Alumni News - November 2025
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.
David C. Kent, BA ’75, JD ’78, received the Kim J. Askew Distinguished Service Award from the Dallas Bar Association in November 2025.
Jeffery D. “Jeff” Jones, BBA ’80, JD ’83, was sworn in as the new mayor of the City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, in November 2025.
Steven D. “Steve” Jansma, JD ’92, received the 2025 C. Lee Cusenbary Ethical Life and Leadership Award from the Association of Corporate Counsel’s San Antonio Chapter and The Texas Lawbook.
Charles W. “Rocky” Rhodes, IV, BBA ’90, JD ’92, a nationally recognized constitutional law scholar and teacher, joined the University of Missouri School of Law in Fall 2025 as the Edward H. Hunvald Professor of Law and Wall Fellow in Constitutional Law.
Tracy L. (McKinzie) Norton, JD ’94, was selected by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Technology, Law, and Legal Section as the recipient of the 2026 Technology Mentorship Award.
Brian K. Carroll, JD ’02, earned a Band 1 ranking in Construction: Alternative Dispute Resolution in the 2025 USA Guide by Chambers and Partners. In addition, he was elected a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation in November 2025.
Kristen (Williams) Cook, BA ’02, JD ’05, was named executive vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary of The Brink’s Company in November 2025.
Devon K. (Day) Sharp, JD ’07, received the Texas General Counsel Forum’s Magna Stella Award for pro bono service in November 2025, for her work leading Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC) in 2024–25.
Ashley R. (Kempenski) Welvaert, JD ’12, was featured in Vanguard Magazine in November 2025, highlighting her role as chief legal officer at Modigent, where she oversees legal, safety, risk, and compliance functions and shapes operational strategy within the mechanical and infrastructure industries.
Faith E. (Johnson) Lowry, JD ’15, was elected a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation in November 2025.
Claire C. (Neill) Wilson, JD ’15, began a new position as Managing Counsel, IT and Enterprise Technology at 7-Eleven in November 2025.
Briana E. (Loughlin) Johnson, JD ’17, was promoted to partner at Perkins Coie in Austin, Texas, in November 2025.
Ava C. Macheledt, JD ’25, joined Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd as an associate attorney in Greenville, South Carolina, in November 2025.
