Experience

Harris County Attorney's Office

• United States
• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Special Assistant County Attorney

  • Feb 2022 - Present

  Houston, Texas, United States Appellate litigator in high-profile, complex cases for the nation’s third largest county. Supervise office training and technology for more than 250 attorneys and paralegals during the selection and anticipated transition to a new case and document management system. Serve on numerous County committees, including the Joint Technology Committee. Developed a $5.95 million program for multiple County departments to reduce nonappearance rates in criminal cases under a landmark bail bond consent… Show more Appellate litigator in high-profile, complex cases for the nation’s third largest county. Supervise office training and technology for more than 250 attorneys and paralegals during the selection and anticipated transition to a new case and document management system. Serve on numerous County committees, including the Joint Technology Committee. Developed a $5.95 million program for multiple County departments to reduce nonappearance rates in criminal cases under a landmark bail bond consent decree in ODonnell v. Harris County, No. 4:16-cv-1414, in the Southern District of Texas.

• Managing Counsel of Defensive Litigation Division and Real Estate Division

  • Jan 2021 - Feb 2022

  Houston, Texas, United States Supervised two division directors over approximately 30 attorneys and staff responsible for defending all litigation and property condemnation for Harris County. Rebuilt one division after it lost nearly half its staff during a pandemic by promptly hiring competent attorneys, implementing efficient policies, and improving morale and quality of client representation. Supervised attorneys during jury trials, appeals, hearings, and mediation, and developed settlement procedures, litigation… Show more Supervised two division directors over approximately 30 attorneys and staff responsible for defending all litigation and property condemnation for Harris County. Rebuilt one division after it lost nearly half its staff during a pandemic by promptly hiring competent attorneys, implementing efficient policies, and improving morale and quality of client representation. Supervised attorneys during jury trials, appeals, hearings, and mediation, and developed settlement procedures, litigation templates, training, and a Microsoft Teams-based library and case-monitoring application.

• Assistant County Attorney, Litigation Practice Group

  • Jan 2017 - Dec 2020

  Houston, Texas Area Represented the nation’s third largest county as an assistant county attorney. Practice focused on high profile litigation, including employment litigation and multi-million dollar death in custody, 1st Amendment, 4th Amendment, 8th Amendment, and 14th Amendment civil rights cases. Clients included the nation's third largest sheriff's department, district attorney's office, medical examiner's office, district clerk, and juvenile justice center, as well as individual judges, commissioners, and… Show more Represented the nation’s third largest county as an assistant county attorney. Practice focused on high profile litigation, including employment litigation and multi-million dollar death in custody, 1st Amendment, 4th Amendment, 8th Amendment, and 14th Amendment civil rights cases. Clients included the nation's third largest sheriff's department, district attorney's office, medical examiner's office, district clerk, and juvenile justice center, as well as individual judges, commissioners, and constables. Maintained a heavy docket, which included: - Election strike team & litigation. Successfully defended the county clerk and voter registrar before the Texas appellate courts and Supreme Court in numerous challenges to the 2020 elections. - COVID-19 litigation. Successfully defended emergency COVID-19 stay-home and face covering orders affecting 4.8 million residents. Litigation included four emergency preliminary injunction hearings, three emergency petitions for writ of mandamus to the Texas Supreme Court, and one brief to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Also developed the County’s Public Health quarantine forms. - Green v. Harris County, No. 4:16-CV-893, Southern District of Texas, Doc. 330 (6/26/19). Secured summary judgment in a lengthy, complex, and highly technical federal civil rights case where a jail detainee died from a rare and virulent form of meningitis caused by Steptococus sanguinis bacteria. - Grant v. Harris County, 794 Fed.Appx. 352 (5th Cir. 2019). Successfully defended Harris County in the trial and appellate courts in a complex employment case involving a juvenile supervision officer. - Harris County vs. Annab, 547 S.W.3d 609 (Tex. 2018). Successfully argued significant sovereign immunity case on behalf of Harris County to the Texas Supreme Court, resulting in unanimous reversal of the appellate court. The Texas Solicitor General joined in oral argument as an amicus curiae.



University of Houston Law Center

• United States
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Adjunct Professor of Appellate Advocacy

  • Aug 2021 - Present

  Houston, Texas, United States Teach appellate advocacy at top tier national law school. Serve as a regular national moot court coach and judge.



Purdue University Global

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Adjunct Professor

  • Jan 2008 - Apr 2019

  Taught subjects such as Constitutional Law, Contracts, Torts, Legal Ethics, Real Estate Law, Intellectual Property, and Trial and Courtroom Presentation. Develop courses such as Constitutional Law, Understanding Criminal Responsibility, and Healthcare Delivery in the Federal System.



RALEY & BOWICK, LLP

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Commercial & Intellectual Property Associate Attorney

  • Jun 2013 - Aug 2016

  Houston, TX Served as commercial and intellectual property litigation associate for boutique Galleria firm that recovered $200 million for its clients in four years. Commercial litigation & insurance: Assisted in representing clients in numerous multi-million dollar disputes regarding offshore oil platform assets, employment and shareholder litigation, and a Louisiana legacy oilfield contamination case. Initiated arbitration under the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration in… Show more Served as commercial and intellectual property litigation associate for boutique Galleria firm that recovered $200 million for its clients in four years. Commercial litigation & insurance: Assisted in representing clients in numerous multi-million dollar disputes regarding offshore oil platform assets, employment and shareholder litigation, and a Louisiana legacy oilfield contamination case. Initiated arbitration under the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration in Singapore on behalf of National Oilwell Varco to recover $19 million owed by a Kazakhstani company for offshore oilfield equipment. Drafted winning summary judgment on behalf of NOV in significant North Dakota personal injury case. Intellectual property: Assisted in defense and prosecution of oilfield patent litigation for NOV and Peak Completion Technologies and patent prosecution of Kaneka Corporation’s proprietary microbe and fermentation process for making Co-Q10, a pharmaceutical enzyme. Appellate: Prepared appellate briefs in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in significant intellectual property and civil cases. Civil rights: Represented the longest-serving exonerated Texas inmate in a § 1983 case following his release after 31 years in prison. The case resulted in approximately $2.5 million in state compensation in the largest award of its kind in history. Government: Assisted in successful representation of former Houston mayor Roy Hofheinz’s family after the University of Houston sought to rename the Hofheinz Pavilion. ​Legal malpractice: Won summary judgment in legal malpractice case in Cameron County, Texas. Show less



Hopkins Law Firm

• United States
• Law Practice

• Litigation and Transaction Attorney

  • Sep 2000 - Jun 2013

  Advised and litigated in corporate, wrongful death, civil rights, and contract disputes, including an $8 billion securities fraud case. Notable clients include regional entertainers, corporate and non-profit organizations, and Major League Baseball players Prince Fielder, Joseph Crede, and Bruce Chen. Lead counsel in Covington v. McNeese, 98 So.3d 414 (La.App. 3 Cir. 9/5/12), a 12-year landmark case resulting in the largest single-client Americans with Disabilities Act recovery of its… Show more Advised and litigated in corporate, wrongful death, civil rights, and contract disputes, including an $8 billion securities fraud case. Notable clients include regional entertainers, corporate and non-profit organizations, and Major League Baseball players Prince Fielder, Joseph Crede, and Bruce Chen. Lead counsel in Covington v. McNeese, 98 So.3d 414 (La.App. 3 Cir. 9/5/12), a 12-year landmark case resulting in the largest single-client Americans with Disabilities Act recovery of its kind in history. This case prompted a U.S. DOJ civil rights investigation and resulted in a $13.8 million injunction and systemic changes at eight public universities. Received $2 million attorney’s fee award and national coverage by journals such as "The National Law Journal" (9/7/2012). The appellate court referred to “young Hopkins” as “eloquent,” “truly devoted,” “gallant,” and presenting “a well-orchestrated case worthy of emulation by the most seasoned attorneys” for his “superior performance” in a “rare and exceptional” case. Show less



Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP

• Litigation Attorney

  • Feb 2005 - Oct 2009

  Assisted in the defense of complex litigation for this Am Law 250 Fast Rise to the Top national firm. Conducted all facets of trial preparation, including extensive deposition coverage, discovery, and substantial research, motion filings, and argument. Work included assisting with the defense of a significant premise liability docket in Texas, North and South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Louisiana. Also assisted with a major New England soil contamination case, a significant international… Show more Assisted in the defense of complex litigation for this Am Law 250 Fast Rise to the Top national firm. Conducted all facets of trial preparation, including extensive deposition coverage, discovery, and substantial research, motion filings, and argument. Work included assisting with the defense of a significant premise liability docket in Texas, North and South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Louisiana. Also assisted with a major New England soil contamination case, a significant international shipping antitrust case, a polyester staple antitrust case, a pipeline construction defect dispute, and a $65 billion chemical company merger. Show less



Write My Speech.com

• Founder, Speech Writer, and Communication Consultant

  • Jan 1997 - Jan 2007

  Lake Charles, Louisiana Area Founded the world's first Internet-based speech writing service. Provided communications consulting to prominent international business clients, entertainment industry executives, political candidates, and pageant contestants. Also assisted attorneys in drafting opening statements for significant trials.



Delta School of Business and Technology

• Professor

  • Jan 2000 - Apr 2005

  Taught a wide variety of college-level courses such as business law, legal writing, economics, office procedures, and communications.



KPLC-TV

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• News Guest

  • Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  Served as a rotating attorney for this NBC affiliate's Sunrise Show's "Ask the Expert" call-in program for legal advice.



U.S. District Courts

• Administration of Justice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Federal Judicial Law Clerk

  • Jun 2003 - Nov 2004

  Western District of Louisiana Served as an elbow law clerk for the only active Article III judge in a six parish area with a major federal prison and immigration detention center. Employment began on this newly appointed judge's first day of work, and responsibilities included helping with both the administrative and legal aspects of setting up a new federal office. Duties included writing and editing opinions, judgments, and jury charges, scheduling dockets, research, assisting with trials, and communicating with… Show more Served as an elbow law clerk for the only active Article III judge in a six parish area with a major federal prison and immigration detention center. Employment began on this newly appointed judge's first day of work, and responsibilities included helping with both the administrative and legal aspects of setting up a new federal office. Duties included writing and editing opinions, judgments, and jury charges, scheduling dockets, research, assisting with trials, and communicating with attorneys and other federal judges and offices on behalf of the Court. Cases included a docket of more than 450 civil suits, including a $1 billion telecommunications RICO suit filed against Sprint PCS by an affiliate and a complex international dispute between the Republic of Venezuela and numerous parties over the ownership of an offshore research module to be placed along its disputed border with Columbia. Show less



14th Judicial District Court, Lake Charles, Louisiana

• Louisiana Judicial Law Clerk

  • Aug 1999 - Aug 2000

  Served as a pool law clerk in this court of general jurisdiction. Workload focused on assisting nine judges with a diverse caseload of civil, criminal, and family matters. Duties included preparing jury charges, orders, and opinions, research, handling correspondence with attorneys, pre and post conviction relief applications, and helping to schedule dockets. Responsible for drafting several regional landmark opinions, including judgments resolving challenges to the Louisiana tobacco… Show more Served as a pool law clerk in this court of general jurisdiction. Workload focused on assisting nine judges with a diverse caseload of civil, criminal, and family matters. Duties included preparing jury charges, orders, and opinions, research, handling correspondence with attorneys, pre and post conviction relief applications, and helping to schedule dockets. Responsible for drafting several regional landmark opinions, including judgments resolving challenges to the Louisiana tobacco litigation and Louisiana’s legalized gaming industry. Show less



United States Attorney's Office

• Legal Services

• Federal Law Clerk

  • May 1998 - Jun 1999

  Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area Assisted Criminal and Civil Division Assistant U.S. Attorneys in prosecuting defendants and representing the United States. Duties included research, drafting pleadings, and participating with prosecutors and FBI agents in grand jury target and defendant interviews. Areas of law included white collar and drug crimes, bank robbery, forfeiture, tort defense, civil rights, and environmental.



Louisiana Attorney General's Office, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Law Clerk

  • Jan 1996 - Jun 1998

  Medical Malpractice Law Clerk. 1997-98. Duties included research, trial preparation, and drafting pleadings in defense of state hospitals against medical malpractice suits. Student Worker, Administration Section, 1996.



The White House

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• White House Intern

  • May 1995 - Jul 1995

  Worked in the Presidential Personnel Office. Helped to maintain the Clinton administration's resume network, worked on special projects, and drafted letters on behalf of Bob Nash and President Clinton. Also worked in the News Analysis Office. This involved evaluating news and opinion stories from national media and preparing and delivering daily media summaries to Vice-President Gore, the Chief of Staff, and West Wing advisors. Editor, The Internet, White House intern newsletter.



The Contraband

• United Kingdom
• Music
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Editor

  • Jun 1994 - Jun 1995

  Supervised every aspect of publication for a University newspaper with a readership of 22,000, a staff of over 30, and a budget of about $80,000. Assigned reporters to cover routine and controversial subjects and taught and supervised photographers, graphic designers, reporters, business employees, and section editors. Much of this staff now edits, writes, and produces for regional newspaper and television stations.



U.S. House of Representatives

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Congressional Intern

  • Jul 1993 - Aug 1993

  Washington D.C. Metro Area Intern for Congressman Jimmy Hayes.



United States Senate

• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• U.S. Senate Intern

  • May 1993 - Jul 1993

  Intern for U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston