Class Notes

Casey Kaplan, ’07, joined Nike, Inc., in Beaverton, Oregon, as Assistant General Counsel for Litigation and Internal Investigations in the summer of 2015.

Vinson & Elkins has bolstered its highly regarded Finance Practice Group with the addition of partner Trevor Wommack, who focuses his practice on syndicated lending in the energy sector. Wommack, who joins the firm from Bracewell, will be based in V&E’s Houston office.

Gary E. Zausmer joins ENOCH KEVER PLLC, bringing strong commercial litigation expertise. Gary has been a prominent litigator in Texas for decades since serving as United States District Judge James R. Nowlin’s initial briefing attorney.

Noel Harwerth has joined the board of Sirius Minerals Plc. as a non-executive director.

Giordani, Swanger, Ripp & Phillips recently named Steven D. Baker as its newest partner. With a background in accounting, Mr. Baker counsels individuals and fiduciaries in a wide variety of estate and business succession, charitable giving, and estate and trust administration matters. He is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in Estate and Trust Law by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. He’s been with GSRP for two years.

Sarah Scott was just hired by Coats Rose, P.C. as an Associate in the Affordable Housing practice group in the Austin office.

Kourtney Mueller Merrill, who received a J.D. with honors, Order of the Coif from The University of Texas School of Law in 2005, has been promoted to partner at law firm Perkins Coie. Kourtney is a member of Perkins’s Coie’s is a member of the firm’s Patent Litigation practice in the Denver office. Her work focuses on patent infringement litigation, inter partes review (IPR), and related intellectual property claims.

Brooks Pierce has named Reid Phillips as the firm’s managing partner, effective January 1. He follows Ed Winslow, who had led the firm since 2000.

Phillips, one of North Carolina’s top litigators, has served on the firm’s management committee since 2003 and as the firm’s general counsel since 2000. He will continue to actively practice law while providing strategic leadership and guidance to Brooks Pierce, which has more than 90 attorneys in Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington.

Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce Melissa M. Davis has joined the Firm’s Austin office as Counsel in the Trial Practice Group.

Ewell, Brown & Blanke LLP is pleased to announce that Joseph R. Knight has joined the firm as a partner and the firm has changed its name to Ewell, Brown, Blanke & Knight LLP.

FordHarrison LLP on Monday said that the former managing partner of its Dallas office, who left last year for Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC, has come full circle, making her way back to the management-side labor and employment firm. Buena Vista Lyons, who moved to Ogletree last September, rejoined the firm’s Dallas office as a partner on Monday.

Vianei Lopez Braun joined Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP as a Partner in Labor & Employment Law, and she will be dividing her time between the Fort Worth and Houston offices.

Andrews Kurth recently announced the election of Cindy Y. Lin to the partnership. She will assume her new position on January 1, 2016.

Andrews Kurth recently announced the election of Brian J. Dillavou to the partnership. He will assume his new position on January 1, 2016.

Andrews Kurth recently announced the election of Isabel Crosby to the partnership. She will assume her new position on January 1, 2016.

Shipbird COO Dana E. Lipp is one of the youngest female COOs of a start-up in the tech industry. Shipbird, a game-changing package delivery service that allows users to employ proprietary technology, is a cleaner, more environmentally friendly option for businesses and individuals to send packages.

Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce Counsel Robert Vartabedian and Associate Conrad D. Hester have joined the Firm’s Fort Worth office in the Trial Practice Group.

“Both Rob and Conrad bring legal expertise in the oil, gas, and energy industry, which is highly valued by our many of our clients,” said Greg W. Curry, the Firm’s Trial Practice Group Leader. “They will make an excellent addition to our team.”

Kate Bailey recently joined HunterMaclean, a leading business law firm with offices in Savannah and Brunswick, as an associate in the firm’s Employment and Business Litigation Groups.

ALUMNI NEWS: Robert Thomas ’00 appointed Chairman of the Texas Facilities Commission by Gov. Greg Abbott.