Alumni News - April 2026

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 D. Hart, BBA ’78, JD ’81, was recognized on the 2026 Texas Super Lawyers® list for the 24th consecutive year for his work in personal injury litigation.

David N. Corkern, JD ’85, became a partner at Shackelford, McKinley & Norton in Houston, Texas, in April 2026.

Hon. Bruce D. Oakley, BA ’86, JD ’89, was reappointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports in April 2026.

Hon. Alfonso Charles, JD ’90, was reappointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in March 2026 as presiding judge of the Tenth Administrative Judicial Region. 

Patrick "Pat” Souter, BBA ’87, JD ’91: In April 2026, Pat was elected to the American Health Law Association’s board of directors.

Jeffrey P. “Jeff” Bates, BBA ’88, JD ’92, was named general counsel of Brookshire Brothers in March 2026, after serving for two years as corporate counsel. He also serves as corporate secretary for Brookshire Brothers Inc., its holding company, and the company’s charitable foundation.

Elizabeth (Ingram) Carlyle, BBA ’92, JD ’95, released her first book, Americans Who Pray: Uniting a Nation in Faith and Freedom, in March 2026.

Allen H. Rustay, JD ’97, was recognized on the 2026 Texas Super Lawyers® list for his work in business litigation.

Hon. Shad M. Robinson, JD ’99, served as the keynote speaker for Buena Vista University’s 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony.

Brian W. Clark, JD ’01, was featured in D Magazine’s 2026 Best Lawyers in Dallas list for his work in business/commercial litigation.

Brian K. Carroll, JD ’02, was recognized by Engineering News-Record as one of its Top 25 Newsmakers in the construction industry and served as the lead speaker at the Texas Construction Law Foundation’s Construction Law Conference.

T. Blake Edwards, JD ’05, joined Estes Thorne Ewing & Payne as a partner in Dallas, Texas, in April 2026.

Justin D. Gordon, JD ’05, was appointed deputy attorney general for administration by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in April 2026. He will also continue serving as general counsel for the Office of the Attorney General.

Joseph F. “Joe” Hoelscher, II, JD ’06, transitioned from the board of directors of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association to the board of its affiliated educational institute in March 2026. He was also named chair of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association’s District Attorney Relations Committee.

Tennessee W. Walker, JD ’08, was appointed by Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath to the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers in March 2026.

Nicholas A. “Nick” Sarokhanian, JD ’10, was named co-chair of Fox Rothschild’s artificial intelligence practice in April 2026.

Logan R. Adcock, BA ’11, JD ’14, was promoted to equity shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Dallas, Texas.

Julie M. Christensen, BA ’14, JD ’17, was promoted to shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Dallas, Texas, in March 2026.

Skylar M. Moore, JD ’17, was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who in March 2026 for her work in collaborative law and mediation.

Toni L. Swanger, JD ’17, was promoted to shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Dallas, Texas.

Samantha C. (Lewis) Henington, JD ’18, was featured in  Influential Women in March 2026 for her work in the Austin, Texas, legal community.

Reagan M. Smith, JD ’21, joined Jackson Walker as an associate attorney in Fort Worth, Texas, in April 2026.

Tristan J. Crowder, BA ’20, JD ’22, was recognized on the 2026 Texas Super Lawyers® “Rising Stars” list for his work in personal injury law.

Allison P. Steele, BBA ’18, JD ’22, was recognized on the 2026 Texas Super Lawyers® “Rising Stars” list for her work in intellectual property law.

Bailey E. VanNatta, BA ’18, JD ’22, was recognized on the 2026 Texas Super Lawyers® “Rising Stars” list for her work in personal injury law. She was promoted to junior partner at Guerra in San Antonio, Texas, in April 2026.

Juliet R. Hernandez, JD ’24, joined Spencer Fane as an associate attorney in Houston, Texas, in April 2026.

Nicole M. Biloune, BA ’22, JD ’25, joined Brown Sims as an associate attorney in Houston, Texas, in March 2026.