15 minute read
Introducing the 2021-22 Austin Bar President David Courreges
David Courreges began his term as president of the Austin Bar Association on July 1, 2021, along with President-Elect Amanda Arriaga, Secretary Justice Chari Kelly, Treasurer Mary-Ellen King, Immediate Past-President Kennon Wooten, AYLA President Rachael Jones, and AYLA President-Elect Blair Leake, who make up the executive committee for the 2021- 22 bar year. Courreges agreed to be interviewed so the members of the Austin Bar could learn more about their new president and his plans for the organization in the coming year.
AUSTIN BAR: Would you tell us about your background and your family?
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COURREGES: I grew up on a small horse farm in China Spring, Tx, which is located in McLennan County outside of Waco. I was raised by my mother, Deanna, who was the office manager for a Waco-area anesthesiologist, and later became an enforcement officer for the Texas Comptroller. After graduating from China Spring High School (Go Cougars!), I attended Mc- Lennan Community College in Waco (Go Highlanders!), before attending the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em!) where I graduated with a double major in government and history, both with an emphasis on “Texas,” and a minor in Danish. Det ere n lang, men interessant historie. While in college I began to work for my hometown State Representative Jim Dunnam, and continued to do so after graduation. I eventually moved to San Antonio to attend St. Mary’s University (Go Rattlers!) for law school and graduate school. While at St. Mary’s I developed an even greater love for public service through the Student Bar Association, and the myriad of community service opportunities the law school facilitated.
David Courreges with his horse, Shadrack.
My mother spent most of her youth and all of her adult life raising horses and teaching others to ride. Therefore, I spent most of my childhood and college years raising horses, and competing in the sport of “Eventing,” which is an Olympic sport that combines dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country. Growing up with horses defined my life. It taught me a different kind of work ethic, empathy for others, and—at least I think—gave me the ability to problem-solve and teach. It also provided me with a lifetime of stories and friends from all across the country and many parts of the world.
My wife Erin and I just celebrated our 15th anniversary. We are the proud parents of an 11-year-old little girl, McKenna, who is a rising sixth grader and all-around amazing kid. Erin and I met at the Capitol as staffers and continued to work together as staffers and lobbyists for over a decade. She worked for several state representatives and Speaker of the House Pete Laney before she moved into lobbying. Erin joined me in retirement from lobbying a few years ago and is now focusing on her retail business, “Bits of Courage,” and is also a travel planner. I openly admit that we are a Disney family and have been known to go two or three times a year.
AUSTIN BAR: Why did you want to become a lawyer?
COURREGES: The answer is a short one: Because I wanted to help people. I learned over the course of my youth that I received an enhanced feeling of personal satisfaction when I was able to help others achieve their goals. Once I found my way to the Texas Legislature as a staffer, I found that many of the individuals whom I considered to be role models—ones who seemed to be in public service for the right reasons—happened to be lawyers. It seemed like a natural progression; if I wanted to spend my life helping others solve their problems, I would be best equipped to do so as a lawyer. I haven’t been disappointed—thanks primarily to the opportunities the Austin Bar has provided over the years and the many kindred spirits I have encountered and befriended at the Austin Bar.
AUSTIN BAR: What was your first job out of law school?
COURREGES: After law school, I found myself back at the Capitol, this time working for State Representative Garnet Coleman as his legislative director and eventual general counsel. Working for Chairman Coleman, who represents Houston’s 4th Ward and the surrounding areas, was a wonderful experience that exposed me to new issues. It also taught me how to coordinate volunteer efforts in response to natural disasters, something that would help me with future initiatives with the Austin Bar, most notably the Austin Bar’s Wildfire Response Team. Just a few weeks after joining Coleman’s staff, and a few days prior to my wedding, Houston and the Gulf Coast were battered by Hurricane Rita. My job went from handling constituent issues and planning for the upcoming special session, to helping coordinate a disaster response on behalf of my boss and his constituents. During the course of a few days, I coordinated interview requests from nearly every major news outlet in the country.
AUSTIN BAR: What has been your career path from then?
COURREGES: After leaving the Capitol, I entered private practice with a focus on legislative and governmental affairs and administrative law…which meant I really never left the Capitol. I joined DeLeon, Boggins & Icenogle (now DeLeon & Washburn), where I had the great opportunity to work with my uncle and cousin, and developed the legislative affairs practice for the firm. I would later join the Austin-based firm Hay Compere, before opening my own firm, Courreges PC, in 2013.
In 2016, I was approached by members of the UFCU team about the potential of joining the credit union as its first-ever corporate counsel. Until that point, I can say without any doubt that being in-house counsel, much less in a financial institution, had never crossed my mind. However, I was intrigued by this particular opportunity because UFCU had garnered a reputation of being a community partner. This was evidenced by the fact that the chair of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Tony Budet; the chair of the Austin Young Chamber, Emmy Hill; and the former executive director of Leadership Austin, Heather McKissick—who was someone who helped me become an engaged member of the Austin community when I first became a young lawyer—were all members of the UFCU family. After my first interview it became obvious to me that it was time to retire from the lobby and change my career path entirely. There’s not a minute that I regret my decision—especially in odd-numbered years during the months of January through June.
AUSTIN BAR: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far, either professionally or personally?
COURREGES: I’ve had many wonderful opportunities in my career that I could count as significant personal accomplishments. However, the first and most meaningful professional accomplishment was simply graduating from college.
From a very young age my dream was to attend the University of Texas. When my dream became a reality, I didn’t anticipate that learning disabilities I had been unknowingly dealing with most of my childhood would make their presence known in a significant way in college. Yes, I and every single one of my classmates from first grade forward, knew I had ADHD (with an emphasis on the “H.”) However, it was the underlying causes and treatment methods I was unaware of.
During my second semester, the professor of my 300-person freshman biology class pulled me aside and asked if I had ever been tested for learning disabilities. His reasoning was that I could have semi-intelligent, on-point conversations with him about the materials, but would bomb the written exams. He facilitated the appointment with student services, which would be the meeting that changed my life. Overnight I went from a solid C/D student to an “A” student. It was all because someone cared not only about my success in his class, but my success overall. With the right tools and strategies, college became a brand new and very exciting experience for me. The potential of a professional career became a reality.
AUSTIN BAR: How long have you been involved with the Austin Bar?
COURREGES: I’ve been involved with the Austin Bar in some capacity since 2006, when then-AYLA President Shannon Meroney appointed me as the AYLA board’s legislative representative. Since that time I have served on either the AYLA or Austin Bar’s board of directors in some capacity. I’ve loved every second of it!
AUSTIN BAR: Why would you encourage someone to get involved in the Austin Bar?
COURREGES: Why would I not? The potential benefits and experiences through involvement in the Austin Bar are exponential. Being involved in this organization has provided me with more opportunities than I could have imagined as a newly minted attorney. I’ve cultivated lifelong friendships; been mentored by some of the finest teachers, leaders, and role models in our profession; worked on projects that have positively affected generations; and met people who I had read about in history books—all because I was encouraged to be active in the Austin Bar. My life is richer because of my involvement. Plus, it helps me meet my yearly CLE requirements in a fun and highly informative manner.
AUSTIN BAR: What has been the biggest benefit you’ve received from being an active member of the Austin Bar?
COURREGES: For me, the opportunities for meaningful mentorship have been invaluable. I love to learn and am naturally drawn to teachers. My mother began her professional career as a teacher, my aunt was a teacher, and my uncle is a retired professor. If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would probably be a teacher, too. In fact, I was an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University for ten years, and I loved it! Prior to law school, I was extremely lucky to intern for Beverly Reeves, Kim Brightwell, and Mike Marin at Vinson & Elkins. I was a horrible intern. That said, it did not stop me from learning or prevent these three saints from teaching me. Coincidentally, my time at V&E coincided with the end of Beverly’s tenure as president of the Austin Bar. The way she spoke about the work and mission of the organization only reinforced what I know to be true now: The Austin Bar is a collective of community leaders who happen to be lawyers.
As a law student at St. Mary’s University, I had the opportunity to get to know one of the all-time greats in the Austin legal community, former Austin Bar President Karen Johnson. Karen would become one of my biggest supporters. She guided me through the world of the Texas Legislature as a private advocate and gave me chances when others wouldn’t. As a brand spankin’ new lawyer, I met (now) Judge Karin Crump, then-president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, who encouraged me to get involved, and gave me the avenue to do so. She had me volunteering in bar projects the very next week and has remained one of my greatest teachers.
Judge Elisabeth Earle, Judge Eric Sheppard, Leslie Dippel, Chris Oddo, the Wonder Sharps (Laura and Lance), Martha Dickie, Chris Oddo, David Chamberlain— all former presidents of the Austin Bar, have each become true friends and mentors—all because people cared about me enough to encourage me to get involved and to teach me. I can never thank them enough, but I do try to honor them by helping and mentoring others as often as I can.
AUSTIN BAR: If you could give your younger self a bit of advice, what would you tell him?
COURREGES: First: The need for work/life balance is real—pay attention. It wasn’t until my daughter was two that I realized I was missing many of the “firsts” and “onlys”—the memories and milestones that matter. At that time I was working 13- to 14-hour days, six days a week, as most young lawyers seem to do. I wasn’t building a relationship with my daughter. The realization changed my life and probably that of my kid. I simply carved time out of my calendar each week to buy her a donut. It was me and her. We told jokes, stories, played games, and sometimes did nothing. We carried on the tradition, rain or shine, for nearly four years, until she started elementary school. I will never regret saying yes to my daughter. Make time for your family.
Second: Of the many speeches I have heard in my time, the one that resonates the most with me is Senator Kirk Watson’s “10 Rules to Live By.” I’ve heard it live at least a dozen times, read it a dozen more; I’ve heard others give it, have even given it myself. I consider it mandatory reading for all young lawyers.
AUSTIN BAR: Do you have a particular focus or theme for your term?
COURREGES: I believe this year should be focused on bringing our community back together. That starts with re-engaging our former leaders and our members, as well as focusing on the future of our profession. In an effort to do so, we’ll be placing a renewed emphasis on several key committees. The Membership Committee is back! It will be led by former Austin Bar President Leslie Dippel, and will be comprised primarily of former Austin Bar presidents. The goal is not only to promote membership in the Austin Bar, but to re-engage leaders who have given so much of themselves in the past and who provide much-needed mentorship to our future leaders. We will also focus on the Lawyer Well-Being Committee with the hope of developing programming to help all of us as we re-emerge from the pandemic. Finally, we will also team up with the Austin Young Lawyers Association and various community partners to bring a renewed focus on law-related education initiatives in schools.
AUSTIN BAR: What challenges do you think we face as an organization and how do you think we can overcome them?
COURREGES: The challenges we face as an organization are the same as we are collectively facing as a society. Everything we knew as “normal” changed in the matter of just a few months in early 2020. The petrification it caused lasted for more than a year, not ceasing for some, and the effects will be felt across generations. The Austin Bar, led by then-President Todd Smith, was forced to pivot all of us through uncertainty in his final months as president. Through the leadership of Amanda Arriaga, Justice Chari Kelly, and other wonderful volunteers, we moved forward with “Couch Bar,” instead of our traditional Bench Bar Conference, which served as a measure of normalcy in otherwise far-fromnormal times. I know for a fact that the 2020-21 bar year was not what Kennon Wooten envisioned her presidency to be, but she rose to the challenge and help create dynamic, timely, and impactful programing that perfectly responded to our current times. This year it seems there is an overarching desire to “just get back to normal,” but it will be impossible to do so. We have all changed, as will what we will call “normal” over the next year. Our challenge is not to get back to what was normal, but work together to create something better than normal.
AUSTIN BAR: Do you have any new initiatives or programs you’re hoping to start this year?
COURREGES: While I fully expected to introduce several new initiatives this year, I believe that being flexible is paramount. This is not the year to introduce new programming; this year is about reintroducing ourselves to one another and to the Austin Bar, and building upon the foundations that have already been laid. Our focus will be to build membership through the involvement of law students and young lawyers, and opportunities for all of our members. We will continue to facilitate the great work that was started last year by the Equity and the History & Traditions committees. We will also place special emphasis on the Lawyer Well-Being and Law-Related Education in Schools committees. Of course, we will also strive to provide mentorship, education, and added value for all.
AUSTIN BAR: What excites you the most about the opportunity to be president of the Austin Bar?
COURREGES: I'm most excited and honored to perpetuate the traditions of community, integrity, and mentorship that all who have served in leadership roles before me have been building for the past 128 years. I hope these traditions will be carried on long into the future.
AUSTIN BAR: What is a little-known fact about yourself that you’d like to share?
COURREGES: I’m an introvert. Really. AL
Austin Bar President David Courreges.
President David Courreges’s Primary Goals for 2021-22:
Rediscover who we are. As a collective, we have lived through one of the most arduous times in modern history. It took time to understand and accept what the pandemic was, and it will take time to acclimate to who and what we are today. This is a time to support one another and grow as a community.
Embrace what we have learned over the past year and a half. The old way of doing things is not the only way. We have proved technology works—it works in the courtroom and it works for us as individuals. We can, and must, use what we learned over the past year and a half to our advantage.
Honor what we’ve started. We began several new initiatives last year under Kennon Wooten’s presidency in the Equity Committee and its Equity Summit, and the History & Traditions Committee. These are important initiatives that deserve our full and continued attention. The journey is long, and we’ve just begun!
Reintroduce ourselves to our members, our future members, and the Austin community. There are too many things competing for our attention. The Field of Dreams mantra of “if you build it, [they] will come” does not work any longer. We have built a beautiful collective in Austin for all to enjoy. We need to remind people it’s here and make sure the next generation of attorneys knows as well. We must, and will, ensure that there is a place for the Austin legal community in our city’s future.
