News From Around The Bar
Charisma Ricksy Nguepdo named first African American editor in chief
of Houston Law Review
Charisma Ricksy Nguepdo, a 2L at the
University of Houston Law Center, has been named the Houston Law
Review’s editor in chief. She is the first African American to hold
that position. “I recognize that my election as the first Black
editor-in-chief means that I have now opened a door for other students
of color to dream a little bigger,” Nguepdo said in a press release. “My
hope is that through my hard work on behalf of the Houston Law
Review, students who may have otherwise doubted their ability to
join the Law Review will think twice about what is possible for
them.” Nguepdo plans to improve the Law Review’s student body
engagement by collaborating with various student organizations to host
workshops and panels, as well as to provide opportunities for 1Ls to ask
Law Review members questions about law school, joining the Law
Review, and how not to get overwhelmed. She also intends to make
membership more accessible and to reflect the broader demographics of
the law center’s community. “I am very proud of the Houston Law
Review for making a historic appointment of Charisma Nguepdo as its
editor-in-chief,” University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M.
Baynes said in a press release. “Charisma is highly qualified for the
position. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Penn State University
majoring in African-American Studies and Criminology. She then received
her master of science from Johns Hopkins University School of Education.
Before becoming a UH Law Center student, she taught for several years at
Teach for America in Cleveland, Ohio, and also taught at prep schools in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.” For more information about the University of
Houston Law Center, go to law.uh.edu.
South Texas College of Law Houston names Darcy Douglas as vice president
of advancement and alumni engagement
South Texas College of Law Houston has named
Darcy Douglas vice president of advancement and alumni engagement.
Douglas, a 2007 alumna of the law school, most recently served as
director of philanthropy at Texas Children’s Hospital. “As a 2007
graduate of the law school and a longtime member of its alumni
association board of directors, I’m thrilled to be returning to South
Texas College of Law Houston in this role,” Douglas said in a press
release. “South Texas provided me with an excellent, practical
education, lifelong friends, and a deep respect for the legal field. I
am excited about all the opportunities presented by the law school’s
upcoming centennial anniversary in 2023, and can’t wait to start telling
the story of the important work being done here.” Michael F. Barry,
president and dean of South Texas College of Law Houston, said in a
press release that Douglas’ experience in leading successful
philanthropy teams and fundraising initiatives makes her uniquely
qualified for this position. “As an alumna of our law school, Darcy
shares our passion for fulfilling South Texas College of Law Houston’s
mission, and she understands our pride in being a school of opportunity
and of excellence.” For more information about South Texas College of
Law Houston, go to stcl.edu.
Houston Trial Lawyers Association names Wade Moriarty president
The Houston Trial Lawyers Association appointed Wade Moriarty, of
Crim & Villalpando, as its 2021 president and installed other
officers. Members also elected to office are Anjali Nigam, of the Nigam
Law Firm, as president-elect, and Andrea Roth, of Brann Sullivan Trial
Lawyers, as secretary/treasurer.
For more information about HTLA, go to HTLA.org.
Texas Judiciary Marks One Million Virtual Hearings
The Texas judiciary announced that the state’s judges have held over one million court hearings via Zoom. The milestone was reached after more than 2,000 state judges used the platform to host virtual proceedings since the pandemic began in March 2020. The one millionth Zoom hearing was held by Johnson County Court at Law No. 1 Judge Robert Mayfield on February 3. “The pandemic has greatly challenged all professions, especially the judiciary,” Mayfield said in a press release. “Suddenly we found all our familiar norms were no longer viable and judges were forced to adapt on the fly. ... Never could I have imagined this, but the judiciary, using modern technology, has met the challenge of our new world.” Texas was also the first state to have its Supreme Court host remote oral arguments, the first state to hold a virtual non-binding jury trial in May 2020, and the first state to hold a virtual criminal jury trial in August 2020. “This time last year I thought ‘Zoom’ meant to hurry down the highway,” Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht said in a press release. “Now Zoom has revolutionized the Texas justice system, allowing courts to continue to function without the health risks to court participants from in-person proceedings. I am proud of our Texas judges for their ability to adapt to a new way of holding court and their commitment to ensuring justice continues throughout the pandemic.” To satisfy open court constitutional provisions, judges stream the proceedings online via YouTube. A listing of court YouTube channels can be found at streams.txcourts.gov.
San Antonio Bar Foundation announces 2021 fellows class
The San Antonio Bar Foundation announced the selection of 30 new fellows. Fellows selection is by nomination only and is restricted to members of the San Antonio Bar Association. Candidates must demonstrate professional achievement, an exemplary reputation, and commitment to the legal community. Members of the 2021 fellows class include: Lisa Alcantar, Hannah Hembree Bell, Carol Bertsch, Roger Bresnahan, Nathan Cace, Thomas “Trey” Cammack, Lance Cutright, Ashley Senary Dahlberg, Michael D. DeNuccio, Rob Eichelbaum, Hayley Ellison, Judge Richard B. Farrer, Troy A. Glander, Isaac J. Huron, William B. Kingman, Greta McFarling, Kelly John Moynihan, Esteban A. Nava, Shellie Reyes, Michael J. Ritter, George Luis Salinas Jr., Maurine “Mo” Shipp, Scott A. Stolle, Marc A. Stroope, Charli Kilpatrick Tavera, Erica Valladares, Brittany M. Weil, Natalie Friend Wilson, Dennis J. Windscheffel, and Jeff J. Wurzburg. For more information about the San Antonio Bar Foundation, go to sabar.org.TBJ
