National School Board Association Council of School Attorneys

25 LEGAL ASSISTANTS Rebecca D. Meek Rebecca was born in Fort Worth, Texas and attended Tarrant County College in Hurst, Texas. She received her Paralegal Certificate from the Professional Development Institute, University of North Texas in She has been involved primarily in the areas of Civil Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Corporate, and Insurance Defense. She is an active member of the Paralegal Division of State Bar of Texas. Legal Employment History: Naler & Casey; Morgan & Steves; Hooper & Chappell; Cantey, Hanger, Gooch, Munn & Collins; Jones, Pruitt, Marlow & Barrett; Law Offices of James P. Wagner; Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller; Fielding, Barrett & Taylor; Law offices of Daniel R. Barrett; and Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, L.L.P. Deb Pointer Born in Roswell, New Mexico, Deb attended Texas Woman s University in Denton, Texas, Fort Worth School of Business, and Tarrant County Junior College. She received her Paralegal Certificate from the Professional Development Institute through the University of North Texas. She has been involved primarily in Civil Litigation, including Insurance Defense; Workers Compensation; Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury; Toxic Torts; Mass Torts including breast implant litigation; Pharmaceutical litigation including Baycol, Bextra and Celebrex; Wrongful Death; Deceptive Trade Practices; Disability Insurance; Deceptive Products; and Securities Fraud. Legal Employment History: Fillmore & Camp; Camp, Jones, Johnson, O Neil, Hall & Bates; Watson & Caraway; Jose, Henry, Brantley & Keltner; Law Offices of John David Hart; and Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, LLP.

26 REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS TOASE represents the following municipalities as City Attorney: City of Aledo City of Alvarado Town of Annetta Town of Annetta North Town of Annetta South City of Aurora City of Azle City of Benbrook City of Blue Mound City of Bridgeport City of Burleson City of Cleburne City of Cross Timber City of Crowley Town of DISH Town of Edgecliff Village City of Euless City of Haltom City City of Haslet City of Hudson Oaks City of Joshua City of Kennedale City of Lake Worth City of Mansfield City of Maypearl City of North Richland Hills City of Ovilla City of Richland Hills City of River Oaks City of Saginaw City of Southlake City of Springtown City of Weston City of Westworth Village TOASE serves as General Counsel for the following entities: Dallas Metrocare Services Helen Farabee Regional M.H.M.R. Johnson County Central Appraisal District Mira Vista Homeowners Association Navarro County Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Tarrant County Tarrant County District Tarrant County Workforce Development Board d/b/a Work Advantage Texas Water Conservation Association Risk Management Fund TOASE serves as Special Counsel for the following: Callisburg I.S.D. City of Carrollton City of Cisco City of Corinth City of Frisco City of Granbury City of Justin City of Midland City of Weatherford City of White Settlement Fort Worth I.S.D. Lubbock Regional M.H.M.R. Center Texas Christian University Texas Council Risk Management Fund Town of Pantego TOASE provides Litigation services to the following: Texas Council Risk Management Fund Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool