Class Notes

Daily Journal, a law publication in California, has named Simon Greenstone Panatier’s $40 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson among the 2019 Top Verdicts in California. In September 2019, a California jury found that asbestos-tainted talc in Johnson’s Baby Powder caused 71-year-old Nancy Cabibi’s mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. David Greenstone, a name partner of Simon Greenstone Panatier, was the lead trial attorney in the Cabibi case.

David N. Calvillo, board certified civil trial lawyer, certified public accountant, and certified valuation analyst with national law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka, has recently earned an Executive L.L.M. (Master of Laws) in Tax Law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Calvillo has also been elected to be an income shareholder in recognition of his contributions to the firm during its annual meeting on February 8 in Houston, TX.

The Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook are honored to give the 2019 Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award for Lifetime Achievement to John Christopher Luna.

University of Texas School of Law alumnus Reid L. Phillips was among 34 Brooks Pierce attorneys recognized as industry leaders in the 2020 edition of North Carolina Super Lawyers. This annual list honors the top lawyers in North Carolina.

Elected Vice Dean of the Houston Consular Corps, the 3rd largest in the U.S. and elected Vice Chairman the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston

Lindsey Raspino has been promoted to partner at Houston litigation firm Reynolds Frizzell LLP. Lindsey possesses a strong ability to translate complex matters into simplified concepts—a quality that has consistently contributed to favorable outcomes for her clients. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from The University of Texas, where she earned her law degree with Honors. She clerked for the Honorable Jane Bland of Texas’s First District Court of Appeals.

Prof. Dr. John Henry Dingfelder Stone was awarded tenure as a Professor of Law (Public and International) at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Kleve, Germany.

Longtime Baker Botts Attorney Bill Kroger will receive the Anti-Defamation League’s Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award February 19, 2020, at the Hilton Americas Houston. The award is presented every year to an outstanding member of the legal community who exhibits an exceptional commitment to equality, justice, fairness and community services. It is named for the late ADL Board Chair Karen H. Susman, in memory of her deep commitment to fighting hatred and doing good work.

The Dallas Bar Association recently elected its incoming Board. Robert Tobey, of Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C., will lead the association in 2020. He was sworn in as the 111th President of the DBA January 11, 2020. Mr. Tobey began his service on the DBA Board of Directors in 2012. He was later elected Chair of the Board in 2016.

Dustin O’Quinn has been honored as an Outstanding Voice of Pride by the Puget Sound Business Journal for his committment to LGBT issues in the business community and pro bono work.

Misty Farris was selected by peers for positions on the American Association for Justice’s Committee on the Judiciary and its Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Publications Committee. Farris focuses on pharmaceutical and medical device litigation and environmental litigation at Dallas-based Fears Nachawati Law Firm.

Redgrave LLP, the premier law firm focusing exclusively on eDiscovery and information law, is proud to announce that partner Christine P. Payne ’06 was named to the 2019 “Women Worth Watching” list published by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Now in its 18th edition, “Women Worth Watching” recognizes women executives who are leading the way to excellence in the workplace, marketplace, and the world.

Ms. Marissa Marquez with Legacy Community Health has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. 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 Ms. Marquez’s contributions to the legal profession.

David Calvillo, Senior Counsel in the Houston and San Antonio offices of Chamberlain Hrdlicka, has been invited into the Houston Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Calvillo was formally welcomed into the Houston Chapter during the Annual Dinner and New Member Induction on October 26, 2019. ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

On Thursday, November 14, 2019, the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas will induct James (“Jim”) B. Sales, member of the class of 1960 and recipient of the Order of the Coif, as a Texas Legal Legend at South Texas College of Law Houston in the Joe M. Green Auditorium. The induction will be followed by a reception sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright.

On October 22, 2019, Beck Redden LLP obtained a $176 million unanimous jury verdict on behalf of our client, HP Inc. The verdict followed a week-long trial in a Houston federal court in which the jurors deliberated for less than five hours and found that defendants Quanta Storage Inc. and Quanta Storage America Inc. knowingly and intentionally violated U.S. antitrust laws. By law, the damages could be tripled by U.S. District Judge David Hittner.

On October 22, 2019, Beck Redden LLP obtained a $176 million unanimous jury verdict on behalf of our client, HP Inc. The verdict followed a week-long trial in a Houston federal court in which the jurors deliberated for less than five hours and found that defendants Quanta Storage Inc. and Quanta Storage America Inc. knowingly and intentionally violated U.S. antitrust laws. By law, the damages could be tripled by U.S. District Judge David Hittner.

Brooks Pierce managing partner Reid Phillips, who received his juris doctorate from the University of Texas, was recognized in the 2020 edition of Benchmark Litigation as a “Local Litigation Star” for Antitrust, General Commercial, Intellectual Property, Product Liability and Securities. Benchmark Litigation serves as the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys. Rankings are based on a six-month period where Benchmark researchers conduct extensive interviews.

Preston Moore, a Dallas-based associate in the Corporate Department of international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, has received the Outstanding In-House Attorney Award from the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP). The award recognizes Moore’s exceptional pro bono work on behalf of DVAP and his outstanding efforts in the justice system. Earlier this year, Moore was announced as Weil’s 12th Lend-a-Lawyer and spent two months working full-time on-site at DVAP.

T. Ray Guy, a Litigation partner in the Dallas office of international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, has earned recognition as a 2019 Texas Super Lawyer. Texas Super Lawyers rates lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is based on independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations, and only 5% of attorneys in each state are included in the Super Lawyers list each year.

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP is proud to announce that Vorys Attorney Mike Schira, who is a University of Texas School of Law alumnus, has been included in the 2020 Best Lawyers in America list.

George Lee has been named one of the 2020 Best Lawyers in America in the Corporate Law category. This distinction is based entirely on a peer-review survey in which attorneys cast votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

James H. Billingsley has been recognized as one of the 2020 Best Lawyers in America in the Litigation and Bankruptcy categories. This distinction is based entirely on a peer-review survey in which attorneys cast votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

Provost Umphrey Lawyer Christopher T. Kirchmer was listed in the Best Lawyers of America for his work in Mass torts, Class Actions, Personal Injury and Product Liability.

DLA Piper is pleased to announce that Andrew Hoffman, a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice, has been named to the Daily Journal’s 2019 Top 40 Under 40 list honoring young California lawyers across a range of practice areas. Hoffman represents pharmaceutical manufacturers and other life sciences companies in government investigations and related litigation.

James P. Hill, was named by his peers for inclusion in the 26th Edition of Best Lawyers in America®. Hill is a founding member of Sullivan Hill, member of its Executive Committee and chair of the firm’s Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group. He is recognized in the fields of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law.

Diana Pérez Gomez, a Shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka in Houston, has been selected to serve as a 2019-2020 Texas Bar Foundation Nominating Chair for District 4. Nominating Chairs for each of the 17 State Bar of Texas districts identify elite nominees to join the Foundation as Fellows. Nominating Chairs of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the Texas Bar Foundation.

Larry Campagna, shareholder in the Houston office of Chamberlain Hrdlicka, was recently named a “Texas Tax Legend” by the State Bar of Texas at its annual meeting in Austin. Texas Tax Legends is one of the highest honors for the Tax Law Section. Campagna was the only tax attorney chosen this year.

Betty Chen, an attorney at the law firm Fish & Richardson, has been named a recipient of the 2019 “Women Worth Watching” award by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Chen is based in Fish’s Silicon Valley office and serves as the firm’s Global Hiring Principal. She is exclusively dedicated to high-stakes advocacy as trial counsel in matters involving substantial financial or business exposure, significant policy issues, and cutting-edge legal questions.

In recognition of his dedication to serving AVANCE-North Texas, Jackson Walker partner William “Willie” Hornberger has been honored with the Distinguished Public Service Award by the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA). In addition to receiving the TXCPA award, Willie was also honored by AVANCE-NTX with the North Texas Inspirational Leadership Award in April 2019 and by the Mexican Entrepreneur Association (AEM) Dallas-Fort Worth chapter with the Amigo de México Award in December 2018.

Fish & Richardson principal Betty Chen, of the firm’s Silicon Valley office in Redwood City, has been named a recipient of the 2019 “Women Worth Watching” award by Profiles in Diversity Journal. She was singled out for “leading the way to excellence in the workplace, marketplace and the world” and for helping “develop the next generation of women leaders.”

William H. Caudill, a partner in the Houston office of Norton Rose Fulbright, has been selected by the Texas Tax Section of the State Bar of Texas as Outstanding Texas Tax Lawyer Award Winner 2019. Mr. Caudill has a general tax practice, with a focus on partnerships, oil and gas, real estate, and tax-exempt organizations. He also assists clients in the tax aspects of bankruptcy and financially troubled commercial transactions.

Brooks Pierce managing partner Reid Phillips was honored by the North Carolina Bar Association with its 2019 Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake Jr. Public Service Award (Lake Service Award). The Lake Service Award recognizes an outstanding lawyer who has performed exemplary public service and who has made significant contributions to the legal profession. Phillips was nominated by the Past Presidents’ Council and unanimously selected by the NCBA Board of Governors.

Carlos Eduardo Cardenas (J.D. 1980) has been elected as Fellows Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the Texas Bar Foundation. Carlos took office June 14, 2019.

Founded in 1965 by attorneys determined to assist the public and improve the profession of law, the Texas Bar Foundation has maintained its mission of using the financial contributions of its membership to enhance the rule of law and the system of justice in Texas.

Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Munsch Hardt) is proud to announce that David Coligado was recognized on D Magazine’s 2019 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” list. Each year, the publication honors peer-nominated lawyers who offer unparalleled counsel in their specific practice area. David graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and currently serves as the head of Munsch Hardt’s Real Estate Section. His practice focuses on the ownership, development and investment of commercial real estate.

Ruffner Schoenbaum PLLC was a finalist for the Rising Star award as part of the fourth annual Austin Woman’s Way Business Awards by Austin Woman Magazine. The firm was selected for recognition from over 300 nominees. Founding partners, Eleanor Ruffner and Lauren Schoenbaum, lead their team of litigators and transactional attorneys in Austin, TX. For more information, please contact Molly Smith at firm@rslawtx.com or 512-275-6277.

Brad Caldwell of the Dallas intellectual property and business litigation firm Caldwell Cassady & Curry has earned selection as the only Texas lawyer and one of only 10 attorneys in the country as a “Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar” by the national legal news publication Law360. Mr. Caldwell was named among the nation’s best based on his courtroom victories during 2018, including a $502.6 million patent infringement verdict against Apple Inc.

Brett T. Berly, a shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Houston office, was ranked in the 2019 Chambers USA Guide as a top-tier attorney in High Net Worth Law (Up and Coming) in Texas.

Peter D. Williamson, a shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Houston office, was ranked in the 2019 Chambers USA Guide as a top-tier attorney in Immigration (Senior Statesman) in Texas.

Larry A. Campagna, a shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Houston office, was listed in the 2019 Chambers USA Guide as a top-tier attorney in Tax Fraud (Band 1) nationwide, and Tax Litigation (Band 1) in Texas.

Nick Ducoff ’06, CEO of Edmit, was invited to the White House Office of Innovation last week to discuss the challenges and opportunities to better serve the American worker and close the skills and jobs gap. Edmit was also the 2019 SXSW Edu launch competition winner and is partnering with the Dept. of Education, College Coach, and financial institutions nationwide to help more people get access to an affordable college education. He credits much of his success to the education he received at UT Law.

Reynolds Frizzell Partner Chris Reynolds was inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL) at their 2019 Annual Meeting. Founded in 1954, the Academy is known for an extremely rigorous vetting process and is recognized as the most prestigious organization of trial lawyers in the world. The Academy seeks out Fellows who have achieved a career of excellence as shown by their skills in trial, and as demonstrated by their integrity and professionalism.

Stuart F. Miller, a shareholder in Baker Donelson’s Houston office, has been ranked in Band 4 in the area of healthcare in Texas by the 2019 edition of Chambers USA.

Daniel Sternthal, a shareholder in Baker Donelson’s Houston office, has been ranked in Band 4 in the area of healthcare in Texas by the 2019 edition of Chambers USA.

Sullivan Hill is pleased to announce that Shareholder Jim Hill ‘78 has been selected as a 2019 Super Lawyer. Each year no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive the honor of being included in the Super Lawyers list. Hill has been selected to the Super Lawyers list for the last 13 years in the areas of Bankruptcy, Business Litigation, and Creditor Debtor Rights.

Intellectual property and technology law firm Patterson + Sheridan LLP has promoted Nick Transier to partner in the firm’s San Diego office. Transier joined the firm in 2017 as of counsel. He has more than a decade of experience in both prosecution and litigation and currently focuses on building patent portfolios for clients, especially in the area of data science including artificial intelligence, software, telecommunications, automotive technologies and consumer electronics.

Rod Koenig is currently serving as President of UT Midshipmans Foundation, serving as President of Monument Hill Chapter of Sons of the Republic of Texas, and serving as President of Black Jack Cemetery Association in Fayette County. He is active as a Trustee on Jackson Foundation, Williams Foundation, Gray Foundation, Orton Foundation and serves on a number of other Boards.

Justin Constant was named a Texas Rising Star for 2019 by Super Lawyers. Texas Rising Stars is an annual list of exceptional lawyers in the state who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, and who are either 40 years old or younger or have been practicing for 10 years or less. This distinction is given to only two percent of young attorneys in Texas.

Lane Powell Shareholder & Immigration Team Chair Dustin J. O’Quinn has been selected to participate in the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity’s (LCLD) 2019 Fellows Program, a select group of experienced attorneys from diverse backgrounds who have been recognized for their potential as leaders in their organizations. LCLD is a growing organization of 300+ corporate chief legal officers and law firm leaders who are personally committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession.

Ben Maddox (’14) currently serves as a Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) at the Washington Navy Yard. He was recently selected as a 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholar, which is a leadership development initiative in partnership with the George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon Johnson presidential libraries. As part of the program, Ben’s leadership project will address the large racial disparities in military justice.