Kristal Cordova Thomson shareholder with Langley & Banack. Courtesy photo

San Antonio Attorney Elected Chair of Texas Bar Family Law Section

Langley & Banack attorney Kristal C. Thomson, based in San Antonio, was named chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Because of COVID-19, the annual meeting was conducted virtually, and Thomson was electronically voted into office May 31.

The Family Law Section is the third largest section of the State Bar of Texas, with over 6,000 members. Thomson will be only the fourth attorney from San Antonio to serve as chair in the section's 60-year history. Thomson has a long history of serving the Family Law Section, including serving in each executive position, as well as being a member of the section's Legislative Committee for more than 10 years.

In addition to being the new 2020-2021 chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Thomson has further distinguished herself in family law with leadership positions in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. She also serves as a member of the Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Estates and Family Law.

"Family lawyers face huge challenges this year as they learn to adapt to virtual hearings and lack of court access," said Thomson, in a statement. "In times like these, the Section's mission of promoting the highest degree of professionalism, education, fellowship, and excellence in the practice of family law is more important than ever, and I'm excited to work with a talented group of leaders to further this mission in the legal community," she continued.

Energy M&A Lawyer Joins Houston Firm as Partner

Willkie Farr & Gallagher announced that Jay Hughes has joined the firm as a partner in the Houston office. He is part of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions practice. He has experience across a wide range of corporate transactions in the energy sector. He has particular knowledge of the power industry, including both fossil fuels and renewables, such as wind and solar, and has advised on some of the most high-profile deals in this area in recent years. Hughes joins Willkie from McGuireWoods, where he was managing partner of the Houston office. His practice focuses on public and private mergers and acquisitions as well as energy transactions and financings, primarily in the power and oil and gas industries. He received a B.S. and B.A. from the University of Richmond and his J.D. from The College of William & Mary.

Dallas Firm Adds Two Corporate and Securities Partners

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton announced that Lindsay H. Ferguson and T. Allen McConnell have joined the firm's Corporate and Securities practice group as partners in the firm's Dallas office. Both partners join from Hunton Andrews Kurth.

Ferguson's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, including private equity-sponsored buyouts, public and private securities offerings, securities regulations compliance and corporate governance. She has experience representing private equity funds in acquisitions and dispositions, and helping public and private companies with securities issuances, governance and compliance. Ferguson earned her J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law, where she was articles editor of the Texas Tech Law Review. She also received her B.A. from Texas Tech University. She started at the firm June 1.

McConnell concentrates on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and securities regulation for public and private companies. He has significant experience representing private equity funds and sponsors and other buyers and sellers of businesses, counseling public companies in connection with SEC compliance and disclosure matters, assisting issuers and underwriters in initial public and secondary offerings, and advising companies and their representatives in other capital raising techniques. McConnell earned his J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law, where he was comment editor for the Texas Tech Law Review. He earned his B.A. from Washington and Lee University. He started at the firm April 1.

Houston Trial Lawyer Inducted into 'Texas Legal Legend' Ranks

The Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas has inducted Houston trial lawyer Rusty Hardin as its newest "Texas Legal Legend," an honor he shares with a long line of highly regarded trial lawyers who have spent their professional careers serving others and taking on challenges that are much bigger than themselves, the Section said in a statement. Past Living Legend honorees include James "Jim" Coleman, Joe Jamail, Carolyn Wright-Sanders and Lloyd P. Lochridge, among others. To adhere to social distancing concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, a representative from the State Bar of Texas presented the award to Hardin through Zoom. Texas Legal Legends is a project of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. Its purpose is to memorialize the stories of legendary lawyers who have practiced in Texas. Before entering private practice, Hardin served as a high-level prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney's office, where he personally prosecuted some of the office's most important cases during his 15-year tenure there.  In 1996, Hardin launched Rusty Hardin & Associates, a Houston-based firm that quickly gained national recognition as a premiere law firm for both civil and significant criminal matters. Along with his colleagues, Hardin has represented and won favorable verdicts for a lengthy list of high-profile clients, including professional MLB pitcher Roger Clemens, TV evangelist Victoria Osteen and NASA astronaut Anne McClain. A native of North Carolina, Hardin received his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas.

"I have been lucky enough to have a wonderful career, but any trial lawyer who has achieved any degree of success is only as good as the people around him," said Hardin in a statement. "This recognition is a great honor, but I am most proud of it because it was made possible by the people I work with."

New Partner Joins Austin Firm's Energy Practice

Michael Malfettone has joined Locke Lord's Austin office as a partner in the firm's Energy Practice Group. He will also build upon the firm's Renewable Energy Section, bringing experience in a wide range of corporate and financing transactions. Malfettone will relocate to the firm's New York office in coming months. Malfettone, who joins Locke Lord from Husch Blackwell, focuses his energy practice in the renewable power, clean energy technologies and midstream natural gas industries throughout the United States and internationally.

"Locke Lord's established and dynamic Energy practice, complete with a robust Renewable Energy Section, is an ideal fit for my skill set and experience," Malfettone said, in a statement by the firm. "I look forward to growing my practice at the firm, collaborating with this well-respected team and leveraging the firm's global energy offerings to further support my clients in an ever-evolving industry."

Austin Firm Welcomes New Associate

Jackson Gayle has joined the firm of Armbrust & Brown in Austin as an associate. His practice focuses on real estate, finance, and construction law. Gayle received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 2017 and his B.A. from Texas A&M in 2011. He began his career at Vinson & Elkins and Blank Rome prior to joining Armbrust & Brown.