STATE BAR DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT JANUARY 2023
David N. Calvillo
Interview by Will Korn
Photo courtesy of David N. Calvillo
Hometown: Weslaco
Position: Shareholder in Chamberlain Hrdlicka, White,
Williams & Aughtry in Houston
Board Member: At-large director since 2020
My parents said that I always wanted to be a lawyer. I
don’t remember that, but I do remember I always wanted to be a law
student. After watching the movie Paper Chase in the
early 1970s and the related TV series, I wanted to study law under
Professor Kingsfield! I actively practice in multiple areas. As a CPA,
CVA, and attorney, I am a multidisciplinary professional. I thus think
it is natural for me to apply those broad interests in the practice of
law as well. My father, an educator, has always encouraged our family to
learn new things and to become licensed in as many areas as possible.
From my perspective, I don’t want to be a “jack of all trades” because
then that might suggest to some that I am a “master of none.” Rather, I
would like to think I embrace the “Swiss army knife” metaphor instead.
My father, a spry 84-year-old, loves to learn; he has bequeathed that
love of learning to all of my siblings in their respective careers. I
pray that my wife and I do the same with our children.
I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed my service for our noble profession. it
has been very invigorating and inspiring.
For example, I served on a regional grievance committee for six years.
I volunteered to serve because I wanted to ensure that we had good,
serious people serving the public doing that important work. As an exam
commissioner for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the civil
trial law specialty, I enjoyed grading the civil trial exam papers with
my team members knowing that helping to maintain those standards of
excellence is an important service to the bar. While a member of the
State Bar of Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Council, I was
privileged to know and work with the pinnacle of the state’s neutrals
who emphasized ADR as its own practice area. As a member of the bar’s
Hispanic Issues Section Council, I experienced the joy of practicing law
with these attorneys—many of whom represent the first in their families
to pursue this career and find the profession an important platform to
help people.
Serving as a State Bar director is very satisfying in multiple
ways. While one quickly realizes how important the work is to
the operation of the profession in the state of Texas, it is very
satisfying to develop relationships with so many good people, one’s
fellow directors, and the State Bar staff.
My service on the board is another reminder that all lawyers should
volunteer time to their respective bar associations. Such
service improves the administration of justice, ennobles the profession
in the eyes of the public, and enriches the career experience of
lawyers. Service to one’s bar association, and thus the profession, is
the fundamental point at which our daily endeavor changes from just a
job to a profession. Additionally, I’ve enjoyed meeting the dedicated
and wholesome people whom I’ve been privileged to meet during my various
service opportunities—my fellow directors and the State Bar staff.
Prepare to excel. It takes hard work to become good at what you do for
a living, so prepare if one wants to excel. I also counsel
young lawyers to reinvest their time and talents in their community and
the profession. I encourage all lawyers to serve in community activities
in areas of interest to them where they can help people and serve the
profession as active members of your various bar associations.
My Christian faith is the most important thing in my life. It
keeps me focused and grounded in the most important things in life. It
enhances the joy of loving my family, who are my vocation to love and
serve in this life. My new and old friends provide me with an
opportunity to enrich my life and experience even more joy. I love to
relax by staying physically active through my children’s Boy Scouts
(Scouts BSA) troops, through fitness (running, swimming, etc.), and
through my family activities. I enjoy reading and was inspired to author
a book, published in 2013, titled Real Men Pray the Rosary: A
Practical Guide to a Powerful Prayer. TBJ
