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State Bar Reception

June 9, 2022

It was great to be back at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting for the alumni reception! Dean Nowlin celebrated the school’s collective accomplishments and recognized the outstanding recipients of the 2022 Alumni Association Awards. He also recognized the students who won the Law School’s 50th national championship and who were in attendance that evening.

HERSHELL L. BARNES AMBASSADOR AWARD

Paul Stafford '94 is a litigator with extensive experience, whose practice focuses on complex commercial & business litigation, as well as insurance policyholder & coverage litigation. He is a tireless supporter of the Law School, serving on the Texas Tech Law School Foundation Board and the Law School’s Alumni Special Committee for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Paul is also deeply committed to teaching, mentoring, and hiring Texas Tech Law students. And he has served as an adjunct professor for many years.

DANIEL H. BENSON PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Jon Olafson '01 is a partner in the Denver office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Labor & Employment Practice. Jon furthers ideals of public service in law in a variety of ways, including as a founder of the Colorado LEADS (Lawyers Engaging About Diversity and Solidarity) series. He has provided substantial leadership to advance multiple professional, public, and community interests, such as rural education throughout Colorado; music and the arts; and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field and throughout the community.

D. MURRAY HENSLEY SERVICE AWARD

Kristen Vander-Plas LaFreniere '16 is the owner and manager of Vander-Plas LaFreniere, PLLC in Lubbock. As a law student, Kristen was an outstanding advocate, winning several national titles for the Law School. Today, she is highly involved as a volunteer advocacy coach.

GRADUATES OF THE LAST DECADE (G.O.L.D.) AWARD

Sydne Collier '16 is a litigation associate in the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Prior to joining Kirkland, Sydne was a law clerk for the Honorable Sam A. Lindsay in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She is a true leader as evidenced by her outstanding service in a wide variety of professional and bar organizations, and during her time at Texas Tech as the President of the Black Law Student’s Association.

Captain Mariah Mayworm Gagnon '13, a judge advocate, is known for her outstanding dedication and leadership—especially for her work overseas and as an advocate for victims of sexual assault. Her achievements have been recognized by the Army National Guard, by other branches of the military, and by many others, including the ambassador to Kuwait. We thank Captain Gagnon for her service, and we are proud to have her representing Texas Tech Law in the armed forces.

Rising Star Award

James Tawney '10 is a founder of Flores, Tawney & Acosta, P.C. He is committed to helping those who have been injured or have been wronged at their workplace. James has served on the Board of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, was selected to the State Bar of Texas leadership class in 2014, and served on the Texas Trial Lawyers Association Board of Directors.

Outstanding Service Award

The John Huffaker Agricultural Law CLE was recognized as a program that has a history of contributing to the success of Texas Tech School of Law. The Huffaker CLE just held its 15th Annual Course in Agricultural Law last summer. This CLE program, hosted in the law building each year, sets the standard for high quality and comprehensive coverage that ag law practitioners need in continuing legal education. The program is named for alumnus John Huffaker '74 and organized every year by alums Trace Blair '97 and David Waggoner '98.