Page 30 - Briefcase - University of Houston Law Center

UH LAW CENTER ALUMNUS WILSON ’77 ENJOYING RIGORS OF

APPELLATE WORK AFTER APPOINTMENT TO 14TH COURT OF APPEALS

fter spending several Wilson said. “I am having to learn family law and criminal law, and it
Ayears as a partner at is intellectually stimulating.”
Susman Godfrey, Randy Because the courts of appeals possess only appellate jurisdiction
Wilson, a 1977 graduate of and do not hold trials, working remotely has not posed a challenge.
the University of Houston In fact, Wilson discovered that doing hearings via Zoom has been
Law Center, has returned to a enjoyable, and technological advances such as audible and visible
familiar role as a judge. communication, screen sharing and an ease to give and receive data
He was appointed to the has made virtual hearings just as effective.
14th Court of Appeals on Wilson began his legal career at Susman Godfrey where he was a trial
Dec. 21, 2020 by Gov. Greg lawyer for 26 years. In 2003, then-Gov. Perry appointed Wilson to the
Abbott to replace Tracy 157h District Court in Harris County where he served for 15 years.
E. Christopher, who was In 2019, he returned to Susman Godfrey for a brief stint and now is
elevated to Chief Justice. back on the bench as an appellate justice.
Part of his responsibilities
include reviewing appeals Wilson was valedictorian of his class and a previous editor of
from court verdicts and Houston Law Review. He is board-certified in civil trial law and an
orders as well as jury verdicts elected member of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association,
from 10 Texas counties of American Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates and
Justice Randy Wilson of the various categories of the the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists.
14th Court of Appeals, a 1977 law, such as civil, criminal, “I loved going to law school,” Wilson said. “I managed to finish No.1,
alumnus of the University of family, probate and business. but it was a lot of work. I also taught as an adjunct professor one
Houston Law Center Wilson also rules on original course on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.”
proceedings, such as requests Married for 47 years with two children, Wilson works to provide
for mandamus, and opines opportunities for individuals struggling to turn their lives around. He
on cases. has served as president and chairman for the LifeHouse of Houston
“Pretty much everything that comes out of the trial courts in this and as a former board member of both the Star of Hope and Main
multi-county area is going to go through the Court of Appeals,” Street Ministries. ^

UH LAW CENTER RECOGNIZES FIRST HISPANIC GRADUATE
BONILLA ’60 WITH DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED AWARD

ony Bonilla, a 1960 alumnus of the University of Houston Law to the building. Having something named after our first Hispanic
TCenter and the school’s first graduate of Hispanic descent, was graduate is really important.”
presented with the Dean’s Distinguished Award during a virtual Bonilla is the president of Bonilla & Chapa, P.C., a personal injury
event hosted in April by the Hispanic Law Alumni group and Latinx firm with five offices across Texas. He previously served as a member
Student Association. of the Texas Coordinating Board of Higher Education, the Governor’s
“We’re very honored that Tony Bonilla is one of our alums and proud Select Committee on Public Education and as a member of the Texas
of his successful career,” Dean Leonard M. Baynes said. Constitutional Revision Commission.
Professor Emeritus Michael A. Olivas also announced a gift from Bonilla played a role in the creation of the LULAC Education Service
him and his wife, Professor Emerita Dr. Augustina Reyes of the UH Centers and served as National Chairman of the Board. He is past
College of Education, to dedicate a space named for Bonilla in The National President of LULAC, past State Chair of LULAC and has
John M. O’Quinn Law Building. served LULAC and other Hispanic organizations in leadership roles.
“It’s so important for our students of diverse backgrounds to be able After completing his undergraduate education at Baylor University,
to see representation,” added Baynes. “Diversity and inclusion is part Bonilla pursued a J.D. at the Law Center.
of the Law Center’s mission, and we’ve been very lucky that we’ve “I think because of the hardships my parents experienced, they
had Black, Latinx, Asian and women donors who have all contributed realized how important education was,” Bonilla said. ^

30 Briefcase 2021