October 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.
Hon. Priscilla Richman Owen, JD '77
Hon. Priscilla Richman Owen has assumed the chief judge position of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Owen has served on the federal appeals court since 2005.
Fred Adams, JD '81
Fred Adams of KoonsFuller in Dallas, has been selected among the Top 100 Dallas-Fort Worth attorneys in the 2019 edition of the Texas Super Lawyers legal guide. This is his 16th consecutive mention. He is also listed among the Best Lawyers in America in family law as recognized by Best Lawyers, LLC. Fred is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and a Member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. He is board-certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Laura Bellegie Sharp, JD '86
Laura Bellegie Sharp, a partner in the Sharp Firm in Austin, was elected to a three-year term on the American Bar Association Board of Governors during the 2019 ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco. She will represent District 8, which encompasses Texas and Florida. Laura will help oversee the general operation of the ABA and develop action plans. She joins a 44-member board that has the authority to act and speak for the ABA, consistent with previous action of the House of Delegates when the House is not in session.
Gregory L. Simmons, JD '89
Gregory L. Simmons was selected by U.S. Attorney General William Barr as a new immigration judge for the San Francisco Immigration Court.
Allen Griffin, JD '92
Allen Griffin has joined the Dallas boutique family law firm of Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP.Laura Hilton Hallmon, JD '99
Laura Hilton Hallmon, a partner with Cantey Hanger in Fort Worth, was installed as president of the Baylor Line Foundation (originally the Baylor Alumni Association) at the foundation's annual meeting Oct. 12. Hallmon's term will run through Dec. 31, 2021. The Baylor Line Foundation is a nonprofit organization that represents the independent and diverse voices of Baylor alumni. Founded in 1859, it is committed to informing, inspiring, and empowering Baylor alumni. The foundation's fundraising efforts provide for its annual award of student scholarships, the publication of the The Baylor Line magazine (since 1946), and other various activities and events that support its mission.
George Tompkins, JD '01
George Tompkins is a new Assistant District Attorney for the Navarro County District Attorney's office. .
Leslie Hunt, JD '04
Leslie Hunt has transitioned out of private practice to become the Civil Division Chief for the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's office. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Tarrant County Bar Association and past president of the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association.
Tom Nowak, JD '05
Tom Nowak has been appointed to serve as judge of the 366th Judicial District Court in Collin County by Governor Greg Abbott. Nowak was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States as a refugee from communism.Steven Ogle, JD '05
Steven Ogle, General Counsel with the Sunset Advisory Commission has been promoted to Assistant Director of Reviews. He will also continue to serve as General Counsel.
Stephanie C. Gaston, JD '08
Stephanie C. Gaston is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Houston.
Cody Stafford, JD '10
Cody Stafford was named partner at Dobrowski, Larkin, and Johnson LLC in Houston. He was also named a 2019 Rising Star in Civil Litigation: Plaintiff by Texas Monthly.
Lanny Begley, JD '11
Lanny Begley, of Knapp and Associates in Fort Worth, has been named a "Top Criminal Law Attorney" by Fort Worth Magazine for the third year in a row.
Kimberly Knapp, JD '12
Kimberly Knapp, of Knapp and Associates in Fort Worth, has been named a "Top Criminal Law Attorney" by Fort Worth Magazine for the fourth year in a row.
Kyle Beckrich, JD '17
Kyle Beckrich is working as a trial attorney with the Civil Division at the Department of Justice.