Texas Tech Law presented awards to 17 alums at the annual reception held in conjunction with the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting in Dallas. The awards recognized individuals for their contributions to Texas Tech Law, their communities, various bar associations, and for career achievements.
Hershell L. Barnes Ambassador Award
This award, presented at the Texas Tech Law reception during the Texas Bar annual meeting, recognizes an alumnus who has served as a goodwill ambassador through a combination of actions and efforts that have demonstrated dedication and fellowship toward the School of Law and general community. This award is named in honor of Hershell Barnes, Class of 1970, the first Texas Tech Law alumnus to serve on the Texas Tech Law School Foundation Board. Mr. Barnes passed away in 2011.
Sean M. Buckley ’13, Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C., Fort Worth, Texas
Judge Craig Smith ’77, District Judge, 192nd District Court, Dallas, Texas
Daniel H. Benson Public Service Award
This award, presented at the Texas Tech Law reception during the Texas Bar annual meeting, recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated significant and substantial contributions to furthering ideals of public service in the law. This award is named in honor of long-time Tech Law Professor Daniel Benson, who passed away in 2011.
Merinda K. Condra’96, The Condra Law Firm & Generation Covenant, Lubbock, Texas
Christy Jack ’91, Varghese Summersett PLLC, Fort Worth, Texas
Murray Hensley Service Award
This award, presented at the Texas Tech Law reception during the Texas Bar annual meeting, recognizes an alumnus who has served the law school by coaching advocacy teams. This award is named in honor of long-time advocacy coach Murray Hensley, Class of 1982, who passed away in 2011.
Shery Kime-Goodwin ’94, Office of the Federal Public Defender, Lubbock, Texas
G.O.L.D. Award
This award, presented at the Texas Tech Law reception during the Texas Bar annual meeting, recognizes an alumnus who graduated during the last decade (Graduates of the Law Decade) for significant achievements in the practice of law, the judiciary, public service, government, business, or commerce.
Andrew Cates ’07, Texas Nurses Association, Austin, Texas
Benjamin G. Robertson ’12, Santoyo Moore Wehmeyer P.C., San Antonio, Texas
Barrett Thomas ‘08, Blanchard & Thomas, LLP, Waco, Texas
Rising Star Award
This award, presented at the Texas Tech Law reception during the Texas Bar annual meeting, recognizes an alumnus (usually out 15 or fewer years) whose exemplary contributions of service and leadership, either professionally or at the School of Law, has brought credit to the graduate and the institution.
Raymond Baeza ’10, Farmers Insurance, El Paso, Texas
Ryan Calvert ’02, Brazos County District Attorney’s Office, Bryan, Texas
Emma Cano ’02, Jefferson Cano, San Antonio, Texas
Outstanding Service Awards
These awards, presented at the Texas Tech Law reception during the Texas Bar annual meeting, recognize non-alumni individuals and organizations who have a history of (a) hiring Texas Tech Law alumni, (b) serving or mentoring Texas Tech Law students, (c) participating in externship programs for Texas Tech Law students, or (d) contributing monetarily or otherwise to the success of Texas Tech School of Law.
Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson, Midland, Texas
Spurs Sports and Entertainment, San Antonio, Texas
Bob Black Bar Leaders Award
These awards, presented at the Texas Tech Law reception during the Texas Bar annual meeting, recognize each Texas Tech Law alumnus who has during the past year served as president of a local, state, national, international, or specialty bar association. This award is named in honor of Texas Tech Law alumnus Bob Black, Class of 1980, who served as president of the State Bar of Texas during 2011–2012.
Chris A. Antcliff ’95, El Paso Bar Association
Kyra K. Blankenship ’94, South Plains Trial Lawyers Association
Shane Brooks ’07, Amarillo Area Young Lawyers Association
Michael Davis ’08, Anderson County Bar Association
Steven M. Denny ’00, Panhandle Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Judge Mary Ellen W. Hicks ’74, Black Women Lawyers Association of Tarrant County
Judge Mark Hocker ’98, Lubbock Area Bar Association
Scotty Holloman ’83, State Bar of New Mexico
Taly Jacobs ’10, Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Kimberly P. Killebrew ’92, Collin County Women’s Lawyers Association
John E. Mitchell ’93, Texas Aggie Bar Association
Bradford L. Moore ’77, Brownfield Bar Association
Austin L. Ramsey ’12, Midland County Bar Association
Lee Ann Reno ’94, Amarillo Area Women’s Bar Association
Traci Siebenlist ’09, Lubbock County Young Lawyers Association
Max R. Tarbox ’76, West Texas Bankruptcy Bar Association
JJ Wells ’12, Hays-Caldwell County Young Lawyers Association