Shannon H. Ratliff, a shareholder in Davis, Gerald & Cremer in Austin, was recognized by the State Bar of Texas board of directors with a resolution. Dr. Kyle Longley, the new director of the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, presented the resolution to Ratliff during the State Bar's quarterly meeting Sept. 28 in Austin. Ratliff has been a trial and appellate attorney for more than 50 years. He focuses on complex oil and gas, securities and general commercial litigation.

Kim Askew, partner in K&L Gates in Dallas, and Leslie Darby, a partner in Kelly Hart Hallman in Fort Worth, are among recipients of a “Top 50 Women Lawyers Award” presented by the National Diversity Council on Sept. 25. The award recognizes female attorneys who “have made a difference through their achievements and exemplify the ability to excel in the legal arena.” Askew's primary practice area involves complex commercial litigation and disputes. She is a former chair of the State Bar of Texas board of directors. Darby focuses her practice on brand management, including the procurement, protection, enforcement and management of domestic and international trademark rights.

T. Gerald Treece, South Texas College of Law Houston vice president, associate dean and professor of law, was honored Sept. 24 on his 40th anniversary as founder and staple of STCL's “Best in the Nation” Advocacy Program. STCL advocates won their 130th national advocacy title in March.

J. Cary Barton, founder of Barton Benson Jones in San Antonio, is the recipient of the 2018 Carolyn Thurmond Community Service Award presented by the San Antonio Bar Foundation. Barton received the award in recognition of his work with Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, a nonprofit liaison program of the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program.

New Positions

Doug Atnipp, an energy lawyer, has been named managing partner of Winston & Strawn's Houston office. Before joining Winston earlier this year, Atnipp served as co-managing shareholder of the Houston office of Greenberg Traurig and as co-chaired its energy practice. Atnipp has more than 30 years of experience advising clients on energy mergers and acquisitions and other matters.

Daniel Tobey has joined DLA Piper in Dallas as a partner in the firm's litigation practice. Tobey is a medical doctor and a software entrepreneur as well as a litigator. He represents technology, health care and life sciences companies in matters ranging from patent disputes to tort and contract claims. He joined DLA Piper from Vinson & Elkins.

Derek J. Anchondo has joined Holman Fenwick Willan in Houston as a partner, becoming HFW's first U.S. lateral hire. Anchondo formerly was an energy partner in Greenberg Traurig and handles oil and gas and energy transactions.

David Littman has joined Cantey Hanger in Fort Worth as a partner, and Katherine “Kate” Hancock has joined the firm as an associate. Littman, formerly an attorney with Law, Snakard & Gambill and also formerly an in-house counsel with Fidelity National Title Insurance Co., is experienced in real estate and title law. Hancock focuses on commercial litigation, investigations and health care law. She was a law clerk for U.S. District Judge John H. McBryde of the Northern District of Texas.

Michael E. Noe has joined the Austin office of Dickinson Wright as a member. Noe has more than 20 years of legal experience, preparing and prosecuting hundreds of U.S. and foreign patents. His practice focuses on all aspects of intellectual property law.

Jack S. Wilson has joined Kelly Hart & Hallman as an associate in the firm's Midland office. He focuses his practice on oil, gas and energy litigation and transactions. Elizabeth Spencer Berthiaume has joined the firm's Fort Worth office as an associate in its corporate and securities section. She focuses on the private equity business, including compliance matters for the firm's private equity clients.

Sang Eun “Jennice” Lee has joined Bell Nunnally & Martin in Dallas as an associate and member of its intellectual property practice group. Lee previously was with Barclay Damon in its Syracuse, New York, office. She counsels and represents major international and domestic clients in their trademark and copyright portfolio management.

Samuel Gee has joined Munck Wilson Mandala in Dallas as an associate. Gee is in the firm's intellectual property practice group. He is a registered patent agent.

Appointed

Frank O. Carroll III, a shareholder in Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey in Houston, has been appointed to fill a seat vacated recently on the Katy City Council. Carroll is head of his firm's appellate law group.