Class Notes

Kermit W. Fox, Jr. passed away on Dec. 5, 2022. An Austin native, Fox had a private practice in the San Antonio area and served in the legal field for 30 years.

David Walter Nelson passed away on Nov. 8, 2022. Nelson was a double Longhorn having earned his bachelor’s degree from UT and playing on the varsity tennis team. He practiced law at McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore before joining and becoming the managing partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld in Austin, where he remained for 24 years.

Keith Tucker passed away on Feb. 13, 2022, at the age of 77. Tucker was a “double Longhorn,” earning both his undergraduate degree from UT as well as his Juris Doctor. A specialist in tax law, during his career, he worked as a partner and national insurance director at KPMG, vice president of corporate finance at Stephens Inc., and CEO of Waddell & Reed Inc.

Robert Gene “Rusty” Russell passed away on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. Russell graduated from law school in 1970, served in the Air Force, and had a long legal career, including serving as an administrative law judge for the State of Texas and teaching law at a local college.

Michael Charles O’Connor passed away on Sept. 13, 2021 in Houston. O’Connor graduated first in his class from The University of Texas School of Law, with the distinction of Chancellor and Order of the Coif. He began his legal career at Vinson and Elkins before starting his own law firm in Houston, where he continued to practice law for over 35 years.

Larry E. McCarver died on Feb. 6, 2021, at his home in Newport, Rhode Island, surrounded by his family. McCarver grew up in Corsicana, Texas, and kept in close touch with high school friends throughout his life. A double Longhorn, he earned a BA in History and a JD at Texas Law. He earned his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona and eventually moved his family to Newport where he made career in international sales for 45 years with TACO Comfort Solutions. The family asks you to celebrate Larry’s life by loving your family with all your heart, making friends and family laugh; sneaking treats to your dog; and being patient, kind, and loving.

John Timberman “Tim” Carssow, died at home in North Carolina of pancreatic cancer on Dec. 12, 2020. Carssow graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1967 and The University of Texas School of Law in 1970, where he was Project Editor of the Texas Law Review. He spent his entire 36-year legal career with the Atlanta law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton. During his tenure as Managing Partner (1996-2001) Carssow led the firm (then known as Kilpatrick and Cody) in its 1997 merger with the North Carolina firm of Petree, Stockton & Robinson.

Louis Palma McKee Whittenburg passed away October 19, 2020, at the age of 74 from complications of Parkinson’s. Whittenburg obtained his JD from Texas Law in 1970 where he was editor of the Law Review. He practiced law in Amarillo, Texas for nearly 49 years alongside his brother, George Allen Whittenburg, II. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org) or the charity of your choice.

Best Lawyers in America© has recognized Roger B. Greenberg as a 2021 Lawyer of the Year for his work in arbitration. Greenberg has earned selection to the Best Lawyers list since 2015 for his practice in the areas of commercial litigation and arbitration. Mr. Greenberg, a founding member of Sponsel Miller Greenberg PLLC, also teaches arbitration as an adjunct professor at South Texas College of Law Houston.

Noted trial lawyer Sam D. Sparks of San Angelo died Aug. 31, 2020, following a heroic battle with Pancreatic cancer. Sparks had been a partner in the law firm of Webb, Stokes & Sparks, LLP since 1972. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association where he served as a Director for many years. Sparks was considered to be a passionate advocate for his clients and active within his own community.

Submitted by brother, Carlton Carl: Colin Joseph (CJ) Carl, 76, died on March 22, 2020. He graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude (BA) and The University of Texas Law School (entered in class of 1968, but graduated later), after which he clerked for Federal District Judge William Wayne Justice. He served on the Opinions Committee in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and worked for other state agencies before retiring from the State a number of years ago.

Ed Pfiester wrote and directed Blanche, a feel good movie about old friends and second chances. Blanche also stars The University of Texas School of Law alumnus Clifford Hardwick ’73, as one of its main cast members. It is now available on Amazon Prime, iTunes and Vimeo Video.

After a long illness, Eric Lacktman passed away at 76 on May 13, 2019.

John Flynn was listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 for his work in Litigation Construction and Construction Law.

Cullen M. “Mike” Godfrey of College Station received the 2017 Lola Wright Foundation Award from the Texas Bar Foundation. The Lola Wright Foundation Award, established in 1985, is presented in memory of Coleman Gay, who was a distinguished Texas lawyer and who exemplified the highest standards of professional ethics. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding public service in advancing and enhancing legal ethics in Texas. Mr. Godfrey will be publicly recognized at the Texas Bar Foundation Annual Dinner held on June 23, 2017 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. He has selected Voices for Children, Casa of the Brazos Valley to receive a $5,000 donation in honor of his acceptance of the Lola Wright Foundation Award.

John Flynn has been selected to Best Lawyers in America for Litigation-Construction and Construction Law.

Kelly Frels’70, former President of the State Bar of Texas, has been awarded the 2016 Civic Leadership Award by the Center for Houston’s Future.

Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to congratulate Timothy R. Brown, who was named to the 2016 Who’s Who Legal 100. Brown was recognized for his work in energy law.

Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to congratulate Larry Hicks, who was named to the 2016 Who’s Who Legal 100. Hick was recognized for his work in real estate law.