June 30 July 1, 2014 Lost Pines,...

Civil Justice ConferenceJune 30–July 1, 2014 | Lost Pines, Texas

3Civil Justice Conference 2014

TABLE OF

CONTENTS Conference Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Texas Center for the Judiciary Staff .............................................................................................................................................. 4Hotel Map .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4Participant Directory ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5Contributors ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 8Notes ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7Faculty Directory ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Schedule and Course Descriptions .............................................................................................................................................. 12Online Course Materials ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Faculty Biographies ........................................................................................................................................................................... 14Overall Evaluation .............................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Reimbursement Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................................ 21Reimbursement Form ....................................................................................................................................................................... 22MCLE Form ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 23Upcoming Conferences ................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Other TCJ Services .............................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Schedule at a Glance ......................................................................................................................................................................... Back

T he 2014 Civil Justice Conference is a continuing judicial education conference. Funding for this conference has been provided by a grant from the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Judicial Foundation. The Texas Judicial Foundation would like to thank the following for their support: Exxon Mobil Corporation; Provost Umphrey, LLP; Vinson & Elkins, LLP; Andrews Kurth, LLP; Beck Redden, LLP; Bracewell & Giuliani; Rusty Hardin & Associates; Locke Lord, LLP; Business Law Section of the Texas State Bar; Yetter Coleman; Haynes and Boone; CenterPoint Energy and Underwood Law Firm PC.

For their attendance, participants will earn nine hours of continuing judicial education credits. To view handouts for this conference on the web, visit www.yourhonor.com and log in to your judicial profile. Click on the link for the Civil Justice Conference and select the “Schedule” tab. You can also view handouts using the TCJ mobile app, username is your email address, password “tcj1210”.

C O N F E R E N C E

OVERVIEW

4 Texas Center for the Judiciary - Judicial Excellence Through Education

Judge Mark AtkinsonExecutive [email protected]

Gail BellConference [email protected]

Holly DoranTxDOT Program [email protected]

Courtney GabrieleProgram [email protected]

Aaron [email protected]

Shirley IrvinExecutive [email protected]

Katie JacksonCJA Program [email protected]

Bruce LawrenceFinancial [email protected]

Debra MalkiewiczAccounting [email protected]

Heidi PenixCJA Program Director [email protected]

Christie SmithOffice [email protected]

Judge Laura WeiserJudicial Resource [email protected]

TEXAS CENTER FOR THE JUDICIARY

STAFF

H YAT T R E G E N C Y L O S T PI N E S

HOTEL MAP

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines575 Hyatt Lost Pines RoadLost Pines, TX 78612

Welcome to the 2014 Civil Justice Conference. We are proud of the educational program that has been planned for you and thank the faculty members who have willingly volunteered their time and expertise. The Texas Center for the Judiciary has a dedicated staff ready to assist you, please do not hesitate to ask us for assistance.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and SpaDIRECTIONS

FROM AUSTIN/BERGSTROM AIRPORT

Exit airport. Head east on Highway 71 for 10 miles. Turn left at Hyatt Lost Pines Road.

FROM DOWNTOWN AUSTIN

Take Riverside Dr. 5 miles Southeast to Highway 71 and turn left (east). Take Highway

71 approximately 12 miles to Hyatt Lost Pines Road and turn left.

MEETING SPACE


C O N F E R E N C E

NOTES


S C H E D U L E &

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS8:30 – 9:30 a.m.Common Canons Consistently Compromised [1.0 Ethics]Hon. M. Sue Kurita, Ms. Seana WillingJudicial ethics has been and will remain a top priority for the Texas judiciary. Review the Canons that are most commonly violated, and how judges can avoid making such mistakes.

9:30 – 9:45 a.m. – BREAK

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.Sovereign Immunity: Overview and Latest DevelopmentsMr. Michael ShaunessyThe application of sovereign immunity in Texas has been an evolving area of the law in recent years. This session will provide a general primer on the topic and highlight recent developments that have influenced the landscape of litigation in this area.

10:45 – 11 a.m. – BREAK

11 a.m. – NoonE-Discovery Tips for JudgesMr. Craig BallLearn more about the tenacity of electronic evidence, the challenges of search, and the technical fundamentals of e-discovery and computer forensics. Discover steps to preserve digital evidence, plus tips that will help guide your e-discovery rulings.

Noon – 1 p.m. – LUNCH

B R E A KO U T S E S S I O N SNatural Resources Track

1 – 2 p.m.Latest Developments and Hot Topics in CondemnationMr. Jack RossJack Ross will review the eminent domain process as well as recent case law and statutory changes relating to this area of law.

2:15 – 3:15 p.mLatest Developments and Hot Topics in Oil & GasMr. Harper EstesLearn what’s coming down the pipeline in oil and gas law trends.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.Latest Developments and Hot Topics in Water RightsMs. Robin MelvinThe continuing drought and recent developments in groundwater law have made water law a very hot topic. This presentation will familiarize you with the basics of Texas surface water and groundwater rights and with the current issues in these areas.

Civil LItigation Track

1 – 2 p.m Top 10 Things Appellate Judges Want Trial Judges to KnowHon. Rebeca Martinez“To error is human, to appeal is divine.” Get an insider’s perspective on how to improve your “grades” from the appellate courts.

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.Findings of Fact & Conclusions of LawHon. Mike WillsonHow do you determine when findings of fact are required, when they are merely appropriate and when they are not appropriate? Learn the purposes of findings of fact and conclusions of law, the timetable governing such requests, the proper format to use, and the standard of review on appeal.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Civil Evidentiary ScenariosHon. Lora Livingston, Prof. Gerald Powell, Mr. Jim Piper, Mr. Travis TurnerA fun, exciting and engaging way to brush up on your favorite topic: Evidence! The judge participant will be able to problem-solve hypothetical situations involving tricky issues.

monday 30 monday 30

BREAKS2 – 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 – 3:30 p.m.


B R E A KO U T S E S S I O N SBusiness Law Track

1 – 2 p.m.Non-Competes, Trade Secrets, and Recovery of “Lost” Electronic DataMr. Sherrard “Butch” Hayes and Mr. Chad PinsonThe Texas legislature recently passed SB 953, adding the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act to the Civil Practices and Remedies Code. Join Butch Hayes and Chad Pinson for a discussion about how this new legislation will impact your courtroom and the significant effects it will have on business disputes. They will also provide an overview of the current law regarding standards and enforceability of covenants not to compete in Texas.

2:15 – 3:15 p.mEverything You Wanted to Know About Insurance Litigation, But Was Afraid to AskMr. Dale JeffersonClaims arise under a variety of types of insurance policies. Whether you’re hearing a case with a claimed loss of several thousand or several million dollars, here’s what you need to consider when determining coverage obligations.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.Fiduciary LitigationMr. Jerry GalowMr. Galow will provide an overview of recent statutory and case law applicable to fiduciary relationships, general arguments made by parties during a suit for breach, and remedies.

monday 30

General Session – Barons ABCDMeals – Lost Pines 6-7-8

Natural Resources Track – Milam ColonyCivil Litigation Track – Little Colony

Business Law Track – Robertson Leftwich

O N L I N E

MATERIALSCourse materials are available for download next to the course descriptions on the Texas Center website. If you have any trouble accessing these materials once you have logged into the site, please email Courtney Gabriele, Program Attorney, at [email protected]. You will have unlimited access to this page after the conference. Additional faculty material presented at the conference will be posted to the site, giving you the most complete collection of material possible.

C O N F E R E N C E

APPYou can download the conference app at the Apple App or Google Play stores by searching “Texas Center for the Judiciary.” Use your e-mail address as your username and the password “tcj1210” to log in to the app. You can use the app to view the conference schedule, view course materials, submit evaluations and more.

We hope you find that this service enhances your learning, saves you valuable time, and contributes to our mission of “Judicial Excellence Through Education.”

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.Texas Legislation: Recent, Future, and Trends Hon. Alfonso CharlesTexas legislation is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get. From the passage of the DTPA to the passage of Tort Reform and Loser Pays, hear an overview of recent legislation in the area of civil law, and what trends and changes to expect in the future.

9:30 – 9:45 a.m. - BREAK

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.US Supreme Court UpdateMr. Evan YoungIt’s been an especially busy and interesting year for the US Supreme Court. Join Evan Young for a discussion of some of the Court’s landmark decisions and what they may mean for your courtroom.

10:45 – 11 a.m. – BREAK

11 a.m. – NoonSupreme Court of Texas UpdateMs. Pamela Stanton BaronMs. Baron will highlight the most important cases decided by the Supreme Court of Texas from August 2013 through June 2014.

tuesday 1


FAC U LT Y

BIOGRAPHIESCraig BallTrial Lawyer & Technologist | Austin

Craig Ball of Austin is a trial lawyer, computer forensic examiner, law professor and noted authority on electronic evidence. He limits his practice to serving as a court-appointed special master and consultant in computer forensics and electronic discovery and has served as the Special Master or testifying expert in computer forensics and electronic discovery in some of the most challenging and celebrated cases in the U.S. A founder of the Georgetown University Law Center E-Discovery Training Academy, Craig serves on the Academy’s faculty and teaches Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence at the University of Texas School of Law. For nine years, Craig penned the award-winning Ball in Your Court column on electronic discovery for American Lawyer Media and now writes for several national news outlets. For his articles on electronic discovery and computer forensics, please visit www.craigball.com or his blog, www.ballinyourcourt.com. Named as one of the Best Lawyers in America and a Texas Superlawyer, Craig is a recipient of the Presidents’ Award, the State Bar of Texas’ most esteemed recognition of service to the profession.

Pamela S. BaronAttorney at Law | Austin

Ms. Baron has been a solo practitioner specializing in civil appellate law for more than 20 years. Ms. Baron is a former chair of the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas, has served as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee since 2003, and has served as chair of the planning committee for the University of Texas Conference on State and Federal Appeals for more than ten years. Ms. Baron was recognized as Austin Appellate Lawyer of the Year 2011 by Best Lawyers in America, received the Franklin Jones Best CLE Article Award in 2011 from the College of the State Bar of Texas, received the Helen A. Cassidy Award for Highest Rated CLE Presentation in 2010 from the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas, and has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine annually since 2003. Ms. Baron is a frequent speaker and author on Texas Supreme Court practice and other appellate law topics. Her more recent articles include: Ten Things Your Client Needs to Know About Taking a Case to the Texas Supreme Court, University of Texas School of Law, Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals, June 2014; Annual Review: The Texas Supreme Court 2013, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course, Sept. 2013; and Cases to Watch 2013, State Bar of Texas, Practice Before the Supreme Court of Texas, April 2013. She holds a BA with highest honors from Purdue University in French, and a JD with honors from the University of Texas School of Law. Ms. Baron is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Alfonso CharlesJudge | 124th District Court | Longview, Texas

Alfonso Charles has served as judge of the 124th District Court in Gregg County since December 4, 2009. Prior to that, he served as judge of the County Court at Law #2 of Gregg County, Texas for almost seven years. Judge Charles graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas in 1987 with a double major in business administration and political science. He received his law degree from Baylor University School of Law in Waco in 1990. He served as an assistant district attorney in El Paso County for one year and Gregg County for over 11 years prior to being elected to the bench. He has served on the State Bar Judicial Section Board since 2010. He served as chair of the Judicial Section for 2012-2013. He served on the Texas Center for the Judiciary Board from 2007-2009. He is a member of the Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial Education Committee. He is a former member of the Judicial Council and the Task Force on Indigent Defense. He is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the Longview Greggton Rotary and serves on the board of directors of See-Saw Children’s Place in Longview.

Harper EstesPartner | Lynch, Chappell & Alsup | Austin, Texas

Harper Estes is the 2008-2009 President of the State Bar of Texas, having served as its President Elect for 2007-2008 and on its Board of Directors from 1999-2002. Mr. Estes joined the firm’s trial section upon graduation from the Baylor Law School in 1979. He is a 1977 graduate of Texas Tech University. Mr. Estes is board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. His practice includes royalty class actions, environmental damage claims, cases involving complex commercial transactions, myriad oil and gas issues, alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, employment issues and personal injury. Mr. Estes has argued cases before several intermediate appellate courts, the Fifth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Texas. Mr. Estes is also active as a mediator and arbitrator, having concluded over one thousand mediations.

Jerry GalowAttorney | Galow & Smith | Austin, Texas

Jerry Galow is a board certified trial lawyer and devotes one hundred percent of his practice to litigation, fifty percent of which is business disputes. He was named a Texas Super Lawyer from 2005–2010 and is the Director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Galow served as an adjunct professor (eight years) and mock trial coach (six years) at the University of Texas School of Law, his alma mater for both his BA and JD.


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BIOGRAPHIESSherrard “Butch” HayesAttorney | Weisbart, Springer & Hayes, LLP | Austin, Texas

Sherrard (Butch) Hayes is a trusted counselor and litigator who is well-known for his skills in both federal and state courts, and his handling of complex business and employment disputes. His practice encompasses a broad range of business litigation, with a focus on the defense of clients in employment-related and business ethics matters, trade secret and technology disputes, commercial and stock-related disputes, and officer and director litigation. Board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in labor and employment law, Mr. Hayes has successfully tried many cases in federal and state courts, as well as various arbitration forums, and has secured recoveries as lead counsel for clients in the eight-figure range. He is the former Partner-in-Charge of the Austin office of Fulbright & Jaworski. Mr. Hayes was named one of the Best Business Attorneys & Corporate Counsel by Austin Business Journal in 2006 and one of the Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys by Human Resource Executive magazine in 2011. Mr. Hayes earned his JD from the University of Tennessee College of Law and his BA from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Dale JeffersonAttorney | Martin, Disiere, Jefferson and Wisdom, LLP | Houston, Texas

Dale Jefferson is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex commercial, professional malpractice, insurance, employment and tort litigation and regularly tries cases as lead counsel. He also provides outside general counsel services to a variety of leading business entities and law firms. In the courtroom, he has handled some of the highest profile lawsuits in Texas. Mr. Jefferson has appeared on national television broadcasts, including CNN, Dateline, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. In 2008, Mr. Jefferson was elected into membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, an organization that certifies only experienced first chair jury trial attorneys into membership. Mr. Jefferson has written articles and delivered speeches at seminars across Texas and in other states on a variety of legal topics, including trial and litigation skills and tactics, insurance, employment, media, and tort issues. In 2006, Mr. Jefferson was invited to be part of the faculty for the Texas College for Judicial Studies, the advanced legal education course for Texas judges. Mr. Jefferson also served as an adjunct professor of appellate advocacy at South Texas College of Law where he coached 12 national championship teams in his 17 years of teaching. Mr. Jefferson has been recognized as a Super Lawyer (2004-2014) by Texas Monthly magazine, is listed in Outstanding Lawyers of America and was elected into membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Jefferson received his JD in 1986 from South Texas College of Law from where he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011 and a BA with honors in 1983 from Houston Baptist University.

M. Sue KuritaJudge | County Court at Law #6 | El Paso

Honorable M. Sue Kurita is a native El Pasoan and the presiding judge of El Paso County Court at Law No. 6 since its creation in 1998. Prior to 1998, Judge Kurita served the City of El Paso as a municipal judge for nine years. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor for Park University and Excelsior College. In September 2010, Judge Kurita was appointed by the Texas Supreme Court

to serve on the State Commission for Judicial Conduct. She was a speaker at the 2011 National College on Judicial Conduct and Ethics. She is active in community and professional organizations, serving on: Loretto Academy School Board; the Dioceses of El Paso Board of Education; the Make a Wish Foundation; the El Paso Holocaust Museum; the State Bar of Texas, Judicial Section; and the National Association of Women Judges. She was the vice president of the National Association for Women Judges and also served as the NAWJ chair for the New Judges Program. Judge Kurita was an official US delegate to the Latin America Seminar on the 1980 Hague Convention Child Abduction Treaty. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (BA), Webster University (MA), and Texas Tech University School of Law (JD). Additionally, Judge Kurita received the Commandant’s award when she completed the modern Greek language course at the Defense Language Institute. She is one of the 100 women featured in JoAnne Gordon’s recently published book “100 Happy Women at Work.” Judge Kurita has received the City of El Paso Conquistador Award; and was named a Woman Trailblazer by the El Paso Bar Association. Judge Kurita has one daughter, Marissa Palomino, and a son-in-law, Sergeant First Class Julio Palomino, who recently completed his fourth deployment.

Lora J. LivingstonJudge | 261st District Court | Austin, Texas

Judge Livingston is a 1982 graduate of the UCLA School of Law. She began her legal career as a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellow assigned to the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas in Austin, Texas. After completion of the two-year fellowship program, she continued to work in the area of poverty law until 1988 when she entered private practice with the law firm of Joel B. Bennett, PC. In 1993, she and S. Gail Parr formed a partnership and opened the law firm of Livingston & Parr. She was engaged in a general civil litigation practice with an emphasis on family law. In January, 1995, she was sworn in as an associate judge for the District Courts of Travis County, Texas. After her successful election, Judge Livingston was sworn in as judge of the 261st District Court in January, 1999. She is the first African-American woman to serve on a district court in Travis County, Texas. In


FAC U LT Y

BIOGRAPHIES1992, she received the Outstanding Attorney award from the Travis County Women Lawyers Association. In 2005, she received both the Texas Access to Justice Commission Pro Bono Champion Award and the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation Harold F. Kleinman Award. Judge Livingston was also the recipient of the Texas Center for the Judiciary Exemplary Judicial Faculty Award for 2005-2006 and again for 2008-2009. She was awarded the Women of Distinction Award in 2006 by the Lonestar Girl Scouts Council and the Community Service Award in 2007 by the Austin Independent School District.

Rebeca C. MartinezJustice | 4th Court of Appeals | San Antonio, Texas

Justice Rebeca C. Martinez is the second to the oldest of five children born to Antonio F. Martinez, a Vietnam War veteran, and his wife of nearly 50 years, Manuela. She has lived in military bases all around the country and moved to Corpus Christi just before her father’s retirement. Justice Martinez graduated from Incarnate Word Academy with honors and later earned distinction as a

University Scholar at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Justice Martinez received her law degree from Boston University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts and upon graduation was the honored recipient of the Faculty Award. After clerking with a large prestigious Boston law firm, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, PC, Justice Martinez returned to Texas to serve with US Magistrate Judge for the Southern District Eduardo de Ases, and later for Justice Federico Hinojosa on the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Justice Martinez’s private practice began as associate counsel at Thornton, Summers, Biechlin, Dunham Brown. She later joined the Law Offices of Ramon Garcia, PC in Edinburg, Texas, one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Texas. Later, she became president of her own law practice. For the last eight years Justice Martinez practiced in San Antonio, Texas, where she lives with her husband David and family.

Robin A. MelvinOf counsel | Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody |Austin, Texas

Robin A. Melvin’s practice focuses on water rights, water supply, and water and sewer utilities issues. She also advises clients on water quality and land-use regulations. Ms. Melvin has represented clients in business transactions, before state agencies, at trial, and on appeal in matters involving water, land-use, insurance and public utility regulation, and other regulated activities. Ms. Melvin is a frequent speaker and author of CLE regarding water rights in Texas. She was named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by Woodward/White, Inc., Water Law (2008 – 2013) and as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Lutheran

University. She is the Chair of the Board of Regents for Texas Lutheran University and former board member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Inc. Ms. Melvin received her JD from the University of Texas.

Chad M. PinsonManaging Director | Stroz Friedberg | Dallas, Texas

Chad M. Pinson, Managing Director in Stroz Friedberg’s Dallas office, serves as a trusted advisor to corporate, law firm, government, and individual clients in criminal, civil, regulatory, expert testimony, and internal corporate matters. Mr. Pinson brings well over a decade of legal and investigatory experience, along with subject matter expertise related to deceptive trade practice, cybercrime, privacy and data security issues, embezzlement and other fraudulent financial transactions. Prior to joining Stroz Friedberg, Mr. Pinson was a partner at Baker Botts LLP in Dallas. Mr. Pinson received special acknowledgement in 2012, appearing in the Best Lawyers in America list. From 2004-2011, he was continuously recognized by Law & Politics as a “Texas Rising Star.” Mr. Pinson is a past vice chair and now the current chair of the State Bar of Texas Privacy & Data Security Committee. He is a member of the Consumer & Commercial Law Section Council, in addition to the Dallas Bar Association Antitrust Section Council. He regularly speaks and publishes topics on privacy, data breach, cyber security, and class actions. Mr. Pinson received his BBA with honors from the University of Texas and his JD with honors from Duke University School of Law where he was President of the Moot Court Board.

James W. PiperPartner | Piper & Turner, PLLC | Austin, Texas

Founding partner, James “Jim” W. Piper is an experienced family law attorney who has been serving families throughout Texas for more than 38 years. He has been board certified in family law since 1988, and he specializes in handling the most sophisticated family law matters in Central Texas. Mr. Piper has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine, is a preeminent AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. He graduated from Baylor University, summa cum laude, with a BBA in 1971. He attended law school at The University of Texas in Austin, graduating with a JD in 1974. From 1974 until February 1984, Mr. Piper worked for the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas. His responsibilities at this organization grew during his ten year period. During the last eight years, Jim was a managing attorney, supervising up to as many as 25 staff members. During that time, in addition to family law matters, he handled other complex forms of litigation, including serving as lead counsel in many class-action lawsuits. In 2006, Mr. Piper joined forces with a young trial lawyer by the name of Travis L. Turner. Piper & Turner, PLLC was formed in 2009.


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BIOGRAPHIESGerald PowellProfessor | Baylor Law School | Waco, Texas

Professor Gerald Powell has taught at Baylor Law School since 1986. Prior to becoming a professor of law, he practiced law at Vial, Hamilton, Koch & Knox in Dallas from 1977 to 1986. Professor Powell graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1974 and a JD from Baylor Law School in 1977. He is a member of ABOTA, the State Bar of Texas, and the American Bar Association.

Jack RossPartner | Ross Molina Oliveros | San Antonio, Texas

Jack Ross began his career and spent many years defending companies and individuals against a wide variety of tort and malpractice claims. While Mr. Ross is still active in tort and malpractice defense, he also focuses on matters related to eminent domain and civil litigation. Mr. Ross has two decades of experience handling right-of-way and condemnation cases and has represented public and private utility and pipeline companies in condemning land for various major projects, as well as condemnors and condemnees in roadway takings and other public improvement projects. Mr. Ross received his BS from Texas A&M University and JD from Texas Tech University.

Michael ShaunessyPartner | McGinnis Lochridge | Austin, Texas

Michael Shaunessy represents plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation, employment litigation, and suing and defending governmental entities. He is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury trial law. He is also certified by the American Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Shaunessy was selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list and was one of three finalists for the Texas Bar Foundation’s 2007 Dan Price Award. He earned his BBA from the University of Texas and JD from Southern Methodist University.

Travis TurnerPartner | Piper & Turner, PLLC | Austin, Texas

Seana WillingExecutive Director | State Commission on Judicial Conduct | Austin, Texas

Seana Willing is a 1993 graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law, in San Antonio, Texas. She is licensed to practice law in Texas before the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, and before the United States Supreme Court. From 1993 until 1998, Ms. Willing was in private practice in San Antonio, concentrating in the area of business litigation. Prior to joining the Commission in September 1999, she worked in the San Antonio Regional Office of the State Bar of Texas, where she investigated and prosecuted disciplinary actions against attorneys. In May 2001, Ms. Willing was promoted to General Counsel for the Commission. She has been its Executive Director since June 2003.

Mike WillsonJustice | 11th Court of Appeals | Eastland, Texas

Justice Mike Willson was elected to the 11th Court of Appeals in 2012 and initially took office by Governor Perry’s appointment on November 30, 2012. Justice Willson lives in Eastland and Midland. Before joining the Court, Justice Willson had a trial and appellate practice as a shareholder at Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe and Dawson, PC in Midland. Before that, he was a litigation associate at Arter & Hadden, LLP in Dallas and San Antonio. From 1985 to 1992, Justice Willson served on active duty as a captain in the United States Air Force. As a KC-135/RC-135 Instructor Navigator, he flew both air refueling and reconnaissance missions and was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Panama. For his service, he received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Justice Willson earned his BS degree in education, summa cum laude, from Ohio State University where he was a President’s Scholar and member of the 1983 Big Ten Gymnastics Championship Team. He earned his law degree, cum laude, from Notre Dame Law School where he was a John Bruce Dodds Memorial Scholar in London, England and the Production Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. Following graduation, he also taught as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech Law School.

Evan YoungPartner | Baker Botts, LLP | Austin, Texas

Evan Young has been with the Austin office of Baker Botts LLP since April 2009. His practice focuses on appellate litigation in state and federal courts throughout the United States. In addition to appearing before other courts, he has briefed and argued cases in both the Supreme Court of the United States and the Supreme Court of Texas, both of which courts adopted arguments that he presented. Mr. Young received his undergraduate degree from Duke University, where he majored in history. Upon graduation, he studied at Oxford University as a British Marshall Scholar and obtained a second degree in history. He then attended Yale Law School, graduating in 2004. After law school, he clerked first for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and then for Justice Antonin Scalia at the US Supreme Court. In 2006, after his clerkship with Justice Scalia ended, he became counsel to the Attorney General at the US Department of Justice. He served in the Office of the Attorney General under Attorneys General Alberto R. Gonzales and Michael B. Mukasey until December, 2008. While on the Attorney General’s staff, he spent about a year on detail to the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was the Deputy Rule of Law Coordinator. In that position he worked to assist the Iraqi government in its efforts to strengthen its legal regime, including, for example, its courts and prison system.

SCHED

ULE a

t a GL

ANCE

Monday, June 307:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast ........................................................................................................Lost Pines 6-7-8

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Common Canons Consistently Compromised ................................Barons ABCD

9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Soveriegn Immunity: Overview and Latest Developments ........Barons ABCD

11 a.m. – Noon E-Discovery Tips for Judges ....................................................................Barons ABCD

Noon - 1 p.m. Lunch ..............................................................................................................Lost Pines 6-7-8

Natural Resources Track - ALL SESSIONS IN MILAM COLONY1 – 2 p.m. Latest Developments and Hot Topics in Condemnation

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Latest Developments and Hot Topics in Oil & Gas

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Latest Developments and Hot Topics in Water Rights

Civil Litigation Track - ALL SESSIONS IN LITTLE COLONY1 – 2 p.m. Top 10 Things Appellate Judges Want Trial Judges to Know

2:15p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Civil Evidentiary Scenarios

Business Law Track - ALL SESSIONS IN ROBERTSON LEFTWICH1 – 2 p.m. Non-Competes, Trade Secrets, and Recovery of “Lost” Electronic Data

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Everything You Wanted to Know About Insurance Litigation, But Was Afraid to Ask

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Fiduciary Litigation

Tuesday, July 17:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast ........................................................................................................Lost Pines 6-7-8

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Texas Legislation: Recent, Future and Trends ...................................Barons ABCD

9:45 – 10:45 a.m. US Supreme Court Update .....................................................................Barons ABCD

11:00 a.m. – Noon Supreme Court of Texas Update ...........................................................Barons ABCD

WI FI Network (SSID): TX Center Judiciary HRLP Password: pines2014

BREAKSMonday: 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | 10:45 – 11 a.m.

2 – 2:15 p.m. | 3:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | 10:45 – 11 a.m.

June 30 July 1, 2014 Lost Pines,...

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