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IN FOCUS

Business Professional Spotlight

JW Austin paralegal, Donna Brown Willis, was named the recipient of the Cheryl Ischy Professionalism Award. Donna was presented with this esteemed award at the TAPA and Capital Area Paralegal Association (CAPA) Spring CLE.

Connecting With Summer Associates

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Houston attorneys Caroline Capili and Tim Dominguez join the Fast Takes podcast to share their journeys, highlighting their Filipino heritage and the firm’s diverse environment. Read more »

Genevieve Graham’s article, “My Month of Pride: Celebrations, Reflections and Allyship,” was featured in The Texas Lawbook where she talks about her journey of coming out, Pride Month’s significance on a personal level, and the importance of allyship. Allies play a crucial role in supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering inclusive environments, and advancing careers. Read the article »

Joe Guajardo joined Jackson Walker’s Fast Takes podcast to share his inspiring journey to becoming a lawyer at Jackson Walker. Discover how Joe’s first encounter with Jackson Walker set him on the path to becoming an attorney and learn about his dedication to fostering inclusivity as the leader of our LGBTQ+ Attorney Resource Group. Listen to the episode »

Moments to Movements Hackathon

Jackson Walker participated in Diversity Lab’s “Moments to Movements Hackathon.” Our firm joined over 100 law firm partners, in-house leaders, and industry experts in a pitch competition aimed at addressing some of the most challenging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues facing the legal industry. Chad Cole, our Social Impact & Sustainability Manager, served as a Hackathon DEI advisor. Read more »

NEWS & NOTES

SALSA President’s Award

Robert Soza, Jr. was the recipient of the 2024 President’s Award at the 3rd annual San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) Justice Luncheon, held on April 10 at the Mays Family Center at the Witte Museum. Jackson Walker has been actively engaged in various initiatives alongside SALSA. Read more »

TCWLF Litigation/Appellate Award

Sue Ayers received the 2024 Litigation/Appellate Award at the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Foundation (TCWLF) and Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association (TCWLA) Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon. The event took place on April 26, at the Fairmont Hotel in Austin, Texas. Read more »

State Justice Institute Presidential Nomination

Bethany Pickett Shah was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a Republican member on the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute. The State Justice Institute is a non-profit corporation governed by an 11-member Board of Directors appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate. Read more »

Outstanding Federal Lawyer Award	“40 Under 40”
Jennifer Freel was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Federal Lawyer award at the Federal Bar Association (FBA) Austin Chapter Annual Spring Happy Hour on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Read more »	Amanda Crouch was included in the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2024 class of “40 Under 40” list. This prestigious acknowledgment celebrates forty outstanding professionals under the age of forty who are making remarkable contributions to the San Antonio community. Read more »

Welcoming New Diverse Talent

As we continue to intensify our efforts to recruit diverse talent, we are proud to have welcomed the following women and diverse attorneys from April 2024 through July 2024:

Recognizing Achievements

During the second through third quarter of 2024, the Firm received the following recognitions:

• Jackson Walker received top rankings in the Chambers Associate Satisfaction Surveys 2023. View our profile on Chambers Associate »
• Jackson Walker ranked among the top “Best Law Firms to Work For” and “Best Summer Associate Programs” in the 2025 Vault Rankings. Visit our profile for the full list of rankings »
• Jackson Walker’s Bankruptcy team received two awards at the 18th Annual Turnaround Awards Gala during the 2024 Distressed Investing Summit. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 19, 2023, at The Ben Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Read more »

In addition, the following women and diverse individuals received notable achievements:

• Chambers and Partners selected 67 of our attorneys for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the USA guide. Congratulations to Amy Baird, Jennifer Caughey, Stephanie Chandler, Kelly Cobb, Amanda Crouch, Linda Donohoe, Tanya Fischer, Jennifer Freel, Erica Benites Giese, Meghan Griffiths, Mary Emma Ackels Karam, Suzan Kedron, April Vasquez Leibman, Pam Madere, Julia Mann, Virginia Alverson Mimmack, Lindsey Moorhead, Cynthia Brotman Nelson, Kathryn Nordick, Joshua Romero, Denise Rose, David Schlottman, Sang Shin, Robert Soza, Katherine Staton, Shannon Zmud Teicher, and Hoang Vu on this recognition! See what Chambers had to say about this outstanding group »
• Chambers and Partners recognized Sarah Patel Pacheco in its High Net Worth Guide for 2024. Read more »
• 23 Dallas-based attorneys were included in D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2024, including Vienna Flores Anaya, Greta Cowart, Mario Perez Dolan, Suzan Kedron, Virginia Alverson Mimmack, Claire Raggio, and Nate St. Clair. Read more »
• Art Cavazos, Amanda Crouch, Bethany Pickett Shah, and Ashley Withers were recognized among Lawdragon “500 X – The Next Generation” list for 2024. Read more »
• Kristhy Peguero was recognized among the list of “The 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers.” Read more »
• 21 Austin-based attorneys were recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2024, including Sue Ayers, Marilyn Brown, Alicia Duleba, Danica Milios, Christopher Mugica, Emilio Nicolas, Jessica Palvino, Tara Potts, Joshua Romero, Erin Tuggle, and Jennifer Wertz. Read more »
• Wasif Qureshi and Nate St. Clair were recognized by Managing IP as a 2024 Patent Stars in Texas and on the national level. Additionally, Jackson Walker was named as a recommended law firm in Texas for patent prosecution. Read more »
• Kelly Cobb was named among the highest-ranked lawyers in Who’s Who Legal’s Corporate Immigration – USA report. Read more »

Achieving Results for Clients

Attorneys across various practices and backgrounds come together to serve the needs of our clients. From the pitch to the end result, our teams include women and diverse attorneys who are involved at every stage of the representation. The following matters from April to July 2024 were handled by teams that were led by or included women and diverse attorneys:

• Jackson Walker represented Germany-based OKE Group GmbH and its United States subsidiary, OKE USA Holding, Inc., in the acquisition of Polymerica Limited Company d/b/a Global Enterprises. With this acquisition, OKE has secured a footprint in North America and more capacities in eastern Europe. The team included David Schlottman, Greta Cowart, Dawn Holiday, Sang Shin, Paisley Park, Yenmi Tang, and Holly Hughes. Read more »
• Jessica Palvino was a part of the Jackson Walker team that served as tax and benefits counsel to Thomas Doll in its acquisition by an affiliate of Noho Financial, Inc., d/b/a Earned Wealth, a wealth management firm dedicated to serving medical and dental professionals. Read more »
• Jackson Walker represented The George Foundation in the sale of 1,500 acres in Fort Bend County to Houston development company The Johnson Development Corp. The sale marks the first time in the Foundation’s history that it has sold a portion of the 21,000-acre historic George Ranch. The George Ranch and its year-round “living history” programs and educational opportunities will not be impacted by the land sale. Taylor Lamb was a part of the team. Read more »
• Jackson Walker represented M1 Support Services in the sale of a controlling interest to Cerberus Capital Management, a global leader in alternative investing. The team included Manonh Soumahoro, Jessica Palvino, Shari Mao, and Sara Borrelli. Read more »
• Jackson Walker successfully represented Deep Blue Midland Basin LLC in the purchase of the Midland Basin operating affiliate of Lagoon Water Solutions. The acquisition consisted of the purchase of Lagoon Operating – Midland, LLC. Chelsea Wood and Mario Perez Dolan led the team which included Sami Landon, Ann Leafstedt, Shari Mao, and David Schlottman. Read more »
• Jackson Walker won a significant victory for leading nonprofit news organizations ProPublica and The Texas Tribune. On May 22, 2024, the Third Court of Appeals in Austin ordered the dismissal of a 2022 lawsuit alleging business disparagement, tortious interference, and civil conspiracy claims based on an investigative article about local governments’ response to COVID-19 and an entrepreneur’s attempts to market his company’s medical services during the early days of the pandemic. The article was co-published through the ProPublica-Texas Tribune Investigative Initiative, a first-of-its-kind collaboration in which both organizations work together to publish investigative reporting for and about Texas. The team included Maggie Burreson and Joshua Romero. Read more »
• Jackson Walker advised South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) in forming a strategic partnership with global private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Through this transaction, Warburg Pincus has acquired a majority interest in START, providing the company with significant new investment to accelerate clinical operations around the world and fuel future expansion. The team included Shari Mao, Brian Pettis, and Daniel Maldonado. Read more »

Pro Bon Results

• Georgina Buckley and Matt Swantner represented First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, arguing against extending a temporary restraining order that halted the demolition of the church where a gunman tragically killed over two dozen worshipers in 2017. District Court Judge Russell Wilson agreed and denied the request to extend the order. In 2021, the church members voted to build an open-air memorial at the site, and Georgina and Matt are dedicated to making that vision a reality. Read more »

COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Maggie Lu has been selected to the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law (REPTL) Leadership Academy. Read more »
• Ali Andrews has been elected as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Read more »
• Caroline Capili has been selected as a committee member for the Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) Leadership Academy and co-chair for the HYLA Women Attorneys Committee Read more », as well as and Delegate to the Assembly of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD). Read more »
• Baker Howry has been selected as co-chair for the Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) Leadership Academy and a member of the HYLA Women Attorneys Committee. Read more »
• Erica Benites Giese has been elected to the Board of Directors for Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Read more »
• Josué Galván has been elected as president of the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association (SAYLA). Read more »
• Sang Shin has been appointed as a member of the State Bar of Texas Laws Relating to Immigration & Nationality Committee Read more », as well as Chair of the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas. Read more »
• Luke Gilman has been elected President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (“HisBA”), beginning his term in August 2024. Read more »
• Bethany Shah has been selected to the Board of Houston Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies.

EVENTS & SPONSORSHIPS

Asian Pacific Interest Section Conference

The Asian Pacific Interest Section (APIS) of the State Bar of Texas held their 26th Annual Conference on April 12-13 in Austin, TX. Priya Coffey was among the keynote panelists. Chevazz Brown, Kendahl Lee, Maggie Lu, Shari Mao, Dana Nguyen, Paisley Park, Jeremy Sheng, Sang Shin, Yenmi Tang, Paige Welch, and Catharine Yen represented Jackson Walker.

The Women’s Resource Annual Luncheon

JW sponsored The Women’s Resource Annual Luncheon held on May 3. In attendance and representing Jackson Walker were Kelly Cobb, Maha Ghyas, Holly Hughes, Jackie Staple, Yenmi Tang, and Courtney White.

Muslim Bar Association Inaugural Gala

On April 21, Maha Ghyas attended the DFW Muslim Bar Association Inaugural Gala, sponsored by Jackson Walker.

Reading Partners North Texas Benefit

Jackson Walker was a proud sponsor of the Reading Partners North Texas Benefit on April 27. Opal Lee, the “mother of Juneteenth”, was honored and spoke at the event.

HisBA Houston Annual Gala	Chinquapin Preparatory School Spring Gala
JW sponsored the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA) Annual Gala, held on May 3. JW attorneys in attendance included Luke Gilman, Kathy Silver, Carter Dickson, and Maha Ghyas.	On April 11, Jamila Brinson and Kirk Tucker represented Jackson Walker at the Chinquapin Preparatory School Spring Gala. Pictured are Chinquapin senior Marleny Ruiz and Jamila Brinson.

Soldiers’ Angels

On May 16, Jackson Walker’s San Antonio office teamed up with Soldiers’ Angels to give back to the military and veteran community. Together, they made no-sew blankets, paracord bracelets, and cards of support.

Back to School 

Jackson Walker’s Houston office gathered to assemble supplies for DePelchin Children’s Center’s Backpack School Supply Drive. On June 26, the San Antonio office gathered to kick off their “Stuff the Bus” Campaign to collect school supplies.

National Filipino American Lawyer Association

At the 2024 National Filipino American Lawyer Association Mid-Year Leadership Summit, a Jackson Walker team consisting of Priya Coffey, Tim Dominguez, and Caroline Capili provided very insightful opening and closing remarks, with Caroline moderating a panel.

Healing Hands Luncheon

Jackson Walker sponsored HHM Health’s Healing Hands Luncheon on March 19, held to amplify awareness of HHM’s mission to deliver quality and compassionate healthcare to those in need. JW attorneys in attendance included Anabelle Copeland, Pat Cowlishaw, Jeff Drummond, Larry Glasgow, Mike Laussade, Richard Waggoner, and Abby Wilkinson.

Yellowstone Academy 

On May 21, Jackson Walker’s Houston office gathered to assemble snack bags for students at Yellowstone Academy.

YoungND Award

Caroline Capili received a YoungND Award at the Notre Dame Alumni Association Leadership Conference on behalf of the Notre Dame Club of Houston.

Pickleball for a Cause

Jackson Walker sponsored the Wonders & Worries Pickleball Tournament on April 6. Joe Savoie and Sang Shin, who serve on the organization’s Board, attended the event with their families. On April 19, Rob Harlow and Genevieve Tarlton took home first place at the Pickle & Par Tournament benefiting Entryway Houston.

These materials are made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, do not constitute legal advice, and are not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. The laws of other states and nations may be entirely different from what is described. Your use of these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

© 2024 Jackson Walker