Jim Bettis has been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his legal excellence in the Insurance Law category. He is a shareholder with the Houston office of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
Michael McBride has been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in high-stakes intellectual property and patent trials. He is a partner at Alavi Anaipakos PLLC’s Houston office.
Mason Hester has been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America directory for his legal excellence in the Construction Law and Litigation-Construction category. He is a shareholder in the Houston office of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
Catherine Cozzolino has joined the General Liability Litigation Practice Group as an associate for Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP in Denver. She previously served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable William W. Hood III of the Colorado Supreme Court.
Mike Hatchell, appellate counsel at Haynes Boone in Austin, received the 2025 Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award by the Texas Center for Legal Ethics in recognition of his unwavering professionalism and integrity in appellate law.
Ashley Morgan, an attorney and lobbyist at Erben & Yarbrough in Austin, received the 2025 Lumberjack Pride Award by Stephen F. Austin University. This award honors alumni who demonstrate Lumberjack pride and spirit.
Christina Lynn Falkiewicz passed away on August 23, 2025. Falkiewicz helped families in the San Antonio area through her personal probate, estate planning and guardianship matters practice before joining UTSA as a guest lecturer.
Alistair Byrne Dawson passed away on August 30, 2025. A respected partner and trial attorney at Beck Redden, Dawson served as a president of the Houston Bar Association, chairman of the Texas Bar Foundation, fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Nicholas Lowrey has been honored in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. He is of counsel at Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP.
George Padis has joined Sbaiti & Company in Dallas as the boutique litigation firm’s newest partner. He comes to the position after serving five years as a deputy civil chief and assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Previously Padis practiced complex commercial litigation in the Dallas office of Vinson & Elkins.
Walter A. Buchanan, a shareholder with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. in Dallas, was featured in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® directory. He was highlighted for his legal excellence in the Banking and Finance Law category.
Frederick W. “Rick” Addison, a shareholder with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. in Dallas, was featured in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® directory. He was honored for his legal excellence in the Environmental Law and Litigation – Environmental categories.
Stephen “Steve” Edwards passed away on August 14, 2025. A double Longhorn, he practiced as an assistant district attorney in Travis County before entering private practice.
Rachael Marsh has joined the leadership team of the Edison Electric Institute in Washington, D.C., as chief legal officer. She previously served as vice president of government affairs and managing counsel at Calpine Corporation, as well as partner at Bracewell LLP.
Samuel Tevis Grinstead passed away on August 9, 2025. A double Longhorn, he served as a partner at Vinson & Elkins in Houston for over three decades.
Lourdes “Lulu” Ortiz has been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation list. She is an associate at Cleveland Krist PLLC in Austin who represents plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes in state and federal courts.
Michael Kelso ’14 was recognized by Bloomberg News in its “40 under 40” list of next-generation legal leaders from various legal specialties. Kelso is a partner at Susman Godfrey in Houston, specializing in litigation.
Albert W. Schorre Jr. passed away on August 6, 2025. After working as a partner at Stubbeman Mcrae law firm handling oil and gas litigation, he went on to serve as district attorney for West Texas from 1985 to 2007, and also chaired state drug policy and criminal justice advisory panels.
Edmunds Travis Jr. passed away August 1, 2025, just a year shy of his 100th birthday. An Army veteran, Travis went on to served as assistant attorney general of Texas before joining the legal department of Humble Oil and Refining Company. He then rose to the rank of chief attorney in Exxon’s Legal Department, Natural Gas Section.
Grant D. Godfrey has joined national litigation law firm mctlaw as an appellate attorney based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. His legal practice will focus on complex appeals in federal and state courts across the United States.
Michael Joseph Whitten passed away on July 26, 2025. Whitten was a respected Denton attorney, earning recognition for his trial skill, mediation work, and dedication to pro bono service, while remaining deeply devoted to his family and community.
Gilbert Prud’homme passed away on May 24, 2024. An Austin attorney for six decades, he specialized in real estate law and estate/probate law and was known for community involvement and dedication to many charitable organizations.
Mason Hester, a shareholder in Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.’s Houston office, has been appointed a co-chair of the firm’s Construction Practice. In his new role, he will provide strategic leadership for that practice, while overseeing the development and recruitment of attorneys, as well as ensuring effective and responsive client service.
Cicely Reid has joined Norton Rose Fulbright as its pro bono counsel based in Houston. She previously served as pro bono coordinator for Disability Rights Texas, and also worked as in-house counsel and outside conflicts counsel for several large insurance companies.
Taylor Raymond has joined Norton Rose Fulbright as senior counsel in the firm’s Austin and Dallas offices. She previously worked as a senior associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.
Matt Raley has joined the Houston office of Spencer Fane LLP as of counsel in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group. He was previously a partner at Baker & Hostetler LLP in Houston.
Haskell H. Shelton passed away on August 1, 2025. Throughout his career, he served as an assistant U.S. prosecuting attorney, member of the U.S. Strike Force on Organized Crime, and in roles with Ford Motor Company and Dow Chemical, specializing in toxic tort litigation.
Charles William Bailey passed away on July 24, 2025. He spent the majority of his career as a plastic surgeon in private practice in Houston, served as president of the Texas Medical Association, and was honored alongside his father as the only father-son pair of physician-attorneys in the American College of Legal Medicine.
Ross Williams has been named to D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2025” list. He is a partner at Bell Nunnally in Dallas, specializing in business and commercial litigation.
Kassandra McLaughlin has been named to D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2025” list. She is a partner and of counsel at Bell Nunnally in Dallas, specializing in the real estate area of law.
Karen Hart has been named to D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2025” list. She is a partner at Bell Nunnally in Dallas, specializing in business and commercial litigation.
Sam Shinoda has joined Steptoe & Johnson PLLC as an associate at the firm’s office in The Woodlands, Texas. He was previously an associate attorney at
George William Wilhite passed away on July 22, 2025. A civil trial lawyer, he tried over 200 jury trials during a 65-year career, placing him among the top one percent of his peers. In addition to his leadership at Wilhite & Associates P.C., he served as of counsel for David Bryant Law Firm in Conroe, Texas, and raised Longhorn cattle at his ranch.
Louis Eugene McCarter passed away on July 20, 2025. A Vietnam War captain, he became a partner at the Houston law firm of Vinson & Elkins, receiving numerous medals and honors for both his military service and distinguished career as a trial lawyer.
Willis Wilson Mitchell II passed away on July 19, 2025. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, before his over 50-year career in private practice as a certified trial attorney in Dallas.
Keith Smith recently began a new position as chief legal officer at the Board of Commissioners, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. Smith previously served as the executive director of legal services for Kansas City Public Schools.
Ralph William “Skip” Scoggins passed away on June 15, 2025. Scoggins served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and later built his legal and political career in El Paso. He served consecutive terms on the Texas House of Representatives from 1964 to 1969, then returned as a state representative between 1973 and 1975 in the Texas House and as judge of the 41st District Court.
Alejandra Ávila has been appointed membership co-chair of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court Executive Committee for the 2025–2026 term. She is a litigator at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C. in Washington, D.C.
Milton Henry Steffen, Jr. passed away on July 15, 2025. After graduating from the law school, he became both a licensed attorney and CPA. He spent most of his life in Houston, where he built a respected legal career.
Darren Walker has joined The Obama Foundation’s board of directors. He is a transformative leader in philanthropy and the outgoing president of the Ford Foundation.
Benjamin Kelly has rejoined Baker McKenzie as a partner in its Intellectual Property Practice in Dallas. Before his return, he served as senior counsel at Forrest Weldon Law Group LLP in Dallas.
Judge Mike Westergren, formerly a judge for the 214th District Court in Nueces County, passed away on July 17, 2025. Westergren, who also served as the Nueces county attorney and worked in private practice later in his career, was best known for presiding over the murder case of singer Selena,
Samuel James Johnson passed away on July 13, 2025. He spent the majority of his career as a trial lawyer at Scott, Douglass, & McConnico where he served as a partner for over three decades.
Christopher D. Bell has joined the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board of directors for a six-year term. Bell is the deputy general counsel for the Conservation Fund, a nationwide nonprofit organization. He was previously a partner at the law firm Ballard Spahr LLP.
Tyler Ames has rejoined McAfee & Taft as a trial lawyer based in Oklahoma City. He previously served as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Joshua Gold has joined Nixon Peabody LLP as counsel in its affordable housing practice in the Washington, D.C., office. Formerly a managing attorney at HUD’s southwest regional office, he has 12 years of experience with programs like Section 8 and RAD.
Oliver Luck has been appointed to the West Virginia University Board of Governors by Governor Patrick Morrisey. The co-founder of Ten Mile Consulting LLC and chairman of Altius Sports Partners, Luck has a history of leadership in the world of sports, having worked in the NFL, as a college athletics director, and as the first commissioner and CEO of the XFL.
Jon Bible passed away on July 12, 2025. Bible, a triple Longhorn, was a Collegiate Baseball Hall of Fame umpire, a veteran football official, and taught business law at Texas State University for more than 30 years.
Chris Dove has joined the Beck Redden LLP’s nationally recognized appellate practice as of counsel, based in Houston. Dove brings with him nearly 25 years of experience in complex appellate advocacy focused on high stakes commercial disputes, including his most recent work at Troutman Pepper Locke. He has argued more than 40 appeals in state and federal courts across the country.
Brian Dupré has been appointed deputy associate general counsel for program integrity in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Division of the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He previously served as chief counsel for Region 1 in Boston.