Class Notes

David E. Arnold passed away on March 23, 2025. David began his career at the firm Winters, Deaton, Briggs & Britton in Houston and retired from Arnold & Ellwood in 2012.

Aleza Remis has joined Hicks Thomas’ Houston office as senior counsel. She previously was the assistant deputy chief of the U.S. Department of Justice Health Care Fraud Unit.

Hubert Turner Odom Jr. passed away on April 13, 2025. Board-certified in commercial, real estate, and farm and ranch law, Hubert spent more than 50 years in private practice and served as general counsel to The Avera Companies, working alongside his family.

Ronald “Ronny” Krist passed away on April 21, 2025. Krist devoted himself to his legal practice, receiving numerous awards and distinctions at the state and national levels for his work with personal injury law, including the landmark case Turner v. General Motors. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Alum Award in 2006.

Andrew L. Kerr has received the Texas Bar Foundation’s 2025 Outstanding 50-Year Lawyer Award. He began his legal career as a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force and has continued his litigation practice in San Antonio, where he currently serves at Clark Hill.

Luke Soules has received the Texas Bar Foundation’s 2025 Outstanding 50-Year Lawyer Award. He practiced as a business and commercial trial and appellate attorney in San Antonio for 57 years, including 30 years of service on the Supreme Court of Texas’ Rules Advisory Committee.

Ralph Eugene “Gene” Storrs passed away on April 27, 2025. Gene dedicated more than 50 years to practicing criminal law in Amarillo, where he was known for his commitment to helping others in the community.

The Hon. Debra Lehrmann has been selected to receive the Texas Bar Foundation’s 2025 Samuel Pessarra Outstanding Jurist Award. She is the senior justice on the Supreme Court of Texas and the longest-serving woman to serve on the Court in the state’s history.

Gustavus Northcott McFaddin passed away on April 28, 2025. He dedicated his legal career to managing the family’s oil, gas, and land interests, and also worked alongside his father and brother on the ranches they acquired to raise cattle.

John Robert Pulaski passed away on April 23, 2025. His distinguished legal career spanned over 50 years, beginning as a partner at Foreman Dyess in Houston before he established his own firm with a friend that became Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber.

Edsam “Ed” Moore Ingram died on April 25, 2025. Moore practiced law in Austin for more than five decades and taught business law at Austin Community College for over 40 years. He served in the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, retiring in 1990 from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of colonel.

Jane Rachael Vorwerk passed away on April 20, 2025. Jane, a double Longhorn, practiced as an attorney before focusing on raising her son.

Allison Standish Miller has moved her practice to Steptoe in Houston, where she is a partner in the Professional Liability and Commercial Litigation groups. A double Longhorn, Standish Miller has been recognized on the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers lists multiple times.

Chris Thiele has joined Baker Botts as a partner in the Litigation practice within its Environmental, Safety, and Incident Response section. Thiele, who has more than 25 years of environmental law experience, previously the senior vice resident and legal counsel for an independent midstream energy infrastructure development company.

Robert P. Braubach was appointed by the Czech Republic Minister of Foreign Affairs as honorary consul for San Antonio and South Texas to represent the Czech Republic and promote trade, investment, tourism and education in South Texas. Braubach’s San Antonio-based law firm specializes in international business law, international real estate law, and entity formation.

Kenneth H. “Ken” Goetzke Jr. has a new position as deputy general counsel at the Office of Chief Counsel for NASA Langley Research Center. He was previously the associate chief counsel.

John Donaleski has rejoined White & Case in New York as part of its global project development and finance practice, after working at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe as a partner in energy and infrastructure finance. He advises financial institutions on complex energy and infrastructure projects, with a focus on renewables, conventional power, and digital infrastructure.

William Howard Wolf Sr. passed away on April 11, 2025. Howard, a double Longhorn, served in the military following law school before spending over four decades of his career with the international law firm Fulbright & Jaworski.

Tanner Truett Hunt passed away on April 6, 2025. Hunt, a double Longhorn, worked in Robert Kennedy’s Department of Justice before joining Wells, Duncan and Beard for the entirety of his 57-year private practice.

Jason Ryan has been reappointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Diabetes Council where he will work to address issues regarding quality of education services and treatment for people with diabetes in Texas. He also serves as the executive vice president for CenterPoint Energy.

Darrell Lee Barger passed away on April 2, 2025. He served as a  captain in the U.S. Marine Corps before spending 50 years as a highly acclaimed and respected trial lawyer for Hartline Barger.

Thomas Kelton is currently serving as 2024-2025 chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Kelton is senior counsel at Fogarty IP, advising executives and management in businesses, including Fortune 500s and startups, on IP strategy.

Jason Boatright has been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Risk Management Board, where he will administer insurance services obtained by state agencies. He was previously a justice on the Fifth Court of Appeals and serves as special counsel for Duane Morris.

Andrew L. Kerr, a member at Clark Hill in San Antonio, has been selected as one of five recipients of the 2025 Texas Bar Foundation’s Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award. The Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award is given to attorneys whose practice has spanned five decades or more, recognizing their dedication to justice and adherence to the principles and traditions of the legal profession.

Mary Ella McBrearty passed away March 21, 2025. McBrearty worked at the Heinrichs & De Gennaro law firms in San Antonio for over 25 years, where she specialized in business and tax law, estate and probate planning and insurance, and other corporate law. She was vice chancellor of the Texas Law Class of 1980.

Steven Stodghill was confirmed as a member of the Public Safety Commission by the Texas Senate. Stodghill, a partner at Winston & Strawn, has served on the PSC since his initial appointment in 2019.

Andrew Coleman has joined BraunHagey & Borden as a litigation attorney in the firm’s New York office. Coleman, whose practice will cover complex commercial disputes, recently clerked for the Honorable Brian A. Jackson of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Following a long career in business journalism that included positions as editor-in-chief of Environmental Protection magazine, energy reporter for Texas Lawyer newspaper, and senior editor at POWER magazine (McGraw Hill), Angela Neville now owns Neville Wildlife Enterprises and handles hunting and grazing leases for property in Clay County, Texas.  She also was an instructor at Texas A&M University’s Division of Environmental & Occupational Safety and taught continuing education classes to environmental professionals.

Diana Pérez Gomez has joined Jackson Walker as a partner in the Labor & Employment practice group for the firm’s Houston office. Gomez, who previously was a trial shareholder for Chamberlain Hrdlicka, serves on the board of directors for the State Bar of Texas and on the Texas Access to Justice Commission.

Leslie Tan has joined Jackson Walker as senior counsel in the Labor & Employment practice group for the firm’s Houston office. She is a seasoned senior counsel with expertise in labor and employment matters and complex civil litigation and a strong background in insurance defense.

James Francis “Jim” Haley Jr. passed away on March 26, 2025. Jim, a double Longhorn, served as deputy executive director and lead attorney at the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission for 15 years before continuing his government work at the Texas Department of Insurance.

Richard Gross passed away on March 25, 2025. Gross, a proud double Longhorn, worked for Baker Botts and, with his wife, owned a store in Boerne called Heydey.

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.

Lina Ortega is a new board member for the El Paso Community Foundation. Ortega, recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer, previously served four consecutive terms in the Texas House of Representatives.

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.

Susana Alemán passed away March 21, 2025. A triple Longhorn, Alemán served as assistant dean for student affairs at Texas Law from 1984-2006 and established the Dean Alemán Sunflower Lawhorn Scholarship in 2022 to support Mexican-American law students.

Aaron Reitz has been confirmed as the new Assistant U.S. Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy. In this role, he will oversee the administration’s selection of federal judges and help coordinate legal strategies on cultural issues. Reitz previously served as chief of staff to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and held a position in the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

Sam W. Lane Jr. passed away March 22, 2025. A proud double-Longhorn who served in the United States Army, Lane Jr. spent his career working at the private law practice he established in Dallas.

Daniel J. Pope has been named counsel for Bracewell where he will advise and defend energy, infrastructure, and industrial clients on environmental permits, transactions, and litigation. Pope previously was a judicial assistant for the Hon. Fred Biery of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division.

The Hon. Lisa Lewis has ascended to the bench as a justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. Previously a judge for Kings County Civil Court and an attorney for District Council 37, Lewis has more than 25 years of experience in civil, criminal, and family law.

Billy Joe McLain has been appointed associate United States attorney, where he will oversee capital cases and help implement Department of Justice priorities. He brings nine years of experience as an assistant U.S. attorney in California, where he successfully prosecuted federal murder cases, fraud, public corruption, and organized crime. McLain previously practiced at Hueston Hennigan and Irell & Manella, and has clerked for judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Abby Rogers has joined Kane Russell Coleman Logan as an associate in the firm’s new Austin office. She is part of a team that focuses on bankruptcy, restructuring, and litigation. Rogers previously worked at Ross, Smith & Binford.

Mark Taylor has joined Kane Russell Coleman Logan as co-director, helping launch the firm’s new Austin office. This move expands the firm’s reach into Central Texas, with an initial focus on bankruptcy, restructuring, and litigation.

Mary Elizabeth Wilson has been appointed as the chief of staff and general counsel at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. In this role, Wilson will provide legal support across corporate matters, personnel, contracts, and economic development incentives.

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.

Wanda Allen passed away on Feb. 3, 2025. Allen forged a successful career as a plaintiff’s attorney, trying cases in multiple federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. She served as an attorney-adviser at Lowry Air Force Base and dedicated much of her time to empowering women in the workforce. Selected for a Federal Bar Association fact-finding delegation to China, the USSR, and Finland, she earned numerous commendations for her work.

Charles “Charlie” Ray Burton passed away on March 8, 2025. A Navy veteran, Burton forged a lifelong friendship and partnership with classmate Roy Q. Minton while at Texas Law. The two worked at the Travis County Attorney’s Office before founding their own Austin law firm, which eventually became known as Minton, Burton, Foster, & Collins.

Stanley Krysa passed away on March 1, 2025. After entering the U.S. Department of Justice under the Attorney General’s Honors Program, Krysa served as a trial attorney litigating federal tax violations for nearly 42 years. He earned many honors throughout his career, including the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award, the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, and the ABA Tax Section’s Ritholz Memorial Merit Award.

Michael Riordan has been named a senior attorney at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Houston. A member of Bradley’s Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group, he focuses his practice on the restructuring of companies in and out of bankruptcy, debtors’ and creditors’ rights, debtor-in-possession financers, and the acquisition and sale of distressed assets.

Olney Gray Wallis of Llano, Texas, passed away on November 18, 2024. A double Longhorn and Air Force veteran, Wallis served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, was an assistant U.S. attorney in Houston, and then practiced law as a federal criminal trial attorney for over 54 years. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice for his outstanding performance.