Class Notes

Porter Hedges announced today that James T. Thompson has joined the firm as a partner in the energy section in Houston. Mr. Thompson represents a wide spectrum of energy companies, including majors, independents, oilfield service providers and royalty owners in the purchase and sale of energy assets and in connection with their exploration and development activities. His practice also includes the negotiation, preparation and implementation of all types of oil and gas-related agreements, along with litigation support on disputes involving upstream and midstream energy issues.

Bowman and Brooke LLP has re-elected Kelly Kimbrough as managing partner of the firm’s Austin office.

Jackson Walker congratulates Brad Nitschke for his selection to the “Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list by Thomson Reuters. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor. The annual selections are made using a multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

Jonathan Pelayo was elected to the partnership of Locke Lord in Houston, Texas, in January 2016. Jonathan serves in the commercial disputes practice group with a focus on construction and oil & gas litigation.

Fish & Richardson has announced that Betty Chen has been appointed Global Hiring Principal. Chen will be in charge of hiring legal talent for all 11 of Fish’s U.S. offices, as well as its office in Munich, Germany. She previously served as recruiting principal of the firm’s Silicon Valley office.

President Obama recently nominated James Wesley Hendrix to serve on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. James Wesley Hendrix has been the Chief of the Appellate Division for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas since 2012, and he has served as an Assistant United States Attorney since 2007. Since 2015, he has also served on the Appellate Chiefs Working Group for the United States Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.

Benjamin DeMarsh has joined Berlin Patten Ebling PLLC, the ninth attorney in the firm’s expanding practice with offices in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota and Venice. He will join the firm’s litigation department and primarily practice in the areas of residential and commercial real property related litigation.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP congratulates Katie Coleman for inclusion in Texas Rising Stars® 2016 by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP congratulates Bryan Garner for his inclusion in Texas Rising Stars® 2016 by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP congratulates Ashley Phillips for her inclusion in Texas Rising Stars® 2016 by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP congratulates Matt Mitzner for his inclusion in Texas Rising Stars® 2016 by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP congratulates Micah Prude for his inclusion in Texas Rising Stars® 2016 by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

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.

Phelps Dunbar LLP is pleased to announce that Marcus R. Tucker has joined its Houston, Texas office as a partner practicing in the areas of admiralty, litigation and insurance. Tucker’s practice includes the defense and investigation of claims resulting from oilfield and maritime casualties, construction defects, personal injury and transportation related accidents. His practice also involves the litigation of commercial disputes through trial and arbitration. Mr. Tucker litigates and provides advice on contractual indemnity and insurance coverage issues on behalf of both corporate clients and insurance companies. He joins the firm from Royston Rayzor where he was partner.

Center for Women in Law founder Carrin Patman was recently appointed Chair of the Houston Metro Board.

Jackson Walker congratulates Lauren Mutti for her selection to the “Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list by Thomson Reuters. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor. The annual selections are made using a multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

Jackson Walker congratulates Mike Laussade for his selection to the “Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list by Thomson Reuters. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor. The annual selections are made using a multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

Jackson Walker congratulates Amanda Bush for her selection to the “Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list by Thomson Reuters. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor. The annual selections are made using a multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

Jackson Walker congratulates Shannon Zmud Teicher for her selection to the “Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list by Thomson Reuters. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor. The annual selections are made using a multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The list will be published in the April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly.

William Barber was recently named one of the nation’s tops trademark attorneys in the 2016 edition of World Trademark Review 1000. Barber was awarded Gold status nationally for Enforcement and Litigation as well as Silver status nationally in the category of Prosecution and Strategy. He was also awarded Gold status for the state of Texas.

Bracewell LLP is pleased to announce the election of Jay Yates to the partnership. Yates is an intellectual property litigator with a focus on patent litigation. He represents clients in the energy, retail, e-commerce, banking, internet, and software industries. His trial experience includes heavy patent jurisdictions, as well as arbitration and mediation on behalf of clients in trade secret, patent and commercial disputes.

Bracewell LLP is pleased to announce the election of Jason G. Cohen to the partnership. Cohen represents corporate debtors, as well as junior and senior creditors in corporate debt restructurings. His experience includes negotiating out-of-court workouts and litigating in-court Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases with assets ranging from $20 million to more than $1 billion. Cohen has often advised parties on debt and equity financing, as well as asset sales.

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

Brett T. Berly, shareholder in national law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka, has been elected Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation (TBF). TBF Fellows are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Election to this prestigious group is a mark of distinction and recognition of Berly and Cantrell’s contributions to the legal profession.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon Miami Partner Ken Reilly has been named 2016 Client Service All-Stars by BTI Consulting Group. Reilly was recognized for their work in product liability and is among 316 attorneys named across the country this year, all recommended by general counsel and legal decision-makers for “outperforming all other attorneys” in client service. In December, BTI Consulting Group also recognized the firm as a whole, placing Shook at No. 42 on list, BTI Client Service A-Team 2016: The Survey of Law Firm Client Service Performance.

Texas Law alum, ’96 Katherine Ginzburg Treistman has been named a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, one of the premier legal associations in Texas. Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Election is a mark of distinction and recognition of Katherine’s contributions to the legal profession.

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.

Jackson Walker LLP announces the election of Cale McDowell to the firm’s partnership. Cale McDowell represents public and private companies, executives, investors, and investment fund sponsors in a broad array of engagements, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, the structuring and formation of private equity funds and other entities, offerings of debt and equity securities, and general corporate governance, securities and transactional matters.

Julia Taylor, ’06, has rejoined Dentons, the global firm, as a partner in the Kansas City Real Estate practice. In her role, Taylor will advise clients on a broad range of real estate matters including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development, multifamily, construction and financing of retail, office and industrial properties.

Casey Kaplan, ’07, joined Nike, Inc., in Beaverton, Oregon, as Assistant General Counsel for Litigation and Internal Investigations in the summer of 2015.

Andrea Fair welcomed a new baby boy, Everett Thomas Fair, on January 14. Baby Everett weighed in at 9 lbs 4 oz and 21.5 inches long.

Vinson & Elkins has bolstered its highly regarded Finance Practice Group with the addition of partner Trevor Wommack, who focuses his practice on syndicated lending in the energy sector. Wommack, who joins the firm from Bracewell, will be based in V&E’s Houston office.

Gary E. Zausmer joins ENOCH KEVER PLLC, bringing strong commercial litigation expertise. Gary has been a prominent litigator in Texas for decades since serving as United States District Judge James R. Nowlin’s initial briefing attorney.

Noel Harwerth has joined the board of Sirius Minerals Plc. as a non-executive director.

Giordani, Swanger, Ripp & Phillips recently named Steven D. Baker as its newest partner. With a background in accounting, Mr. Baker counsels individuals and fiduciaries in a wide variety of estate and business succession, charitable giving, and estate and trust administration matters. He is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in Estate and Trust Law by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. He’s been with GSRP for two years.

Joshua W. Golden, senior counsel with Wilson Cribbs & Goren, PC in Houston, has been board-certified in Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS).

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.

In October of 2009, Mary Fuentes Valdez and a colleague, Brenda Lee Knowles (University of Houston School of Law) formed YTIA (Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to assist youths leaving State foster care. The organization is doing great work in the community.

Art Brender was presented with the Tarrant County Bar Association’s highest honor, the Blackstone Award, given in recognition of a career that exemplifies professional aptitude, integrity and courage. Brender earned a B.A. in History, as well as his J.D. from The University of Texas.

Sarah Scott was just hired by Coats Rose, P.C. as an Associate in the Affordable Housing practice group in the Austin office.

Julien Devereux Weeks, 80, retired Senior Public Service Associate with the Carl E. Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia and active community volunteer, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. He received his B.A. in Political Science and J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. His father, Oliver Douglas Weeks, was a UT political science professor until his death in 1970.

Kourtney Mueller Merrill, who received a J.D. with honors, Order of the Coif from The University of Texas School of Law in 2005, has been promoted to partner at law firm Perkins Coie. Kourtney is a member of Perkins’s Coie’s is a member of the firm’s Patent Litigation practice in the Denver office. Her work focuses on patent infringement litigation, inter partes review (IPR), and related intellectual property claims.

Brooks Pierce has named Reid Phillips as the firm’s managing partner, effective January 1. He follows Ed Winslow, who had led the firm since 2000.

Phillips, one of North Carolina’s top litigators, has served on the firm’s management committee since 2003 and as the firm’s general counsel since 2000. He will continue to actively practice law while providing strategic leadership and guidance to Brooks Pierce, which has more than 90 attorneys in Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington.

Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce Melissa M. Davis has joined the Firm’s Austin office as Counsel in the Trial Practice Group.

Christopher T. Borniger was elected to partnership with the firm Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chtd. The firm has offices in Wichita and Topeka, Kan.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Chicago; and Cleveland. Chris focuses his practice in the areas of civil litigation, financial services, bankruptcy, real estate, and title matters. He also recently joined the board of directors of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, a nonprofit hospice based in Wichita.

Reid C. Wilson, a shareholder with Wilson Cribbs & Goren PC, has been selected to the 2015 Texas Super Lawyers list as a top rated Land Use & Zoning attorney in Houston.

Ewell, Brown & Blanke LLP is pleased to announce that Joseph R. Knight has joined the firm as a partner and the firm has changed its name to Ewell, Brown, Blanke & Knight LLP.

FordHarrison LLP on Monday said that the former managing partner of its Dallas office, who left last year for Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC, has come full circle, making her way back to the management-side labor and employment firm. Buena Vista Lyons, who moved to Ogletree last September, rejoined the firm’s Dallas office as a partner on Monday.

Vianei Lopez Braun joined Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP as a Partner in Labor & Employment Law, and she will be dividing her time between the Fort Worth and Houston offices.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce Travis Youngblood has been selected as an Emerging Leader in Healthcare by Real Estate Forum magazine.