Randall H Erben

Randall H Erben

  • Adjunct Professor

Faculty Profile: Randall H Erben

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Biography

Education: University of Texas School of Law, J.D. 1981. Champion, Kemp Smith Mock Trial Competition, 1980. Member, Board of Advocates. Princeton University, A.B., 1978 Major: English Thesis Topic: The novels of Ford Madox Ford Major subjects: Modern fiction, Shakespeare, Chaucer Minor subjects: Art History, Urban Studies, Economics, Math

Employment History: Adjunct Professor, The University of Texas School of Law, 2016-present. Legislative Director, Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Jan. 20-Nov. 20, 2015. Owner, Principal, and Attorney, Erben & Yarbrough, 1993-2014. Erben & Yarbrough was a law firm primarily engaged in a state and federal governmental affairs practice, working on a broad range of issues. It also offered consulting services on ethics matters such as campaign finance, lobby filings, and financial disclosure to a number of statewide elected officials and legislators, as well as other entities. Served as general counsel for Texans for Rick Perry, Governor Perry’s primary political committee, from 2006-present. Served as general counsel for RickPerry.org, Inc., Governor Perry’s presidential campaign committee from 2011-2012. Assistant Secretary-Designate/Acting Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community Planning and Development/Deputy Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Community Planning and Development – Grant Programs, 1991-1992 Nominated by President George H.W. Bush in August 1992 to administer $5.5 billion in federal grant programs relating to housing and community development, including the Community Development Block Grant, HOME, HOPE 3, and McKinney Act homeless programs, and to oversee over 1,000 employees across the country. Named Acting Assistant Secretary by HUD Secretary Jack Kemp in May 1992, and Deputy Assistant Secretary in 1991. Director, State of Texas Office of State-Federal Relations/Deputy Director and General Counsel, 1989-1991 Appointed as Director by Governor William P. Clements, Jr. and confirmed by the Texas Senate in May 1990 to head the State of Texas' office in Washington, an independent State agency which serves as the liaison between the State and federal governments. Served as the chief lobbyist for the State's interests at the White House, Cabinet agencies, and on Capitol Hill, and was the primary point of contact for assistance for the Texas Congressional delegation and the executive and legislative branches of Texas government. Served as Deputy Director and General Counsel for the agency prior to his Senate confirmation. Assistant Secretary of State of Texas, 1989-1991 Managed a major state agency with 270 employees and a $26 million biennial budget, and was responsible for planning and implementation of the 1988 "Super Tuesday" primary election and the 1988 general election for the entire state. Primary jurisdiction over all campaign finance, lobby registration, personal financial disclosure, and ethics and elections laws in Texas. Attorney at Law, Foster, Lewis, Langley, Gardner & Banack, Incorporated, 1981-1987 Attained Member and Shareholder status in September 1986 with what was then one of San Antonio's oldest and largest firms. Practice areas: commercial litigation and public law.

Professional Qualifications: Recipient of 2019 University of Texas at Austin Presidential Citation Award from President Greg Fenves; Licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, and the United State Tax Court, as well as all Texas state courts. Received AV rating from the national Martindale-Hubbell Rating System, the highest rating given for legal expertise and professional reputation. The publication The Best Lawyers in America named Mr. Erben as 2011 Austin Government Relations Lawyer of the Year, and listed Mr. Erben in its 2007-2014 editions as one of Texas’ best attorneys in the practice area of Government Relations Law. U.S. News & World Report included Erben & Yarbrough in its 2010-2014 editions of “The Best Law Firms” in the area of Government Relations Practice. Campaign and Elections/Politico Magazine listed Mr. Erben as one of the top 30 most influential Republicans in Texas in its August 2010 edition.

Community Service: Chair, Texas Ethics Commission (appointed by Speaker of the House Joe Straus in December 2017); Board of Directors, Ex-Students Association of The University of Texas (“Texas Exes”) 2018-present; Texas Exes Public Affairs Committee 2010-present, Chair 2016-2017; Annette Strauss Center for Civic Life Advisory Council, Moody College of Communications at University of Texas at Austin 2019-2022; University of Texas at Austin University Development Board 2016-present; St. Andrew's Episcopal School Board of Trustees 2013-2018, Chair 2016-2018; Princeton University Alumni Development Committee; Chair, Covenant Presbyterian Church Foundation; Ordained Deacon, Covenant Presbyterian Church

Book Author: Texas Government in a Nutshell published by West Academic Publishing (1st ed., 2022)

 

 

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