Fresh Perspectives: Sister Bar Presidents Pursue Excellence
by Michelle A. Koledi
The Dallas Bar Association applauds the service and dedication of the exiting presidents of its sister bar associations and recognizes the individuals who will be taking the reins in 2012. They have experienced great success in their legal careers and exemplify the character upon which their organizations were founded.
Victor Navasca Corpuz, a partner in the Dallas office of Jackson Lewis LLP, will serve as president of the Dallas Asian American Bar Association (DAABA). Mr. Corpuz was born in Manila, Philippines, and obtained his Juris Doctor from Drake University School of Law. He is a seasoned litigator practicing primarily in the areas of disability, leave and health management. Mr. Corpuz’s accomplishments are not limited to the courtroom. He has published several significant articles over the last 20 years and has frequently lectured on employment-related matters.
The Dallas Asian American Bar Association has approximately 200 active members, a dramatic increase from the 15 founding attorneys in 1988. Mr. Corpuz seeks to further expand membership by continuing the organization’s tradition of networking with local bar associations and organizing fundraisers to raise awareness in the Dallas community. He previously served as a DAABA Board Director, student mentor and career discussion panelist. Family and recreation are an integral part of Mr. Corpuz’s life. He coaches his son’s soccer and baseball teams, is an accomplished pianist who performs with the contemporary choir at Saint Rita’s Catholic Church, enjoys golf and always cheers for the Dallas Mavericks.
A senior associate in the Dallas office of White & Wiggins L.L.P. will serve as the president of the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association (DHBA). Carlos Morales graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1999 where he received honors for corporate and white-collar crime and first semester academic achievement. His primary practice areas include commercial and construction litigation, and governmental agency, tort and insurance defense.
A founding principle of the DHBA is to foster a positive image of the legal profession for local Hispanics. On November 17, 2011, the DHBA held its sixth annual event, “Lighting the Path to the Legal Profession,” at the Belo Mansion. This event provides a unique setting for local students to network with attorneys and judges and to develop lasting relationships to increase diversity in education and the legal profession. Prior to becoming the president-elect, Mr. Morales served as a DHBA Board Member and Treasurer, and a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association’s 2011 National Convention Fundraising Committee. He maintains his membership with the legal honors fraternity Phi Delta Phi.
Associate Chip Brooker, of Haynes and Boone LLP, is the 2012 president of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL). An honors graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, Mr. Brooker has successfully litigated business law-related matters that have set legal precedent. He has been included in the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars Edition four times.
Mr. Brooker has been a dedicated member of the DAYL since his first year as a practicing attorney, serving as a committee chair, secretary, treasurer, director and vice president. Neither youth nor a law license is required for DAYL membership. Rather, one can be of any age and/or a law student. Mr. Brooker will continue this tradition by networking with local law schools, SMU and Texas Woman’s University, and organizing special programs like Leadership DAYL, Teen Leadership and Freedom Run. When he is not representing clients or organizing special events, Mr. Brooker enjoys the leisure activities of golf, watching college sports and reading, and takes great pride in his roles as husband and father.
The new president of the J.L. Turner Legal Association is Lori Hayward, a Dallas native and honors graduate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. After graduating law school, Ms. Hayward returned to Dallas and opened a solo practice specializing in family law. In 2005, she worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration in the Office of Disaster Relief to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Now an Of Counsel at Middleberg, Riddle & Gianna, Ms. Hayward practices in complex commercial litigation that includes construction and mass tort.
This is an exciting time for JLTA members as 2012 marks the organization’s 60thanniversary. Ms. Hayward is honored to serve as president and is grateful for the support of fellow members. She said, “JLTA has a great legacy and it is my responsibility to not only celebrate its illustrious past, but to continue the mission to better our community through education, service and scholarship.”
Michelle A. Koledi is a civil litigator licensed to practice in both state and federal courts in Texas and New York. She can be reached at michellekoledi@yahoo.com.
