From The Dean’s Desk

It is always sad to say goodbye to a Baylor , but we can all take comfort in the legacies they leave behind.

Earlier this month, and lost distinguished public servant, alumnus, and former University trustee, the Hon. Jack E. Hightower (LLB ’51).

Judge Hightower was a gifted public servant who served as a State Representative, State Senator, U.S. Congressman, and Supreme Court Justice. Judge Hightower also will be remembered as a lover of knowledge and a respected bibliophile. He was a magnificent example of the Baylor Law spirit at work in the community. You can read more about Judge Hightower’s life and work in this issue of Rocket Docket.

But even as one of our great Baylor passes away, others already are at hard at work continuing that legacy of public service.

In this issue of Rocket Docket, we profile Cindy Tisdale (JD ’95) of Granbury, who recently was elected chair of the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas. Cindy is a family lawyer who has served as president of the board of directors of the Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center and was twice named Hood County Attorney of the Year.

You’ll also learn about a new domestic violence prevention program in Williamson County that came about through the efforts of several people, including Baylor Lawyers Dee Hobbs (JD ’05), Williamson County Attorney; and Jackie Borcherding (JD ’05), an assistant district attorney for Williamson County.

Please enjoy this issue.

Baylor Law Mourns Passing of Distinguished Alumnus Jack E. Hightower

Baylor University and Baylor Law School are mourning the passing of distinguished public servant, alumnus, and former University trustee, the Hon. Jack E. Hightower (LLB ‘51). The former State Representative, State Senator, U.S. Congressman, and Texas Supreme Court Justice died Aug. 3 in Austin following a long illness. He was 86.

“A great man, a gifted public servant, and a wise and discerning judge has passed from our midst,” said Baylor Law School Dean Brad Toben. “Justice Hightower was a lover of knowledge, and on top of his many accomplishments (his dear Colleen and his family being foremost, as he always noted), he was an accomplished and respected bibliophile. He loved and collected books for their intrinsic value as repositories of knowledge and wisdom. The Judge’s craft as a bibliophile is a sadly disappearing avocation and we have lost one of its exacting practitioners.”

Hightower’s funeral was held Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the in Austin. A memorial service took place Saturday, Aug. 10, at First Baptist Church of Austin.

Born in Memphis, Texas, in 1926, Hightower’s public service began before he graduated from Baylor, with a two-year stint in the Navy from 1944-46. He returned to Baylor after the Navy and received his BA in 1949 and his law degree in 1951.

In 1951 he joined the law firm of Storey, Storey, and Donaghey in Vernon, Texas, and in 1952, successfully ran for election as a Democrat to the Texas House of Representatives, serving one term. From 1955-1961 Hightower served as District Attorney in Vernon. In 1965 he returned to the Texas Legislature as a State Senator, holding office until 1974 and eventually becoming President Pro-tempore of the .

In 1974 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the 13th Congressional District of Texas and served until 1984. While in the House of Representatives, he served on the Agriculture Committee, Appropriations Committee, Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee and the Select Committee on Hunger. From 1985-87 Hightower served as Assistant Attorney General of Texas, and in 1988 he was elected to the Texas Supreme Court, where he served until 1996.

In addition to public service, Hightower was very active in church, fraternal, and civic organizations. A lifelong Baptist, he held many significant positions in Baptist organizations, including as a Baylor trustee. He also was a trustee of Midwestern University and served in several leadership positions in the Masons. He and his wife, Colleen, served for several years as members of the Baylor Libraries’ Board of Advisors.

After retiring from the Texas Supreme Court, Judge Hightower was appointed by President to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. He served as Commissioner from 1999 to 2005.

Judge Hightower’s personal and official papers reside in the Jack E. Hightower Collection at Baylor’s W.R. Poage Legislative Library, a special collections library and research facility that collects congressional records and personal papers related to the political history of Central Texas.

Hightower learned the value of personal and official papers through a mentor, Guy B. Harrison, with The Texas Collection at Baylor.

In 1985, Judge Hightower began depositing his political and personal papers in the Baylor Collections of Political Materials, documenting his service as a Texas State Senator and as a U.S. Representative. Since that time, he continued to add materials from his years as First Attorney General of Texas and as a Texas Supreme Court Justice, as well as numerous items documenting Texas and U.S. history.

Among these are original 19th century legislative bills related to Texas; newspapers and magazines about important historical events; and 50 years of media from vinyl recordings to computer tapes. Since 2000, he transferred additional papers and many rare books from his personal collection.

“Judge Jack Hightower was a life-long bibliophile,” said Ben Rogers, director of Baylor’s Poage Library. “As a Baylor student he worked six years for Guy B. Harrison archiving history in The Texas Collection. He then spent the rest of his life preserving history through his books and papers. His favorite quote was ‘Those who preserve history are as important as those who make it.’ But Judge Hightower also made history serving in the Texas House, Texas Senate, the U.S. House, and the Texas Supreme Court. Judge Hightower’s dedication to Baylor and the preservation of Texas and U.S. history will be his lasting legacy archived in Poage Legislative Library.”

The Jack Hightower Book Vault at Baylor was constructed in 2006 and houses Hightower’s collection of more than 3,000 autographed copies of books, with the last of his signed books deposited in July. “His collection dates from 1647 and includes presidential signatures from John Quincy Adams to Barack Obama. Other notable signatures include Queen Victoria, Mary Lincoln and Winston Churchill. In honor of Judge Hightower, his friends established the Jack Hightower Book Fund to continue his collection of signed books,” Rogers said.

The collection also includes an extensive assortment of presidential books, the largest of which centers on the 16th President of the , Abraham Lincoln, who was Hightower’s hero. The Lincoln collection includes many biographies and a small photo album with original pictures of the Lincoln family. In 2006, the Baylor Collections of Political Materials commemorated the 80th birthday of Judge Hightower with a special celebration — “The Hightowers: Integrity ~ Justice ~ Service” — focusing on the life of service shared by Jack and Colleen Hightower.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Colleen; three daughters, Ann Hightower of Arlington, Va.; Amy Brees and her husband, Chip; and Alison Suttle, and her husband, Richard, of Austin. He was the proud grandfather of Lindley Thornburg; Drew, Reid, and Audrey Brees; and Molly and Nicoleta Suttle. He is also survived by his nieces, Pat Krueger of San Antonio; Jane Schotz of Austin; and Kate Lilly of Houston; as well as his sister-in law, Emily Ward Hill, and her husband, Jim, and nephews, Brian and Brad Hill, who reside in Tulia.

Cindy Tisdale (JD ‘95) Chairs Board of State Bar of Texas

Cindy Tisdale (JD ‘95) of Granbury was elected chair of the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas. She took office in June during the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting in Dallas. She will serve as chair until June 2014.

As a third-year director on the State Bar of Texas board, Tisdale was eligible to run for chair. She was elected by her fellow board members.

Tisdale already is looking forward to what she can accomplish during her term.

“I hope to play a part in helping others, both attorneys and non-attorneys,” she said. “Lisa Tatum, president of the State Bar, has some wonderful ideas for this year. One of her initiatives is to help those going through the legal system who can’t afford an attorney to receive some type of representation. She has coordinated the Care Campaign that aids attorneys in organizing legal clinics for those who need legal services but cannot afford it. I would like to help her spread the word about this and get those who need help in touch with those who can help.

“Also, our State Bar has so many different benefits and programs to help attorneys,” Tisdale continued. “Part of my goal is to disseminate this information to attorneys. The bar is comprised of smart, driven, and savvy employees and volunteers whose job it is to make the bar the best it can be. I am proud to help them in this endeavor.”

Tisdale, of the Law Office of Cindy V. Tisdale, focuses her practice on family law. She is certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and serves on the council of the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section.

She is also a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, the Hood County , and the College of the State Bar of Texas. She has served as president of the board of directors of the Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center, and was twice named Hood County Attorney of the Year.

Tisdale said there are many challenges and rewards to working in family law.

“Unfortunately, my clients are usually going through the worst time of their lives in a divorce or custody battle,” she said. “These are usually very good people going through a traumatic experience. Family law cases can be extremely tense and emotional. As a family law attorney, I have to separate myself from work while still being empathetic to my clients. All that being said, I absolutely love my job. I look forward to going to work (most days), and I can’t imagine doing anything else. In some small way, I am helping my clients get through their rough time to see there can be life after divorce.”

Baylor Lawyers Part of Team Working to End Cycle of Domestic Violence

Prevention, preparation and prosecution of domestic violence make up the mission of the Williamson County Domestic Assault Response Team (DART).

DART, made up of prosecutors, victims’ assistance personnel, law enforcement, and health care professionals, was formed in August 2012 under the leadership of Williamson County District Attorney Jana Duty and Williamson County Attorney Dee Hobbs (JD ‘05) in order to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and improve the effectiveness of advocacy for victims.

DART aims to be to domestic violence what Mothers Against Drunk Driving has been to driving while intoxicated: an effective means of education, public awareness, and prevention of crime in our community. Two months after its launch, the DART team conceived the idea of hosting a free three-day conference for professionals in Williamson County who are committed to the thorough investigation and just prosecution of domestic violence cases. On May 14-16, 2013, DART hosted its inaugural conference with more than 200 registrants, including judges and other elected officials, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, nurses, doctors, probation officers, mental health professionals, social workers, and community leaders.

The 21 speakers for the first conference donated their time and talents to discuss myriad important topics related to the investigation, prosecution, and trial of domestic violence cases. Presentations included:

• Michelle Garcia and Rebecca Dreke from the Stalking Resource Center in Washington, D.C., on investigating stalking cases and applying Texas stalking laws; • Former El Paso Assistant District Attorney Ellic Sahualla on the 24-hour process of filing a family violence case; • Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid attorneys Shelli Egger and Danielle Gonzalez on child abduction laws and how civil law issues impact survivors of domestic violence; • Williamson Count Attorney Dee Hobbs on violation of protective order cases, and Williamson County assistant district attorneys Stacey Mathews and Jackie Borcherding (JD ‘05) on voir dire presentations to juries in domestic violence cases; • Travis County Judge Mike Denton and Travis County Assistant District Attorney Dana Nelson on tips for trying domestic violence cases to judges and juries.

DART wanted its first conference to be free, so members went into the community and asked for help. Facilities and food were donated through to the generosity of Williamson County Commissioner Lisa Birkman, who secured the Williamson County Jester Annex Building in Round Rock at no cost. The organization also received donations from nine sponsors: the Williamson County Sheriff’s Association, Round Rock Officer’s Association, Cedar Park Police Association, The Center for Cognitive Education, Taco Cabana, Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, and Schlotzsky’s.

Individuals interested in learning more about DART are invited to attend its next meeting on Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. at the Williamson County Jester Annex Building in Round Rock. Kelsey McKay, assistant district attorney of Travis County, will be speaking on prosecuting strangulation cases.

Author Jackie Borcherding (JD ‘05) is an assistant district attorney for Williamson County.

Group of Baylor Lawyers Turns Fishing Trip Into Annual Event

In May 1996, a group of Baylor Law School students, Todd Ramsey (JD ‘96), Mike Moran (JD ‘97), Lance Lackey (JD ‘97), Jason Walker (JD ‘97), Neil Smith (JD ‘96), and Eric Weatherford (JD ‘97), decided to celebrate graduation by taking a fishing trip at the Ramsey family ranch near Mount Pleasant in East Texas. That celebration has become an annual for 18 years. Baylor Lawyers who were not part of the original group sometimes make the trek to the ranch, too. For example, Todd Reimers (JD ‘97) took part in the mini-reunion in May. Here, Todd Ramsey discusses the annual gathering and what it means to him and his friends.

Our Law School ranch reunion is like a two-day summer camp. We spend our days fishing, swimming, boating, barbecuing, playing bocce ball and pingpong, and talking — lots of talking.

This is an annual trip that, quite honestly, we look forward to now more than ever.

Keeping in touch with our Law School buddies has meant a lot to each of us. As our lives have become increasingly hectic with our careers, family, and other responsibilities, this trip has remained a constant in all of our lives.

This trip is our opportunity catch up on each other’s lives. But more importantly, it’s also a way for us each take a little “breather” from life. Todd Ramsey is with the PayneMitchell Law Group in Dallas; Mike Moran is with Jackson Walker LLP in Dallas; Lance Lackey is with Lackey & Smith, PLLC in Austin; Jason Walker is with Andrews Myers, P.C. in Houston; Neil Smith is with Nix, Patterson & Roach, L.L.P. in Dallas; Eric Weatherford is with Brown McCarroll, L.L.P. in Dallas; and Todd Reimers is with Sabre Commercial Inc. in Austin.

Meet The Faculty & Staff

Every month we feature some of the faculty and staff members here at Baylor Law School.

Laura Hernández Associate Professor of Law

Laura A. Hernández joined the faculty of Baylor Law School in 2008 following 11 years as a litigator. She teaches Remedies, Separation of Church and State, Law of Entertainment Industries, and Insurance Law. Prior to Baylor Law School, Professor Hernández practiced law at Bickel & Brewer, L.L.P. in Dallas; Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer, & Feld, L.L.P., in San Antonio; and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, L.L.P. in Los Angeles. Her clients included publicly held Fortune 100 companies involved in the oil and gas, entertainment, and insurance industries. Professor Hernández attended Stanford University, where she graduated with a BA in Economics and a BA in Communications. She attended law school at Southern Methodist University. Among many other honors at SMU, she was named the Sarah T. Hughes Law Scholar for the Class of 1996, a full scholarship awarded by the Dallas Bar Foundation.

Linda Gradel Library Specialist-Acquisitions

Linda Gradel is the acquisitions specialist for the Law Library. She is responsible for ordering supplies, periodicals, and books. She also processes all of the renewals and invoices. Gradel has worked at Baylor University since 1995 and joined the Law Library in May 2005. Born in Boston, she was raised in a military family. One of her favorite places to live, other than Texas, is Juneau, Alaska, where her dad took her and her brothers fishing.

Nick Teixeira Senior Graphic and Web Designer Joining Baylor Law School in August 2013, Senior Graphic and Web Designer Nick Teixeira helps the Law School put it’s best visual foot forward. For three years during his undergraduate studies at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, Teixeira worked as an ad designer for The Roundup, the university’s student newspaper. After earning his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree, Teixeira formed a new relationship with his alma mater and joined NMSU’s creative team within the University Communications and Marketing Services department. During his seven years there, Teixeira not only designed printed materials for nearly every department and college on campus, but also administered and maintained numerous internal websites and created many online and digital advertisements.

News & Notes

2013 Baylor Law Alumni Weekend Mark your calendars for Baylor Law Alumni Weekend, Oct. 4-5! Catch up and have fun with your fellow Baylor Lawyers.

Alumni Weekend events include:

• Dessert Reception at the home of Judge and Mrs. Ken Starr • Breakfast with Dean Brad Toben and the Dean’s State of the Law School Remarks at the Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center • Burgers and Blue Bell at the home of Dean and Mrs. Brad Toben • Baylor vs. West Football Game

And new this year . . . the Baylor Lawyer Networks of Houston, Dallas and Austin are hosting “Late Night at George’s!”

We are looking for Alumni Weekend volunteers to assist in spreading the word to your fellow Baylor Lawyers. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Berkley Knas, Director of Alumni Relations, at [email protected] or 254.710.4346.

Calling Members of the Class of 1963 Class representatives Fred Weekley and David Guinn are encouraging our 50-year Baylor Lawyers to attend Alumni Weekend Oct 4-5. There will be a special dinner for the class of 1963 on Friday, Oct. 4.

For more information, contact Berkley Knas, Director of Alumni Relations, at [email protected] or 254.710.4346.

Upcoming Alumni Networking Events

Houston Baylor Lawyer Network Reception Thursday, Aug. 29 6-7:30 p.m. The Coronado Club 1919 Milam St. Fifth Floor Houston

Hosted by: Brett Williams (JD ‘99) of Avalon Advisors, LLC

Austin Baylor Lawyer Network Reception Thursday, Sept. 26 6-7:30 p.m. McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P. 600 Congress Ave. Suite 2100 Austin

Hosted by the Baylor Lawyers of McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P. in the Austin Office: Travis Barton (JD ‘94) Michael Kabat (JD ‘05) Jessica Palvino (JD ‘05) Blair Knox (JD ‘10)

Alumni Notes

1980s

Stephen Gibson (JD ‘84) was recently hired as a senior attorney at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr P.C., a Texas-based law firm with more than 110 attorneys and offices in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Gibson joins the business litigation practice group. His practice primarily focuses on providing guidance and analysis in contractual and extra-contractual liability insurance disputes, and representing clients post-trial and on appeal.

1990s C. Matthew Terrell (JD ‘92) has joined Phelps Dunbar LLP’s new Dallas/Fort Worth office. He will serve as managing partner. 2000s Jennie Knapp (JD ‘09) has been hired as an associate at The Underwood Law Firm in Amarillo. Knapp’s practice encompasses a wide variety of civil litigation. She has defended clients in commercial litigation, including breach of contract and disputes among shareholders, professional malpractice, personal injury, and other civil litigation matters.

Dustin A. Paschal (JD ‘05) recently opened a law firm in Dallas, Simon | Paschal PLLC. The firm focuses on employment law and business law.

2010s Stephanie Larsen (JD ‘13) has been hired as an associate at The Underwood Law Firm in Amarillo. Larsen practices commercial litigation, insurance defense, and bankruptcy litigation.

Taylor Mohr (JD ‘12) has joined The Law Firm of Zinda & Davis PLLC in Austin. She is working in the firm’s family law division.

In Memoriam

The Hon. Erwin “Ernie” Goree Ernst (JD ‘50), 88, passed away July 24, 2013 in his home in Huntsville surrounded by friends and family. Ernst was born on July 27, 1924 in Burlington, Wis., to his musician- father, Erwin Ferdinand Ernst, and writer-mother, Claire Ashford Ernst. Ernst spent his early years in Huntsville, Kerrville, and Kingsville following his father’s musical collegiate vocation. An avid trombone player and lover of music, Ernst graduated from Kingsville High School in 1942. He entered the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 and proudly served in WWII during the Pacific Theater of Operations as a crewmember of a transport aircraft-medical air evacuation. He was awarded the Air Medal for his participation and was honorably discharged in 1946. Ernst attended Texas A&I College, University of Wichita, Sam Houston State University (pre-law), and graduated from Baylor Law School in 1950 with his law degree. In 1948, Ernst married his muse, Virginia Wallace of Bryan, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bryan. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Ernst practiced law in Post and Lamesa until 1954, when he moved to Houston to enter the law firm of Gwin, Meyers, and Wommack. He joined the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in 1955 and participated actively as a prosecuting attorney until 1972, when he resigned as chief of the felony trial division to move to Huntsville to become an associate professor of criminal justice at Sam Houston State University. His move was on the heels of the mistrial of Dr. John Hill, whom he prosecuted, and the event was chronicled in the book, Blood & Money. In 1974, Ernst was named general counsel to the Texas Department of Corrections, where he remained until 1976, when he was appointed to the newly created post of district attorney of Walker County. In 1978, Gov. Dolph Briscoe appointed Ernst as judge of the 12th District. He held the post until his retirement in 1988. In 1988, he was certified as senior district judge, which allowed him to try cases throughout Texas upon assignment. Ernst continued to serve as a legal legend as an active senior judge, still wearing his trademark string ties. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Wallace Ernst; brother, Tony Ernst; son, Mark, daughter-in-law, MaryAnne, and grandson, Zachary Ernst; daughter, Regina, and son-in-law, Fred Guthrie; and daughter-in-law, Rhonda Ernst of Bedias. He also is survived by his dog, Ray. Ernst’s family thanks Les Pool for his never-ending friendship, Dianne Smith for her kind and tender caregiving, and the employees of Traditions Home Health & Hospice.

Alexander Montgomery Haw (LLB ‘60), 82, known to all as Sandy, died peacefully at home Wednesday, July 31, 2013, surrounded by his family. Haw was born on August 5, 1930, and graduated from Druid Hills School in Atlanta and from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He graduated cum laude from Baylor Law School, where he was a member of Law Review. He joined the law firm of Naman Howell Smith & Lee, where he practiced for 40 years. He was board certified in estate planning and probate law. Since childhood Haw’s abiding passion was all things military. Prior to law school, he joined the United States Air Force, went through Officers’ Training School, and emerged as a navigator bombardier. While at James Connally AFB in Waco, he met Drane Kendall and embarked on their 56- year marriage. After he retired from the practice of law, he became a colonel and was a qualified aircrew member in the USAF Civil Air Patrol auxiliary for search and rescue and disaster relief missions. He was instrumental in establishing the Waco Symphony, was commodore of the Ridgewood Yacht Club, and was involved in many other civic pursuits. A member of St. Paul’s Church, he had been a colorful addition to the Men’s Prayer Breakfast. Always an academic, he relished his membership in The Philosophers. Haw is survived by his wife and their three children, Sally Haw, Alec Haw, and Hannah Haw Weldon; and their spouses, Donna Haw and Bill Weldon; his brother, Stuart McSpaden Haw of St. Louis; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

William Michael Leebron II (JD ‘71), 68, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 6, 2013 at his home in historic East Columbia after working on his beloved paddle wheeler the Brazos Belle. Leebron was born in Dallas and raised in Elk City, Okla., but lived most of his life in Houston and Sargent. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Baylor Law School after serving in the U.S. Army as first lieutenant. Leebron started his legal career representing those injured through the fault of others. He began his practice with the firm of Brown and Haden, but shortly thereafter joined with Laron D. Robinson in starting his own firm, Leebron & Robinson, PC. He was a partner at Fibich, Hampton, Leebron, Briggs and Josephson, LLP at the time of his death. He was the consummate trial lawyer, winning his cases while showing the utmost devotion to his clients. Those opposing him in the courtroom often revered him at the conclusion of their case. Leebron was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates, the most prestigious trial lawyer organization in the United States. Duck hunting and Texas history were two of Leebron’s biggest passions. His love of people kept him busy at his bar, Belle’s Landing, or on his paddleboat teaching others the importance of local history and river conservation. Leebron had so many talents and interests, but will be most remembered for the number of lives he touched with his generous spirit and honest interest in his friends and new friends that he met every day. Leebron is survived by his partner of 19 years, Marlene Mouchette; his daughter and light of his life, Chausey Leebron Jameson; Chausey’s mother, Diane Leebron; grandson, Luke Leebron Jameson; son-in-law, Sam Jameson; sister, Mary Dangelmayr, and husband, John; sister, Andrea Leebron Clay, and husband, Jim; brother, Jack Leebron, and wife, Linda; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Leebron also will be missed by his beloved family of rescued dogs, Griz, Bumper, Cedar, Ozzie, and Thor.

Nils “George” Shaw II (JD ‘62), 77, died Monday, July 8, 2013, at his home. He was preceded in death by his father, Nils George Shaw (born as Nils Georg Sjo); his mother, Jessie “Pat” Shaw; and his sister, Camille Shaw Kitchens. Shaw was born in Fort Worth in November 1935 and lived there his whole life. He graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 1953. He attended Texas A&M and graduated in 1959 with a degree in mathematics. Thereafter, he attended Baylor Law School, where he was a member of Delta Theta Phi Law fraternity. He graduated from law school in May 1962 and became licensed in September 1962. After law school, Shaw got a job working for the Texas Highway Department in its land acquisition department doing title work for the interstate highway system. Thereafter, he got a job in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office. He worked there for several years as an assistant district attorney before going into private practice in the late 1960s. He was a solo practitioner for many years until he was joined by his son, Brad, in 1988. He was recognized last year by the Tarrant County Bar Association for having been licensed to practice law for 50 years. His interests in life were many. He had a passion for reading history, collecting coins, and historical autographs. His greatest passion in life was traveling with his wife, Gail, (with whom he had recently celebrated 53 years of marriage). While his children were growing up, he took them to see all 50 states and capitals. Shaw and Gail continued traveling the world, going to multiple countries on all continents with the exception of Antarctica. Although his short-term memory had faded recently, he never forgot the most important day of his life, which was the day he married the love of his life, Gail (neé Wolfkill). He was a charter member of the Lake Worth Kiwanis and was active until unable to do so because of a leg amputation. He loved his family dearly and will be missed by many. Survivors include his wife, Gail; his children, Chris Shaw, Brad Shaw, and Kari Smith; his grandchildren, Harrison Smith, Erik Smith, Haley Shaw, Hannah Shaw, Preston Shaw, Collin Shaw, and Melinda Shaw; and great-grandchild, Elizabeth Smith.

Malcolm Tisdel (JD ‘53), 85, of Plainview, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2013. Tisdel was born on April 13, 1928 to Willard and Lena Tisdel in Petersburg. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1946-1949. He married Florabel Teague on March 22, 1951 in Plainview. After graduating from Baylor University in 1953, Tisdel’s ambition was to return to the place he loved, , and especially Plainview, to practice law as a country lawyer. Even though his clients came from Arizona, California, New York, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., he considered himself a country lawyer. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David Patrick Tisdel. Tisdel is survived by his wife, Florabel Tisdel of Plainview; one son, James Michael Tisdel, and his wife, Scott Elizabeth Tisdel; and one grandson, Ian Patrick Tisdel.

Stephanie Dugger Woodard (JD ‘92), 45, a woman who loved life entirely, fully, and without hesitation or regret, died peacefully on Friday, July 26, 2013, with her family near. Woodard was born on Dec. 20, 1967, in Austin to Erwin and Janet Johnson Dugger. A 1986 graduate of Round Rock High School, Woodard earned a BA in philosophy from U.T. Austin in 1989 and a JD from Baylor Law School in 1992. She met Gary Leonard “Len” Woodard II while taking an economics class together at UT. They were married on July 10, 1993, in Austin. Last month, Woodard and her family were able to return to their beloved Crystal Beach, a place of happiness and renewal over the years. The trip was incredibly fulfilling. It was there Woodard died just a few weeks after celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary. What Woodard loved most in life were her four special men -- Len, Dunson, Grey and C.J. An involved mom, she was immensely proud of her boys and fully supported their sports teams and school activities. A respected family lawyer, Woodard was proud of her 10-year partnership with Tom Hill. While a talented lawyer, she was known more for the many personal relationships she formed with clients and colleagues alike. Woodard’s passions included cooking and entertaining, singing karoake, playing softball, the family’s cats and dogs, and writing. Survivors include her husband of 20 years, Len Woodard; sons, Dunson Taylor Woodard, William Greydon Woodard, and Coleman Johnson Woodard; mother, Jan Johnson Percy, and husband, Joe; brother, Mike Dugger, and wife, Carrie, and their children, Daelynn and Raelee Dugger.