Austin Bar Blog

Austin Lawyer magazine and the upcoming Stop the Stigma podcast are looking for lawyers who are willing to share their stories of recovery, support, and understanding when facing mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide. We want to hear from lawyers facing or recovering from these challenges, as well as family members and coworkers supporting lawyers going through these challenges.

Help us change the conversation around mental illness, addiction, and suicide. To submit an article or appear on the podcast, please reach out to Communications Director Billy Huntsman at billy@austinbar.org.

Bid on an exclusive opportunity to stay in a beautiful Paris apartment located in the prestigious 16th Arrondissement during the Summer Olympics and Paralympics. This charming apartment sleeps up to 7 guests, featuring a full kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Experience the exquisite beauty, history, and culture of Paris In the 16th arrondissement between Auteuil & Passy in a quaint, comfortable flat on the top floor of a 1919 Art-Nouveau building with views of the Eiffel tower from the apartment and easy access to cafes, museums, and other Parisian attractions.

Bid here.

Generously Donated By: Fondation Simone Phillipe Edde

Tax Deduction: A portion of your donation may be deductible as a charitable expense.

Additional Information: Individual event tickets can be purchased online at the official Olympic website: HERE

Don't miss out on this incredible chance to experience the Paris Olympics and Paralympics in style while supporting a great cause. Place your bid now and make unforgettable memories in the City of Light!

Verdicts are also available in the Austin Bar app for iPhone and Android!

CIVIL

CAUSE NO:                           D-1-GN-22-007206; OSWALDO RAMOS, INDIVIDUALLY AND A/N/F OF MINOR, ALEXIS RAMOS v. KILLIAN PATRICK REGAN

JUDGE:                                    JESSICA MANGRUM

DATES:                                     May 13-14, 2024               

ATTORNEYS:     

                  Plaintiff:                 Casey Archer and Guilherme Vasconcelos, DJC Law, PLLC      

                  Defendant:          J. Hampton Skelton and Sean Hoffman, Skelton and Woody, PLLC

SUMMARY:          Motor vehicle accident that occurred on June 12, 2022 in downtown Austin, Texas.  Ramos and third-party Defendant found responsible for accident.  No damages awarded.

CAUSE NO:                           D1GN 22-001572; SANDRA AMEZQUITA v. JAMES EVANS, CHUCK FISHER, JAKE FISHER, JORDAN FISHER, RICK FISHER, TOM FISHER, CHRISTOPHER FLORES, DAVID FLORES, LARRY FLORES III, LORIE ANN FLORES, ROLAND FLORES, MARGOT GUERRERO, MAUREEN LEOS, PATRICIA FLORES, JAYNE ULREICH

JUDGE:                                    DANIELLA DESETA LYTTLE

DATES:                                     May 14-16, 2024               

ATTORNEYS:     

                  Plaintiff:                Anthony Icenogle, Icenogle and Boggins, PLLC

                  Defendant:          William Gammon and Benjamin Schmerler      

SUMMARY:  Plaintiff’s claimed ownership of property located in Austin, Texas through adverse possession.  Court granted a directed verdict that the Plaintiffs failed to establish adverse possession of the property. 

CAUSE NO:                           D-1-GN-22-003097; ANTONIO MONROE v. JORGE SANTANTA ET AL

JUDGE:                                    JAN SOIFER       

DATES:                                     May 14-21, 2024              

ATTORNEYS:     

                  Plaintiff:                Jackson Morrison, Thomas J. Henry Law, PLLC

                  Defendant:          Rodney P. Geer, Fee, Smith, & Sharp, L.L.P.

SUMMARY:          Motor vehicle accident that occurred on March 31, 2021 on IH-35 in Austin, TX.  Defendants were found responsible for the accident.   Ten jurors awarded $113,143.00 in damages.  

CAUSE NO:                           D-1-GN-22-002558; KIMBERLY GOODMAN v. ASCENSION SETON, ET AL

JUDGE:                                    KARIN CRUMP 

DATES:                                     May 14 – 23, 2024           

ATTORNEYS:     

Plaintiff:                Matthew Caponi/Austin Kaplan, Kaplan Law Firm, PLLC and Peter Kennedy, Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody, P.C.

                  Defendant:          John Scully/ John Faubion, Cooper and Scully

SUMMARY:  Ten jurors found that the Defendants defamed the Plaintiff s which resulted in her employment being terminated.  The non-unanimous jury awarded $2,038,000.00 in total damages.

CRIMINAL                                   

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-23-202636; STATE OF TEXAS v. MICHAEL SANCHEZ

JUDGE:                  JULIE KOCUREK

DATES:                   May 7 - 8, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Tara Lynn Witt

                  State of Texas:  Kate Hall

Summary:  Defendant found Guilty of Assault Against a member of the Family or Household with Previous Conviction and sentenced to 20 years.

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-24-904046/904047; STATE OF TEXAS v. EDGAR BARAHONA

JUDGE:                  BRANDY MUELLER

DATES:                   May 7 - 13, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Carlos Armando Rodriguez

                  State of Texas:  Dominic Selvera

Summary:  Defendant found guilty of murder and sentenced to 35 years.   

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-24-904054; STATE OF TEXAS v. JAIRO PEREZ-ZELEDON

JUDGE:                  BRAD URRUTIA                 

DATES:                   May 6-9, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Leonard Martinez

                  State of Texas:  Jason Rew-Hunter

Summary:  Defendant charged with sex abuse of child under 14, aggravated sexual assault of child; indecency with a child et. al.  Mistrial declared then negotiated plea entered.   

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-22-301556; STATE OF TEXAS v. MONTAVIAN CARLYSLE

JUDGE:                  BOB PERKINS                    

DATES:                   May 6-10, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Bristol Myers

                  State of Texas:  Jason Rew-Hunter

Summary:  Defendant charged with Aggravated Assault with deadly weapon.  Mistrial declared.

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-23-904061; STATE OF TEXAS v. VICTOR HERNANDEZ

JUDGE:                  Tamara Needles                                 

DATES:                   May 13, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Thomas Fagerberg

                  State of Texas:  Kathryn Arnold

Summary:  Defendant charged with aggravated sexual assault.  Jury discharged after Motion for Defendant to be examined for Competency filed.

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-20-100024; STATE OF TEXAS v. FRANCISCO LOPEZ

JUDGE:                  KAREN SAGE                      

DATES:                   May 13-16, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Amber Vazquez

                  State of Texas:  Brandy Gann

Summary:  Defendant convicted of murder and sentenced to 28 years.

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-23-900103; STATE OF TEXAS v. YONGYOON KIM AKA PAUL ALLEN AKA PAUL Q. ALLEN

JUDGE:                  MELISSA GOODWIN                       

DATES:                   May 20-24, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Krista Chacona

                  State of Texas:  Kiera Lay Kilday

Summary:  Defendant convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years for Count I and 60 years for Count II.

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-17-302115; STATE OF TEXAS v. JUAN CARBAJAL JAIMES

JUDGE:                  JON WISSER                       

DATES:                   May 20-23, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Mark Anthony Chavez

                  State of Texas:  Erik Nielsen

Summary:  Defendant convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years.

CAUSE NO.:       D-1-DC-23- 300266; STATE OF TEXAS v. OLBIN LANZA

JUDGE:                  BOB PERKINS                    

DATES:                   May 20-23, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Raymond Espersen

                  State of Texas:  Tamera Marshall

Summary:  Defendant found guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced to 27 years.  

Austin Bar and AYLA member Lyndsey D. Vicknair, The Chapman Firm, was killed at the Round Rock Juneteenth concert. Our prayers go out to her husband, Kevin, and their three children. A GoFundMe has been organized to help the family. Please consider donating and sharing on social media with the hashtag #becauseyoukare

Are you looking to make an impact on the Austin community? Apply to serve on the Austin Bar Foundation board of directors! As a director, you'll play an integral role in planning fundraisers and evaluating applications for grants that will be funded by the proceeds of those fundraisers. This is a perfect opportunity to develop your philanthropic skills, network with others in the Austin Bar, and make a difference in your community. 

Apply here.

Please note: The foundation's executive committee is looking for a new treasurer. Individuals with business or finance backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the position. 

The LGBTQ+ Section of the Austin Bar Association and the Austin Bar Foundation will award four $5,000 scholarships to current Texas law students. Click here to access the application.

Submissions close Wednesday, July 31.

April 2024 District & County Court Jury Trials Update

CAUSE NO:                           D1GN19006920; Lucy’s Kitchen #2 LLC v. Taylor Plaza, LLC

JUDGE:                                    JESSICA MANGRUM

DATES:                                     April 1 – 3, 2024                

ATTORNEYS:     

                  Plaintiff:                Russell Frost, Law Office of Russell Frost, PLLC

                  Defendant:          Brian Buster, Hajjar Peters, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the defendant failed to comply with the repair obligations under the lease, committed fraud, and awarded exemplary damages. Unanimous verdict

CAUSE NO:                           D1GN21006752; David Martin v. Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., Jose Lopez

JUDGE:                                    AMY CLARK MEACHUM

DATES:                                     April _ - 10, 2024

ATTORNEYS

                  Plaintiff:                Nicholas J. Testa, The Testa Law Group

                  Defendant:          Spencer E. Dunn, Lanza Law Firm, PC

SUMMARY: Jury found that all the parties contributed to the plaintiff’s injury caused by a motor vehicle accident with a majority on the co-defendant, Jose Lopez. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 10 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.:                         D1GN20007756; Walter E. Reifslager III, Ellen Reifslager and Matthew Reifslager v. Kathleen Spruiell

JUDGE:                                    MARIA CANTU HEXSEL

DATES:                                     April 15 - 18, 2024

ATTORNEYS

    Plaintiff:            Chris Bell, Braun & Gresham PLLC

    Defendant:     Darrell Cockcroft, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP

SUMMARY:                             Jury found that both the plaintiff and defendant were responsible for the plaintiff’s injury caused by a motor vehicle accident. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 11 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.                           D1GN17002512; SUSAN CHAMBERS, AS EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARILYN CRAWFORD, DECEASED V. WILLIAM D. SHEA and MAGGIE MAE’S – A BRITISH PUB, INC.

JUDGE:                                    MAYA GUERRA GAMBLE

DATES:                                     April 15 - 23, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Gary T. Cornwell, The Cornwell Law Firm

    Defendant:     Eric Dowdy, Hajjar Peters, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the parties had an agreement regarding Maggie Mae’s and that the defendant failed to comply with the terms of the agreement. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 10 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.                           C1CV21000818; DELICIA VASQUEZ, PLAINTIFF v. FRED BUSH IV, KIMBERLY PARKER, DEFENDANT

JUDGE:                                    TODD WONG

DATES:                                     April 30, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Gary T. Cornwell, The Cornwell Law Firm

    Defendant:     Eric Dowdy, Hajjar Peters, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the defendant was responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries due to a motor vehicle accident. Damages awarded. Unanimous jury.

CAUSE NO.                           D1GN21005895; CHERYL SHORT v. JOIE CURTNER, JR.

JUDGE:                                    JAN SOIFER

DATES:                                     April 16 - 18, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Gagandeer K. Seth, Duke Seth, PLLC

    Defendant:     Amanda James, Tyson & Mendes, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the Plaintiff was responsible for the motor vehicle accident. Non -unanimous jury – 11 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.                           D1GN20004306; EDUARDO PACHECO v. HK PROPANE LLC, HK CYLINDER EXCHANGE, LLC AND RODOLFO RUIZ

JUDGE:                                    KARIN CRUMP

DATES:                                     April 16 - 19, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Eoin Tinney, Thomas J. Henry Law, PLLC

    Defendant:     Matthew R. Gelina, Hartline Barger, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that all the parties contributed to the plaintiff’s injury caused by a motor vehicle accident with 90% on the defendant, Jose Lopez. No gross negligence found. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 10 for verdict.

CRIMINAL

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC21201455; STATE OF TEXAS v. RICARDO VASQUEZ

JUDGE:                  SELENA AVARLENGA

DATES:                   April 15 - 19, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Juan Antonio and Ricardo Vasquez Lopez

                  State of Texas: Matthew Foye, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Mistrial declared on 4/19/24               

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC23900134; STATE OF TEXAS v. DEDDRICK AMERSON

JUDGE:                  JULIE KOCUREK

DATES:                   April 15 - 17, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Robb Shepherd and J.D. Slaughter, JD Slaughter Law, PLLC

                  State of Texas: Nancy Marie Nemer, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Defendant found Guilty of Murder

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC22301215; STATE OF TEXAS v. JASON LATZKO

JUDGE:                  DAVID CRAIN

DATES:                   April 22 - 26, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Richard Gentry, The Law Office of Richard Gentry, LLC

                  State of Texas: Shannon White, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Mistrial declared on 4/26/24

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC20900044; STATE OF TEXAS v. JESUS BELTRAN

JUDGE:                  BRAD URRUTIA

DATES:                   April 22 - 24, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Eric Lee McDonald

                  State of Texas: Kim Ahrum, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Mistrial declared on 4/24/24

Join AYLA for a kickboxing class!

Date: May 25, 2024

Time: 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.

Location: Swift Fit HQ, 918 Congress Ave.

RSVP here. ​​​​​​​

Michelle Fontenot, JD, MEd

Director, Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program

Michelle Fontenot attended college and graduate school the first time at The University of Texas, where she received B.A.'s in history and psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. After working as a counselor in the Seattle area for over 15 years, she attended Seattle University’s School of Law, where she graduated cum laude and earned her J.D. in 2009. Since graduating from law school, Michelle has worked as a lawyer in both nonprofit and private practice, primarily in family law. Michelle returned to the Austin area in 2019 and worked for the State Bar of Texas, first as the Grievance Referral Program manager and currently as director for the Texas Lawyer’s Assistance Program. Michelle is licensed in both Texas and Washington State.

Michelle is passionate about combining both her law and counseling degrees in each of her job pursuits, having experienced first-hand the challenges and joys of a practicing attorney. Michelle believes that well-being in the legal community is the responsibility of each of us and lawyer well-being is more than checking off boxes on your “to-do” list. It is a recognition that optimal physical, mental, and emotional health allows legal professionals to thrive both in work and in life.

If you are having a mental health crisis or are actively considering suicide, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Also, for online self-care resources, including group support, check out TLAP’s “Support Toolbox” page.
 
TLAP IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL: TLAP does not share any information from an attorney, law student, or judge seeking help from TLAP with non-TLAP third parties, the State Bar of Texas, the Board of Law Examiners, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel, or any other disciplinary agency or entity. TLAP keeps all communications confidential at all times pursuant to the statutory confidentiality granted by the Texas Health and Safety Code Section 467 except in the very rare “life or death” circumstances to save a life from imminent harm - and even in those situations only minimum details required to save a life would be shared with an emergency responder). TLAP is staffed by attorneys who have spent many years struggling with addiction and depression, and our team would go to any length to protect the people we care about most, those seeking help! If there is any fear of consequences in calling TLAP, we encourage those in need to call us anonymously - we can help.