Rachel Moreau-Davila has extensive experience in representing clients across state and federal courts in Texas and Colorado, including government agency practice, with many years of trial litigation experience.
Prior to joining Cokinos | Young, Rachel practiced in corporate immigration representing companies and individuals before government agencies. She advised large, multinational companies in business and investment immigration matters such as employment visas (H-1B, H-2B, TN, E-2, L-1, J-1), consular processing, permanent residency (including PERM Labor Certification, Multi-National for Managers/Executives), and naturalization; Provide strategic international employment solutions for international and domestic companies in various industries. Advise on all business visas such as H-1B, L-1A/L-1B, TN, Advise on business investment visas E-1/E-2; Advise on all immigration-related workplace compliance matters with the U.S. Department of Labor; Research and write formal legal memoranda and federal court pleadings on complex governmental regulatory issues; Represent corporations in talent acquisition and entire employment visa process (including H-1Bs, L-1As & L-1Bs, Es, E-2s, TNs). Represent companies in immigration employment matters with the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as represent clients in litigation against the U.S. Department of State.
Additionally, Rachel has lived and worked abroad. Including having worked directly with leading international human rights attorney Jia Ping, the Chief Executive Director and Founder of China Global Fund Watch Initiative. She has conducted extensive legal research in the field of international law, specifically referencing Non-Government Organizations worldwide (NGO’s). She has collaborated in the past on drug reform policy for China and has met with international leaders in the NGO community in China.
Rachel has also lived in internationally for many years and has met with international leaders both politically and in the NGO community in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish and French.
Rachel is licensed to practice law in State and Federal court in Texas and Federal court in Colorado. She is based in San Antonio, Texas.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence, May 2014;
University of the Incarnate Word, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology of Organizational Development, Summa Cum Laude, 2005
Recognitions & Distinctions
Alumnus of Gerry Spence National Trial Lawyers College
Elected Honorary Member of Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society
Institute on World Legal Problems at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, 2012; with Distinguished Jurist: United States Supreme Court Justice Antonio Scalia
Institute on Chinese Law and Business at Beihang University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 2013
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
E2 Business Visa & Entrepreneur Investments webinar – October 2021
Principle Speaker for MCLE Conference for SABLA, Introduction to Immigration Concepts – July 2022
Community Involvement
THRU Project Nonprofit Organization, Former Board Member and Committee chair
San Antonio Bar Association, Community Justice Program’s Veteran’s Clinic, volunteer
Johnathan Bailey is a former name and founding partner in the firm Bailey & Bailey, P.C. where over 25 years of practice he built a reputation for knowledge and excellence in representation of construction, service, IT and manufacturing companies seeking to do business with the numerous agencies of the federal government and the State of Texas. Now Johnathan has brought that 25 years of knowledge and experience to Cokinos | Young.
Johnathan has litigated more than 250 bid protests involving billions of dollars in federal contracts before the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Johnathan has also prepared, negotiated and litigated hundreds of Contract Disputes Act claims with dozens of federal contracting agencies and litigated before all existing (and previously existing) Boards of Contract Appeals and the FAA’s Office of Dispute Resolution.
Coming from a small firm environment, Johnathan has extensive experience in representation of small business federal contractors, including especially socio-economic programs administered by the US Small Business Administration including the 8(a) Business Development, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business and HUBZone programs.
The wide range of challenges faced by federal contractors has also given Johnathan many years of experience in range of federal contracting matters including Department of Labor (Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon Act) compliance, suspension and debarment proceedings, and qui tam litigation under the federal False Claims Act.
Education
St. Mary’s University – J.D., 1996
University of Texas at Austin – B.A. Government, 1991
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
First Organizer and Presenter, FBA National Government Contracts Symposium 2014
Presenter, SBT 2021 Annual CLE for Board Certified Construction Lawyers
Memberships & Affiliations
Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society
Federal Bar Association Public Contracts Law Section
San Antonio Bar Association Construction Law Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States District Court: Northern, Southern & Western Districts of Texas
United States District Court: Northern District of Florida
United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth & Federal Circuits
Kristin Zachman is a government contracts lawyer and litigator with over a decade of experience providing legal advice and representation to commercial businesses operating in the federal procurement arena. Kristin counsels government contractors on Small Business Administration certification programs and compliance including the SDVOSB, WOSB, 8(a), and HubZone programs, Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian programs, and the All Small Mentor Protégé program. She provides guidance on solicitation reviews as well as representation on bid protests before GAO and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Kristin is adept at handling Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA), Contract Dispute Act (CDA) claims, and appeals. She also handles ancillary matters such as Miller Act claims between prime and subcontractors and EEOC, DOL, and NLRB proceedings.
Education
Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 2011
Trinity University – B.A., 2008
Recognitions & Distinctions
Named as Rising Star in Government Contracts by Thomson Reuters (2021 & 2022)
Representative Experience
Successfully represented protesters before GAO resulting in re-evaluation of proposals and award of attorney fees.
Successfully defended client’s $7 million contract award from protest by unsuccessful offeror before GAO and thereafter the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Successfully defended client’s $100 million aircraft refueling contract from protest by unsuccessful offeror before GAO.
Areas of Industry Represented in Protests and Government Contract Disputes: Healthcare Services, IT Services, Food Vendor and Cafeteria Service, Waste Disposal, Aircraft Refueling, Aircraft Washing, Base Operations Services, Custodial and O&M for Federal Buildings, Grounds Maintenance, Ambulance Services, Design-Build Construction, Construction and Construction Repairs.
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
San Antonio Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Northern, Southern & Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Federal Claims
Practice Before
United States Comptroller General (GAO)
Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals
Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals
Federal Aviation Administration Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition
Born and raised in Northern New York, Christopher grew up and worked on a small dairy farm. Since 2009, Christopher has represented general contractors and subcontractors with respect to commercial private and public works, both at the state and federal level. Christopher’s practice particularly focuses on drafting, filing and defending construction claims, preparation of mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens, private and public bond claims, contract interpretation, as well as general business litigation. Christopher enjoys advising his clients, both at the pre-construction level, whether it be in reviewing and revising contract agreements, the negotiation level in preserving his client’s interests prior to signing agreements with third parties, as well as, during the construction phase in dealing with delay and schedule analysis, extra work, nonpayment issues and indemnity / insurance issues. For years, Christopher has zealously represented his clients during the disputes phase, whether it be in private arbitration, before the American Arbitration Association, state, and federal courts, or at the administrative level, including, but not limited, meandering through the challenging TxDOT claims process. At all phases, Christopher uses his experience and small town farming upbringing to provide hardening, resilient, analytical, yet common sense approach to his practice and his clients’ everyday legal issues.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2009
Syracuse University at Utica – B.A. Government & Politics, magna cum laude, 2006
Recognitions and Distinctions
Past chair of the San Antonio Bar Associate Construction Section
Memberships and Affiliations
Texas Bar Association, Member
San Antonio Bar Association, Construction Section (past chair)
Board Certified by the Texas Legal Board of Specialization in Construction Law (inaugural year)
American Bar Association, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
Texas Construction Law Association, Member
Texas Young Lawyers’ Association, Member
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Northern, Southern & Western Districts of Texas
Board Certified by the Texas Legal Board of Specialization in Construction Law (inaugural year)
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Matthew J. Longoria is an attorney with both trial and transactional experience. Prior to joining Cokinos | Young, Matthew was a municipal attorney representing governmental entities where he provided legal guidance on a wide range of issues including complex land use and zoning decisions, personnel and employment matters, and water and wastewater utility disputes. In his municipal prosecution practice, Matthew was lead attorney on more than two dozen jury and bench trials that resulted in successful verdicts.
A San Antonio native, Matthew has a diverse background and experience in both creative and legal fields making him adept at addressing a variety of legal issues. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Media from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2008 and his Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2016. Additionally, he studied intellectual property law at Beihang University in Beijing, China, with a focus on emerging Chinese copyright and trademark law.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2016
University of California – B.A. Film and Digital Media, Production, 2008
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Newly Elected Officials Workshop (June 2021)
– Balancing Enforcement with Compliance in Municipal Court
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Workshop for Planning and Zoning Commissioners and Elected Officials (April 2021)
– Special Zoning Tools: Special Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Planned Development Districts
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Newly Elected Officials Workshop (December 2020)
– A Roadmap of CARES Act Relief Funds
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Newly Elected Officials Workshop (July 2020)
– Navigating Religious Based Zoning Protests
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas State Bar
– Litigation Section
– Government Law Section
– Administrative and Public Law Section
San Antonio Bar Association
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Texas City Attorney Association
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Western District of Texas
An aggressive and tactical litigator, Chance Decker focuses on resolving high-stakes disputes for businesses in the energy, pipe and steel distribution, construction and real estate industries. Chance also represents clients in a variety of employment litigation matters, including non-competition and trade secret disputes. He enjoys working on cases with challenging issues and helping his clients navigate the legal system in a bold and efficient manner.
Education
University of Houston Law Center – J.D., 2009
Texas A&M University – B.S., Geography: GIS Specialization, 2006
Recognitions & Distinctions
Named a Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters company) as published in Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers magazines (2018 – 2023)
Named a Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer in Houston (2018 – 2020)
Representative Experience
Obtained dismissal of interstate pipeline company from lawsuit seeking twelve million dollars in engineering fees under an alter-ego and common law partnership claim.
Obtained favorable settlement in dispute over allegedly fraudulent purchase orders issued for over twelve million dollars of steel tubing.
Successfully defended a Houston energy brokerage firm at trial alleging discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act by a former employee.
Successfully defended a commercial flatbed trailer manufacturer in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit by its Chinese supplier.
Successfully defended two Houston area automobile dealerships in multi-million dollar lawsuits by their former floorplan finance providers.
Played pivotal role in obtaining a jury verdict on behalf of Jani-King International, Inc. in a suit against a New York franchisee.
Obtained summary judgment and case dismissal for home builder accused of race discrimination, violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and breach of construction contract.
Successfully defended a commercial tenant in a multi-property eviction and tortious interference case.
Obtained a complete judgment on behalf of a major oilfield services manufacturing company for the nonpayment of several hundred thousand dollars of unpaid equipment.
Obtained a favorable judgment against former employees of a Houston energy brokerage firm who breached the non-competition and non-disclosure provisions of their employment agreements.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
“Executive Rights: Texas Outfitters v. Nicholson”, TexasBarCLE Oil, Gas & Mineral Title Examination Course (June 19, 2020)
“Top 10 Texas Oil & Gas Cases of 2019”, East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen (January 16, 2020)
“Concerning Self-Interest: The Executive Duty After Texas Outfitters v. Nicholson”, Energy Law Institute (August 28, 2019)
“Top 10 Cases of 2018”, Fort Worth Association of Professional Landmen (February 28, 2019)
“Top 10 Cases of 2018”, East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen (January 17, 2019)
“Top 10 Cases Texas Energy Cases from the Past Twelve Months”, Dallas Bar Association’s Energy Law: Review of Oil & Gas Law XXXIII (August 2, 2018)
“Top 10 Texas O&G Cases of 2017 (So Far)”, Lunch and Learn Series with Next Generation Landmen (DAPL) & Young Professionals in Energy (December 4, 2017)
“Top 10 Texas O&G Cases of 2017 (So Far)”, AAPL Southwest Land Institute (September 25, 2017)
“The Slow Death of the Handshake: Best Practices from a Litigator’s Perspective”, National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors 2017 Summer Conference (June 15, 2017)
Publications
“OSHA’s New Guidance for the Energy Arena”, ALTAPL Register (September 1, 2020)
“OSHA’s New Guidance for the Energy Arena”, Houston Association of Professional Landmen Newsletter (August 2020)
“OSHA’s New Guidance for the Energy Arena”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (July 22, 2020)
“Top 10 Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2019”, Landman Magazine (March/April 2020)
“Top 10 Texas Oil & Gas Cases of 2019”, Various publications (2020)
“Top Ten Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2018”, Texas Association of Defense Counsel Magazine (Summer 2019)
“Top Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2018”, Landman Magazine (January/February 2019)
“Top 10 Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2018”, Various Publications (2018/2019)
“Texas Court Divides On Offset Well Case”, The American Oil & Gas Reporter (August 2018)
“Must an Offset Well Clause be Reasonably Calculated to Prevent Drainage? Not in the Eagle Ford, According to the Texas Supreme Court”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (June 28, 2018)
“Show Me the Money!”: Who is a “Payor” Under the Texas Natural Resources Code?”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (May 25, 2018)
“Top 10 Texas O&G Cases in the First 11 Months of 2017”, Landman Magazine (January/February 2018)
“Top 10 Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2017”, Various Publications (2017/2018)
“Texas Supreme Court Ruling Requires Careful Analysis of Mineral Deeds”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (August 9, 2017)
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
– Litigation Section
Houston Bar Association
American Bar Association
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court: Southern & Western Districts of Texas
Community Involvement
Calf Scramble Committee Member, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Kevin Moczygemba helps clients in commercial litigation and in the defense of serious personal injury cases. He has extensive experience handling matters involving breach of contract, construction defect, fraud, and other business torts, mechanics liens, and personal injury.
Kevin also has significant experience working with government contracts. After law school, he served as a Presidential Management Fellow with the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile System Center where he gained invaluable insights into the government’s contracting process. Subsequently, Kevin served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Texas Attorney General’s Office where he brought cases against government contractors for fraud, kickbacks, and other regulatory violations.
Kevin was born and raised in San Antonio. He proudly served in the United States Army as an infantryman and twice deployed to Iraq before becoming an attorney. This experience taught him there is no substitute for careful planning and extensive preparation.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2011
– First Place and Best Speaker, Larry G. Hyden Mock Trial Tournament
University of Texas at Austin – B.A, 2002
Recognitions and Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2024- Commercial Litigation and Construction Law
Presidential Management Fellow, U.S. Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center
Past Co-Chair, American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Health Law Committee
Past Vice Chair, American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Health Law Committee
Memberships and Affiliations
San Antonio Bar Association
State Bar of Texas: Construction Law Section
State Bar of Texas: Litigation Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Courts: Eastern, Southern & Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Christian C. Trevino is an attorney in Cokinos | Young’s Austin office. Raised around his family’s construction business, Christian brings a unique background and firsthand experience of construction law. His practice focuses primarily on construction law and commercial litigation. Christian’s experience covers a variety of areas including mechanic’s liens, construction defect cases, contract and payment disputes, and contract negotiations.
Christian received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Texas A&M University and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law where he was President of the Texas Business Law Society, an editor for the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law, and a leader in the Texas Law Society and Dean’s Fellow Program.
Education
University of Texas School of Law – J.D., 2020
– Texas Business Law Society, President
– Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law, Staff Editor
– Texas Law Society and Dean’s Fellow Program, Society Leader
Texas A&M University – B.S., Economics, magna cum laude, 2017
– 12th Man Student Foundation, President
– Texas A&M Student Senate, Senator
– Transportation Services Advisory Committee
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2024- Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
Construction Law
Named a Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers (2023)
Dean’s Achievement Award in Texas Venture Labs Practicum
Memberships & Affiliations
Austin Bar Association: Construction Law Section
Austin Young Lawyers Association
State Bar of Texas: Construction Law Section, Litigation Section
University of Texas School of Law Steering Committee
Associated General Contractors of America, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Whitley Zachary is a litigation associate in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. Before joining the firm, she gained significant experience defending individuals and businesses in disputes involving matters of professional liability and malpractice, general negligence, premises and products liability, personal and catastrophic injury, wrongful death, contract, and construction law. She also served as a central briefing attorney for the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston prior to joining private practice. Whitley draws on her wide-ranging experience at the trial and appellate levels to comprehensively advise and advocate for her clients at all stages of litigation.
Education
Texas A&M University School of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2015
– Articles Editor, Texas A&M Law Review
St. Mary’s University – B.A. Political Science, 2010
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2022 – 2024: Construction Law, Litigation – Construction & Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
San Antonio’s Outstanding Women in Law in 2021- Construction Litigation by S.A. Scene magazine
San Antonio’s Best Lawyers for Insurance Defense in 2019 and Construction Litigation in 2020 by SA Scene magazine
2021 Rising Star Lawyer for SA Scene magazine
Memberships & Affiliations
San Antonio Bar Association
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
– Board of Directors (2019-2021)
Defense Counsel of San Antonio
– President (2020-2021)
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Southern & Western Districts of Texas
Cody Graham is a trial lawyer and associate attorney in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. Cody has extensive experience in defending against construction defect claims, trucking accident suits, workplace injury claims, and general business disputes. Prior to joining Cokinos | Young, Cody focused his practice on the pursuit of subrogation claims on residential and commercial property losses involving millions of dollars in dispute. In his subrogation practice, Cody was lead counsel on a multitude of suits asserting faulty construction, installation errors, and products defect liability. Cody has tried over a dozen cases in state court and through arbitration, including first-chair jury trial experience. In addition, Cody has appellate experience including the submission of briefings up to the Texas Supreme Court.
Cody is a San Antonio native and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a degree in economics and was honored as a University College Scholar. He then attended Penn State University to obtain his Juris Doctor. Throughout law school, Cody was elected three times to serve in the Student Bar Association, acting as Chair of the Honor Code Committee in his final year. Cody also competed as an advocate, brief writer, and coach in the internationally-recognized Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition, which holds proceedings before a simulated International Court of Justice on a variety of foreign policy issues.
Education
Penn State Law – J.D., 2013
University of Texas at Austin – B.A. Economics, University College Scholar, 2009
Recognitions & Distinctions
San Antonio Bar Foundation, Fellow
Named as one of San Antonio’s 2023 Top Attorneys- San Antonio Magazine
Best Lawyers in San Antonio by Scene in S.A. Magazine for 2015 – 2020
Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2022 – 2024: Commercial Litigation & Litigation – Construction
Memberships & Affiliations
Adjunct Professor – Spring 2023 – University of Texas at San Antonio
State Bar of Texas
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
– Board of Directors (2016-2018)
San Antonio Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas (2013)
United States District Court: Western District of Texas
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