Class Notes

Tom Royce Doyal has passed away. A double Longhorn and U.S. Army veteran, Doyal’s law practice represented school districts across the state of Texas throughout his career.

Arthur Nathan has joined Dykema’s Houston office, bringing his expertise in corporate and partnership transactions. Recognized by Chambers USA for his work in Corporate/M&A, Nathan was previously a partner at Jones Day and Haynes & Boone.

James Gosdin has been appointed head of direct underwriting at AmTrust Title Insurance Company in Houston. Previously, he served as senior vice president and chief underwriting counsel for Stewart Title Guaranty Company and has underwritten title insurance transactions nationwide.

Andrew Kever has joined the Specialized Advocacy practice group at Butler Snow in Austin. Kever, who has served as an advocate and counselor for the electric and communication industries for many years, previously practiced at Enoch Kever.

Stephen Howell has joined Cantey Hanger’s transportation practice area in the firm’s Fort Worth office. Howell specializes in aviation litigation and is a certified mediator and a member of the Defense Research Institute.

Scott Rozzell was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lone Star Flight Museum. As a member of the museum’s Board of Directors, Rozzell was integral in the reimagining and relocation of the museum following Hurricane Ike in 2008. He spent much of his career at Baker Botts, ending his tenure there as a senior partner, then worked another 13 years at CenterPoint Energy as executive vice president of general counsel and corporate secretary.

Arthur M. Nathan, a director in the Houston office of Kane Russell Coleman Logan, has been named a 2024 Texas Super Lawyer in mergers and acquisitions.

Ronald R. Scott passed away on August 18, 2024. Scott was a partner at Bracewell, leading significant litigation matters such as the firm’s representation of school districts as plaintiffs in asbestos remediation cases and helping open the firm’s New York office.

Joe W. Redden, Jr. was named a 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in the specialty area of Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants by The Best Lawyers in America. Redden, founding partner emeritus of Beck Redden LLP, enjoyed a 48-year career as a trial lawyer before retiring in January 2024.

Robert “Bob” Scheske, a lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Air Force, passed away on August 11, 2024.  He was the longest-serving county attorney for Gonzales County (1981-2008). Scheske was recognized with the David B. Walshak Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 for his lifelong service and contributions by the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce.

Norvell Ford “N.F.” Jackson passed away on Feb. 9, 2024. Atter working in his family business, Jackson dedicated himself to 23 years of service in the Navy, followed by an additional four years in the judicial system as the Superior Court administrator, county clerk, and court commissioner in Bellingham, Washington.

Pete Schenkkan has been appointed to serve as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee for the Supreme Court of Texas. Schenkkan specializes in regulatory and other public policy litigation at Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody.

Richard R. Orsinger has been appointed to serve as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee for the Supreme Court of Texas. Orsinger is a partner at Orsinger Nelson Downing Anderson as one of Texas’ top family law and appellate lawyers.

Joe Redden has announced his retirement from Beck Redden and the practice of law. Redden, founding partner emeritus of Beck Redden LLP, enjoyed a 48-year career as a trial lawyer and was elected to fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1995.

Richard R. Orsinger has been named a Best Divorce Lawyer in San Antonio for 2023 by Forbes. Orsinger has more than 40 years of experience in family and appellate law and has been previously honored in the State Bar of Texas Family Law Hall of Legends.

Wayne Haglund has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer for his work in school law for the 20th consecutive year. Haglund established the Haglund Law Firm and has provided legal services to more than 60 Texas school districts.

Joe W. Redden Jr. was named a 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigator in America. Redden is a founding partner at Beck Redden LLP and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Joe W. Redden, Jr. has been included in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. Redden is a trial lawyer at Beck Redden LLP and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Arthur M. Nathan has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for Tax Law. Nathan is a Director in the Houston office of Kane Russell Coleman Logan P.C., where he focuses on corporate and partnership transactions, mergers and acquisitions.

At the 35th Annual Texas Environmental Superconference, Jeff Civins was honored by the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas with the creation of the Jeff Civins Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizing his long-time dedication to the section. Civins has chaired the conference since its inception, developed and co-edits the Thomson Reuters two-volume treatise on Texas environmental law, and has been an adjunct professor at the law school for more than 30 years.

Nancy Wilmeth has passed away. After spending two years in the Peace Corps, Wilmeth attending Texas Law, then worked in a legal position in East Texas. She later returned to UT to earn her master’s degree in social work before working as an elementary school counselor for many years.

David Robert Sorrell passed away on Feb. 19, 2023. Sorrell started his legal career as a trial lawyer before co-founding the firm Sorrell & Moak, where he remained until 1994. He went on to serve as an assistant district attorney for three different counties, with a stint as the patient’s attorney at Rusk State Hospital.

William “Bill” McCann passed away on Dec. 28, 2022. McCann served in the U.S. Navy until he shifted to the legal field as a partner at Snakard & Gambill for more than 45 years.

John C. Boston passed away on Nov. 7, 2022. Boston served in the U.S. Marines and also was an airline pilot prior to attending Texas Law. In his legal career, he worked as an enforcement attorney for the Texas Real Estate Commission, in private general practice, and as executive director of the continuing legal education program at the State Bar of Texas.

Chief Justice Josh Morriss III was honored as a Distinguished Alumni by the Texarkana Independent School District Board of Trustees and administration. Morriss is the chief justice on the Texas Sixth District Court of Appeals.

Joe Redden, Jr. was recognized as a 2022 Texas Super Lawyer and in the inaugural guide of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America. Redden is a trial lawyer and serves as of counsel in the Houston office of Beck Redden.

Boyd Herndon, formerly Director of Research Compliance at the University of North Texas, has retired.

Joe W. Redden, Jr.  has been recognized in 2021 Texas Super Lawyers for his work with Civil Litigation, Defense. This annual award listing is based on peer recognition and professional achievements and published by Thomson Reuters. Redden is of counsel with Beck Redden LLP.

Joe W. Redden, Jr. has been recognized in the 2022 The Best Lawyers in America ranking of the nation’s top legal talent. He is Of Counsel with Beck Redden who specializes in Personal Injury Litigation.

Joe Beck Hairston passed away August 30, 2020 in Austin, at age of 82. Joe served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1964. Joe practiced school law over five decades, most notably with the firm he co-founded in Austin, now known as Walsh Gallegos. While working as a staff attorney at the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Joe was a principal author of the TASB Policy Reference Manual, a legally based management manual for Texas public school districts. He was also an avid traveler, having visited more than 100 countries on 6 continents.

James Crain passed away on July 1, 2021. Crain began his professional career as a Partner at Jenkens & Gilchrist Law Firm, where he headed the Energy Section. Starting in 1989, he served as President of Marsh Operating Company. In 1997 he became a general partner of Valmora Partners LP and later joined Yorktown Partners. Crain also served on the Board of Directors for many public energy companies, including Enlink Midstream, Approach Resources, Crusader Energy Group and others.  Crain earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Juris Doctorate degrees at UT Austin. He was an editor of the Texas Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif.

Nancy Jane Moore’s second novel, “For the Good of the Realm,” will be published June 1 by Seattle’s Aqueduct Press. Unlike her first book, the science fiction first contact novel, “The Weave” (also published by Aqueduct), there are no lawyers in this book, but there are swordswomen and witches.

Texas Super Lawyers has again recognized Beck Redden LLP in its 2020 annual award listing, featuring 16 lawyers including Joe W. Redden, Jr., who specializes in defense of civil litigation.

Steven Paul Boney passed away surrounded by his family on May 25, 2020. He was a double Longhorn and a proud Austinite for more than 50 years. For 44 years, Boney served as a criminal defense attorney. He was a regular volunteer for Legal Aid in Austin, constantly committed to helping others in need. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations may be made in Boney’s name to the ALS Association of Texas.

Thomas Baker Greene III passed away on March 10, 2020. Greene spent many years as a successful litigator. He was a partner at the firms of Crain, Winters, Deaton, James & Briggs (now Crain Caton & James); Ware, Snow, Fogel, Jackson & Greene; and Kajander & Greene. Greene spent his final years as a solo practitioner. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rice University, Office of Development MS-81, P. O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892 or Main Street Theater, 2540 Times Blvd., Houston, TX 77005.

Joe W. Redden, Jr. was named in the 2021 Best Lawyers in America. He specializes in Personal Injury Litigation.

Langley & Banack, Inc. attorney Stephen Walraven was recently named Fellow to the American College of Coverage Counsel. The College is comprised of more than 300 highly experienced and recognized U.S. and Canadian lawyers involved in representing the interests of both insurers and policyholders.

Joe W. Redden was recognized in the annual Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2016 directory. Redden was specifically recognized for his work in General Commercial litigation.

Robert Curry has been listed as a Band 1 attorney by Chambers USA and is also included on the recognition lists published by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.