HCCLA Board of Directors Nominations
March 17, 2025 – ends March 28, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Nominees were invited to submit candidate statements to introduce themselves. The following were submitted. (Candidates are listed in alphabetical order). There are 8 open seats.
Inger Chandler
I had the honor of serving on the HCCLA Board of Directors for several years prior to my appointment as an associate judge in 2022. Now that I have returned to the defense bar, I would love the opportunity to serve again. My time on the bench was brief but insightful. I look forward to being able to bring the perspective I gained during that time to our association. Thank you for your consideration!
Eddie Cortes
I am from Bryan/College Station. A graduate of Southwest Texas State. I got my law degree from South Texas College of Law. I have been practicing for over 20 years. I have been a solo practitioner since the very beginning & have never worked as a DA. I would like to see HCCLA raise more money & reach out to more members of the legal community. I appreciate the greater collegiality the organization has developed with the District Attorney’s Office & would like to continue to build on those efforts.
Coby DuBose
Romy Kaplan
Stephanie Morales
I have had the privilege of serving on the HCCLA board for a couple of years now and would love the opportunity to keep serving. I believe in the mission of this organization and understand how valuable it is to attorneys. I would love for us to host more CLE, and be more engaged with the new generation of defense attorneys. For many of us, HCCLA was key in finding our legs at the CJC and I strongly believe it’s our duty to help the younger generation of defense attorneys. Together, we can all stand against the injustices that happen in the CJC everyday.
Nathaniel Munier
I believe in this organization and hope to continue to serve.
Brett Podolsky
Wade Smith
I have served multiple terms on the Board of Directors for HCCLA and hope to continue to do so. Many past presidents, board members, and members of HCCLA have been incredible mentors to me over the years and have helped shape the lawyer that I am today. A huge reason why I’ve served on the Board is to try and give back to the organization and members who have given me so much over the years. As a Board Member, I’ve made myself available to other members who’ve had issues around our courthouse and brought those issues to the Board and advocated for them to be addressed. I believe this is one of the most important functions of our organization; to confront the issues that our members are encountering. I ask for your vote so I can continue to give back to the membership and help confront these issues when they arise.
J. Julio Vela
I, J. Julio Vela(JV), am seeking your vote for the HCCLA board for a 6th term. In return for your vote, I will never compromise what I believe to be right and just, I will be a team player and strive towards achieving common goals through a spirit of cooperation, and I will be the best damn board member I can be. HCCLA has provided me the opportunities to pursue my passion with the knowledge that I’ll never be alone, and I’ll have the collective efforts of the greatest defense bar in the USA by my side. HCCLA has given me the opportunity to do what I love, and because of that I have the burning desire to serve and give back to the members of this great organization. I appreciate your consideration, and regardless of what the outcome is, thank you for being a part of HCCLA.
Q. Tate Williams
Uncontested Positions (2025-2026):
President-Elect: Damon Parrish II
Vice-President: Vikram Vij
Secretary: Chris McKinney
Treasurer: Justin C. Harris
Immediate Past President: Joseph R. Vinas
Past President Representative: Tyler Flood
