Earle Plain Martin III passed away at the age of 65 on Dec. 31, 2020, after battling complications from COVID-19. He graduated from Texas Law in 1980 and joined Vinson & Elkins as a lawyer in the Business, Real Estate and Energy group, led by the late Rush Record. After three years at Vinson & Elkins, Martin chose to move away from practicing law and started his own private air charter, laying the foundation for a three-decades-long career.
Felix Johnathan Burton, Jr., passed away on Jan. 21, 2021, from health complications while battling cancer. Burton graduated from Texas Law in 1965 and held memberships in the Texas Bar Association and the CPA Society. He had a multi-faceted and successful career in the banking and manufacturing industries, while starting an accounting firm early in his career. Burton semi-retired from his Houston company, Champion Hi-Tech, in 2011, to enjoy his home on acreage in Chappell Hill.
Frank Madison Gilstrap passed away on Jan. 17, 2021 in Austin, TX, at the age of 78. During a career spanning more than 40 years, Gilstrap handled over 200 appeals and argued cases before the United States Supreme Court, the Texas Supreme Court, five Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, and 12 Texas Courts of Appeal. He enjoyed his work immensely and filed his last appellate brief days before his death.
James Steele Moore passed away on Jan. 12, 2021. He was elected to the Texas Legislature in 1954 and served in such capacity until his term expired in 1958. Moore then moved to Lubbock, TX, to join the law firm of Clifford, Blanchard and Summers where he practiced law for approximately 10 years. In 1962, with a group of other businessmen and farmers, Moore founded the Wolfforth State Bank, now known as The American Bank of Commerce. He served as Chairman of the board of the bank since its organization and remained active throughout his career. Moore’s other banking activities include co-ownership of the First National Bank of Tahoka from 1964 to 1974.
Edmund Richardson Yates passed away at 93 in Dallas, TX. Yates served in an Army before going to law school. In 1951, he earned a law degree from The University of Texas Law School and relocated to Dallas to practice law. In 1953, he joined Jack Brady and Ed Drake to form Brady, Drake and Yates Law Firm. Yates was a longtime member of First Baptist in Dallas, serving as a deacon. Ed practiced law until 1962, when he made the decision to join his in-law’s family restaurant, Highland Park Cafeteria.
James Augustus Gray, 96, of Caldwell, TX, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2020. Gray was a lifelong member of the Texas Exes and was a licensed attorney and a member of the State Bar of Texas for 65 years. He maintained a general law practice in Burleson County for 63 years, representing many clients. Gray also served as the County Attorney for Burleson County for 30 years and the City Attorney of Caldwell for 60 years. He served as the president of the Caldwell Recreational Association for 15 years. Gray was also the charter director and secretary of the Burleson County Industrial Foundation, charter director of the Thomas L. Goodnight Memorial Hospital Corporation, and director of the First State Bank of Caldwell.
Patrick Alton Hudson, 87, of Dallas, TX, passed away on Nov. 28, 2020, after battling with Alzheimer’s and the coronavirus. After graduating from Texas Law in 1967, Hudson served as Director of the Dallas Legal Aid Society. He served as Council for the Environmental Protection Agency and Principle Regional Council for Health and Human Services. Hudson built a very successful 20-year private practice and retired at 75.
Virginia Gross passed away on Dec. 9, 2020, in Shawnee, KS, at the age of 56. She spent much of her career at Polsinelli in Kansas City as an attorney and partner. Specializing in tax-exempt organizations law and nonprofit governance, Gross was a frequent speaker on nonprofit law topics around the country and has written many publications on tax-exempt law topics. Gross was listed in Best Lawyers in America® for Nonprofit Organizations/Charities Law for 2008-2021 and was named the 2017 Non-Profit/Charities “Lawyer of the Year” for Kansas City. She also provided extensive pro bono legal services to many.
John Harmon Bennett, Jr., 73, died peacefully on Dec. 27, 2020, after an 18-month battle with ALS. He earned his B.A. from The University of Texas in 1969, and in 1972, graduated top of his class from Texas Law where he served on Law Review. After law school, Harmon took up a job at Fulbright and Jaworski. He then helped found a law firm, and over time it evolved into other firms. He rounded his career out as a solo practitioner, concentrating on general civil litigation and international business transactions and, for 37 years, Harmon was an involved member of the International Lawyers Group (ILG) where he served as secretary and then president. He was widely known for being a creative attorney who was sought after as a mentor.
Nathan B. Schattman died Dec. 28, 2020, of a heart attack. Even before he was born, Schattman was in the courtroom, his family said. He was the son of Judge Michael D. Schattman and Mary Ellen Brannigan Schattman, and during his mother’s pregnancy, Mary Ellen was fired from her job for simply being pregnant. He was part of the Schattman in Schattman v Texas Employment Commission case, when his parents sued for the right to work while pregnant. The case was handled by a then-new ACLU lawyer named Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Schattman followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating The University of Texas Law School in 1994 and serving as an attorney at Brown, Proctor & Howell LLP.
John Timberman “Tim” Carssow, died at home in North Carolina of pancreatic cancer on Dec. 12, 2020. Carssow graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1967 and The University of Texas School of Law in 1970, where he was Project Editor of the Texas Law Review. He spent his entire 36-year legal career with the Atlanta law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton. During his tenure as Managing Partner (1996-2001) Carssow led the firm (then known as Kilpatrick and Cody) in its 1997 merger with the North Carolina firm of Petree, Stockton & Robinson.
Oscar Alaniz Palacios, 75, died in December 2020 at his home in San Juan, TX, after a long battle with cancer. He was a proud Longhorn, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with an BS in Political Science in 1969 and the University of Texas School of Law, receiving his JD in 1971. Palacios inspired generations in his family as a lifelong Longhorn fan and a Texas Ex. Oscar began his law career in 1972 with the F.B. Godinez law firm in Lubbock, Texas. He then founded his own law firm in 1974 in Pharr, TX, practicing law for 48 years.
Carl Olaf Bue, Jr., a retired judge of the U.S. District Court in Houston, died peacefully on Dec. 24, 2020. He was 98. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Bue received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Northwestern University in 1951 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Texas School of Law in 1954. He served in the US Army Adjutant General’s Department in WWII. In 1970, Pres. Richard Nixon appointed Carl Bue a US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, where he served for 17 years before retiring in 1987. The family requests with gratitude that memorial gifts be directed to the Judge Carl O. Bue, Jr. Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law at The University of Texas School of Law: https://tinyurl.com/utlaw-carlbue
Lynn Rogers Coleman died November 13th, 2020 at the age of 81. He was a prominent lawyer in Washington, D.C., recognized as an energy policy expert in and outside of the federal government. He was general counsel and deputy secretary of the Department of Energy. Chris Miller, president of the Piedmont Environmental Council, describes Lynn as someone who “had a deep and passionate interest in the issues of energy, the environment and practical solutions to climate change.”
Robert (Gordon) Gooch, a longtime Washington lawyer and former Law Clerk of Chief Justice Earl Warren, died at age 86 on September 23, 2020. Gooch graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1956, served two years as an officer in the US Army on the mostly peaceful Korean DMZ, and went on to the University of Texas Law School where he was elected Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Law Review. He opened the Washington office of Baker & Botts, and later his own firm, Travis & Gooch. Although his focus was on energy law, he has had a long career with a variety of colorful engagements, such as representing the first hacker of a commercial aircraft and defending a pirate captain.
Charles, known as “Bill” or “Charlie” to his family and friends, passed away on December 1, 2020, in Houston, Texas. Charles served in WWII during his college years, where he was stationed in India. After the war, he moved to Austin and attended the School of Law. Charlie and his wife Nan had eleven children and were together for 63 years. He was an avid reader and armchair historian. He loved to grow roses, sing, and dance. He was a spirited competitor and talented golfer who played many of the best courses in the U.S., Scotland, and Ireland.
Bill Hallman, a beloved husband, devoted father, benevolent curmudgeon, respected lawyer, and incomparable friend, died from complications of cancer at home surrounded by family on November 30, 2020. He left with no regrets, having lived a life of love, friendship, travel, meaningful work, and generous service. His steadfast moral compass and excellent judgment were invaluable to many people and organizations in the Fort Worth community and beyond. Bill co-founded the law firm Kelly, Hart & Hallman LLP, which has grown to more than 150 lawyers with 5 offices throughout Texas and Louisiana.
Dr. Charles William Mohundro, 82, of Texarkana, TX passed away peacefully Nov. 7, 2020. He served as VP, General Counsel for Hayes Enterprises, Inc. from 1963-1969. During this time, Mohundro returned to school and received his MBA from North Texas State University in 1970. He then moved to Bryan-College Station, TX to teach at Texas A&M University while working on his Ph.D. Mohundro received his Doctor of Philosophy from TAMU in 1977. Mohundro and his family moved to Texarkana in 1976 where he was a Professor of Management and Finance at TAMU-Texarkana for over 35 years, retiring in 2013.
Verne Frank Knickerbocker, 93, passed away Nov. 10, 2020 in San Antonio, TX. He served in the Navy in World War II and opened his first law office as a sole practitioner and later joined the law firm of John Watts. He later relocated to Eagle Pass, TX, where he established the law firm of Knickerbocker, Abrams & Cowan, and retired in 1994. Knickerbocker was a strong and ardent supporter of the youth and education in Maverick County through fifty years of philanthropic donations.
Jan Marie Ramsay passed peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 11, 2020, living over 20 years longer than her initial prognosis with brain cancer. Following her graduation from Texas Law, Ramsay began her career as an attorney in Dallas at the firm Gardere & Wynne in their labor and employment department. She was quickly promoted to partner due to her work ethic and dedication to her clients. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wimberley, TX.
Marion Borchers passed away on Nov. 17, 2020, after a brief battle with leukemia. After law school, he settled in New Braunfels where he began a law practice and became involved in many aspects of community life. Borchers was a Life member of the University of Texas Exes and an alumni of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Shriners Hospital for Burned and Crippled Children or the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.
Harold Edward Moore passed away on Nov. 4, 2020. He was Texas Board Certified in Labor Law, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Moore worked with the office of the State Attorney General in Austin before joining the Industrial Relations Department of General Dynamics in Fort Worth. He also was a member of the General Dynamics Speakers Bureau. Moore was General Manager of North Texas Contractors Association. He taught Labor Relations at The University of Texas at Arlington for many years while traveling the country hearing and settling arbitration cases as an independent arbitrator. Moore published Arbitration Opinions in 25 volumes of the Labor Relations Reporter, as well as in the Bureau of National Affairs.
Sam O. Kimberlin died in Austin, TX, on Nov. 10, 2020, following a short illness due to COVID19. Kimberlin as Counsel for the Texas Department of Banking, Assistant Attorney General of Texas, and First Assistant District Attorney of Travis County, Texas. Many years later he served as deputy foreman and later as foreman of Grand Juries for the 390th Travis County District Court and was elected chief executive officer of the Texas Bankers Association. Kimberlin was an active member of UT SAGE, where he was the Dean’s appointee to The Third Age Council, a part of the Division of Continuing & Extended Education at The University of Texas. He was a life member of The University of Texas Ex-students Association.
Royal H. Brin, Jr. died at home on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 with his daughter and caregivers by his side. After four years in the Navy, Brin joined the law firm of Strasburger and Price, where he practiced law for 48 years and provided guidance to the firm after retirement. Brin was director, then president, of the Texas Association of Defense Council and a member of the Products Liability Committee of the Insurance, Torts, and Compensation Section of the American Bar Association. He was selected for the 2008 “The Best Lawyers in America” in Appellate Law. He was one of five lawyers chosen as Texas Trial Legends in 2011. In 2015, Martindale-Hubbell gave him the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.
Gerald Joe Smith, 90, passed away on Nov. 6, 2020. He served as an infantry officer during the Korean War. Smith graduated with a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1956. He retired in El Paso, TX, after practicing law for over 50 years.
Tom Thomas passed away on Oct. 31, 2020. Thomas graduated from Texas Law in 1966. Thomas’s skill landed him in Forbes magazine by winning the landmark case of Farah Manufacturing v. State National Bank of El Paso in which, for the first time, tort claims were successfully applied to oppressive lending practices. That case sealed his status as one of the premier trial attorneys in the country. Memorials can be made to DFW Pug Rescue of Dallas.
H. Dustin Fillmore, Sr. passed away on November 11, 2020 as a result of pancreatic cancer. In 1957, he began his service as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County under famed District Attorney Henry Wade. Fillmore returned to Wichita Falls to join his father’s law firm in 1960. From there, he launched what would become a 42-year career as a civil trial lawyer, representing clients and trying cases in civil courts all over Texas. Fillmore was inducted into The American College of Trial Lawyers and The American Board of Trial Advocates. In 2005, the Tarrant County Bar Association awarded Dusty its prestigious Blackstone Award.
Dewey Jude Gonsoulin passed away peacefully in his home at age 90 on November 3, 2020, surrounded by family. After graduating from Texas Law, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. Gonsoulin returned to Texas and practiced as an attorney at the Beaumont law firm of Mehaffy Weber for over 60 years. Gonsoulin was certified in labor law in 1975 and later in civil appellate law in 1989. He served as President of the Texas Associate of Defense Counsel, and the Jefferson County Bar Association, where he was also awarded the Blackstone Award. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dewey Jude Gonsoulin, Sr. Endowment for Excellence Scholarship in Law at Texas Law.
William Lawrence Cotulla passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on Oct. 19, 2020, at the age of 84. Cotulla was very proud and passionate about his heritage as the great-grandson of Joseph Cotulla, a Polish immigrant who founded the town of Cotulla. He took pride in living in Cotulla and serving his community. Cotulla was an attorney for the United States Army, oversaw multiple family ranches, and was the director of the Stockmens National Bank for 25 years. In 2011, he established the William L. Cotulla Endowment with the Laredo Area Community Foundation to benefit the First Baptist Church.
A life brilliantly lived, Houston famed trial attorney and renowned author, Lawrence Duncan Thompson, “Larry”, died leaving a legacy of greatness for his loved ones to embrace. He and his cousin Tom formed the law firm Lorance and Thompson in Houston in 1970, where Thompson practiced for over 55 years. He led the firm through good times and hard times with a firm hand, compassionate heart and enthusiasm for the law. He finished the Boston marathon twice as well as numerous other marathons across the country. Most of all he was full of enthusiasm for life, compassion for all and grace in all endeavors.
Arthur C. Troilo, Jr. was born in San Antonio, Texas on Sept. 17, 1931, and passed away on Oct. 8, 2020, at the age of 89. After serving in the Army and Reserve, Troilo moved his family to Austin to earn his law degree. In 1962, he joined the law firm of Sawtelle, Hardy, Davis & Goode and was one of the founders of the firm, Sawtelle, Goode, Troilo & Leighton, which later became the Law Firm of Davidson & Troilo; now known as Davidson, Troilo, Ream & Garza. He served as managing partner and senior board chairman; and was Senior Counsel for Davidson, Troilo, Ream & Garza until his death.
Louis Palma McKee Whittenburg passed away October 19, 2020, at the age of 74 from complications of Parkinson’s. Whittenburg obtained his JD from Texas Law in 1970 where he was editor of the Law Review. He practiced law in Amarillo, Texas for nearly 49 years alongside his brother, George Allen Whittenburg, II. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org) or the charity of your choice.
Benjamin Bynum Turner, Jr. passed away on October 16, 2020. Between his undergrad at Rice and Texas Law, he spent three years on active duty with the U.S. Navy. Following active duty, Turner spent 18 years in the reserve and retired as a Captain. Turner practiced law for over 50 years, was board certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law, and a C.P.A. At various times he was a Trustee member of the Board of Governors for the Sewanee Military Academy, a Trustee member of the Board of Directors for the Harris County Heritage Society, and President of the Houston Chapter of the Archeological Institute of America. Any memorials in Turner’s honor are requested to be made to the St. Andrews-Sewanee School, 290 Quintard Road, Sewanee, TN 37375.
Debra Yaniko Rogers Dupont passed away on May 9, 2017, at her home in Aledo. Her legal career began with the Supreme Court of Texas, Austin as a Judicial Intern and as an Associate for Loe, Warren, Rosenfield, Kaitcher & Hibbs in Fort Worth. Rogers then worked as Assistant District Attorney for Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office; Volunteer Attorney for Immigration Services for the Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth; Adjunct Professor in Business Law at Weatherford College, Rogers LLP in Weatherford; and her own private practice as Attorney at Law in Aledo. Rogers was awarded the Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court.
Harold Raymond DeMoss, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 29, 2020 in Houston, at the age of 89. DeMoss was stationed at the Pentagon with the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps. After his discharge, DeMoss and his wife moved to Houston where he joined the Bracewell & Patterson law firm. DeMoss’s second career began in 1991 with his appointment to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by President George H.W. Bush. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to The Judge Harold R. DeMoss, Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Law for Constitutional Excellence, c/o The University of Texas Law School Foundation, 727 E. Dean Keeton Street, Austin, TX 78705.
Paul Herve Dionne died peacefully with his family by his side in Fort Stockton on Sept. 14, 2020. He received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1959. Dionne served in the US Army Counterintelligence Corps during the Korean War. He practiced Law in Fort Stockton for over 60 years in both private and community capacities. Upon retirement from general practice, he adopted the Pecos County State Bank as his “work family.” In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.
Hon. Reagan Cartwright Helm died peacefully on Aug. 24, 2020, surrounded by his loving family and caregivers at their family cabin in Estes Park, Colorado. Helm was a double Longhorn. After graduating from Texas Law, he entered the FBI and served in Denver and New York City. Helm then owned and operated the first BMW dealership in Houston, where he won several BMW North America Dealer of the Year Awards. He went on to own Galleria Area Ford. In 1994, Helms was elected Judge of Harris County Criminal Court #1, where he served until is retirement in 2010. Those wishing to make a contribution in Helm’s memory may donate to St. John’s School or The Rocky Mountain Conservancy in Estes Park, CO.
Steven Paul Boney passed away surrounded by his family on May 25, 2020. He was a double Longhorn and a proud Austinite for more than 50 years. For 44 years, Boney served as a criminal defense attorney. He was a regular volunteer for Legal Aid in Austin, constantly committed to helping others in need. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations may be made in Boney’s name to the ALS Association of Texas.
Thomas Baker Greene III passed away on March 10, 2020. Greene spent many years as a successful litigator. He was a partner at the firms of Crain, Winters, Deaton, James & Briggs (now Crain Caton & James); Ware, Snow, Fogel, Jackson & Greene; and Kajander & Greene. Greene spent his final years as a solo practitioner. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rice University, Office of Development MS-81, P. O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892 or Main Street Theater, 2540 Times Blvd., Houston, TX 77005.
John R. Locke, Jr. died on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at age 96. Locke is a double Longhorn. After getting his undergraduate degree, he volunteered for pilot training in the U.S. Army Air Force. Upon graduation from Texas Law, Locke first practiced as an United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas. In 1950, he joined his father’s law firm Kelso, Locke & King, which later became Groce, Locke & Hebdon. Locke served on the Board of Directors of Cullen Frost and was a member of numerous civic and social organizations. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation, 1250 NE Loop 410, Suite 234, San Antonio, TX 78209.
Timothy William Johnson, age 67, passed away on Sept. 9, 2020, at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, after a long illness. After graduating, Johnson joined the Atlanta law firm of Smith, Currie & Hancock, where he became a partner. He opened his own specialized labor and employment law firms: Crenshaw & Johnson and Johnson, Matte & Hobgood. Later, Johnson joined Coca-Cola Enterprises as Vice President of Labor Relations until his retirement in 2007. He returned to Smith Currie in an “of counsel” role until his illness forced him to fully retire in 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, or the Farber Fund at University of South Dakota.
Ronald R. Calhoun passed away on Aug. 29, 2020, in Albuquerque, NM. Calhoun graduated from Texas Law in 1958. He never worked for anyone else, establishing his career as an attorney in El Paso until he retired in 2000. Calhoun loved to travel, visiting more than 80 countries in his lifetime. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, (donate3.cancer.org).
Jimmie B. Todd, 82, of Odessa died on Sept. 1, 2020 following a brief illness. Todd was the founding attorney and President of Todd, Barron, Thomason, Hudman & Bebout, P.C., where he continued to practice law and served as the managing partner. He was heavily involved in community service; Todd assisted in securing The University of Texas of the Permian Basin for Odessa. He helped establish the Village Place Charitable Trust and served as a Trustee of that Trust until its dissolution. Todd also served as a Director of the State and Western National Banks, and as President of E. L. Farmer & Company. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund. Visit frankwwilson.com to leave online condolences.
Donald L. Gaffney, age 68, died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 3, 2020, at his home in Phoenix, Arizona after a multi-year battle with cancer. He joined Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. in 1989, where he was the leader of the firm’s Bankruptcy Group for over 25 years. His professional recognitions include The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, and many, many more. In 2018, Gaffney was presented the State Bar of Arizona Bankruptcy Section Pro Bono Superhero Award. He was also active in many associations, including the Federal Bar Association, Phoenix Chapter where he was President from 2015-2016 and the Texas Law Executive Council of Alumni Association. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The Phoenix Symphony.
Hon. Joseph Bonner Dorsey died on Aug. 27, 2020, at home surrounded by loving family members. After Texas Law, he served as an ROTC officer, deployed to Vietnam during 1969. He was later loaned to the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps of the United States Army. For his service, the U.S. Army awarded Dorsey with many medals and released him at the rank of Major. After serving in Vietnam, he returned home to Corpus Christi, where he continued to serve in the Army Reserves, working as a criminal defense attorney and raising his family. Following retirement, Dorsey travelled across South Texas serving as a “Visiting Judge”. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either: Mother Teresa’s Shelter or KEDT-Public Broadcasting System.
Noted trial lawyer Sam D. Sparks of San Angelo died Aug. 31, 2020, following a heroic battle with Pancreatic cancer. Sparks had been a partner in the law firm of Webb, Stokes & Sparks, LLP since 1972. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association where he served as a Director for many years. Sparks was considered to be a passionate advocate for his clients and active within his own community.
C. Fielding Early Jr. passed away Aug. 7, 2020. He was a double Longhorn, earning his undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Texas at Ausin. Fielding worked at Texaco in Houston and several state agencies in Austin. He loved to travel and spending time on the family ranch in Brownwood, TX. Those who wish to leave a remembrance of Fielding or express condolences are encouraged to do so at the link below.
James Merrill Neel passed away on July 1, 2020 in Houston, Texas, at the age of 82. Neel started his law career at Baker Botts in 1962 where he worked until he left to be the founding partner in Houston’s first boutique labor law firm in 1972. In 2007, he made the change to a solo practice at Neel Interests and continued to represent his clients for several years. Neel continued to contribute to the legal profession by teaching Title VII litigation at the University of Houston, wrote and lectured at many Continuing Legal Education seminars across the country, was a contributing co-author of the Texas Association of business Employment law Handbook, and served as chairman of the Section of Labor and Employment Law for the State Bar of Texas.
Gerald Shur ’57, trailblazing attorney and architect of the Witness Security Program (WITSEC), has passed away at 86. Shur served 34 years in the Justice Department and was instrumental in the creation and administration of the Witness Protection Program which has, “led to the conviction and incarceration of 10,000 very serious criminals.”
David Nathan Gray, age 81, died on Aug. 25, 2020, as a result of old age. David was a sixth-generation Texan. Born and educated in Beaumont, David graduated from The University of Texas School of Law in 1963 and was a member of Phi Delta Phi. David was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, where he served for three years with the Judge Advocate General Corp. In 1967, David started his law practice with Minter & Mahon, which later made him a named partner. In 1984, David became partners with Roy W. Moore, practicing under the name of Gray & Moore until he retired in 2007. He spent his spare time as a youth league and high school baseball umpire.