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.
The Honorable Jim Meyer, BBA ’73, JD ’74: In March 2026, Judge Meyer announced his retirement from the bench after serving 34 years as the presiding judge of the 170th State District Court in Waco, Texas.
John D. Hart, BBA ’78, JD ’81: John 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: In April 2026, David became a partner at Shackelford, McKinley & Norton in Houston, Texas.
The Honorable Bruce D. Oakley, BA ’86, JD ’89: In April 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Judge Oakley to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports.
The Honorable Alfonso Charles, JD ’90: In March 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Judge Charles as presiding judge of the Tenth Administrative Judicial Region for a four-year term.
Patrick "Pat” Souter, BBA ’87, JD ’91: In April 2026, Pat was elected to the American Health Law Association’s board of directors.
Jeffrey “Jeff” Bates, BBA ’88, JD ’92: In March 2026, Jeff was named General Counsel of Brookshire Brothers 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: In March 2026, Elizabeth released her first book, “Americans Who Pray: Uniting a Nation in Faith and Freedom.”
Allen H. Rustay, JD ’97: Allen was recognized on the 2026 Texas Super Lawyers® list for his work in business litigation.
The Honorable Shad M. Robinson, JD ’99: Judge Robinson served as the keynote speaker for Buena Vista University’s 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony.
Brian W. Clark, JD ’01: Brian was featured in D Magazine’s 2026 Best Lawyers in Dallas list for his work in business/commercial litigation.
Brian K. Carroll, JD ’02: In March 2026, Brian 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 Edward, JD ’05: In April 2026, Blake joined Estes Thorne Ewing & Payne as a partner in Dallas, Texas.
Justin D. Gordon, JD ’05: In April 2026, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appointed Justin as Deputy Attorney General for Administration. He will also continue serving as General Counsel for the Office of the Attorney General.
Joseph “Joe” Hoelscher, II, JD ’06: In March 2026, Joe transitioned from the Board of Directors of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association to the board of its affiliated educational institute. He was also named chair of the District Attorney Relations Committee for the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Tennessee W. Walker, JD ’08: In March 2026, Tennessee was appointed to the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers by Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath.
Nicholas “Nick” Sarokhanian, JD ’10: In April 2026, Fox Rothschild named Nick co-chair of the firm’s artificial intelligence practice.
Logan R. Adcock, BA ’11, JD ’14: In March 2026, Logan was promoted to equity shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Dallas, Texas.
John W. Busch, JD ’14: John was recognized on the 2026 Texas Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list for his work in civil litigation and personal injury law.
Julie M. Christensen, BA ’14, JD ’17: In March 2026, Julie was promoted to shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Dallas, Texas.
Skylar M. Moore, JD ’17: In March 2026, Skylar was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for her work in collaborative law and mediation.
Toni L. Swanger, JD ’17: In March 2026, Toni was promoted to shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Dallas, Texas.
Samantha Lewis Henington, JD ’18: In March 2026, Samantha was featured in Influential Women for her work in the Austin, Texas, legal community.
Reagan M. Smith, JD ’21: In April 2026, Reagan joined Jackson Walker as an associate attorney in Fort Worth, Texas.
Tristan J. Crowder, BA ’20, JD ’22: Tristan 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: Allison 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: In April 2026, Bailey was promoted to junior partner at Guerra in San Antonio, Texas.
Juliet R. Hernandez, JD ’24: In April 2026, Juliet joined Spencer Fane as an associate attorney in Houston, Texas.
Nicole M. Biloune, BA ’22, JD ’25: In March 2026, Nicole joined Brown Sims as an associate attorney in Houston, Texas.
