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2016-17 Executive Board (uncontested): JoAnne Musick-Immediate Past President, Tyler Flood-President, Tucker Graves-President Elect, Lisa Shapiro Strauss-Vice President, Steven Halpert-Treasurer, David Ryan-Secretary. 2016-18 Past President Representative will be Clyde Williams.
NOTE: Rick Oliver has withdrawn his name from nomination as Secretary.
Candidates in contested races were invited to submit brief statements to introduce themselves and to inform HCCLA members about why they would like to be elected to the Board of Directors. The following (in alphabetical order) were submitted:
CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
(On the ballot, you will be allowed to make EIGHT choices for this category)
DAVID ADLER
ABIGAIL E. ANASTASIO The defense bar has always been supportive of me and now it’s my turn to give back. I am passionate about the issues we face in Harris County and promise to work hard to advance our cause.
MARK BENNETT
STACI BIGGAR The climate in Harris County is changing and we need a voice that will help benefit our clients. As an attorney who is actively participating in specialty courts in Harris County I have a keen insight to the past, present, and future of these programs. HCCLA needs a strong presence in the development of these new programs regarding specialty courts, pretrial diversion programs and jail diversion. I believe my background in mental health would be the perfect fit at this time for the board.
LORI BOTELLO I am putting my name in the hat and hope for your vote to the Board of HCCLA. We have an outstanding organization that has provided me with so many opportunities, especially in the Second Chair Program, and been a tremendous resource for myself and for other attorneys, new and seasoned. I want to give back to HCCLA, play a more active role in this organization, and be of service as a member of the board. I am in the court house almost every day, in the trenches, as court appointed counsel in various courts. I see on a daily basis the injustice and want to work on making things better, however possible, with our leaders.
JENNIFER “JL” CARPENTER I understand that as a board member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, I have an ethical responsibility to ensure that the organization does the best work possible in pursuit of its goals. I believe in the purpose and the mission of the organization, and I will act responsibly and prudently as its steward.
CASIE GOTRO I am seeking reelection to the Board of Directors to continue my work with HCCLA in holding the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and individual prosecutors accountable to their obligations under Brady v. Maryland.
GEMAYEL HAYNES HCCLA has played a major role in my development as a criminal defense lawyer. I take pride in standing up for fellow lawyers and the accused when the state or judiciary ignore the Constitution’s guarantees. We are stronger than ever and still making significant advances toward justice. I want to continue to be a member of the Board of Directors to ensure HCCLA remains a force to be reckoned with and the strongest criminal defense bar in America.
RANDALL KALLINEN I am a civil rights as well as criminal defense lawyer. As former President of the Houston ACLU, police accountability chair for the Texoma National Lawyers Guild, member of the Greater Houston Coalition Justice and past HCCLA board member I have sought criminal justice reform. Having litigated over 100 federal civil rights cases, the majority of which are police misconduct cases, I have gained a unique perspective into the intersection of criminal defense and civil police misconduct law. I hope to create a CLE on this subject and also continue the HCCLA board’s exemplary track record in advocating for The People.
THUY LE I am seeking re-election to the HCCLA board because I believe in the mission of HCCLA am willing continue to put in the time and work to help further advance that mission. Since joining HCCLA, I have revamped Reasonable Doubt TV with new show segments and increased the production value of the program. Reasonable Doubt reaches thousands of viewers each week and helps to elevate the profile of HCCLA and the issues affecting the organization. In addition, while I was chair of the community outreach committee, I worked with our members to help mentor and educate young and minority students on their legal rights. Finally, I am able to get along with people from all different backgrounds and experiences. My ability to do so helps me to execute the mission of the president, executive committee, and our members. I ask that you re-elect me for the board so that I can continue to make HCCLA an organization that fights for its members and educates the public on issues affecting the legal criminal community.
CARL MOORE
CARL R. PRUETT I have been a member of this organization since the mid-1980’s and seen it grown from a select few to one of the largest and most influential criminal defense organizations in the country. As a long time standing member of TCDLA and NACDL as well, I feel that I am qualified and now have the time to devote to this organization that I did not have in the past and look forward to serving in whatever capacity to assist Tyler and other Board Members in the years to come. Thank you for all that ya’ll do. Keep up the good fight!
JED SILVERMAN I want to play a part in ensuring our members are treated fairly in court rooms in this county.
WADE B. SMITH I am running because I believe strongly in the impact that this organization can make in our judicial system and the community, and I want to help make that impact. I have frequently attended board meetings to keep myself informed and apprised of the issues that the organization is confronting. This organization and its members have given a great deal to me as a young lawyer, for which I owe a debt of gratitude, and I want to give back by devoting time and effort to the causes of this organization and its members.
MARK THIESSEN HCCLA is the strongest local organization in Texas. I would like to continue my Board service to help not only promote the social activities of HCCLA, but also get more involved with lobbying and working closely with TCDLA. I believe that I could help HCCLA and TCDLA continue to work together on CLEs and legislative projects. I’d appreciate your vote to continue to serve the members of HCCLA.
LLOYD VAN OOSTENRIJK
TODD WARD I want to help HCCLA continue to grow as an organization, and help our younger members learn how to provide a solid defense for every client.
