Alumni News - December 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.

John Kermit Hill, JD ’86, was appointed and sworn in as Grayson County District Attorney.

Honorable Emily A. Fisher, JD ’87, has been appointed judge of the 306th Judicial Court in Galveston County. 

Honorable Thomas West, JD ’90, was reelected as judge of the 19th District Court in Waco.

Fletcher Brown, JD ’91, was welcomed as a partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP in Austin, Texas. 

Honorable Lee Harris, JD ‘93, was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Tenth Court of Appeals, Place 2. He previously served as judge of the 66th Judicial District Court in Hill County. 

Robert R. Collins III, JD ’95, with Bracewell LLP in Dallas, was elected to serve a three-year term on Bracewell’s Management Committee. 

Honorable Lori DeAngelo, JD ’98, was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve as a judge of the 495th Judicial District Court in Harris County, effective January 1, 2025. She previously served as judge of the 487th Judicial District Court of Harris County. 

Kristen Ishihara, JD ’06, currently serves as mayor of Longview, Texas. She has practiced law in Longview since 2006 and served on the city council since 2014.

Grant Thornhill, JD ’12, was promoted to partner at Wilson Elser in Dallas, Texas. 

Lauren H. McDonald, JD ‘13, was welcomed as an of-counsel lawyer at Fisher & Phillips LLP in Dallas, Texas.

Kate Quisenberry, JD ’17, was promoted to principal attorney at Fish & Richardson P.C. in Houston, Texas.

Bailey VanNatta, JD ’22, with Guerra LLP in San Antonio, was elected to the Advocates Board of Directors for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.