Class Notes

Salvador “Sal” Davila, an attorney in the Austin office of Littler, has been voted president-elect of the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin. In his practice at Littler, Davila advises and represents employers, focusing on matters involving discrimination, retaliation, workplace safety and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance. In addition to serving in a leadership role for HBAA, Davila is a chairperson on the Board of Directors of the Austin Young Lawyers Association.

Jared Hoggan, an intellectual property associate at Gray Reed & McGraw’s Dallas office, has been named a Rising Star for 2017 by Texas Super Lawyers. Texas Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars recognizes up-and-coming attorneys who are either 40-years old and younger or have been practicing for 10 years or less. This distinction is given to only two percent of young attorneys in Texas.

John C. Heintz, based in the Latham & Watkins LLP Los Angeles office, was promoted to partner, effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Heintz is a member of the firm’s Environment, Land & Resources Department. His practice focuses on infrastructure and project siting, environmental regulatory compliance and environmental litigation for energy, manufacturing and developer clients. He has particular experience in the areas of contaminated properties, air and water quality.

Dwayne W. Smith, a member of Gardner & Smith, PLLC, has been named the 2016 Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County by the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. He will be honored by the Tarrant County Bar Association at its Law Day award dinner on May 3, 2016.The Outstanding Young Lawyer award recognizes a young lawyer (age 36 or younger) who demonstrates professional excellence, a reputation for the advancement of legal ethics and professional responsibility, and service to the profession, bar, and community. Mr. Smith will be considered for the statewide Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas Award that will be given at this year’s annual State Bar convention.

Jaime Vasquez was recently promoted to income shareholder by the national law firm, Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Vasquez is a successful tax and tax controversy attorney representing clients in federal, state and international transactional and tax controversy matters. He is Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, holds a CPA license and previously worked with a “Big Four” accounting firm, and either holds or previously held positions of leadership in several organizations, including the Tax Section of the State Bar of Texas, the US Tax Court Pro Bono Program, the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Legal Education Fund, and the Mexican American Bar Association of San Antonio. He was named one of the 2015 40 und

Jackson Walker LLP announces the election of Matthew Swantner to the firm’s partnership. Matthew J. Swantner focuses his practice on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, oil and gas matters, creditor’s rights, mineral and construction liens, and bankruptcy matters throughout Texas and New Mexico.

Elise Harriger, ’08 and Matt Harriger, ’10, welcomed their twins, Evaline and Wiley, in February 2015.

Beginning this month, Stephanie Potter, a Partner at Naman Howell Smith & Lee PLLC, will lead the Mother Attorney Mentoring Association as its President, taking the reins from Lauren Schoenbaum of the Schoenbaum Firm, PLLC. Potter has been actively involved with MAMAs for over four years.

Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce Counsel Robert Vartabedian and Associate Conrad D. Hester have joined the Firm’s Fort Worth office in the Trial Practice Group.

“Both Rob and Conrad bring legal expertise in the oil, gas, and energy industry, which is highly valued by our many of our clients,” said Greg W. Curry, the Firm’s Trial Practice Group Leader. “They will make an excellent addition to our team.”