Alumni News - September 2024
Baylor Law School is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Baylor Lawyers.
This information highlights the professional and personal successes of our graduates, showcasing the impact they are making on the legal profession and in their communities. Please share your alumni notes here.
Jeff Kearney, JD ’72, founder of Fort Worth-based Kearney Law Firm, has been named the “Lawyer of the Year” for Criminal Defense—White Collar by The Best Lawyers in America®.
Bruce Smith, JD ’86, has started ETXMediation, a mediation-only practice in Longview, Texas. He was recognized in 2024 as a Super Lawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution by the Thomson Reuters-owned Super Lawyers publication.
Catherine Tabor, JD ’86, is Managing Partner at Tabor Law Firm PC in Austin, Texas.
Susan P. Burton, JD ’87, of Cornell Smith Mierl Brutocao Burton in Austin, received the Travis County Women Lawyers Association Attorney Award for Outstanding Achievement. This award recognizes attorneys for their long-standing hard work, dedication, and contributions to the legal profession and the community. In addition to her commitment to her clients and her employment law practice, Susan has been an active volunteer and leader in the legal community, including her work with Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, the Austin Bar Association, the Travis County Women Lawyers Foundation, and the State Bar Grievance Committee. She continues to volunteer her time as a board member and in leadership positions for several non-profit organizations in Central Texas. These organizations (past and present) include the YMCA of Greater Austin, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Austin, Greater Austin Sports Foundation, PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, and the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation.
Hon. David Gunn, JD ’87, partner at Beck Redden LLP in Houston, was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the First Court of Appeals, Place 4.
Karen Watkins, JD ’90, with the Administrative Law Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, will continue to serve as the immediate Past Chair of the Administrative and Public Law Section (APLS) of the State Bar.
Jonathan J. Bates, JD ’93, of Kinser & Bates in Dallas, was the 2024 recipient of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists’ Sam Emison Memorial Award, which is “bestowed upon one exceptionally distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has demonstrated a significant commitment and made significant contributions to the practice of family law in the State of Texas.” He was also a co-recipient of the SBOT Family Law Section’s Chair’s Award for “timeless service and dedication” in 2024.
Meg Dippel-Voelter, JD ’99, was honored as a Distinguished Alumni for Brenham ISD.
Sara Ferris, JD ’99, of the Environmental Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, was elected Chair of the Administrative and Public Law Section (APLS) of the State Bar. Sara is board-certified in Administrative Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
William Lee Auvenshine, JD ’02, serves as the Territorial Legal Director/General Counsel for The Salvation Army USA – Southern Territory.
Amanda Taylor, JD ‘04, with Taylor & Lopez PLLC in San Antonio, has been elected as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society.
Hon. Mandi Mowery, JD ’05, was appointed by Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota to the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court. Judge Mowery has served in the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office for 17 years.
Meghan Nicole Eilers, JD ’06, was named Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Ovintiv Inc. in March 2022, with her role expanding to include Midstream & Marketing in April 2024.
Joseph Hoelscher, JD ’06, has been appointed to the Ethics Committee of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, which advises lawyers facing ethical dilemmas. He continues to serve on committees for Judicial Conduct, Media Relations, and Cannabis Law (Vice Chair).
Austin Kinghorn, JD ’10, was promoted by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy.
Christian Brown, JD ’11, is the founder of Code & Counsel PLLC, a tech-based law firm and consulting service that specializes in integrating custom AI and BI solutions into legal practice and startups.
Aimee Housinger, JD ’12, is a shareholder with Greenberg Traurig in Houston, focusing her practice on commercial and complex litigation.
Hon. Kevin Keller, JD ’13, was sworn in as a Special Judge for Tulsa County in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he will preside over a Family Law docket. He previously served as Chief of the Criminal Division at the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office for 11 years.
Major Lauren Browning, JD ’14, received a Master of Laws degree in Military Law from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School and currently advises the 16th Military Police Brigade Commander in North Carolina.
Natasha J. Dempsey, JD ’15, is an associate with Foley & Lardner LLP in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jared Wilkinson, JD ’16, a commercial litigation attorney, joined Dallas-based Bailey Brauer PLLC as a partner. A Litigation Counsel of America Fellow, he was selected for The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for 2025.
Julie Christensen, JD ‘17, is an associate with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Dallas.
Carlos E. Alferez, JD ’19, has joined Spencer Fane LLP in Dallas as an associate in the Real Estate practice group.
Patrick Crosby, JD ’19, is an associate with Moore Landrey LLP in Beaumont, Texas.
Andrew Harding, JD ’19, is a Litigation Attorney with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies in Waco, Texas.
Caitlin Huettemann, JD ’22, is working with the Solicitor General of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
Tory Martin, JD ’24, has joined the Class Action and Appellate Litigation Practice Group at Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP in Houston.
