Texas Bar Journal • June 2026

Memorials

MARK J. HANNA

Hanna, 77, of Austin, died May 23, 2025. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in and receiving its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2025; and for his tenacious commitment to professionalism in an adversarial legal system. Allensworth is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kay Allensworth; sons, John Catlett Allensworth and attorney William Woodward Allensworth; brother, Bob Allensworth; sister, Elizabeth George; and two grandchildren. Brown alongside his brother, Jimmy, and their close friend, Gerald Brown, in 1972; and, beginning in 1988, was judge of the 27th Judicial District until his retirement in 2012. Carroll is remembered for his love of Texas history and the cowboy way of life; the state’s many natural spaces; and conservation with his wife, Susan, of their ranch. He is survived by his wife, Susan Moreau 1973. Hanna was a solo practitioner, representing corporate clients before the Texas Legislature and individual clients before various licensing agencies and the State Office of Administrative Hearings. He is remembered for his love of his yellow dogs, the outdoors, and all of God’s creatures. Hanna is survived by his wife of 45 years, Debbie; son, attorney Mark J. Hanna Jr.; and one granddaughter.

WILLIAM RUSSELL ALLENSWORTH

Allensworth, 78, of Austin, died March 16, 2026. He received his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. Allensworth served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971. He was an attorney with Haynes and Boone in Dallas, eventually managing the Austin office in 1988, and founder of and partner in Roller and Allensworth, later Allensworth and Porter, from 1995 until his retirement in 2016. Allensworth was certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; taught construction law and construction litigation courses as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law; and was chair of the Texas Facilities Commission, instrumental in delivering the Texas Capitol Complex expansion project. He is remembered for taking thought leadership seriously, delivering countless papers and speeches on a wide variety of construction-related topics throughout his career; remaining deeply connected to his alma mater, Texas Tech Law, serving as president of the Texas Tech Law Alumni Association in 1988

VALERIA V. ACEVEDO

Acevedo, 89, of Laredo, died March 21, 2026. She received her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1992. Acevedo was a partner in the Law Offices of Acevedo & Acevedo and an attorney with the Webb County District Attorney’s Office. She is remembered for exploring the world with her husband, children, and grandchildren; for being an avid reader; and for her love of dancing with her husband. Acevedo is survived by her husband of 66 years, Gustavo L. Acevedo Sr.; sons, Gustavo L. Acevedo Jr., Gerardo Acevedo, Mike Acevedo, and Martin Acevedo; daughters, Ariadne Diaz, Valeria M. Acevedo, and Veronica A. Brown; 13 grandchildren; and one grandchild.

HON. JOE CARROLL JR.

Carroll, 81, of Salado, died November 17, 2025. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1968. Carroll served in the Texas Army National Guard from 1969 to 1975. He re-opened his late father’s law practice; was appointed Bell County attorney in 1970; was elected district attorney for Bell, Lampasas, and Mills counties; was a founder of Carroll, Carroll & Carroll; daughters, Rachael Carroll and Leah Carroll; son, Tony Carroll; brother, Jimmy Carroll; sister, Marjo Carroll; and five grandchildren.

DAVID LAURANCE YETT

Yett, 70, of Austin, died September 1, 2025. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1979. Yett dedicated his career to the city of Fort Worth, joining the city’s legal department in 1980 and working on issues related to economic development; and serving as city attorney from 2000 to 2011, during which he worked on transformative projects, including the creation of the Texas Motor Speedway, renovating the Blackstone Hotel, and the repeal of the Wright Amendment. He received Senate Resolution 284 from the 82nd Texas Legislature in recognition of his outstanding service to the city of Fort Worth, was a member of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, and was a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Yett is remembered for his love of baseball, supporting the Texas Rangers alongside his late wife, Maureen Yett; traveling extensively across the United States and abroad to attend operas, classical concerts, and art exhibitions with Maureen; and for being deeply loved by family and close friends, who appreciated him for his kindness, wisdom, laser sharp wit, and wicked sense of humor. He is survived by his sister, Melanie Pritchett; and brother, Stephen Yett.