Class Notes

Beck Redden Partner, Connie Pfeiffer, led the charge to overturn a Fifth Circuit decision affecting millions of Texas homeowners in May. The Fifth Circuit had decided that homeowners with constitutionally defective liens on their homestead must file suits to set the lien aside within four years of originating a home equity loan. This meant that lenders could foreclose on a home when they had not complied with all of the Constitution’s consumer protection requirements to make a valid lien. Pfeiffer co-authored the briefs and presented the oral arguments in front of the Texas Supreme Court and the Fifth Circuit’s decision was overturned.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has named Vinson & Elkins partner Harry Reasoner as the recipient of the 2016 Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award. The award is given annually to an outstanding member of the legal community who exhibits an exceptional commitment to equality, justice, fairness and community service.

Arthur T. Catterall of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division’s Appellate Section has received the Arthur S. Flemming Award for 2015. For over 67 years, the Flemming award has been conferred annually on a dozen Federal employees for outstanding and meritorious work for the government. Mr. Catterall is being recognized for outstanding Legal Achievement. The award will be conferred at a ceremony at George Washington University on June 6, 2016.

Irwin Steinhorn is included on the Best Lawyers in America recognition list.

Robert Curry has been listed as a Band 1 attorney by Chambers USA and is also included on the recognition lists published by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.

Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals presented the new Barbara Jordan American Inn of Court with its Charter at the Federal Courthouse in Austin on April 14. Accepting the Charter from Chief Judge Stewart were Frank A. King (BA ’78, JD ’95), Assistant Attorney General, co-founder and President of the Barbara Jordan Inn of Court; Presiding Judge of the Austin Municipal Court Sherry Statman, President-elect of the Jordan Inn of Court; Treasurer and co-founder, JoAnn Dalrymple (BA ’91, JD ’94)(in absentia); Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd, Counselor of Jordan Inn of Court; and Administrator, Allison Cunningham (BA ‘11, JD ‘15).

Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals presented the new Barbara Jordan American Inn of Court with its Charter at the Federal Courthouse in Austin on April 14. Accepting the Charter from Chief Judge Stewart were Frank A. King (BA ’78, JD ’95), Assistant Attorney General, co-founder and President of the Barbara Jordan Inn of Court; Presiding Judge of the Austin Municipal Court Sherry Statman, President-elect of the Jordan Inn of Court; Treasurer and co-founder, JoAnn Dalrymple (BA ’91, JD ’94)(in absentia); Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd, Counselor of Jordan Inn of Court; and Administrator, Allison Cunningham (BA ‘11, JD ‘15).

Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals presented the new Barbara Jordan American Inn of Court with its Charter at the Federal Courthouse in Austin on April 14. Accepting the Charter from Chief Judge Stewart were Frank A. King (BA ’78, JD ’95), Assistant Attorney General, co-founder and President of the Barbara Jordan Inn of Court; Presiding Judge of the Austin Municipal Court Sherry Statman, President-elect of the Jordan Inn of Court; Treasurer and co-founder, JoAnn Dalrymple (BA ’91, JD ’94)(in absentia); Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd, Counselor of Jordan Inn of Court; and Administrator, Allison Cunningham (BA ‘11, JD ‘15).

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Joe Pevsner for his inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Tony Campiti for his inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Wilson Jones for his inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Craig Haynes for his inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Adrienne Dominguez for her inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Holt Foster for his inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Richard B. Phillips, Jr. for his inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLPis pleased to congratulate Mike McCullough for his inclusion in D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2016,” which is featured in the magazine’s May issue.

John Lockett was recently named by the Fulton County Daily Report as one of 25 lawyers “On The Rise” in Atlanta, Georgia. Lockett is a partner in the commercial litigation group of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP where he specializes in representing members of the real estate, financial services, heavy equipment and technology industries.

The Texas Bar Foundation recently named John G. Browning the recipient of the 2016 Lola Wright Foundation Award, presented annually to a Texas attorney in recognition for outstanding public service in advancing and enhancing legal ethics in Texas. The award will be presented during the Texas Bar Foundation’s black-tie dinner gala on June 17.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker recently announced the appointment of James Cicconi to serve on the U.S. Commerce Department’s Digital Economy Board of Advisors, which will provide recommendations on ways to advance economic growth and opportunity in the digital age.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce Richard B. Phillips, Jr. has been elected a member of the Board of Trustees for the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society. He will begin his service to the board on June 1, 2016.

The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) today announced that Mollie Bell, who has served as the association’s Chief Transformation Officer since September, will be leading CUNA’s engagement team. The role combines what had previously been separate engagement and transformation roles. Bell will lead CUNA’s engagement team and broader cross-functional and collaborative member development and engagement work as CUNA begins operating under the new bylaws overwhelmingly approved recently by its member credit unions. Bell will continue to serve on CUNA’s Leadership Team.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is pleased to announce that Steve Demby, a shareholder in the firm’s Denver office and a member of its executive committee, recently was appointed to serve on the board of directors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). His term starts in March 2016 and will initially last a period of three years.

The Litigation Counsel of America recently named longtime Sand Springs resident and Crowe and Dunlevy attorney Terry Thomas a senior fellow. Thomas was recognized for his work in business, bankruptcy and banking law.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

McGuireWoods partner Ron Franklin, a highly acclaimed bet-the-company litigator, is featured by the National Law Journal in its Litigation Trailblazers issue published today. The publication recognizes top lawyers who have changed the practice of litigation with innovative legal strategies.

Gardere Partner Frances E. Phillips was recently featured in the National Law Journal’s inaugural list of “Energy & Environmental Trailblazers.” For this honor, the NLJ accepted nominations and compiled 50 profiles of energy and environmental attorneys across the country who have “moved the needle in the legal arena” and are “impacting the crucial intersection between energy production and the environment.”

At its Annual Membership Meeting last week, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) elected Austin attorney Mark L. Kincaid as its 2016 President-Elect.

At its Annual Membership Meeting last week, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) installed Dallas attorney Jeffrey B. Simon as its 2016 President.

Stephen M. Block has been included on this year’s list of “Top Lawyers” by Houstonia magazine. The list is published in the magazine’s December 2015 issue.