Ashlay Leger is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation and construction law. Ashlay received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston where she was selected for the varsity moot court team as both an oral advocate and a brief writer. As an advocate and writer, she competed in the Chicago Bar Association, McGee Civil Rights, Prince Evidence, and Wechsler First Amendment competitions spanning 2021-2022. She was an active member of campus organizations such as the Phi Delta Phi International Honor Society, Women’s Law Society, and the Black Law Student Association for which she served as the social media co-chair. While in school, Ashlay worked in the Legal Writing Center on campus as a Legal Writing Consultant to her peers. She also worked as a research assistant where she assisted a professor in completing a treatise on Texas Trial and Appellate Procedure. Additionally, Ashlay served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Dedra Davis of the 270th Civil District Court.
Education
South Texas College of Law Houston – J.D., 2023
Dean’s List
University of Arizona – B.A. Law, 2020
Recognitions & Distinctions
Association of Corporate Counsel 2022 Scholarship Award Recipient
CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Legal Research & Writing II and Torts II
Judicial Experience
Judicial Intern for the Honorable Judge Dedra Davis, 270th Civil District Court
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Guest Speaker on Appellate Advocacy at Rice University’s Introduction to Law Course (2022)
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas Bar Association
Houston Bar Association
Houston Young Lawyer’s Association
Garland Walker American Inn of Court
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Southern District of Texas
Emma Myles is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Emma’s practice primarily focuses on construction, commercial, and intellectual property law litigation. Emma received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in May 2023. While in law school, Emma was the Chief Articles Editor for the Houston Business & Tax Law Journal as well as a legal writing TA. She also served as the External Vice President of Intellectual Property Student Organization. As an undergraduate at The College of St. Scholastica, Emma double-majored in Marketing and Management with a double-minor in French and International Business.
Education
University of Houston, J.D., 2023
The College of St. Scholastica, B.A. in Marketing and Management, 2017
Recognitions & Distinctions
2023 State Bar of Texas Intellectual Property Law Section Diversity Scholarship Recipient
Recipient of the 2022-2023 Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law Co-Directors Award
Judicial Experience
Judicial Intern for the Honorable Alan D. Albright, United States District Court, Western District of Texas
Publications
“He’s Got Your Eyes”: Enacting a Federal Biometric Data Privacy Statute to Secure Privacy Rights Following the Technological Shift to Digital Platforms, 24 Hous. Bus. & Tax L. J. (2023).
Memberships & Affiliations
Inducted into the National Order of Scribes for excellence in legal writing
2022-2023 Honorable Nancy F. Atlas Intellectual Property Inn of Court Pupil
Tres Gibbs focuses his litigation practice on complex business and construction disputes as well as bankruptcy matters and creditors’ rights. Tres has represented plaintiffs and defendants in state, federal, and bankruptcy court across Texas and in other states. Tres takes pride in understanding his clients’ business and personal needs, in addition to their legal ones, and develops practical and efficient solutions to meet them. Tres’s experience covers a wide variety of disputes in the construction, real estate, energy, financial, and corporate sectors.
Education
Texas Tech School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2012
Texas A&M University, B.S., 2006
Recognitions & Distinctions
Named “Rising Star” by Texas Super Lawyers (2021)
Listed in Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” (2021-2024)
Named a “Top Lawyer” by Houstonia Magazine (2018-2022)
Representative Experience
Successfully defended client in adversary proceeding in District of Colorado Bankruptcy Court against Trustee’s claim for turnover of property related to Debtor’s pre-petition fraudulent transfer of vintage 1965 Shelby Cobra; Prevailed on counterclaim for declaration that client’s equitable title defeated trustee’s legal title to Cobra.
Obtained relief from automatic stay on behalf of bank client in hotly contested single real estate Chapter 11 bankruptcy case against opposition from multiple secured creditors, which allowed client to foreclose on property and recover in full.
Successfully resolved complex interpleader action involving competing claims to over $3.5 million in disputed funds brought by nearly fifteen parties based in the factoring industry. Case involved claims of UCC priority, tortious interference, and breach of contract.
Prevailed at bench trial and obtained six figure award for client in dueling breach of contract claims; defeated opposing claims and won nearly six figure judgment.
Successfully resolved partnership dispute for client/member of spirit branding company and distributor against claims of fraud and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Obtained take nothing judgment for client following bench trial on behalf of national vehicle service center against claims that client violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client applying to probate will and be named independent executor in hotly contested will contest.
Prevailed on Application for Attorneys’ Fees and obtained nearly $100,000 award for client in hotly contested guardianship proceeding.
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
Houston Young Lawyers Association
Houston Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Courts and Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Texas
United States District Court and Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado
Maurice is a versatile litigator who represents clients in a wide and diverse range of matters including commercial disputes, product liability and mass torts, wrongful death, and appellate matters. He routinely represents individual and corporate clients before federal and state courts throughout the country. He has successfully represented clients in “bet-the-company” litigation and trials. In addition, Maurice has experience representing clients outside the courtroom through alternative dispute resolution.
Education
St. John’s University School of Law, J.D., 2017
St. John’s University, B.S., Public Relations, 2012
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
State Bar of New Jersey
State Bar of New York
United States District Court: Northern, Southern & Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court: Western District of New York
United States District Court: District of New Jersey
United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth & Second Circuits
Community Involvement
President, St. John’s University School of Law Alumni Association, Alumni of Color Chapter
Director, St. John’s University School of Law Alumni Association
Co-Chair, New York County Lawyer Association’s Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Kristen Wheeler is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation, representing residential, commercial, and industrial construction clients. She also has experience in employment related disputes, including non-competition and trade secret issues.
Kristen received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2022. While in law school, she served on the executive boards for the UH Law Center’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Team and the International Law Society. She also worked as a judicial intern for U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr. and for former Judge Gregg Costa for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Additionally, she interned with the Texas Attorney General’s office in the Consumer Protection Division.
Prior to law school, Kristen was a 4th grade ESL teacher in Spring Branch ISD for two years while serving as a Teach for America Corps member.
Education
University of Houston Law Center – J.D., 2022
– Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy
– Alternative Dispute Resolution Team, Executive Board
– International Law Society, Executive Board
Texas A&M University – B.A., Political Science, 2017
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
HR Houston General Meeting: Texas’s Enhanced Sexual Harassment Laws: Nearly One Year Later
Publications
An Adequate Shift from Inpatient Care or a Kick to the Curb: The Need to Shift Hospitals’ Discharge Criteria from Hospital-Focused to Patient-Driven, HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL’Y 1 (2023).
Judicial Experience
Judicial Intern to the Honorable Ewing Werlein, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Judicial Intern to the Former Judge Gregg Costa, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Southern District of Texas
United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Community Involvement
Bellaire Ducks Unlimited – Present Chairman
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest – Contestant Supervisor
Jake Peters is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Jake’s practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation. Jake received his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in May 2022. While in law school, Jake served as Vice President of the Corporate and Tax Law Society for two years and was a member of the Consumer and Commercial Law Journal. As an undergraduate at the University of Texas, Jake majored in Economics and earned a Business Foundations Certificate from the Texas McCombs School of Business.
Education
University of Houston – J.D., 2022
University of Texas at Austin – B.A. Economics, 2018
Judicial Experience
Judicial Intern for the Honorable Jeffrey V. Brown, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
Jude des Bordes is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice focuses primarily on personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial litigation. Jude received his J.D. with honors from South Texas College of Law Houston where he was selected for the varsity moot court team, competing in the National Energy & Sustainability and National Civil Rights and Liberties Moot Court competitions in 2018. He was an active member of campus organizations including the Black Law Student Association and the Oil & Gas Law Society for which he served as the Student Outreach Coordinator. While in school, Jude served as intern for the Honorable Reed O’Connor of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Education
South Texas College of Law Houston – J.D., cum laude, 2019
– Presidential Fellow
– Dean’s List
University of Houston – B.S. Biology, 2016
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2024- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
The National Black Lawyers – 2023 Top 40 Under 40
CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Legal Research & Writing, Professional Responsibility, and Family Law
Publications
Jude des Bordes, Lightning Oil: The Erosion of Mineral Estate Rights, 2 Harry L. Reed Inst. of Oil & Gas Energy Newsletter 3 (2018)
Memberships & Affiliations
Houston Young Lawyers Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Southern & Western Districts of Texas
Randy grew up in Los Angeles, Dallas and Tyler, but has lived in Houston since 1984 after moving here to attend law school. During his first 15 years of practice, Randy worked principally as a litigator and as an appellate lawyer, handling both federal and state court appeals, including arguments before the Supreme Court of Texas and briefing to the Supreme Court of the United States. Since then, he has transitioned to focus primarily on corporate, transactional and real estate work, although he remains actively involved in litigation, appellate law, construction law, employment law and other matters.
Randy has two children, Connor and Kendall. He has spent many years working with several lacrosse-related organizations and coaching girls high school lacrosse. Randy is also past Captain with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Education
South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1987
– South Texas Law Review
Texas Christian University – B.B.A., 1982
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Speaker, Insurance Bad Faith Claims Handling Seminars
Memberships and Affiliations
Houston Bar Association, Member
Admissions
State Bar of Texas (1987)
United States District Court: Southern District of Texas
Community Involvement
U.S. Lacrosse (Houston Chapter), Executive Committee
T.C.U. National Alumni Association, Past Director
T.C.U. Young Alumni Association (Houston Chapter), Past President
The Woodlands Girls Lacrosse Association, Past President
Division Coordinator, Coach, FFPS Soccer, Past Commissioner
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1772, Eagle Scout Advisor, Past Scoutmaster, Past Troop Committee Chairman
David is a native Houstonian and graduate of Bellaire High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his law degree from South Texas College of Law. David works as a transactional real estate attorney with a focus on the telecommunications industry, including the acquisition of easements and leases, title review, and risk assessment related to telecommunications tower sites. David also has significant experience representing clients in connection with the acquisition, development, and disposition of property as well as the negotiation of commercial and retail leases.
Education
South Texas College of Law – J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
– Recipient of the Dean Elizabeth Dennis Award for Distinguished Service
– Recipient of CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Contracts I; Torts II; and Wills, Trusts & Estates
– Recipient of Dean’s Merit Scholarship
– South Texas Law Review, Member
The University of Houston – B.A., 2010
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2024- Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law
Representative Experience
Extensive representation of a telecommunications client in connection with the acquisition and extension of property interests in cell tower sites
Represented clients in negotiations for the purchase and sale of improved and unimproved commercial properties
Represented landowner clients in the negotiation of leases for solar farms and wind farms for the generation of clean energy
Represented a client in acquiring and redeveloping city-designated historic property
Assisted with the development of multi-family and single-family residential projects
Represents commercial landlords and tenants in the negotiation of commercial office leases and retail leases
Preparation of covenants, conditions, and restrictions for retail centers and lease forms for office and retail leases
Miscellaneous work related to real estate transactions of all kinds, including the formation of entities and negotiation of financing
Publications
Depository Trust Company and the Omnibus Proxy: Shareholder Voting in the Era of Share Immobilization, 56 S. Tex. L. Rev. 205 (2014)
Serena was born in Memphis but has lived in Houston most of her life. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and her law degree from South Texas College of Law. She has two boys with her husband, Evan, a Plainview native. Serena joined Singleton Cooksey in 1992, working principally as a litigator and appellate lawyer. After leaving in 2001 to become a full-time stay-at-home mom, she returned to the firm in 2007, as a transactional real estate attorney with an emphasis on title and survey review, title curative work, buyer and seller due diligence, including for multifamily purchase and sale transactions. Serena’s practice has also included risk assessments, communications tower-related easements and leases, acquisitions of communications towers, individually and as part of a portfolio, and commercial leasing. In addition to her legal practice, Serena served as a volunteer in various capacities at her children’s elementary, middle and high schools over the years, at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and with BSA Troop 30, and she is actively involved as a volunteer with the West Point Parents’ Club of Greater Houston, serving as the co-chair of the Texas Tamale Tailgate at West Point in 2021.
Education
South Texas College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 1990
– South Texas Law Review, Asst. Editor
– Order of the Lytae
– Texas Trial Lawyers Association Law Review Writing Award (1988)
– Corpus Juris Secundum Award (Scholastic Excellence in Constitutional Law, Federal Procedure, and Texas Post-Trial and Appellate Procedure)
The University of Houston – B.S., 1987
Publications
Author, The Eleventh Amendment Should Not Protect States from Liability Suits in Federal Court Under CERCLA and SARA, 20 State Bar of Texas Environmental Law Section Law Journal 74 (1990)
Memberships and Affiliations
State Bar of Texas, Member
Admissions
State Bar of Texas (1990)
United States District Court: Southern District of Texas
United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Community Involvement
West Point Parents’ Club of Greater Houston (Volunteer and 2021 Co-Chair of the Texas Tamale Tailgate at West Point)
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