Class Notes

Gary Bushell passed away at 78 on July 15, 2020, as a result of complications from a spinal cord injury, which occurred in a fall in December. He graduated from Texas Law in 1967. After law school, Gary chose to join the Marine Corps, where he was trained as an infantry officer and judge advocate general. He served in Viet Nam (1969-70) as a defense attorney, prosecuting attorney, and military judge. Gary first worked as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, then as Senator Bentsen’s chief of staff, overseeing both the Washington and Texas offices. After 8 years in Washington, Gary and his wife Linda moved to Corpus Cristi, where he practiced oil and gas law and was actively involved in the community’s economic development.

Michael Patrick Finn (Mike), 66, of Belton, Texas, passed away on July 5, 2020 surrounded by family after a short battle with a rare and aggressive cancer. Finn earned his juris doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin in 1981. At Texas Law, he met his wife Amy Finn through the luck of alphabetical seating in one of their classes. After graduating law school, he became a member of the State Bar of Texas and was commissioned a captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and assigned to Fort Hood. Finn was committed to military service, serving for more than 40 years after retiring in 2014 as a colonel.

Barbara Hinds Finney passed away peacefully at her home on July 2, 2020, at the age of 99. Finney graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and from UT Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1942. She had a long career as an attorney at the Humble Oil Company, later called ExxonMobil. Finney was a trailblazing female lawyer when there were so few.

Kelvin Smith, an LBJ student and colleague, passed away. Smith was a talented MPAff student with many interests. He also was a veteran who served his country in the US Navy. Smith previously had received a JD in Law in 2011 from the University of Texas School of Law, and he worked for several years in the legal field. In 2016, Smith returned to the University to pursue his MPAff degree at the LBJ School, focusing on Earth and Energy Resources. After joining the LBJ School, Smith pursued his keen passion for cybersecurity issues, and he was working towards the Cyber Security Certification from the Strauss Center of International Law & Security.

Thomas Alton Blakeley, Jr., a lifelong Dallas resident and attorney, died on March 31, 2020, at the age of 84. After graduation from Texas Law, Blakeley joined the practice of his father (T.A. Blakeley), his uncle (Alex Blakeley), and former U.S. Representative, Ralph Hall. A few years later, he began practicing with Robert C. Johnson, Sr. for 25 years. In addition to his civil trial practice, Blakeley was counsel for several Dallas cotton merchants including Reinhart, Inc., and, for several decades, H. Molsen, Co., owned by his best friend since elementary school, Heinz Henry Molsen, Jr.

Submitted by brother, Carlton Carl: Colin Joseph (CJ) Carl, 76, died on March 22, 2020. He graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude (BA) and The University of Texas Law School (entered in class of 1968, but graduated later), after which he clerked for Federal District Judge William Wayne Justice. He served on the Opinions Committee in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and worked for other state agencies before retiring from the State a number of years ago.

Carla Cox passed away November 29, 2019. Carla was a trusted and fearless lawyer on behalf of her clients, a leader at Jackson Walker, and a trailblazer for women in the legal profession. Carla’s commitment to elevating the legal profession, healthcare industry, and Austin community was demonstrated through her service as a member of the Leaders Circle at the University of Texas Center for Women in Law (CWIL), as well as her work with the Chancellor’s Council of the University of Texas System, among many other worthy causes. Among her many accolades was the Travis County Women Lawyers Association 2017 Pathfinder award, given to women lawyers who have been trailblazers in the legal profession in Travis County.

Frank Garrettson Evans, III ’51, retired Chief Justice of the Texas First Court of (Civil) Appeals passed away peacefully at his home, on November 9, 2019, at 91 years of age. He is indelibly recorded in Texas history for providing citizens with access to justice that improved the lives of countless people who never knew his name, yet benefited greatly from the conflict resolution methods that he pioneered and implemented, including mediation and arbitration. He became widely known as the “father of alternative dispute resolution,” because of his groundbreaking work developing conflict resolution processes and programs outside the usual legal system throughout Texas.

William T. Allen, a renowned jurist, scholar and counselor, who helped establish the law governing the conduct of corporations through many landmark judicial decisions, has died at age 75. Appointed by Governor Mike Castle, Allen served as chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery from 1985 to 1997. Often under national scrutiny, Allen wrote hundreds of opinions related to corporate law. He is considered by peers as one of the most accomplished judges of his era.

Fred Jones Moore, died peacefully August 11, 2019, at his home in Seguin, Texas. He was born June 12, 1929, in Bells Texas, to Fred and Lila (Jones) Moore. At UT, he also received a BBA and met and married his wife of 64 years, Catherine (Tsardoulias) Moore. After law school, Moore served in the United States Army, retiring as a full Colonel in 1974. He then opened a law practice in Seguin and served as a Guadalupe County Judge from 1983 to 1994, and as a visiting judge for many years later.

F. Lee Duggan, Jr., Class of 1955, died on June 16, 2019 at age 87, surrounded by his family. He is remembered, not only for his incredible legacy of public service, but as a beloved patriarch. Duggan’s career spanned 6 decades, and included serving as a State Legislator, State Court of Appeals Justice, State District Judge, Assistant District Attorney and trial lawyer. A man of integrity, he strove to ensure that everyone was treated fairly under the law. Please see link to obituary.

Paul Woodrow passed away in February 2018. A longtime resident of Barrington, Illinois, Paul was retired after a long career in Human Resources. He is survived by his wife, Christina, and their children, Katherine, Andrew and Aaron. A fuller obituary may be found online at the link below.

After a long illness, Eric Lacktman passed away at 76 on May 13, 2019.

Steven Dahl Thomas passed away on June 21, 2018. Born August 25, 1952 in Lubbock, Texas, he was the oldest son of the late James Elbert Thomas and Joyce Dahl Thomas. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College (SF74) and a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin. In 1983 he joined the prestigious law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. After six years, he left the law firm and joined Financial Security Assurance as Associate General Counsel.

Sanford Cox passed away on May 14, in El Paso, where he practice law for over half a century. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Holly Cox; his two sons, Curtis Cox and Chris Cox; his daughter-in-law, Sylvia Cox; and his adored granddaughter, Heather Cox. A memorial in his honor will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of El Paso.

James Rezia Meyers passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88 on February 25th 2017 in Austin, Texas. He was student body president at Rice, then Order of the Coif and a Chancellor at the School of Law. After his private practice, he became Judge of the 126th District Court in Travis County in 1966. As a retired District Judge, he was well known and respected as a mediator and arbitrator. He will be remembered for his quick and impish wit, his legal intellect and rigor, and promoting access to the judicial system. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Volunteer Legal Services (www.vlsoct.org) or The Judge James R. Meyers Scholarship c/o The University of Texas Law School Foundation, 727 East Dean Keeton, Austin TX 78705.

Jack Pope, who spent 38 years as a Texas judge, including two decades on the Texas Supreme Court with a two-year term as Chief Justice, died Saturday at age 103 in Austin. A service is scheduled for Friday, March 3rd at the University Avenue Church of Christ with burial following at the state cemetery. “Chief Justice Jack Pope was a judicial icon, His hard work, scholarship, common sense, humor and integrity are legendary,” said the court’s current chief justice, Nathan Hecht. “He was my mentor, role model, counselor and, most especially, my friend. Texas has lost a great, great man.”

Phillip Mann died suddenly at home on June 3, 2016. Former colleagues at his firm Miller & Chevalier described Mr. Mann as “an outstanding tax lawyer and even better person. One of the kindest and most generous people I know.: “His touchstone in life was friendship. Clients became friends with Phil.” In the words of Anthony Shelley, Chair of Miller & Chevalier’s Executive Committee, “Phil was a preeminent lawyer, a strong leader both inside and outside the firm, a loyal colleague and a cherished friend to his clients and peers. He will be greatly missed by so many.”

John Ballard Bennett, died January 24, 2017 in Kerrville, Texas. He was born April 1, 1929 in Edinburg, Texas and was the son of Irene and John Bennett. At the University of Texas, where he was an editor of The Texas Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif, he met the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Mary Frances Chupick. After law school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate’s General Corp. Later, he co-founded Balcones Minerals Corporation in Flatonia, Texas with his father-in-law, John Chupick. He returned to the Rio Grande Valley where he practiced law for many years. The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com.

Trevor Anthony Taylor died on January 23, 2017. He was 47. Trevor loved the law. A trial lawyer with his own practice, he was a tireless advocate and a true believer in the civil justice system. Trevor’s heroes were lawyers, beginning with his father, Bill. Trevor relished an argument and fought passionately for the rights of those who couldn’t fight for themselves. He was greatly respected by his colleagues, a past president of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association, a board member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Lloyd Lochridge Inns of Court. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to a charity of your choice or The Southern Poverty Law Center.

Herschel Clyde Winn died May 17, 2016 in Irving, Texas. Retired in November 1997 as senior vice president and secretary of Tandy Corporation after 29 years of service, Mr. Winn was honored in 2010 by the State Bar of Texas as a “50 Year Lawyer.”

Ralph W. Dau, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge and former partner with the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers, has died. He was 78.

Duke Whitney Gatlin passed away June 1st, 2016 in Nashville, TN.

James W. Smith, Jr. (Jim) passed away on April 26, 2016. Jim earned a B.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin in 1965 and a J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1967. Jim started his law career in 1968 at Childs, Fortenbach, Beck, and Guyton, where he became a partner of the firm. He continued his law practice at Butler and Binion when the two firms merged in 1987. In 1993 he formed his own law firm, Snell and Smith, until the firm merged with Thompson and Knight in 2000. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan, and his daughters, Robin Clark and Lisa Smith (’03).

Ardon Berkeley (RB) Judd, Jr. died April 25, 2016 in Houston, Texas. He was born in Houston on October 7, 1936 and married Nancy Ruina (Rue) Wallace on June 5, 1965. They raised their two daughters, Nancy Alston Judd and Sallie Matthews Judd, in Arlington, Virginia. He was a natural joiner, and in equal measures took joy from and gave joy to all around him. Ardon is survived by a large and loving family.

Texas Law alum Catherine ‘Cathy’ Fant recently passed away. Ms. Fant was the founder and first editor of the Texas Journal on Civil Liberties & Civil Rights.

Alumnus, adjunct faculty member, and dear friend Mark Kincaid ’83 has passed away. A partner in George Brothers Kincaid & Horton LLP, he was the president-elect of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.

Julien Devereux Weeks, 80, retired Senior Public Service Associate with the Carl E. Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia and active community volunteer, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. He received his B.A. in Political Science and J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. His father, Oliver Douglas Weeks, was a UT political science professor until his death in 1970.

Tom Rush Moody Jr. died on November 5, 2015 in Trappe, MD. During his time at Texas Law, Rush was Associate Note Editor of the Texas Law Review.

Carlos Alberto Villarreal passed away on August 26, 2015, in Corpus Christi. He was 53.

Carlos was a Texas Monthly Super Lawyer in Appellate Practice and proud UT Law School alum who worked for the same law firm from 1986 until his death. Originally, the Corpus Christi firm was called Hunt Hermansen McKibben & Barger, but is now McKibben & Villarreal. Carlos became a partner in 1992 and name partner in 1997.

Carlos is survived by his wife of 25 years, Amy Harren de Villarreal (’86).