Alumni Notes February 2019
Alumni Notes are published based on the information we receive from our alumni. If you have been recognized or have other professional news to share, please e-mail law_alumni@baylor.edu, for inclusion in the next issue of Rocket Docket.
Robert "Bob" Wortham, JD '74
Robert "Bob" Wortham was named a 2019 Distinguished Alumni by Lamar University, recognizing his dedication to his profession, his service to the community of Beaumont and his loyalty to the university.
The Hon. Richard Hightower, JD '80
The Hon. Richard Hightower was elected to the First District Court of Appeals in Houston. A 5th generation lawyer, practiced law for over 35 years in large and small counties and firms. He was a trial partner with Brown McCarroll & Oaks Hartline, and later opened his own law practice focusing on the interests of public-school districts and other education entities. During this time, he also served as a certified mediator in hundreds of legal disputes.
The Hon. Charles Spain, JD '88
The Hon. Charles Spain has been elected to the 14th District Court of Appeals in Houston. Spain served as an associate municipal court judge for the City of Houston since 2010. As a lawyer, he built an over 30-year career on a deep understanding of the law and his experience with the court system. Board certified in Civil Appellate Law, Spain worked for 23 years in the Texas appellate courts prior to serving on the bench.
Angela Albers, JD '00
Angela Albers has been appointed as the Wood County criminal district attorney by Governor Greg Abbott.
Amanda G. Taylor, JD '04
Amanda G. Taylor has joined the Austin office of Butler Snow. Taylor is a board certified civil appellate specialist who routinely assists trial counsel and represents clients in both district and appellate courts across Texas. Her practice areas are widely varied and include disputes regarding contracts, business organizations, shareholders, fiduciaries, trusts, the Texas Citizens' Participation Act, real property, franchise and sales tax, employment, fraud/misrepresentation consumers, and high-asset divorces. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Texas Super Lawyer for appellate law and by Texas Lawyer as a "Rising Star" in civil appeals. She also was named one of "2018 Top 50 in Central/West Texas Lawyers" by Thompson Reuters.
Will Dixon, JD '05
Will Dixon was appointed as the Navarro County district attorney by Governor Greg Abbott.
Jenny Palmer, JD '05
Jenny Palmer has joined the law offices of Mike Head and Justin Weiner in Athens. Palmer is a former assistant district attorney who has handled thousands of cases in her almost 14 years of public service. Palmer now primarily focuses her practice on the areas of family law, guardianship, wills, probate, juvenile and misdemeanor criminal law.
Joshua Cummings, JD '06
Joshua Cummings, partner with Atlas Hall Rodriquez in McAllen, earned Board Certification in Property Owners Association Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Heather A. Kanny, JD '08
Heather A. Kanny, is now a shareholder with Hiersche, Hayward, Drakeley & Urbach, P.C. in Dallas. She was named to the 2018 Texas Rising Stars List in Super Lawyers and to the 2019 Best Lawyers Under 40 in D Magazine.
Terah Moxley, JD '10
Terah Moxley has been promoted to partner for litigation boutique Estes Thorne & Carr, PLLC in Dallas. Terah is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her work has earned her recognition on the Texas Super Lawyers' Rising Stars listing.
Lacy G. Brown, JD '12
Lacy G. Brown is a senior associate with Hogan Lovells in their Houston and Denver offices.
Taylor Mohr, JD '12
Taylor Mohr with the family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson (ONDA), is now Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
J. Joseph Vale, JD '12
J. Joseph Vale, a new partner with Atlas Hall Rodriquez in McAllen, earned his Board Certification in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Macy Matthews, JD '18
Macy Matthews joined Hiersche Hayward Drakeley Urbach, P.C. as an associate attorney in the firm's Corporate Practice Section in Addison.
Jessica Wright, JD '18
Jessica Wright has been hired as a misdemeanor prosecutor for Harrison County.