BEST QUOTE OF 2014
"All we ever wanted was Vicki's body, but he [pointing at Defendant] won't tell us where she is! Closing argument by Jana Duty in Williamson County cold case murder, commenting on the Defendant's right to silence.
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Elsie Craven
2 successful Hearings in obtaining political asylum
TRIAL DOGS OF 2014
[For those who went the distance.]
Brad Urrutia*-7 Felony Jury Trials
Jackie Wood-6 Felony Jury Trials
Victoria Winkler-5 First Chair Felony Jury Trials/5 Second Chair Felony Trials
Marc Chavez*-5 First Chair Felony Jury Trials/2 Second Chair Jury Trials
HONORABLE MENTION
Mindy Montford
Russ Hunt
LA ANTORCHA DE JUSTICIA AWARD
[Most Intimidating Defense Lawyer to Prosecutors]
Raymond Espersen
BEST DRESSED MEN
[Those who show style under fire.]
Lucio Del Toro
Novert Morales
Russ Sablatura
Ben Blackburn
Todd Dudley
Jeremy Sylestine
Joe Fredrick
Brad Urrutia
WORK HORSE(S) OF THE YEAR
[For those who enable their bosses to take those exotic vacations.]
Robert Smith (Law Offices of David Chambers)
Mike Burke* (Peek and Toland)
Jesus Salinas (Law Office of Jon Evans)
WORST DRESSED LAWYERS
[Having trouble distinguishing lawyers and clients?]
Anyone who wears baggy shirts, bluejeans, tennis shoes, clogs, or sandals in a court of law.
BEST BEARDS
Chris Baugh
Mike Burke*
Marc Chavez*
BEST SHOES
Jana Ortega
Yvonne Patton
McKinley Melancon
Monica Flores
Diana Buss
Adam Reposa
BEST INNOVATION TO PRACTICE LAW
The AMP website (includes nearly everything you need to be a paperless office).
MOST HYPOCRITICAL DEFENSE LAWYERS
Those defense lawyers that judge other defense lawyers qualifications to be on CAPDS when they themselves couldn't qualify to be on the list(s)(Hey those on the Review Committee, you know who you are).
BEST RESTROOM(S) IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER
Public Restrooms on the second floor. They are roomy and have a chair to allow continued plea negotiations with prosecutors without interruption if necessary.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Charles Popper-The Del Valle Visitation Award for most frequent visitation of clients.
[Repeat Winner]
Steve Brand-El Abogado Etico Award for principled decisions in the face of adversity.
*Denotes Multiple Winner
The Committee is a highly secretive cabal and the process is classified.
NOTE: The author's Year In Review is in the post below