The University of Texas Law School Foundation has tapped six distinguished members of the Law School alumni community to join its Board of Trustees. The newly elected trustees bring diverse professional expertise and a strong commitment to supporting the Law School. Their three-year terms began on September 1, 2026.
Alex Albright ’80, an accomplished attorney with the Austin firm Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP, whose storied career included a tenure as an associate dean at the Law School and service as the school’s director of clerkship programs, has deep experience in civil casework in Texas and at the federal level. Beyond her practice, Albright is a prolific author of books and articles on procedural issues and played a role in the 1999 redrafting of Texas discovery rules.
The Honorable Jane Bland ’90 joined the Supreme Court of Texas in 2019, bringing nearly two decades of judicial experience to her current role. She was previously a state district judge in Houston for six years and a justice on the First Court of Appeals for 15 years. On SCOTX, Justice Bland serves as liaison to the Judicial Commission on Mental Health and the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society and is deputy liaison to the court’s Rules Advisory Committee. She began her practice at Baker Botts LLP, handling complex trial and appellate matters, and has also served as a partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP in Houston. Justice Bland previously served as a trustee for nine years and was the Chair of the Audit Committee.
Amanda Bush ’03 co-founded and serves as president and managing partner of the strategic advisory firm Pine Cove Strategies, bringing extensive expertise in strategic communications, business development, and stakeholder engagement. She is also a senior advisor at TrailRunner International and of counsel with Jackson Walker LLP, where she advises clients on corporate strategy, legal matters, and business development. Bush has extensive board and governance experience and previously served on the Texas Law Alumni Association Executive Committee, among other roles.
Luke Ledbetter ’06 is the CEO of Kestrel Group and previously held the position of chief underwriting officer and head of business development with State National Companies, growing the company’s portfolio to more than $2.5 billion annually, a testament to his strategic vision and significant expertise in insurance and risk management. Before moving into the executive realm, he practiced law with Baker Botts LLP.
Barrett Reasoner ’90 is a partner at Gibbs & Bruns LLP, the premier Houston litigation boutique, where he has practiced for more than three decades. An accomplished trial lawyer recognized among the nation’s leading commercial litigators, Reasoner represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex disputes spanning energy, oil and gas, antitrust, construction, environmental, securities, intellectual property, and legal malpractice defense. He began his career as an assistant district attorney for Harris County before joining Gibbs & Bruns in 1992 and becoming a partner in 1996. Reasoner previously served as a trustee for nine years.
Carlos Rodriguez ’03 is an attorney at Webb, Stokes and Sparks in San Angelo, specializing in personal injury law. He was board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2010 and is a deeply experienced advocate for individuals who have suffered serious injuries or lost loved ones due to the negligence or misconduct of others. Rodriguez is a San Angelo native with strong ties to West Texas. He has served on numerous boards and has extensive volunteer experience with nonprofits serving those in need.
This year’s election results reflect the Board’s commitment to bringing fresh perspectives to its ranks. “These six accomplished alumni add extraordinary depth to our board,” says Board Chair Susan L. Blount ’81, who announced the new board appointments. “Their experiences and insights will be invaluable as we tackle our key priorities in the years ahead.”
The Law School Foundation plays a vital role in advancing Texas Law’s priorities by managing endowed funds and directing donor support toward the school’s academic programs, student scholarships, faculty support, and special initiatives. The Foundation’s dedicated trustees provide strategic leadership and governance that strengthens the institution and expands its impact on legal education and the legal profession.
Recognition of Departing Trustees
“The arrival of our new trustees means, sadly, that we are saying goodbye to a large group of long-serving and remarkable board members,” says Susan Hartenstein, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “We are incredibly grateful to them.”
Eight alumni in all are rolling off the Board of Trustees, seven of whom have completed nine-year terms. Jack Balagia ’76, who served twice as Board Chair, had been a member of the Board for 18 years.
Jack Balagia ’76 was elevated to Vice Chair of Development in 2015, and elected Board Chair in 2019, a position he held until 2023. After stepping down from the chairmanship, he continued his service as a Senior Trustee. Balagia’s tenure touched virtually every aspect of the Foundation’s work.
Scott Atlas ’75 served on the Development and Audit committees and played a crucial leadership role heading the highly successful Endowment for Excellence Scholarship campaign beginning in 2014.
Al Bennett ’91 provided steady stewardship as a member of the Audit Committee through its transition to two different auditing firms and also contributed to the Budget Committee’s work.
Steve Burns ’90 contributed significantly to the Board’s work through his service on the Nominating and Investment committees. He recently relocated to Austin just in time for his well-deserved retirement from his Board duties.
John Guerra ’88 contributed valuable expertise through his service on the Investment, Audit, and Development committees.
Tracey Kennedy ’90 dedicated her time and talents to the Development and Audit committees.
Duke Ligon ’69 previously served as a Trustee from 2002 through 2008, contributing expertise through his work on the Investment Committee, then rejoined as a Senior Trustee in 2023.
Wilson Neely ’81 made exceptional contributions as Budget Committee Chair from 2019 through 2024, during which time he implemented a beneficial dashboard that enhanced the committee’s oversight capabilities. He also served on the Investment Committee.
About the University of Texas Law School Foundation
The University of Texas Law School Foundation is a private, nonprofit educational corporation established in 1952 at the direction of the then-new Law School dean, W. Page Keeton. The Foundation’s mission is to develop, manage, and enhance the financial and administrative resources that support The University of Texas School of Law, enabling the Law School to pursue its educational mission and maintain its position as one of the nation’s premier law schools.
The Foundation is dedicated to the stewardship of donors for funding of Law School programs, including the Fund for Texas Law providing unrestricted operational resources; Capital Programs supporting endowed chairs, professorships, lectureships, and scholarships; Special Projects addressing building funds, faculty research, and special endowment campaigns; and Planned Giving opportunities through wills, bequests, estates, and trusts.
Working closely with the dean, faculty, and students at the Law School, the Foundation assists in achieving institutional goals and coordinates with The University of Texas at Austin Development Board to advance the general welfare of the university.
The Law School Foundation Board of Trustees provides critical governance and strategic leadership for the Foundation. Board members commit their time, expertise, and resources to ensure that the Foundation fulfills its mission.
For more information about the Law School Foundation, visit utlsf.org or contact the Foundation’s business operations manager, Tiffany Braymen, at TBraymen@law.utexas.edu.