Charles William “Bill” Blair passed away on Sept. 9, 2026. After earning with both his J.D. and MBA from Texas, Blair built an accomplished career at Kelly Hart, where he remained committed to pro bono work. A generous philanthropist, he established the Ruth K. Blair Endowment at Texas Law in honor of his mother.
Brian D. Miller has been confirmed by the United States Senate as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He was originally appointed to the position by the United States attorney general, then by the District Court pending the confirmation. Miller has held multiple government posts, including his most recent as special inspector general for pandemic recovery.
Brian D. Miller has been reappointed by the United States District Court to continue as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, until the vacancy is filled by the president. Miller was originally appointed to the post Oct. 27, 2025. He previously served as special inspector general for pandemic recovery. Miller’s interim appointment is for 120 days or until a presidential appointment is made, whichever occurs first.
Martin Sosland is joining the Dallas office of Vartabedian Hester & Haynes. Sosland’s extensive experience in bankruptcy and reorganization will add depth to the litigation boutique firm’s corporate restructuring and finance practice.
Bruce McCandless III, son of astronaut Bruce McCandless II—who flew missions in the Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs—released his latest book, “Star Bound,” on Jan. 1, 2025. The book centers on the history of human spaceflight and the American space program and is the latest of McCandless’s novels and nonfiction work.
Scott Aston passed away on March 10, 2025. A business litigation attorney for over 35 years in Dallas, Aston was repeatedly recognized as a Super Lawyer for his excellence and dedication to his clients.
Rob Walters has been appointed as independent director at Vistra, a leading Fortune 500 integrated retail electricity and power generation company based in Irving, Texas. Walters will serve on the Sustainability and Risk Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee.
Sol Villasana is a 2024 recipient of the Stan Golden Men of Action Award from the Southwest Jewish Congress. He is of counsel to White & Wiggins, LLP in Dallas.
William McClellan “Mac” Thornberry has been appointed to the board of directors of Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation. Thornberry represented the 13th district of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-2021.
William McClellan “Mac” Thornberry has been appointed to Booz Allen Hamilton’s board of directors. Thornberry represented the 13th district of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 1995 until January 2021.
John Beckworth received the 2024 Ernest Smith Lifetime Achievement Award at the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law (TJOGEL) Symposium. Beckworth has more than four decades of experience, demonstrating expertise in energy, litigation, and arbitration.
Demetrio Duarte Jr. has been selected as a Foundation Fellow by the San Antonio Bar Foundation. Duarte has more than 35 years of experience as a trial attorney at Duarte & Molina, PC and is board certified in criminal law.
Herlinda Rodriguez passed away June 7, 2023. Rodriguez focused on providing legal aid to the Hispanic community through her private practice. She also helped her husband establish a construction business.
Michael Slack has been appointed to the external advisory board of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University. A former NASA aerospace engineer, Slack focuses his practice on aviation accidents and recently was named the 2023 Distinguished Aggie Lawyer.
Michael Slack has been named one of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in San Antonio by Forbes Advisor. A former NASA aerospace engineer, Slack focuses on aviation accidents and is recognized as a national expert and advocate for improved aviation safety. He is managing partner and a co-founder of Slack Davis Senger.
Linda Turley has been named one of the Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Dallas by Forbes Advisor. Turley has nearly 40 years of experience pursuing product liability, medical malpractice, and many other types of negligence claims. She is an attorney at the Turley Law Firm in Dallas.
Billy Leonard, Jr. passed away on Oct. 1, 2022. He was a double Longhorn, having also earned his bachelor’s degree from UT. Leonard practiced primarily with Strasburger & Price, where he was a partner specializing in antitrust, bankruptcy, real estate, tax, environmental, and commercial litigation.
Camille Milner was recently named the 2020 Gay G. Cox Recipient for Excellence in Collaborative Law. The award was announced at the Collaborative Law Conference in Austin and is normally presented at the State Bar’s Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar in August each year. Milner was given the award for her leadership role in Collaborative Divorce Texas and for her commitment to growing the collaborative movement.
The nationally prestigious legal guide Best Lawyers in America has recognized four attorneys from the Rogge Dunn Group in its 2021 edition, including firm founder R. Rogge Dunn, JD ’83. Dunn has earned selection to the list since 2016. Dunn is being recognized for his commercial litigation and employment law management practice.
Steven Dahl Thomas passed away on June 21, 2018. Born August 25, 1952 in Lubbock, Texas, he was the oldest son of the late James Elbert Thomas and Joyce Dahl Thomas. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College (SF74) and a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin. In 1983 he joined the prestigious law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. After six years, he left the law firm and joined Financial Security Assurance as Associate General Counsel.
The National Trial Lawyers has listed Demetrio Duarte, Jr., as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for his work in criminal law.
Alumnus, adjunct faculty member, and dear friend Mark Kincaid ’83 has passed away. A partner in George Brothers Kincaid & Horton LLP, he was the president-elect of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
At its Annual Membership Meeting last week, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) elected Austin attorney Mark L. Kincaid as its 2016 President-Elect.