Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the election of 11 attorneys to partnership on Friday, February 7, 2020. The new partners in each city are:
- Austin: Denise Rose, Carlos Treviño
- Dallas: Joseph Guajardo, Kelly Hodge, Natalie Kosydar, James McFall, David Schlottman
- Houston: Briggs Knight, Trey McDonald, Kristhy Peguero
- San Antonio: Shari Mao
“At Jackson Walker, we’re proud of our people-centric culture and our commitment to recruiting, developing, and advancing talented lawyers,” Firmwide Managing Partner Wade Cooper said. “We realize that recruiting talent is great, but if we don’t help set them up for success, we haven’t accomplished much. From the start, we are invested in their future and give them responsibility early on, all with the goal of preparing them for partnership and ultimately a leadership role within the Firm.”
“From the start, we are invested in their future and give them responsibility early on, all with the goal of preparing them for partnership and ultimately a leadership role within the Firm.”
Congratulations to the following attorneys elected to partnership in 2020:
Joe Guajardo
Dallas, Corporate & Securities
Joseph T. Guajardo is an experienced transactional lawyer who works closely with clients in a full range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private placement of debt and equity securities, entity formation and governance, joint ventures, and general corporate counseling. In addition to his extensive M&A work in the healthcare sector, Joe also represents clients in the energy, manufacturing, real estate, and technology industries. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center and his B.B.A. from the University of Houston.
Kelly Hodge
Dallas, Finance & Banking
Kelly S. Hodge’s real estate finance experience includes the negotiation, structuring, and documentation of construction; interim and permanent financing for multifamily properties, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, car dealerships, industrial properties, and residential properties; and transactions involving Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). He also represents borrowers and lenders in the restructuring of troubled credit facilities and foreclosure on real estate. Outside of his practice, he volunteers his time as a Level C1 Referee for the Texas Rugby Referee Association and as a Director for the Young Risk Manager’s Association. Kelly received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Baylor University School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Texas A&M University.
Briggs Knight
Houston, Real Estate
Briggs A. Knight represents purchasers, owners, and developers in connection with the acquisition, disposition, leasing, and development of improved and unimproved real property. Additionally, he handles lending transactions secured by or involving real estate, including retail, office, industrial, and multifamily projects and related personal property. He received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Houston Law Center. He also graduated from Louisiana State University with his B.S. and M.B.A., both with honors.
Natalie Kosydar
Dallas, Corporate & Securities
Natalie M. Kosydar is a transactional attorney specializing in complex mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate transactions, executive employment and compensation arrangements, equity financing transactions, and corporate governance. Outside of her practice, Natalie serves on Jackson Walker’s Recruiting Committee and is a regular contributor to Nepris as a mentor to students of all levels. Natalie received her J.D., cum laude, from the Notre Dame Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Michigan.
Shari Mao
San Antonio, Corporate & Securities
Shari Y. Mao represents privately held clients in a variety of general corporate matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, financings, and divestitures. In 2015, the Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation honored Shari with the Belva Lockwood Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. She has also been recognized by San Antonio Scene as a Best S.A. Lawyer since 2017 and a Rising Star Lawyer in 2018. In addition to her practice, Shari serves on the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. Mary’s University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Duke University.
Trey McDonald
Houston, Trial & Appellate Litigation
William “Trey” A.I. McDonald III practices media litigation and complex commercial litigation with a focus on First Amendment, defamation, false advertising, and Lanham Act claims. In addition to his practice, Trey serves on the University of Texas School of Law Young Alumni Steering Committee, the OneGoal Houston young professional board, and the Sweat Equity Group board of directors. He also enjoys raising money for Houston-area nonprofits that uplift minority communities though his annual One Night event. Trey is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Recently, Trey was selected to The National Black Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” list. He received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Morehouse College and studied as an exchange fellow at Stanford University.
James McFall
Dallas & San Antonio, Trial & Appellate Litigation
James Carlos McFall focuses his practice on media, sports, entertainment, and complex commercial litigation, including cases of alleged fraud, tortious interference, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and theft of trade secrets. He has represented clients in federal and state courts Texas and California. James has been named a “Rising Star” in Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers from 2017-2018 and in 2020. Outside of his practice, James volunteers his time as Board President of the Windcrest/Northeast Bridge Builders, as a Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s First Amendment and Media Law Diversity Moot Court Competition, and as a Board Member of Kids-U. He received his J.D. from Washington University School of Law and his M.A. and B.A. from Stanford University. James has been admitted to practice in California and Texas.
Kristhy Peguero
Houston, Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery
Kristhy M. Peguero represents debtors, financial institutions, creditors’ committees, and other creditors in Chapter 11 proceedings. Outside of her practice, Kristhy volunteers her time as a Trustee of the Association of Women Attorneys Foundation. She is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Kristhy received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and her B.A., with honors, from the University of Miami. She has been admitted to practice in Delaware and Texas.
Denise Rose
Austin, Government Relations, Public Policy, & Regulatory Law
Having worked in and around the Texas Capitol for over a decade, Denise Rose provides effective strategic counsel to clients on a wide variety of issues, including but not limited to Medicaid and hospital finance, special utility districts, occupational licensing, healthcare quality, and agency rulemaking processes and requests for proposals. In 2019, Denise was recognized as a “Rising Star” in the Lobby Power Rankings from Capitol Inside. In addition to her practice, Denise volunteers her time with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Texans Care for Children, the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, Dress for Success Austin, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and GENAustin. She was also selected to participate in the Leadership Texas Class of 2020. Denise received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and her B.S. from the University of Oklahoma.
David Schlottman
Dallas, Labor & Employment
David Schlottman is an adviser and litigator who focuses on complex cases involving employees, the workplace, and related business disputes. He has been recognized in the labor and employment field as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers and one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine. In addition to his practice, David serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Partners of Dallas and on the leadership councils for both the State Bar of Texas Labor and Employment Law Section and the Labor & Employment Law Section of the Dallas Bar Association. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Baylor Law School and his B.A., with high honors, from Abilene Christian University.
Carlos Treviño
Austin, Corporate & Securities
Carlos R. Treviño handles domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and general corporate matters. Outside of his practice, he is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law. Carlos received his LL.M. from UT School of Law, his M.B.A. from Thunderbird School of Global Management and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, and his LL.B. from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. He has been admitted to practice in Mexico and Texas.
Meet JW
Founded more than 130 years ago, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas business. With more than 400 attorneys across seven Texas-based offices, the Firm represents Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, major financial institutions, insurance companies, and a wide range of public companies and private businesses around the globe. The Firm is ranked nationally in 27 practice areas in the U.S. News’ “Best Law Firms” rankings, has eight Chambers USA-ranked practices and 16 practice areas with Chambers-ranked attorneys, and has been recognized on the BTI Client Service A-Team since 2014.
