Texas Young Lawyers Association President Britney E. Harrison [Photo Credit: Business Wire.]

Dallas Family Law Attorney Tapped to Lead Texas Young Lawyers

Britney E. Harrison , a family law firm associate at GoransonBain Ausley, has taken on the role of President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA). She was sworn into office in a virtual ceremony on June 26. As president of TYLA, she aims to inspire and encourage young lawyers to have a voice, be respectful, and work to create change while striving to meet their vision of impact and success. Among the initiatives she will lead in the next year are: the Iconic Women in Legal History program, highlighting both trailblazing women and influential leaders in legal history; expanding the use of the Leadership Toolkit for under-resourced rural and smaller communities to provide education and inspiration around diversity and inclusion; and expansion of the Vote America program to inspire and engage younger voters in the election process, stressing the importance and benefits of voting. In addition to advancing young attorneys in the legal profession, she is also an advocate for children. She serves on the advisory committee of the new Permanency Court in Dallas, which works to find permanent homes for children in foster care. She is also passionate about helping homeless youth and volunteers with Promise House in Dallas. Since her first mentoring role in the seventh grade, she has worked to help broaden horizons and see what is possible both as a mentor and protégè. A true love and appreciation for her family, her greatest personal accomplishment is helping her father graduate from college. Harrison graduated first in her class from the University of North Texas and then with honors from The University of Texas School of Law in Austin. An Austin native, she resides in Addison, Texas.

"We are proud of Britney for sacrificially striving to empower young lawyers to become future leaders in the legal profession," said Curtis W. Harrison II, managing partner of the Dallas-based firm, in a statement. "Britney exemplifies the results attainable through consistent mentorship, both personally and professionally. She is passionate about investing in others, and has changed the lives of family members, friends, and individuals in the community."

Real Estate & Land Use Attorney Joins Houston Firm as Partner

McGuireWoods continues to expand its capabilities in Texas with the arrival of partner Mason Mote, who brings nearly a decade of private practice and in-house experience to the firm's Real Estate and Land Use Department in Houston and Austin. Mote represents lenders and borrowers in construction, permanent and mezzanine financing for commercial real estate projects, and helps clients navigate debt restructurings and foreclosures. Mote joins McGuireWoods after serving as general counsel and executive vice president at Williamsburg Enterprises, a private real estate investment firm specializing in the acquisition, development, management and leasing of commercial properties in Texas. He previously was a member of the real estate and finance practice groups at Haynes & Boone, where he advised banks and companies in commercial projects across the United States.

"Mason is a key addition who expands our client service capabilities in Houston and complements our strengths in the real estate and banking and finance sectors," said Yasser Madriz, managing partner of McGuireWoods' Houston office, in a statement by the firm. 

International Litigation Partner Joins Global Firm's London and Houston Offices

McGuireWoods is expanding its formidable energy industry capabilities with the arrival of London partner Simon Hems, who brings two decades of experience advising U.S. and European energy clients in litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. Hems does extensive work for Texas-based energy companies and will divide his time between London and Houston. Hems primarily represents contractors and service companies in engineering and construction disputes, as well as matters arising out of offshore casualties, contracts for the provision of offshore services and project insurance coverage issues. He handles matters at all levels of the English court system and in international arbitration venues, including the International Chamber of Commerce, the London Court of International Arbitration, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the London Maritime Arbitrators Association. Hems joins McGuireWoods' Business & Securities Litigation Department from Ince Gordon Dadds, where he led the energy and infrastructure group.

Hems' recent experience includes assisting a Houston-based client navigating the termination of an offshore project in the Middle East due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also handled arbitrations for leading U.S. and European companies in the offshore oil and gas industry over the cancellation of major infrastructure projects because of the 2016 market downturn, and has represented industry clients in claims under construction all risks (CAR) insurance and for damage to offshore assets in the Gulf of Mexico caused by hurricanes.

"Simon's transatlantic practice enhances our capabilities, particularly for our energy industry clients with projects in the United States and abroad," said Jonathan Blank, chair of McGuireWoods' Business and Securities Litigation Department, in a statement by the firm.

Attorney Joins Houston Firm to Lead Its Appellate Practice

Connie Pfeiffer, a widely respected appellate specialist with a practice in state and federal courts, has joined Yetter Coleman as a partner and the new leader of the firm's appellate team in the firm's Houston office. Pfeiffer has served as lead appellate counsel in scores of appeals for both plaintiffs and defendants. Her practice focuses on business disputes, legal malpractice and fiduciary claims, and statutory and procedural issues. She joins Yetter Coleman from Beck Redden, where she was a partner. Pfeiffer holds a J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of Tennessee. Pfeiffer brings to the firm unique experience with the federal judiciary. She has served since 2013 on the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC), which screens and recommends nominees for vacancies on the federal bench and in U.S. attorney offices in Texas. She was appointed to the committee by the U.S. Senators from Texas. Pfeiffer has a long list of accolades. Texas Lawyer named her the "Appellate Lawyer of the Week" for a high-profile win in the Texas Supreme Court.

Reagan Simpson, who has led the firm's appellate practice for the past decade, said in a statement, "Year after year, Connie is recognized among the most respected lawyers in Texas. Connie's arrival at Yetter Coleman reflects the strong next generation of our firm and appellate team. Her skills, record, and relationships with clients are extraordinary. She perfectly fits with our firm's commitment to deliver leading-edge service to our clients for decades to come."

Pfeiffer said in a statement, "Yetter Coleman is a firm with an impressive history and a vision for the future. Reagan Simpson, and the late Greg Coleman before him, built a team of amazing appellate lawyers. I'm honored to help lead our team forward and am looking forward to working closely with Reagan, who has been a respected professional friend and someone I've admired my entire career. I'm also excited to work with the other appellate partners, April Farris and Dori Goldman, who each recently argued and won cases before the Texas Supreme Court."