Alumni Association Executive Committee Appoints New Leadership and Members

The Texas Law Alumni Association Executive Committee (AAEC) has named its 2025 leaders and members, including 12 new appointees. The Honorable Chari Kelly ’02 will lead the committee as president following her recent term as vice president. She steps into the role previously held by Blair Richardson Loocke ’06, who now transitions to immediate past president. The Honorable Rudy Metayer ’06 has been appointed vice president.

Comprised of 43 Texas Law alumni from across the country, the AAEC works alongside law school staff to guide and shape the Alumni Association, which includes over 27,000 graduates of the law school.

In addition to spearheading alumni engagement and initiatives, the AAEC oversees eight regional networks based in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Houston, New York, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C., each led by a regional committee chair.

View the full list of AAEC members.

2025 AAEC Leadership

The Honorable Chari Kelly ’02
President

The Honorable Chari KellyThe Honorable Chari L. Kelly ’02 serves on the Third Court of Appeals in the state of Texas. Before her election to the Third Court, she worked as an assistant district attorney for both Comal and Travis counties where she handled all aspects of felony prosecution. Named the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Prosecutor of the Year for Travis County in 2018, she has tried more than 35 jury trials, including aggravated sexual assault of a child, attempted capital murder, and kidnapping. A U.S. Army veteran and former paratrooper, Kelly was a previous captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps at Fort Hood and is certified by the United States Naval Justice School to defend death penalty cases.

Kelly is also deeply involved in the Texas Law community and has served as an adjunct professor and lecturer for the Advocacy Department for over 15 years. More than teaching, she volunteers with the 1L Mentoring Program, participates in Center for Women in Law activities, and guest-coaches and judges for several moot court competitions. She and her husband Adam Schramek ’01 currently live in Austin, Texas, and together, they have established an endowed scholarship at the law school.

Blair Richardson Loocke ’06
Immediate Past President

Blair Richardson Loocke ’06Richardson Looke previously was a trial lawyer at the international firm Bracewell LLP based in Houston. Her practice focused predominantly on matters arising in the energy industry, prosecuting mass torts, and disputes involving alleged violations of securities laws (including representing public companies, officers and directors, and special committees). In addition to her professional experience, Richardson is actively involved in her community, including her service as a Steering Committee member of the Houston Botanic Garden.

Richardson Looke is further involved at Texas Law through serving on her Reunion Class Committee and the Houston Regional Steering Committee.

A double Longhorn, Blair Richardson Loocke ’06 earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Plan II Honors Program. She is married to Bryan Loocke, a 2002 Texas Law graduate.

The Honorable Rudy Metayer ’06, Vice PresidentThe Honorable Rudy Metayer ’06

The Honorable Rudy K. Metayer is an accomplished attorney and public servant based in Texas. He serves as trial counsel at Chamberlain McHaney, where he represents state agencies and other governmental entities in a broad range of legal matters. He also is an adjunct professor at Texas Law, advising students in the Advocacy Program.

His dedication to public service is evident through his role as a council member for the City of Pflugerville, Texas. Metayer has been recognized for his leadership and community involvement, including his induction as a director of the Texas Lyceum in January 2024. His professional affiliations are extensive, encompassing positions such as vice president of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members, former Chair of the African American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas, and board memberships with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including the African American Lawyers Section Trailblazer Award in 2022 and recognition as one of Austin’s Top Attorneys by Austin Monthly magazine in 2024.

Metayer is a triple Longhorn who also holds a Bachelor of Arts from UT and a Master in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

Regional Leadership

*Denotes a new member.

Austin
The Honorable Jessica Mangrum ’02, Chair
Jorge Padilla ’07, Co-Chair*

Dallas
Jamil Bata ’15, Chair
Casey Shomaker ’18, Co-Chair*

Denver
Kayla Dreyer ’07, Chair*

Fort Worth
Caitlyn E. Hubbard ’15, Chair

Houston
Chris Watt ’01, Chair
Jamila S. Mensah ’06, Co-Chair

New York
Jeff Melsheimer ’21, Chair
Vincent A. Recca ’17, Co-Chair*

San Antonio
The Honorable Elizabeth Chestney ’02, Chair
The Honorable Stacy Sharp ’06, Co-Chair*

Washington, D.C.
Nick McCoy ’17, Chair
Diana Rudd ’15, Co-Chair*

 

AAEC New Members

Brittany Perkins Castillo ’13
Andrea Boyd Fair ’11
Kelly Hanen ’16
The Honorable Renee Rodriguez-Betancourt ’05
Andrea Sparrow ’97
Kennon L. Wooten ’04