Scene In S.A Spring 2021

Page 1





© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

lawguns-trifold-fullpage_JAN2021.indd 1

1/15/21 8:31 AM




CONTENTS Cover Story

14 Outstanding Women in Medicine of 2021, as voted by their peers 26 Outstanding Women in Medicine Profiles 29 The Happy Critic by Karen Evans 34 A Walk On The Wales Side, Travel by Barbara Barton Sloane 36 Top S.A. DUI/DWI Lawyers of 2021, as voted by their peers 42 Top S.A. Family Lawyers of 2021, as voted by their peers 54 Outstanding Women in Law of 2021, as voted by their peers 65 Women Inspiring Women 70 Fashion by Jules Aldaz Guerra

1st Annual Outstanding Women in Law & Medicine 2021

72 Rock and Rewind: Mothership Music by Laura Youngs 74 Outstanding Women in Law Profiles 80 Parting Ways, Sports by Sam Stern 78 Top Lawyer Profiles

AS VOTED BY THEIR PEERS

32

82 Steven DaLuz, Artist on the Moon 83 Is There A Doctor In The House?! 83 Professional Guide: Find a Doctor or Dentist 84 Professional Guide: Find a Lawyer 85 Obituary: Roland R. Esparza 88 The Last Page by Betsy Cooper

SCENE EVENTS

Going The Extra Mile For The Pandemic by Bonnie Osterhage

52

Claritycon Mental Health Conference ................................8 Cattle Baron’s................................................................. 10 Pancho Villa’s Saddle ...................................................... 12 Girl’s Day Out................................................................. 40 Bijou Betties.................................................................... 48 Mozart & Margaritas....................................................... 50 Mums & Mimosas........................................................... 68 Grand Western Shindig.................................................... 68

It’s Time For Texas To Forge A New Path by Chrsyta Castañeda 4

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Hearts in Harmony..........................................................81 Scene People Index.......................................................... 86

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com



Issue No. 201

Congratulations to Dr. Melody Zamora “Outstanding Women in Dental Medicine” as voted by her peers in 2021 SPRING 2021 San Antonio’s Original Locally Owned and Grown City Magazine – Est. 1999 John H. Ziller

|

Kaylin Ledford Karen Evans

|

Chris Sykes

|

Publisher

Managing Editor

Advertising Director

|

Leslie Foley Vivian Crook

|

Graphic Design

|

Social Editor

Contributing Photographer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Betsy Cooper “Dr. Zamora and her entire team are fabulous. As a new patient - my appointment started on time, I had wonderful reminders, and the office staff was super courteous. Dr. Zamora was friendly and thorough!” -Karen C (Google Review)

Let’s get you smiling!

Faith Duarte Jules Aldaz Guerra Barbara Barton Sloane Sam Stern Kelley Welker Laura Youngs

Why we’re different ... 3 1. We’re family 3 2. We exceed expectations 3 3. We are here to serve

About our cover: The Rosie the Riveter “We Can Do It!” poster by American artist J. Howard Miller was the inspiration behind this issue. Women have come a long way since 1942, and now constitute the majority of the U.S. workforce. For editorial comments, questions and submissions: Editor@scenepublications.com or call 210-828-4209, ext. 406 For questions on advertising, advertorial or directory listings: adsales@scenepublications.com or call 210-828-4209, ext. 407 900 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. D-204 | San Antonio, TX 79209 PHONE: 210-828-4209

North Location 1202 W. Bitters Road, Suite 1207 San Antonio, TX 78216

210-494-2206 South Location 4135 E. Southcross San Antonio, TX 78222

210-333-4421

www.zamdental.com

SUBSCRIBE www.yoursascene.com/subscribe or call 210-828-4209, ext. 406 Scene In S.A. Magazine (ISSN 1942-6852) is published four times per year by Scene Monthly, L.L.C. Copyright ©2021 by Scene Monthly, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. Printed in San Antonio. This magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or any means without written permission from the publisher. Subscribers: If the postal service advises us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Please allow four weeks for change of address or new orders. Send address changes to: Scene In S.A. | 900 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. D-204 | San Antonio, Texas, 78209 Ask us about intern opportunities.

6

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021



STAFF John H. ZIller Publisher

Board member Angela Holliday, president of Frost Brokerage Services, Inc., an event sponsor

John Seybold, CCGC board member and marketing manager for Employer Flexible

Kristen Torring, Sr. Corporate Communications Specialist, NuStar Energy, and Joanna Weidman, board chair

Claritycon Mental Health Conference Editor: Leslie Foley Claritycon Mental Health Conference featured Kate Fagan, New York Times bestseller and former ESPN on-air talent. Clarity Child Guidance Center is the only nonprofit in South Texas providing a continuum of care for children, ages 3-17, with mental illnesses ranging from ADHD and anxiety to suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder and/or schizophrenia. Clarity provides professional education and CEUs at Claritycon, its children’s mental health conferences offering in-person, virtual, or on-demand attendance options. Kate Fagan, author of “What Made Maddy Run—The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen,” a No. 1 New York Times bestseller on sports list. Fagan—who spent seven years as a columnist and feature writer for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine and as on-air talent for ESPN— spoke to a distanced, limited audience at the KLRN studios, and to a virtual audience via live streaming or on-demand. Visit www. claritycgc.org/annual-conference-claritycon/ for upcoming Claritycon conferences, or contact events@claritycgc.org or 210-593-2148. n

John is in his 45th year of publishing and marketing that began at the Express-News and vaulted him into the creation of Ventana USA, the Spanish language magazine for U.S. advertisers in Mexico, followed by 12 years at a direct marketing agency named Di-Marc Communications. From the brick streets in Mexico City to the smoother pavement of New York City, Los Angeles, CA, and Washington D.C., John was happy to settle down in his hometown with Scene In S.A. as the bookend to a wonderful and continuing career.

Kaylin Ledford Managing Editor

Kaylin was born and raised in the outskirts of San Antonio. She is a graduate from Texas State University with a BA in Mass Communications. Kaylin has been the Managing Editor and Office Manager for Scene In S.A. for the past three years.

Karen Evans Advertising Director

Karen Evans! is an experienced sales professional in advertising, art and cuisine. Driven by happiness, she takes pride in providing the best experience possible. Karen’s love for her community shines bright.

Leslie Foley Social Editor

Leslie has called San Antonio home for 37 years. She graduated from Oklahoma State with a BS in Journalism and Public Relations. Leslie has been covering events for the magazine for more than 22 years.

KLRN CEO-President Arthur Emerson; Charmaine Morehead,VP of Marketing-Development for CCGC; Jessica Knudsen, CEO-President of CCGC. KLRN donated studio and taping of Claritycon

Chris Sykes

Graphic Designer

Tony LoBasso, CCGC board member, CFO Methodist Health Care Ministries. MHM was a sponsor and honoree of Claritycon.

8

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Author Kate Fagan

Jessica Knudsen, CEO and president of Clarity CGC, welcoming guests to Feb 5th Claritycon

Passionate about typography and design, Chris has been a graphic designer for more than 30 years. She holds a BFA degree from UTSA. When not in front of her iMac, you can find her enjoying all the things that sunny San Antonio has to offer.

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


BANKING. INVESTMENTS. INSURANCE. We work together, so they’ll work together.

We can provide you with the financing, guidance and protection you need—when you need it.

Visit us at frostbank.com or call (800) 51-FROST.

MEMBER FDIC


42nd Annual Cattle Baron’s Gala Editor: Leslie Foley

Alice Bruni, cancer survivor

Michal Waechter, chair of the Ranch Chic Fashion Show

Following the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s celebration in October 2019, no one could have predicted the roller coaster ride we would be in for 2020. Typically, guests would have come together in person to celebrate the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission, cancer survivors, and working together to finding a cancer cure. As you know this past year has been a whirlwind of change and transition as new ways to achieve their mission during this COVID pandemic were explored. For the first time in American Cancer Society’s 107 year history, the American Cancer Society’s cancer research and program funding were at risk.

Charlotte Pollok, cancer survivor

On October 24th, American Cancer Society premiered the virtual 42nd Annual Cattle Baron’s Gala accompanied by the 15th Annual Ranch Chic Fashion Show which honored cancer survivors for strength, their bravery and their willingness to give back and share their stories. Their stories are unique but share commonalities for how individuals and families can unite as a community to fight this disease. Their stories echo those of so many survivors. Their cancer journeys inspire others to come together to support the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer. This along with community leaders led the way for an amazing evening full of hope. A big thanks for co-presenting sponsors Mays Cancer Center and University Health and their commitments along with KENS5 TV for this year’s virtual event for both the Cattle Baron’s Gala and Ranch Chic Fashion Show. n

Theresa Sanborn, cancer survivor

Rome Escobedo, cancer survivor

Stewart Emmons, cancer survivor

10

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Renee Silber cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Associate Director, Development, Manuel Santiago, MD, Medical Oncologist Hematologist with Texas Oncology, and Vicki Goebel, cancer survivor

Roma Villavicencio, Kens 5 Great Day SA and cancer survivor with Bill Taylor, Kens 5 Weather Chief Meteorologist

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


SOYARS & MORGAN LAW

Soyars & Morgan Law, P.C. is a San Antonio award winning trial team committed to designing a personalized defense strategy that’s right for you. If you need an aggressive, litigation strategy right from the start, then let us fight for you. We have successfully represented clients facing various life changing situations throughout the San Antonio & surrounding Central Texas area. We are not afraid to fight for your freedom, your kids, your job or your reputation! We also understand that some clients have more specific goals in mind that do not necessarily include trial. At Soyars & Morgan Law, we recognize that your personal goals play a big part in how we approach a case & so we provide flexible pricing options so you can decide what approach is best for you.

LEGAL210.com | 924 McCullough Ave.

CALL NOW! 210-361-7060


Pancho Villa’s Saddle at the Cadillac Bar: Recipes and Memories Editor & Photographer: Leslie Foley Author Wanda Garner Cash signed copies of her book during a book signing held on the patio at Picnikins Patio Café. Hosts Clay and Blake Berry and Cooper and Stephanie Cash tended to attendees as they waited for Wanda to sign her book and share a story or two. An overview of the book: In 1924, Achilles Mehault “Mayo” Bessan and his eighteen-year-old bride journeyed from New Orleans to Mexico, where he ultimately transformed a dirt-floored cantina in Nuevo Laredo into a bar and restaurant renowned across the United States for its fine seafood and fancy cocktails. The Cadillac Bar built a reputation as one of the finest eateries and watering holes in the Southwest, even surviving a 1954 flood that devastated cities on both sides of the Rio Grande. Its history sprawls across more than a half-century and its food and drink drew inspiration from the culinary traditions of southern Louisiana, from pre-Prohibition New Orleans, and from the dusty border towns that straddle the Rio Grande in far South Texas.

Author Wanda Garner Cash signs a book for Kathy Martinez

In her introduction, author Wanda Garner Cash writes, “I grew up behind the bar: first child and first grandchild. I spoke Spanish before I spoke English and I learned my numbers counting coins at my grandfather’s desk . . . I rode Pancho Villa’s saddle on a sawhorse in the main dining room, with a toy six-shooter in my holster. I fed the monkeys and parrots my grandfather kept in the Cadillac’s parking lot.” Readers will find themselves drawn to a different, more languid time: when Laredo society matrons passed long afternoons in the bar, sipping Ramos Gin Fizzes; when fraternity miscreants slouched into the Cadillac to recover from adventures “South of the Border”; when tourists waited in long lines for 40-cent tequila sours and plates of chicken envueltos. Step into the Cadillac Bar and take a seat. You’ll want to stay awhile. n Debbie Chesney with mom Weezie Mims Chesney

Eric Friendland and author Wanda Garner Cash

12

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Francisco Cigarroa, MD and author Wanda Garner Cash

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Frank Haring, Clay Garner Berry, Harvie Lindeman, and Lauren Sanditen

Stephanie Cash, Clay Garner Berry and Blake Bessan Berry

Howard Haring, Janet Fetzer and Frank Haring

Jean Claire Turcotte and Francisco Cigarroa, MD

Michelle Jones and Laura Casso

Paula and James Turcotte

Richard Cash and author Wanda Garner Cash

Wanda signs Jack Twilley’s book

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

13


THE RESULTS OF OUR

FIRST ANNUAL SURVEY OF

SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Medicine AS VOTED BY THEIR PEERS

Whether you need an annual check-up, a surgical procedure, advice from an allergist, internist, or urologist - we’ve got you covered from A-Z. Our city provides some of the best medical care in the country. We asked thousands of Bexar County physicians and hundreds of dentists which of their peers they would refer for inclusion in Outstanding Women in Medicine 2021. They were allowed to name as many of their female peers as they wanted to for our list. Listings are grouped by practice specialties, and doctors are listed in alphabetical order within their specialties. The names in red are advertisers. DISCLAIMER: The information presented is not medical advice, nor is our Outstanding Women in Medicine 2021 list a physician referral service. We strive to maintain a high degree of accuracy in the information provided. We make no claim, promise or guarantee about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in this directory. Outstanding Women in Medicine 2021 is the name of our publication, not a title or moniker conferred upon individual physicians. No representation is made that the quality of services provided by the physicians listed will be greater than that of other licensed physicians, and past results do not guarantee future success. Scene In S.A. has developed our own selection methodology for this list; we are not affiliated with any federal, state or regulatory body. Self-designated practice specialties listed in Outstanding Women in Medicine 2021 do not imply certification by a Member Medical Specialty Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, nor that the physician is board-certified to practice a particular specialty.

INDEX AND KEY OF SPECIALTIES ADM Addiction Medicine ALI Allergy & Immunology AN Anesthesiology ACC Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine APM Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine BM Bariatric Medicine CA Cardiology CCE Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology CI Cardiology, Interventional CD Cardiovascular Disease CHR Chiropractic CMD Cosmetic Dentistry DRM Dermatology DRP Dermopathology EDS Endocrine Surgery EM Emergency Medicine EDM Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism ENR Endocrinology, Reproductive END Endodonics FM Family Medicine FGM Family Practice, Geriatric Medicine FSM Family Practice, Sports Medicine GE Gastroenterology GD General Dentistry GP General Practice

GC Genetics, Clinical GER Geriatrics GY Gynecology GYO Gynecological Oncology HM Hematology HMO Hematology/Oncology HOS Hospitalist ID Infectious Diseases IM Internal Medicine ICC Internal Medicine, Critical Care IMG Internal Medicine, Geriatrics MFM Maternal and Fetal Medicine MR Musculoskeletal Radiology NPM Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine NC Neurology, Child NPH Nephrology NPI Nephrology, Interventional N Neurology NR Neuroradiology NM Nuclear Medicine OBG Obstetrics and Gynecology ONC Oncology ONG Oncology, Gynecological ONR Oncology, Radiation ONS Oncology, Surgical OPH Ophthalmology OMS Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery ORT Orthodontics OR Orthopaedics OAR Orthopaedics, Adult Reconstructive

OFA Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle OMO Orthopaedics, Musculoskeletal Oncology OP Orthopaedics, Pediatric OTN Otology/Neurotology OL Otolaryngology PMN Pain Management PMP Pain Management, (Physical Medicine) PMD Pain Medicine PLM Palliative Medicine PHM Pathology/Hematology PHO Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology PID Pediatric Infectious Diseases PA Pediatric, Anesthesiology PG Pediatric Gastroenterology PAC Pathology, Anatomical/ Clinical PAN Pathology, Anatomic PCL Pathology, Clinical PCY Pathology, Cytopathology PCA Pediatric Cardiology PCC Pediatric Critical Care PDN Pediatric, Dentistry PD Pediatric, Dermatology PEM Pediatric Emergency Medicine PID Pediatric Infectious Diseases

POP Pediatric Ophthalmology POR Pediatric Orthopaedics POT Pediatric Otolaryngology PE Pediatric Endocrinology PP Pediatric, Pulmonology PSM Pediatric Sports Medicine P Pediatrics PH Pediatrics, Hospitalist PDB Pediatrics, Developmental/ Behavorial PER Periodontics PHL Phlebology PMR Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation POD Podiatry PRO Prosthodontics PSY Psychiatry PSG Psychiatry, Geriatric PU Pediatric Urology PLD Pulmonary Diseases PLC Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine R Radiology RA Radiology, Abdominal RD Radiology, Diagnostic RO Radiation Oncology RP Radiology, Pediatric RV Radiology, Vascular and Interventional RE Reproductive Endocrinology

RH Rheumatology SLP Sleep Medicine SCT Stem Cell Therapy SB Surgery, Bariatric SCR Surgery, Colon & Rectal SCC Surgery, Critical Care SD Surgery, Dermatologic SG Surgery, General SN Surgery, Neurological SO Surgery, Orthopaedic SOH Surgery, Orthopaedic Hand SOS Surgery, Orthopaedic Spine SSM Surgery, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine SPC Surgery, Pediatric Cardiothoracic SPE Surgery, Pediatric Ear Reconstruction SPL Surgery, Plastic SH Surgery, Hand SPD Surgery, Pediatric SPN Surgery, Pediatric Neurological STH Surgery, Thoracic STR Surgery, Transplant SV Surgery, Vascular SON Surgical Oncology UR Urology UHM Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

14

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Congratulations to

Dr. M.M. Ontiveros for being named one of

San Antonio’s Outstanding Women in Medicine M.M. Ontiveros, M.D., FACC Founder of RiverCityCardioVascular

Chad R. Christopherson M.D., FACC, FSCAI

Evan Mokwe M.D., FACC

Mark A. Shima M.D., FACC, FACP, FSCAI

Gabriel T. Faz M.D., FACC

Jorge C. Magallon M.D., FACC, FSCAI

John H. Frierson M.D., FACC, FSCAI

Zalmen Blanck M.D., FHRS

Michael J. Wilson M.D., FACP

Alexis M. Fenton M.D., FACC

Ghassan Abusaid M.D., FACC

Chinelo Udemgba M.D.

Downtown – Downtown North – Barlite – City Base – Westover Hills – Pearsall – Pleasanton – Jourdanton

W W W. RC C V S A . C O M


INDEX OF NOMINEES Ginnie Abarbanell, MD-PCA

Jennifer D. Brody, MD-PLC, PLD

Leslie-Anne Dietrich, MD-NPM

Julie Gilbreath, MD-IM

Aisha Abdeirahman, MD-HOS

Patricia Brougher, MD-OBG

Arizaca Dileo, DO-IM

Kristen Glass, MD-IM

Sharron K. Acosta, MD, FACS-OPH

Aimee Browne, MD-ENR, OBG

Yanli Ding, MD-PAN

Elizabeth J. Glazier, MD-IMG

Joy T. Aden, MD-OBG

Gabriela E. Brzankalski, MD-ID

Lisa Ding, DDS-PDN

Alice Gong, MD-NPM

Yasmeen Agha, MD-FM

Amanda D. Bucheit, MD-HMO

Parvin Dinyarian, DDS, DMD-END

Sara Yazdani Gonzales, MD-RA

Ildiko Agoston, MD-CI, CD

Larisa Buck, DO-HOS

Katherine S. Dodd, MD-CI

Bernice Gonzalez, MD-FM

Claudia Aguero, MD-FM

Christina Bui, MD-OPH

Leanna Dolson, MD-EM

Nelly Gonzalez, DDS-PDN

Jennifer Aguilar, MD-P

Trang Bui, MD-PP

Tamara J. Dominguez, MD-FM

Annika Gonzalez, MD-FM

Leticia Aguilar, MD-FM

Diep (Daisy) Bui, MD-SN

Nella Carol Dornbluth, MD-RD

Melanie P. Gonzalez-Oliva, OD-OPH

Samiya Ahmad, MD-NC

Delia Bullock, MD-ID

Hilda Draeger, MD-RH

Julie Gorchynski, MD-EM

Alexandriah Alas, MD-OBG

Nancy Burt, MD-N

Joan Dreher, DDS-GD, GD

Sunali Goyal, MD-OPH

Fozia A. Ali, MD-FM

Meridyth Buschardt, MD HOS

Esther Urbaez Duran, MD-IM

Dina Goytia-Leos, MD-IM

Stacey Allen, MD-AN

Ana Maria Calderon, MD-IM

Anukampa Dutta, DDS-PER

Dina Goytia-Leos, MD-IM

Waridibo Allison, MD, PhD-ID

Ashley Calvi, MD-PMR

Giselle Eitter, MD-END

Sheena Grant, MD-HOS

Aixa Alvarez, MD-PMR

Marissa Cantu, MD-EM, PEM

Maya El Kour, MD-IM, RH

Andrine Grant, MD-FM

Marcela Alvarez, DDS, MSD-PRO

Cynthia Cantu, DO-IM

Maryam Elmi, MD-SON

Andrea Grant-Vermont, MD-P

Christine Andre, MD-HOS

Michelle L. Cantu, MD-PSY

Nida J. Emko, MD-FM

Minda Gray, DDS-CMD

Maria Antique, DDS-ORT

Maria Cantu-Cooper, MD-IMG

Uma Erard, DO-OFA

Blanca Gray, MD-IM

Michelle Arandes, MD-P

Lee Anne Carlisle, MD-AN

Veronica Escobar, MD-FGM

Leslie Greebon, MD-PCL

Michelle Arandes, MD-PH

Andrea J. Carpenter, MD, PhD-SG

Sara E. Espinoza, MD-IMG

Brooke Green, MD-CHR

Carolina Arias, MD-NPH

Deborah Carver, MD-SN

Daisy Estrada, MD-FM

Diane Greiner, MD-CI

Wendy Askew, MD-OBG

Olivia I. Castro, MD-P

Elizabeth Casino Evans, MD-OBG

Prabhdeep K. Grewal, MD-PMN

Jane Atkins, MD-PID

Patricia J. Cecconi, MD-UR

Ashley Garcia Everett, MD-NPH

Cristina Grijalva, MD-EM

Shannon Austin, MD-P

Michelle Cerny-Leecock, MD-OBG

Maria Falcon-Cantrill, MD-HMO

Anjali Gupta, MD-HOS

Kelly Averill, MD-NC

Margo Cervantes, MD-RD

Elizabeth Farrimond, DDS-GD

Christina Gutierrez, MD-OBG

Tennessee Bailey, MD-EM

Marissa Charles, DO-FM

Regina M. Fearmonti, MD-SPL

Michelle Habash, MD-PCC

Lucy Bailey, MD, MPH-OPH

Elizabeth Chase, MD-DRM

Sandra Fernandez, MD-FM

Shelia Habib, MD-PLD

Shazmeena Bangash, DDS-GD

Jui-Lien Chou, MD-RO

Lisa Fichtel, MD-ONC

Sarah Hackman, MD-PAC

Shweta Bansal, MD-NPH

Amber Clapper, MD-IM

Kristin Fiebelkorn, MD-PCL

Celene Hadley, MD

Linda Banta, MD-DRM

Kristi Clark, MD-IM

Lindsey Finklea, MD-DRM, PD

April D. Hain Trevino, MD-FM

Laura Barnes, MD-RV

Rose Cofer, MD-P

Christine Liu Fleming, MD-AN

Kathleen Elanine Hands, MD, FACE,

Constance Barone, MD, FACS-SPL

Michelle Conde, MD-IM

Belinda Flores, MD-AN

ECNU-EDM

Tess Barton, MD-PID

Deborah Conway, MD-MFM

Barbara Forseth, MD-IM

Michelle Harden, MD-OBG

Kelly Basaldua, MD-P

Ashley Cooley, MD-PCA

Erica Franco, MD-IM

Jeannie Harden, MD-PMR

Anna Beceiro, MD-OBG

Tatiana Cordova, MD-FM

Dionne A. Franco, MD-P

Elizabeth S. Harris, MD-SPL

Emily M. Becker, MD, F.A.A.D., F.A.A.P-

Lindsay Cortes, MD-P

Jenna Fraser, MD-HOS

Katherine Harrison, MD-EM

Lindsay Cortez, MD-IM

Iliana Fred-Miranda, MD-NPH

Molly Hartmann, MD-SG

Rachel Louise Beddard, MD-PCL

Kelly G. Cowan, MD-PSG

Megan Freeman, MD-HOS

Karen Hasty, MD-OBG

Jessica M. Belz, MD-SPL

Melissa Crawley, MD-ONC

Melissa Frei-Jones, MD-PHO

Jendi Haug, MD-PEM

Christine Benton, MD-RD

Susan Ann Crockett, MD-OBG

Emily K. Fridlington, MD-DRM

Josefine Heim-Hall, MD-PAN

Jennifer L. Bergeron, MD-OL

Rachel Cuenca, MD-OP

Danielle Fritze, MD-STR

Kristin S. Held, MD-OPH

Ruth E. Berggren, MD-ID

Denise Dahm, MD-IM

Constance L. Fry, MD, ASOPRS-OPH

Megan Hembree, DDS-ORT

Ratna Bhavaraju-Sanka, MD-SN

Seema A. Dar, MD, FACG-GE

Marilyn Galindo, MD-HOS

Rebecca Hernandez, MD-PH

Christina Bird, DO, FACEP-EM

Rachel A. Darling, MD-RD

Shannon Gallagher, MD-OBG

Carlota Hernandez, MD-IM

Cynthia L. Blanco, MD-NPM

Rochelle David, MD-OBG

Margaret Gallagher, MD-SPL

Christine Higgins, MD-FM

Melissa Blasko, MD-AN

Marjorie P. David, MD-PAC

Joana Gutierrez Ganeshappa, DDS-GD

Yolanda Whittaker Hilliard, MD, PA-OBG

Shalini Boggarapu, MD-P

Angelica Davila, MD-FM, FGM

Annabelle L. Garcia, MD-DRM

Kathryn S. Holloway, MD-OBG

Apurva Bonde, MD-RA

Lisa Davis, MD-IM

Heather Gardner, DO-P, PH

Jean E. Holt, MD-OPH

Amy Bortzfield, MD-GE

Holly Day, MD-HOS

Christine De La Garza, MD-OBG

Sarah Holy, MD-OPH

Elizabeth Bowhay-Carnes, MD-HMO

Brittany B. De Berry, MD-SG, SON

Elizabeth De La Garza, MD -OBG

Sarah Horn, MD-SN

Angela Boyd, MD-MFM

Alejandra Garcia de Mitchell, MD-SPL

Liz Atkinson Garza, MD-DRM

Hopethe Hubbard, MD-GE

Tina Boylston, MD-P

Korina DeLeon, MD-P

Christine L. Gear, MD-NPH

Cristina Wallace Huff, MD-OBG

Reshma Brahmbhatt, MD-SV

Heather Deloney, MD-NPM

Shannon Geddes-Stowe, MD-IM

Dawn S. Hui, MD-SG

Alaina Brelin, MD-SO

Chantal O. Barland DeVillena, MD-DRM

Rosemaria Gennuso, MD-SPN

Rebecca Huston, MD-P

Robin Brey, MD-SN

Anu Dham, MD-HMO

Dinah George, MD-HOS, IM, FM

Haley Hutting, MD-PA

Heather Briggs, MD-HOS

Karen Diaz, MD-GY

Andrea R. Gilbert, MD-PAC

Yetunde Ibrahim, MD-RE

DRM, PD

Continued on page 18 © 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

16

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com



INDEX OF NOMINEES Kayla Ireland, MD-OBG

Eva Lopez, MD-IM

Zohra Nooruddin, MD-HMO

Glorian Roman-Ashby, MD-IMG

Amanda Ivy, MD-SO

Jeanne Lovett, MD-P

Susan P. Novak, MD-OBG

Rebecca S. Romero, MD-N, SN

Linda Ivy, MD-FM

Jamie L. Lynch, MD-SSM

Julin Nuelle, MD-SOH

Kara Lin Root, DO-P

Carlayne Jackson, MD-SN

Yasmin Lyons, MD-GYO

S. Lilliana Oaks, MD-FGM

Marcy Rosen, MD-OBG

Vadean L. Jackson, MD-FM

Lisa Maani, MD-RO

Lyssa N. Ochoa, MD-SV

Laura Rosenkranz, MD-GE

Jennifer Jacobs, MD-OBG

Elizabeth Magnabosco, MD-POR

Karen Olarte, MD-IM

Rise Ross, MD-RD

Leah Jacobson, MD-P

Deanna Maida, MD-PHO

Aimee Oliver, DO-FM

Lisa Rouse, DDS-CMD, GD

M. Stephanie Jardeleza, MD-OPH

Angela Malarcher, MD-IM

Jadesola Omoyeni, MD-GE

Teresa Ruiz, MD-P

Heta Javeri, MD-ID

Elaine Maldonado, MD-PCA

M. M. Ontiveros, MD, FACC-CD

Josephine H. Ruiz-Healy, MD-P

Corinne Nicole Jeppson, DO-ONG

Nandini Mandlik, MD-P

Mobolaji M Opeola, MD-DRM

Jennifer Rushton, MD-PAC

Elena Jimenez-Gutierrez, MD-HOS

Erin Mankus, MD-OBG

Jane E. O’Rorke, MD-HOS

Jessica F. Rutstein, DPM-OFA

Lillian M. Jones, MD-OBG

Margaret Mann-Zeballos, MD-FM

Sandra Osswald, MD-DRM

Casey Sabbag, MD-SOH

Yekaterina Jordan, MD-ONS

Crystal Manohar, MD-ACC

Nonyerem N. Osuji, MD-FM

Vajeeha Sadi-Ali, MD-HOS

Avril Jules, MD-FM

Amanda Marshall-Rodriguez, MD-OR

Pamela Marie Otto, MD, FACR-RD

Angie Sage, DDS-PDN

Youngsin Jung, MD, PhD-N, SLP, SN

Lisa Marten, MD, MPH-OPH

Nancy R. Otto, MD-SH

Rubina Sajwani, MD-HOS

Deborah Kahn, MD-IMG

Amy Martin, MD-EM

Sarah Page-Ramsey, MD-OBG

Amna Ali Salhin, MD-EDM

Virginia Kaklamani, MD-ONC

Deandra Martin, MD-NPH

Jennifer Papac, MD-ADM

Umber Salman, MD-RD

Monika Kapur, MD-FM

Emily T. Marx, MD-RH

Alicia Parker, MD-SN

Claudia Santos, MD-HOS, IM

Lauren E. Karbach, MD-SOH

Alexandra Matthews, DO-FSM

Amita Patnaik, MD-ONC

Tiffany Satterfield, DO-OBG

Rashmi Katre, MD-RD

Linda Seitan May, MD-FM

Jan Evans Patterson, MD-ID

Ana T. Sauceda, MD-DRM

Holly Kaufman, MD-FM

Georgia McCann, MD-GYO

Jeanne Patzkowski, MD-SSM

Jacqueline M. Scala, MD-HOS

Judianne Kellaway, MD, FACS, Med-OPH

Whitney McCarthy, MD-PAC

Susannah Payne, DDS-CMD, GD

Michelle Carol Scanlan, MD-IM

Margaret Kelley, MD-OBG

Tamre McClelland, MD-FM

Rachel Pearson, MD-P, PH

Martha Schatz, MD-OPH , POP

Erin L. Kelly, MD, MPS-HOS

Brandy L. McCray, MD-P

Misha Peter, MD-ICC

Rebecca Schaub, MD-PE

Rebecca Kelso, MD-DRM

Christina McCune, MD-RP

Jean Ann Petershack, MD-NPM

Elizabeth Scherer, MD, MPH-SCC

Holly Keyt, MD-PLD

Claire McKay, DO-R

Maria Rodriguez Pierce, MD-NPM

Carrie A. Schmid, MD-GC

Aayesha Khan, MD-OL

Donna McMyler, MD-GE

Sarah Pierrie, MD-SO

Gillian Schmitz, MD-EM

Sajneet K. Khangura, MD-GE

Shelly McNair, MD-PP, P

Ruth Serrano Pinilla, MD-ID

Anna Schules, MD-FM

Susan Marenda King, MD-OTN

Joan T. Meaney, MD-UR

Marianne J. Pinkston, MD-FM

Ora l. Schwope, MD-OBG

Phoebe King, MD-PLC

Melissa Medley, MD-IM

Kristen Plastino, MD-OBG

Jennifer Seger, MD-BM

Elizabeth A. King, MD-OBG

Darlene Metter, MD, FACR-RD

Maria Ponse-Wheelis, DO-FM

Sabrina Seib, MD-IM

Marsha C. Kinney, MD-PHM

Renee Mikulec, DDS, MS-PDN

Mary Porisch, MD-CA

Mae Sepulveda, MD-IM

Anneliese Kistler, MD-OBG

Patty Miller, MD-DRP

Anne Porter, MD-OBG

Sara Serji, DO-HOS

Mio Kitano, MD-SON

Yvonne Miranda, MD-P

Robyn Poteet, MD-HOS

Sudha Seshadri, MD-N, SN

Annie Quaratulain Kizilbash, MD-ID

Priti Mody-Bailey, MD-FM

Becky Powers, MD-IM

Kristin Brozena Shah, MD, FACOG-OBG

Romana Kleinguenther, MD-SN

Sowjanya Mohan, MD-HOS

Shannon R. Prevette, MD-FM

Amita Shah, MD-SPL

Kanapa Kornsawad, MD-HOS

Blanca Molina, MD-NPM

Amy Quinn, MD-NPM

Elizabeth Shearer, MD-EM

Kristy Kosub, MD-IM

Maria Montanez-Villacampa, MD-FM

Katherine Raczek, MD-EM

Kelsey Sherburne, MD-P, PH

Amita Kumar, MD-IM

Lenibet M. Montemayor, MD-IM

Ambili Ramachandran, MD-IM

Courtney Shockley, MD-EM

Khim Kirsten Lam, MD-OBG

Kelly Morales, MD-OBG

Belinda Ramirez, MD-GE

Saima Siddigui, MD-FM

Kristen Lancaster, MD-PAC

Claudia Cala Morales, MD-FM

Jayasree Rao, MD-ONC

Saima Siddiqui, MD-FM

Amy S. Lang, MD-ONC

Michelle Moreno, DDS-GD

Susan Raquet, DDS-GD

Zarema Singson, MD-GE

Veronica Lao, MD-AN

Luz A. Moreno, MD-NPH

Deborah Rasch, MD-AN, PA

Courtney Smith, MD-P

Marissa N. Largoza, MD-OBG

Lola Morgan, MD-SN

Tharani Ravi, MD-FM

Carolina Solis-Herrera, MD-EDM

Minh-Phuong T. Le, MD-HOS

Catherine Morris, MD-HOS

Pamela Ray, DDS-PER

Jessica Solis-McCarthy, MD-EM

Linda Leary, MD-NC

Cordelia Moscrip, MD-FM

Maria Rayas, MD-PE

Iveth Soza, DO-FM

Monica I. Lee, MD-EM, IM

Deborah L. Mueller, MD-SCC

Nancy Rector-Finney, MD-OBG

Sarah Stafford, MD-P

Nancy Lee, MD-EDM

Amy Mumbower, MD-R

Ashvini Reddy, MD-OPH

Allison J. Stocker, MD-DRM

Jane LeSaint, MD-HOS, IM

Erika Maria Sehne Munch, MD-OBG

Amanda Reeck, MD-HOS

Jennefer Sutton, MD-FM

Stephanie Levine, MD-PLD

Maria Victoria Rodriguez Munoz, MD-P

Erin Reese, MD-IM

Mandie Svatek, MD-P, PH

Deborah Levine, MD-PLD

Suneeta Thakore Naik, MD-FM, IM

Stephanie Reeves, DO-P, PH

Melissa Svoboda, MD-NC

Lillian Liao, MD-SCC

Sandhya Vinu Nair, MD-RD

Dana Reiss, MD-SB

Chandan Takkar, MD-NPH

Maureen R. Libby, DMD-PRO

Nagalakshmi Nallapaneni, MD-HOS, IM

Norma Reyes, DDS-PDN

Lauren E. Tarbox, MD-NPH

Rachel L. Limmer, MD-DRM

Damalie Namponye, MD-EM, PEM

Ana Reyes-Retana, DDS-GD

Denise Lablanche Tarver, DO-IM

Laura Lindner, MD-P

Jennifer Nanyes, MD-RD

Marcella Riojas, MD-FM

Barbara S. Taylor, MD-ID

Alicia Logue, MD-SCR

Alia Nazarullah, MD-PAC

Monica Riojas, MD-P

Christine B. Taylor, MD-OL

Nicole Loo, MD-GE

Erin Nelson, MD-OBG

Rebecca Rizo, DO-P

Whitney Taylor, DO-P

Jessica Lopez, MD-EM

Lilian Nguyen, MD-OPH

Gladys I. Rodriguez, MD-ONC

Patricia A. Tenner, MD-PCC

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

18

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Claudia Aguero, M.D. President & CEO Kristi Clark, M.D. Internal Medicine

BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS

WEIGHT LOSS

COMPREHENSIVE CARE

BIOTE

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

SATURDAY ROUTINE CARE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

17 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

Family Medicine

Blanca Gray, M.D.

Internal Medicine

Ana Maria Calderon, M.D.

Andrine Grant, M.D.

April Hain Treviño, M.D.

Amita Kumar, M.D.

Internal Medicine

Family Medicine

Family Medicine

Cynthia Gneco W., M.D. Internal Medicine

Eva Lopez, M.D.

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

HealthTexas.org

Women in Medicine

We are honored to care for our patients and appreciate working for an organization that provides equal employment and growth for all women.

Angela Malarcher, M.D. Internal Medicine

Claudia Y. Santos, M.D. Internal Medicine

Tamre McClelland, M.D. Lenibet Montemayor, M.D. Nagalakshmi Nallapaneni, M.D. Family Medicine

Iveth Soza, D.O.

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Kelly Thurmon, D.O. Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Stella Yu, M.D.

Internal Medicine

Kimberly Terry, MD-SN Patricia Jo Terry, MD-UR Nishi Thakur, MD-IM Arti A. Thangudu, MD-EDM Joycelyn M. Theard, MD-GE Linda Thomas, MD-RP Kelly Thurmon, DO-IM, HOS Ruchi Tiwari, MD-RA Dina Tom, MD-P, PH Sadie Trammell-Velasquez, MD-HOS Alyssa Tran, DO-FM Hanh Trinh, MD-FGM Chandana Tripathy, MD-IM Jill B. Uecker, MD-PAC Johanna Urena, MD-NPH Nancy Vacca, MD-FM Thanh T. Van, MD-RD Rachel Vandermeer, MD-PLM Margarita Vasquez, MD-NPM Isela Vasquez, MD-SG Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD-PMR Jill Villaythong, MD-IM Lauren Lee Villegas, MD-HOS Krista Vizuete, MD-P Katie Vo, DDS-ORT Emily Volk, MD, FCAP-PAC Holly Volz, MD-DRM Penny Vroman, MD-RD

Angela Vrooman, MD-PMR

Kathryn Welch, MD-EDM

Alison Wiseman, MD-HOS

Megan Walker, MD-FGM

Wendy Whitford, DO-RD

Lilia Potapczuk Wojcik, MD-PAC

Jamie Walker, MD-PCL

Kara Whittington, DDS-PDN

Denise A. Woody-Gross, MD-GY

Elizabeth Walter, MD-ID

Marcy Wiemers, MD-FM

Rachel Y. Xu, MD-PMN

Emily Wang, MD-HOS

Cynthia Gneco Wilamo, MD-IMG

Stella Yu, MD-IM

Mariam Washington, DO-PMR

Judith J. Wilber, MD-HOS

Joyce Yuen, DO-FM

Patricia I. Wathen, MD-IM

Sharon T. Wilks, MD, FACP-HMO

Melody Zamora, DDS-GD

Mary E. Wearden, MD-NPM

Katherine Willborn, MD-HOS

Sylvia Zubyk, MD-RO

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

19


1ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Medicine Addiction Medicine Jennifer Papac, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Chantal O. Barland DeVillena, MD

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

Lindsey Finklea, MD

Kathleen E. Hands, MD, FACE, ECNU

Dermatology Associates of San Antonio

Anesthesiology

Rainey & Finklea Dermatology

Stacey Allen, MD

Emily K. Fridlington, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Melissa Blasko, MD STAR Anesthesia PA

Lee Anne Carlisle, MD UT Health San Antonio

Christine Liu Fleming, MD Tejas Anesthesia, PA

Alamo Heights Dermatology Dermatology

Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine Crystal Manohar, MD UT Health San Antonio

Bariatric Medicine Jennifer Seger, MD BMI of Texas

Cardiology Mary Porisch, MD

Rebecca Kelso, MD

Carolina Solis-Herrera, MD

Medicine Associates Naco Perrin Clinic

Dermatology Associates of San Antonio

Rachel L. Limmer, MD Mobolaji M Opeola, MD Westover Hills Dermatology Sandra Osswald, MD UT Health San Antonio

Holly Volz, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Dermopathology Patty Miller, MD

Diane Greiner, MD

Heart Clinic of San Antonio

Cardiovascular Disease Ildiko Agoston, MD UT Health San Antonio

M. M. Ontiveros, MD, FACC

Tennessee Bailey, MD St. Lukes Baptist Hospital

Christina Bird, DO, FACEP UT Health San Antonio

Marissa Cantu, MD UT Health San Antonio

Leanna Dolson, MD UT Health San Antonio

Julie Gorchynski, MD UT Health San Antonio

RiverCity CardioVascular

Cristina Grijalva, MD

Chiropractic

Katherine Harrison, MD

Brooke Green, MD Airrosti

UT Health San Antonio

Monica I. Lee, MD

Cosmetic Dentistry

Jessica Lopez, MD

Minda Gray, DDS Olmos Park

Susannah Payne, DDS Payne Dentistry

Lisa Rouse, DDS

Rouse Signature Dentistry

Dermatology Linda Banta, MD

Stone Oak Dermatology

Emily M. Becker, MD, F.A.A.D., F.A.A.P UT Health San Antonio

Elizabeth Chase, MD

UT Health San Antonio, Director Mohs Surgery

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Amy Martin, MD UT Health San Antonio

Damalie Namponye, MD UT Health San Antonio

Katherine Raczek, MD

Monika Kapur, MD University Holly Kaufman, MD

University Medicine Associates - University Family Health Center - Southeast

Kathryn Welch, MD

Margaret Mann-Zeballos, MD Alamo Heights Direct Primary Care

Complete Medicine

Diabetes & Metabolism Specialists

Aspire Fertility San Antonio

Skin by Design Dermatology & Laser Center, PA

Avril Jules, MD

Arti A. Thangudu, MD

Allison J. Stocker, MD

Alamo City Dermatology

Emergency Medicine

UT Health San Antonio

UT Physicians- Medical Arts and Research Center

Ana T. Sauceda, MD

Cardiology, Interventional

Katherine S. Dodd, MD

Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic, PA

Endocrinology, Reproductive

Aurora Diagnostics South Texas Dermatopathology

UT Health San Antonio

WellMed Medical Group

Liz Atkinson Garza, MD

Pediatric Cardiology Associates

Ildiko Agoston, MD

Vadean L. Jackson, MD University Medicine Associates - University Family Health Center - North

Veronica Lao, MD Tejas Anesthesia, PA

San Antonio Medical Associates

Amna Ali Salhin, MD

Sonterra Dermatology

Limmer Dermatology

Deborah Rasch, MD

Linda Ivy, MD

Annabelle L. Garcia, MD

Alamo Heights Dermatology, PLLC

UT Health San Antonio

Nancy Lee, MD

Christus Santa Rosa Family Health Center

Endocrinology -Nuclear Medicine Associates,PA

Belinda Flores, MD Tejas Anesthesia

Thyroid & Endocrine Center of South Texas

Christine Higgins, MD

Aimee Browne, MD

Linda Seitan May, MD WellMed Medical Bridges and Palliative Care Program

Tamre McClelland, MD Health Texas Medical Group

Priti Mody-Bailey, MD

Endodontics

University Medicine Associates - University Family Health Center - North

Parvin Dinyarian, DDS, DMD

Maria Montanez-Villacampa, MD

San Antonio Root Canal Specialists

Giselle Eitter, MD

Vaughn Endodonics

Family Medicine Yasmeen Agha, MD

Dominion Family Healthcare

Claudia Aguero, MD Health Texas Medical Group

Leticia Aguilar, MD

University Medicine Associates Robert B. Green Pavilion ExpressMed

Fozia A. Ali, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Marissa Charles, DO WellMed at Ingram

Tatiana Cordova, MD UT Health San Antonio

Angelica Davila, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Claudia Cala Morales, MD WellMed Medical Management

Cordelia Moscrip, MD UT Health San Antonio

Suneeta Thakore Naik, MD

Universal City Minor Emergency Center

Aimee Oliver, DO

Vital Life Wellness Center

Nonyerem N. Osuji, MD Centro Med

Marianne J. Pinkston, MD

Pinkston Medical and Wellness Clinic

Maria Ponse-Wheelis, DO WellMed at Crockett Park

Shannon R. Prevette, MD Conviva Care Centers

Tharani Ravi, MD UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Marcella Riojas, MD South Alamo Medical Group

Health by Design

Anna Schules, MD

Tamara J. Dominguez, MD Nida J. Emko, MD UT Health San Antonio

Daisy Estrada, MD BHS Physicians Network

Sandra Fernandez, MD WellMed at Pecan Valley

Dinah George, MD

Partners in Preventive Health

Saima Siddigui, MD UT Health San Antonio

Saima Siddiqui, MD UT Health San Antonio

Iveth Soza, DO

Health Texas Medical Group

UT Health San Antonio

University Medicine Associates - Dominion Crossing

Jennefer Sutton, MD

Gillian Schmitz, MD

Bernice Gonzalez, MD

Alyssa Tran, DO

Elizabeth Shearer, MD

Annika Gonzalez, MD

Nancy Vacca, MD

Courtney Shockley, MD

Andrine Grant, MD

Marcy Wiemers, MD

Jessica Solis-McCarthy, MD

April D. Hain Trevino, MD

Joyce Yuen, DO

San Antonio Military Med Center University Health System UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Vital Life Wellness Center Christus Santa Rosa

Health Texas Medical Group Health Texas Medical Group

Lone Star Primary Care and Aesthetics WellMed at Northern Hills Gonzaba Medical Group UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

*The names in red are advertisers © 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

20

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Family Practice, Geriatric Medicine

Genetics, Clinical

Angelica Davila, MD

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Veronica Escobar, MD Wellmed Medical Management

Carrie A. Schmid, MD

Gynecological Oncology

Amanda Reeck, MD

Megan Walker, MD

Gynecology

Audie L Murphy Memorial VA Hospital

Orthopaedic Performance Institute

Gastroenterology Amy Bortzfield, MD VA Gastroenterology

Seema A. Dar, MD, FACG Stone Oak Gastroenterology

Hopethe Hubbard, MD UT Health San Antonio

Sajneet K. Khangura, MD Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio

Nicole Loo, MD

University Health System

Donna McMyler, MD

Karen Diaz, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Denise A. Woody-Gross, MD

Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital

Hematology/Oncology Elizabeth Bowhay-Carnes, MD UT Health San Antonio

Amanda D. Bucheit, MD

The START Center for Cancer Care

Anu Dham, MD Texas Oncology

Maria Falcon-Cantrill, MD Methodist Physicians Pedi Specialists of Texas

Zohra Nooruddin, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Zarema Singson, MD Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio

Joycelyn M. Theard, MD Theda Oaks Endoscopy Center

General Dentistry Shazmeena Bangash, DDS Private Practice

Joan Dreher, DDS Inwood Family Dental

Joan Dreher, DDS Inwood Family Dental

Elizabeth Farrimond, DDS San Antonio Dental

Joana Gutierrez Ganeshappa, DDS JGG Dental

Michelle Moreno, DDS Alamo Springs Dental

Susannah Payne, DDS Payne Dentistry

Susan Raquet, DDS Oakwell Dental Care

Ana Reyes-Retana, DDS Deerfield Dental

Lisa Rouse, DDS

Rouse Signature Dentistry

Melody Zamora, DDS Zam Dental

Vajeeha Sadi-Ali, MD UT Health San Antonio

Rubina Sajwani, MD UT Health San Antonio

Claudia Santos, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

Jacqueline M. Scala, MD UT Health San Antonio

Sara Serji, DO

UT Health San Antonio

Kelly Thurmon, DO

Health Texas Medical Group

Sadie TrammellVelasquez, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Emily Wang, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Laura Rosenkranz, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Sharon T. Wilks, MD, FACP Texas Oncology

Jadesola Omoyeni, MD

San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates, PA

UT Health Physicians University Health System

Lauren Lee Villegas, MD

Hospitalist

Belinda Ramirez, MD

UT Health San Antonio

VA Medical Center

Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio

Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio Gastroenterology

Health Texas Medical Group

Robyn Poteet, MD

Hanh Trinh, MD

Alexandra Matthews, DO

Lindsay Cortez, MD

Georgia McCann, MD

UT Health San Antonio - Cancer Center

Family Practice, Sports Medicine

Nagalakshmi Nallapaneni, MD

Jane E. O’Rorke, MD

S. Lilliana Oaks, MD

Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital

Michelle Conde, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Yasmin Lyons, MD UT Health San Antonio

WellMed Medical Management

Catherine Morris, MD

Aisha Abdeirahman, MD Christine Andre, MD UT Health San Antonio

Heather Briggs, MD UT Health San Antonio

Larisa Buck, DO

UT Health San Antonio

Meridyth Buschardt, MD UT Health San Antonio

Holly Day, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Jenna Fraser, MD UT Health San Antonio

Megan Freeman, MD UT Health San Antonio

Marilyn Galindo, MD

UT Health Physicians - University Health System

Dinah George, MD

University Medicine Associates Dominion Crossing

Sheena Grant, MD

UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Arizaca Dileo, DO Gonzaba Medical Group

Esther Urbaez Duran, MD Gonzaba Medical Group

Maya El Kour, MD UT Health San Antonio

Barbara Forseth, MD

Northeast Internal Medicine Associates

Erica Franco, MD UT Health San Antonio

Shannon Geddes-Stowe, MD Wellmed Healthcare

Dinah George, MD

University Medicine Associates Dominion Crossing

Julie Gilbreath, MD WellMed at Division

Kristen Glass, MD

South Texas Veteran’s Administration

Dina Goytia-Leos, MD

San Antonio Medical Associates

Dina Goytia-Leos, MD

Carlota Hernandez, MD

Blanca Gray, MD

Carlota Hernandez, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Kristy Kosub, MD

Infectious Diseases

Amita Kumar, MD

Waridibo Allison, MD, PhD San Antonio AIDS FoundationUT Health San Antonio

Ruth E. Berggren, MD UT Health San Antonio

Gabriela E. Brzankalski, MD WellMed Hospitalist

Delia Bullock, MD UT Health San Antonio

Heta Javeri, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Annie Quaratulain Kizilbash, MD Texas Department of State Health Diseases

Jan Evans Patterson, MD UT Health San Antonio

Elizabeth Walter, MD

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Internal Medicine

Kanapa Kornsawad, MD

Ana Maria Calderon, MD

Minh-Phuong T. Le, MD

Cynthia Cantu, DO

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Jane LeSaint, MD

Amber Clapper, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

Inpatient Progressive Health Of America

UT Health San Antonio

Sowjanya Mohan, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

Sound Inpatient Physicians-Baptist Medical

Lisa A. Davis, M.D.

Alison Wiseman, MD

Elena Jimenez-Gutierrez, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Lisa Davis, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

UT Health San Antonio

Barbara S. Taylor, MD

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Katherine Willborn, MD

Anjali Gupta, MD

Erin L. Kelly, MD, MPS

Denise Dahm, MD

San Antonio Medical Associates

UT Health San Antonio

Ruth Serrano Pinilla, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Health Texas Medical Group

Judith J. Wilber, MD

UT Health Physicians University Health System UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Kristi Clark, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Health Texas Medical Group

Monica I. Lee, MD UT Health San Antonio

Jane LeSaint, MD

Inpatient Progressive Health Of America

Eva Lopez, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

Angela Malarcher, MD Health Texas Medical Group

Melissa Medley, MD

San Antonio Medical Associates

Lenibet M. Montemayor, MD Health Texas Medical Group

Suneeta Thakore Naik, MD

Universal City Minor Emergency Center

Nagalakshmi Nallapaneni, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

Karen Olarte, MD Gonzaba Medical Group

Becky Powers, MD

Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital

Ambili Ramachandran, MD UT Health San Antonio

Erin Reese, MD Erin Reese, MD

Claudia Santos, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

Michelle Carol Scanlan, MD Pasteur Medical Associates

Continued on next page © 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

21


1ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Medicine Sabrina Seib, MD

Partners in Preventive Health

Mae Sepulveda, MD

Mary E. Wearden, MD Pediatrix Medical Group

Susan Ann Crockett, MD Virtuosa GYN

Rochelle David, MD

Gonzaba Medical Group

Nephrology

Denise Lablanche Tarver, DO

Carolina Arias, MD

Elizabeth Casino Evans, MD

Nishi Thakur, MD

Shweta Bansal, MD

Shannon Gallagher, MD

Kelly Thurmon, DO

Ashley Garcia Everett, MD

Christine De La Garza, MD

Gonzaba Medical Group

Shivam Medical Group, PA Health Texas Medical Group

Chandana Tripathy, MD UT Health San Antonio

Jill Villaythong, MD

San Antonio Medical Associates

Patricia I. Wathen, MD UT Health San Antonio

Stella Yu, MD

South Texas Renal Care Group UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Iliana Fred-Miranda, MD Renal Associates, PA

Christine L. Gear, MD South Texas Renal Care Group

Deandra Martin, MD

VA Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital

Health Texas Medical Group

Luz A. Moreno, MD

Internal Medicine, Critical Care

Chandan Takkar, MD

Misha Peter, MD Texas IPS, PLLC

Renal Associates, PA

VA Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital

Lauren E. Tarbox, MD

South Texas Renal Care Group

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Seven Oaks Women’s Center Seven Oaks Women’s Center

Elizabeth De La Garza, MD Seven Oaks Women’s Center

Christina Gutierrez, MD Central Women’s Health Care

Michelle Harden, MD Stone Oak Women’s Center

Karen Hasty, MD

Kristin Brozena Shah, MD, FACOG Women Partners In OB/GYN

Oncology Melissa Crawley, MD Texas Oncology

Lisa Fichtel, MD

The START Center for Cancer Care

Virginia Kaklamani, MD UT Health San Antonio

Amy S. Lang, MD

The START Center for Cancer Care

Amita Patnaik, MD

The START Center For Cancer Care

Jayasree Rao, MD

Oncology San Antonio

Four Seasons OB/GYN

Gladys I. Rodriguez, MD

Yolanda Whittaker Hilliard, MD, PA

Oncology, Gynecological

Dr Yolanda Whittaker Hilliard MD PA

Kathryn S. Holloway, MD Women’s Health Texas

The START Center for Cancer Care

Corinne Nicole Jeppson, DO Texas Oncology

Cristina Wallace Huff, MD

Ophthalmology

Kayla Ireland, MD

Eye Associates of South Texas

Sara E. Espinoza, MD

Nancy Burt, MD

Jennifer Jacobs, MD

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Ear Institute of Texas

Elizabeth J. Glazier, MD WellMed Medical Management

Youngsin Jung, MD, PhD

Lillian M. Jones, MD

Eye Associates of South Texas

UT Health San Antonio

Deborah Kahn, MD

Rebecca S. Romero, MD

Margaret Kelley, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Glorian Roman-Ashby, MD

Sudha Seshadri, MD

Elizabeth A. King, MD

Internal Medicine, Geriatrics Maria Cantu-Cooper, MD UT Health San Antonio

WellMed Medical Management Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital

Cynthia Gneco Wilamo, MD Health Texas Medical Group

Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Johanna Urena, MD Renal Associates

Neurology

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Lone Star OB/GYN Associates Lillian M. Jones, MD Southeast OB/GYN

UT Health San Antonio

Northeast OB/GYN Associates, PLLC

Neurology, Child

Seven Oaks Women’s Center

Samiya Ahmad, MD The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

Erin Mankus, MD

Retinal Consultants of San Antonio

Kelly Morales, MD

San Antonio Eye Center

Melissa Svoboda, MD

Kelly Morales, MD

Cynthia L. Blanco, MD UT Health San Antonio

Heather Deloney, MD

Pediatrix Medical Group (MEDNAX)

Leslie-Anne Dietrich, MD UT Health San Antonio

Alice Gong, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Blanca Molina, MD Pediatrix Medical Group

Jean Ann Petershack, MD UT Health San Antonio

Maria Rodriguez Pierce, MD Pediatrix Medical Group

Amy Quinn, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Margarita Vasquez, MD UT Health San Antonio

*The names in red are advertisers

Neuroradiology Celene Hadley, MD

M&S Radiology Associates

Obstetrics & Gynecology Joy T. Aden, MD

Northeast OB/GYN Associates, PLLC

Alexandriah Alas, MD UT Health San Antonio

Wendy Askew, MD Women’s Health Texas

Anna Beceiro, MD

Lone Star OB/GYN Associates

Patricia Brougher, MD Bluebonnet OB/GYN

Aimee Browne, MD

Aspire Fertility San Antonio

Michelle Cerny-Leecock, MD Lone Star OB/GYN Associates

Sunali Goyal, MD

Sonterra Ophthalmology

Deborah Conway, MD

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

Rashid, Rice, Flynn & Reilly Eye Associates

Marissa N. Largoza, MD UT Health San Antonio

NeonatalPerinatal Medicine

Melanie P. Gonzalez-Oliva, OD

Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center

UT Health San Antonio

Linda Leary, MD UT Health Physicians

Constance L. Fry, MD, ASOPRS

Khim Kirsten Lam, MD

Kelly Averill, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Christina Bui, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Angela Boyd, MD UT Health San Antonio

Lucy Bailey, MD, MPH

Anneliese Kistler, MD

Private Practice

UT Health San Antonio

Sharron K. Acosta, MD, FACS

Kristin S. Held, MD Jean E. Holt, MD Sarah Holy, MD

M. Stephanie Jardeleza, MD

Erika Maria Sehne Munch, MD

Judianne Kellaway, MD, FACS, Med

Erin Nelson, MD

Lisa Marten, MD, MPH

Susan P. Novak, MD

Lilian Nguyen, MD

Sarah Page-Ramsey, MD

Ashvini Reddy, MD

Kristen Plastino, MD

Martha Schatz, MD

Anne Porter, MD

Orthodontics

Texas Fertility Center

UT Health San Antonio Women Partners in OB/GYN UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Nancy Rector-Finney, MD Four Seasons OB/GYN

Marcy Rosen, MD

Northeast OB/GYN Associates, PLLC

Tiffany Satterfield, DO Seven Oaks Women’s Center

Ora l. Schwope, MD

Lone Star OB/GYN Associates

UT Health San Antonio

South Texas Eye Institute UT Health Physicians Athena Eye Institute

UT Health San Antonio

Maria Antique, DDS Atique Orthodontics

Megan Hembree, DDS Ferris Orthodontics

Katie Vo, DDS

Texas Family Orthodontics

Orthopaedic, Pediatric Rachel Cuenca, MD

San Antonio Military Med Center

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

22

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Rebecca Rizo, DO

Orthopaedics

Pathology, Hematology

Pediatric Ophthalmology

Amanda Marshall-Rodriguez, MD

Marsha C. Kinney, MD

Martha Schatz, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Kara Lin Root, DO

Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle

Pediatric Anesthesiology

Teresa Ruiz, MD

Uma Erard, DO

Tejas Anesthesia, PA

Pediatric Orthopaedics

South Texas Spine and Surgical

San Antonio Military Med Center

Jessica F. Rutstein, DPM

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

Otolaryngology Jennifer L. Bergeron, MD Ear Institute of Texas

Aayesha Khan, MD

San Antonio Voice and ENT Institute

Christine B. Taylor, MD UT Health San Antonio

Otology/Neurotology Susan Marenda King, MD Ear Medical Group

Pain Management

UT Health San Antonio

Haley Hutting, MD Deborah Rasch, MD Tejas Anesthesia, PA

Pediatric Cardiology Ginnie Abarbanell, MD UT Health San Antonio

Ashley Cooley, MD UT Health San Antonio Elaine Maldonado, MD UT Health San Antonio

Elizabeth Magnabosco, MD Pediatric Pulmonology

Kelsey Sherburne, MD

Trang Bui, MD

Courtney Smith, MD

Shelly McNair, MD

Sarah Stafford, MD

Pediatrics

Mandie Svatek, MD

UT Health San Antonio Southwest Children’s Center

Michelle Habash, MD

Michelle Arandes, MD

Children’s Hospital Intensive Care Assoc

Prabhdeep K. Grewal, MD

Pediatric Dentistry

Rachel Y. Xu, MD

Kids Dental

University Health System UT Health San Antonio

Shannon Austin, MD Southwest Children’s Center

Kelly Basaldua, MD

Lisa Ding, DDS

Southwest Children’s Center

Nelly Gonzalez, DDS

A Thru Z Pediatrics, PA

Renee Mikulec, DDS, MS

Southwest Children’s Center

Norma Reyes, DDS

University Medicine Associates Kenwood Clinic

Yanli Ding, MD

Angie Sage, DDS

Rose Cofer, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Alamo Heights Pediatric Dentistry

Josefine Heim-Hall, MD

Kara Whittington, DDS

Lindsay Cortes, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry

University Medicine Associates Kenwood Clinic

Pathology, Anatomical/Clinical

Pediatric Dermatology

Korina DeLeon, MD

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group South Texas Spinal Clinic, P.A.

Palliative Medicine Rachel Vandermeer, MD UT Health San Antonio

Pathology, Anatomic

Dentistry for Little Folks

Dominion Pediatric Dentistry Tejas Pediatric Dentistry

Marjorie P. David, MD

Emily M. Becker, MD, F.A.A.D., F.A.A.P

Andrea R. Gilbert, MD

Lindsey Finklea, MD

UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Sarah Hackman, MD UT Health San Antonio

Kristen Lancaster, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Rainey & Finklea Dermatology

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

South TX Pathology Associates, LLC

Jendi Haug, MD

Whitney McCarthy, MD Clinical Pathology Associates

Marissa Cantu, MD

Alia Nazarullah, MD

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Damalie Namponye, MD

Jennifer Rushton, MD Clinical Pathology Associates

Pediatric Endocrinology

Jill B. Uecker, MD

South TX Pathology Associates, LLC

Emily Volk, MD, FCAP UT Health San Antonio

Lilia Potapczuk Wojcik, MD

Village Oaks Pathology Services/ Precision Pathology

Pathology, Clinical Rachel Louise Beddard, MD South Texas Blood and Tissue Center

Kristin Fiebelkorn, MD UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Maria Rayas, MD UT Health San Antonio

Rebecca Schaub, MD

Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic, PA

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Melissa Frei-Jones, MD UT Health San Antonio

Deanna Maida, MD UT Health San Antonio

Leslie Greebon, MD

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Jamie Walker, MD

Jane Atkins, MD

UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Methodist Children’s Hospital

Tess Barton, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

University Medicine Associates Community Medicine Associates

Josephine H. Ruiz-Healy, MD

Jennifer Aguilar, MD

Patricia A. Tenner, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

Pediatric Critical Care UT Health San Antonio

Lipsitt ohnson, Maxwell & Rizo

Shalini Boggarapu, MD Tina Boylston, MD

Olivia I. Castro, MD

Acorn Pediatrics of San Antonio

Northwest Pediatrics Associates

Dionne A. Franco, MD Northeast Pediatric Associates Heather Gardner, DO

Josephine H. Ruiz-Healy, MD UT Health San Antonio

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Northeast Pediatrics Associates UT Health San Antonio

Whitney Taylor, DO

Northeast Pediatric Associates

Dina Tom, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Krista Vizuete, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

Pediatrics, Hospitalist Michelle Arandes, MD UT Health San Antonio

Heather Gardner, DO UT Health San Antonio

Rebecca Hernandez, MD UT Health San Antonio

Rachel Pearson, MD UT Health San Antonio

Stephanie Reeves, DO UT Health San Antonio

Kelsey Sherburne, MD UT Health San Antonio

Mandie Svatek, MD UT Health San Antonio

Dina Tom, MD

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Periodontics

Andrea Grant-Vermont, MD

Anukampa Dutta, DDS

University Medicine Associates Medical Center Pavilion Express Med

Rebecca Huston, MD

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

AD Periodontics and Implants

Pamela Ray, DDS Oak Hills Periodontics

Leah Jacobson, MD

Through the Years Pediatrics

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Laura Lindner, MD

Aixa Alvarez, MD

Jeanne Lovett, MD

Ashley Calvi, MD

Nandini Mandlik, MD

Jeannie Harden, MD

Brandy L. McCray, MD Through the Years Pediatrics

Monica VerduzcoGutierrez, MD

Northeast Pediatric Associates Priority Pediatrics

UT Health San Antonio

Shelly McNair, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

Yvonne Miranda, MD

Methodist Hospital VA Hospital

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Angela Vrooman, MD

Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital

Pedi Place

Mariam Washington, DO

Maria Victoria Rodriguez Munoz, MD

Prosthodontics

Centro Med

Rachel Pearson, MD UT Health San Antonio

Stephanie Reeves, DO UT Health San Antonio

Monica Riojas, MD Stone Oak Pediatrics

UT Health San Antonio

Marcela Alvarez, DDS, MSD Stone Oak Aesthetics Dentistry Maureen R. Libby, DMD Maureen R. Libby, DMD, PLLC

Continued on next page © 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

23


1ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Medicine Psychiatry Michelle L. Cantu, MD

M&S Radiology Associates

Family Mental Health Care

Umber Salman, MD

Psychiatry, Geriatric

Thanh T. Van, MD

Kelly G. Cowan, MD Kelly G. Cowan, M.D.

Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Nancy R. Otto, MD

Ratna Bhavaraju-Sanka, MD

Wendy Whitford, DO

Robin Brey, MD

Radiology, Pediatric

UT Health San Antonio

Phoebe King, MD

Christina McCune, MD

Deborah Carver, MD

Linda Thomas, MD

Sarah Horn, MD

Pulmonary Diseases Jennifer D. Brody, MD Jennifer D. Brody, MD

Shelia Habib, MD UT Health San Antonio

Holly Keyt, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Stephanie Levine, MD UT Health San Antonio

Deborah Levine, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Radiation Oncology Jui-Lien Chou, MD

Aurora Breast Center of San Antonio

Lisa Maani, MD

Veteran’s Administration

Sylvia Zubyk, MD

The START Center for Cancer Care

Radiology Claire McKay, DO

M&S Radiology Associates

Amy Mumbower, MD UT Health San Antonio

Radiology, Abdominal Apurva Bonde, MD UT Health San Antonio

Sara Yazdani Gonzales, MD M&S Radiology Associates

Ruchi Tiwari, MD UT Health San Antonio

Radiology, Diagnostic

UT Health San Antonio

Radiology, Vascular & Interventional Laura Barnes, MD UT Health San Antonio

Reproductive Endocrinology Yetunde Ibrahim, MD UT Health San Antonio

Rheumatology Hilda Draeger, MD

Youngsin Jung, MD, PhD

UT Health San Antonio

Romana Kleinguenther, MD UT Health San Antonio

San Antonio Vascular & Endovascular Clinic

Lola Morgan, MD

Surgical Oncology

Rebecca S. Romero, MD

Maryam Elmi, MD

Sudha Seshadri, MD

Yekaterina Jordan, MD

Kimberly Terry, MD

Mio Kitano, MD

Surgery, Orthopaedic

Urology

Aurora Breast Cancer Center UT Health San Antonio

Amanda Ivy, MD

Joan T. Meaney, MD

Surgery, Colon & Rectal

Sarah Pierrie, MD

Patricia Jo Terry, MD

Alicia Logue, MD UT Health San Antonio

Surgery, Bariatric Dana Reiss, MD

Surgery, Orthopaedic Hand Lauren E. Karbach, MD

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

Surgery, Critical Care

Casey Sabbag, MD

UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

San Antonino Military Med Center San Antonio Military Med Center

Surgery, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Jeanne Patzkowski, MD

San Antonio Military Med Center

Jamie L. Lynch, MD Tru Ortho

Surgery, Plastic

Sandhya Vinu Nair, MD

Dawn S. Hui, MD

Constance Barone, MD, FACS

Jennifer Nanyes, MD

Isela Vasquez, MD

UT Health San Antonio

The START Center for Cancer Care UT Health San Antonio

UT Health Physicians - Cancer Center South Texas Surgical Group

Urology San Antonio, PA

San Antonio Military Med Center

Julin Nuelle, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Urology With Dignity, PA

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

New Dimensions Weight Loss Surgery

Lillian Liao, MD

Urology San Antonio, PA

San Antonio Military Med Center

Molly Hartmann, MD

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Mays Cancer Center - UT Health San Antonio

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

Darlene Metter, MD, FACR

*The names in red are advertisers

The START Center for Cancer Care

UT Health San Antonio

Brittany B. De Berry, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Brittany B. De Berry, MD

Alicia Parker, MD

Rashmi Katre, MD

Pamela Marie Otto, MD, FACR

Lyssa N. Ochoa, MD

UT Health Physicians

Andrea J. Carpenter, MD, PhD

M&S Radiology Associates

Reshma Brahmbhatt, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Nella Carol Dornbluth, MD

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Surgery, Vascular

Surgery, General

UT Health San Antonio

Danielle Fritze, MD

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Surgery, Transplant

UT Health San Antonio

Youngsin Jung, MD, PhD

Elizabeth Scherer, MD, MPH

UT Health San Antonio

Hill Country Plastic Surgery, PLLC

Patricia J. Cecconi, MD

Margo Cervantes, MD Rachel A. Darling, MD

Amita Shah, MD

Alaina Brelin, MD

Sleep Medicine

Deborah L. Mueller, MD

M&S Radiology Associates

Center For Cosmetic Surgery

Carlayne Jackson, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Christine Benton, MD UT Health San Antonio

Elizabeth S. Harris, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Maya El Kour, MD Rheumatology Associates of South Texas

San Antonio Pediatric Surgery Assoc

UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Emily T. Marx, MD

Margaret Gallagher, MD

Diep (Daisy) Bui, MD

University Medicine Associates Family Health Center - Southeast UT Health San Antonio

Alon Aesthetics Plastic Surgery & Skin

UT Health San Antonio

Jennifer D. Brody, MD

M&S Radiology Associates

Regina M. Fearmonti, MD

Surgery, Neurological

UT Health San Antonio

Texas IPS

San Antonio Pediatric Surgery Associates

Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, LLP

Penny Vroman, MD UT Health San Antonio

Alejandra Garcia de Mitchell, MD

Surgery, Hand

M&S Radiology Associates

Jennifer D. Brody, MD

24

Rise Ross, MD

Surgery, Pediatric Neurological Rosemaria Gennuso, MD Pediatric Specialists of Texas

Constance M. Barone MD, PLLC

Jessica M. Belz, MD

Jessica M. Belz, MD, Plastic Surgery

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


FINANCIAL

BY KELLY WELKER, MBA, CRPC, CRCP

Your Kids Do Not Want Your Stuff!

Y

ou have spent your entire life collecting things like figurines, trains, memorabilia, those new in box toys, crystal, bone china and silver only to find out from your children and your grandchildren that they do not want any of the stuff you find so valuable. That bottle collection you spent a lifetime collecting may be valuable, but your kids and grandkids have no idea what that worth may be. You spent thousands of dollars building that model train village in your basement that you started as a young child, but your kids have no idea that the trains you collected are probably worth tens of thousands. But by the same token, they guard your Hummel figurines like gold because they have been told their entire life how valuable they are when, in fact the average Hummel today is worth less than they were originally purchased for with few exceptions. I am a lover of all things historical, and I collect lots of things that all collect dust. I love art, fabric, furniture, glass, antique books, decanters, and just about anything that will create an estate liquidation nightmare for my family. I envision either an estate sale at my home where all my valuables are sold off for pennies on the dollar or a massive bonfire because my family just does not want to go through it all. Or they will most likely call an estate liquidator to sell it or a charity to haul it off. Then some lucky person might find my precious Hermes scarf collection on eBay for a mere fraction of what I paid for it. Why do your kid’s not want your precious collections? They do not want anything that clutters their living space. Our children watched us cram our houses so full of stuff for years, they have learned that is not the way they want to live. They take the Depression Era approach to living: Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle, and unclutter. Marie Kondo is their guru, not Heloise. They live in tiny houses with very little stuff. They keep dust catchers out of the house. Most of my clients realize that maybe they have collected way too much stuff when they reach the age where they must start thinking of downsizing. They then ask the question, “How do I get rid of all of this stuff, if my family doesn’t want it?” Or worse, they do nothing with their precious items and their kids are asking for recommendations for estate liquidation companies. The best solution is to sell your stuff yourself so you can use the money for things you want to do like vacations, and family experiences or less sexy things like long term care expenses and health care costs. You could sell it yourself on eBay, Market Place or and a Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

garage sale which you will put in countless hours of work for very little return, or you can have an estate sale where you can have a little more control over what price things are sold. There are companies that do this professionally for a fee and are worth every penny. A dear friend of mine runs an estate liquidation company in San Antonio called Serenity Estate Sale. Her name says it all on how she treats people. I listen to her speak to people and the one thing Cheryl Kurtis-D’Amico says repeatedly is “Use your stuff! That brilliant cut crystal was not designed to sit on a shelf and collect dust. It was made to be used every day.” People who pass away and need to have their items liquidated call people like Cheryl Kurtis-D’Amico because these are trained professionals who know how to be compassionate about getting rid of a lifetime of stuff and treat families with dignity and kindness. People who try to liquidate themselves before death get a fair deal. The act of decluttering, marketing, pricing, and selling is the specialty of estate liquidators. Charles Keyton of About Face Estate Sales says, “There’s never a U-Haul trailer being pulled behind a hearse because you can’t take your stuff with you!” Charles has been in the estate liquidation and antique business for years. He is highly organized with a large staff and researches the items well for correct pricing. Estate liquidation sales are never designed to make the heirs a lot of money. These sales are designed to liquidate the items quickly and efficiently so the house can be sold or passed to a beneficiary free from clutter. If you have truly valuable artwork and collectibles to dispose of and top dollar is the ideal goal, then you may want to contact a specialty company such as Vogt Auction in San Antonio. Gene and Rob Vogt have been in business for over 40 years in San Antonio and are experts in antiques, jewelry, art, and collectibles. They also market around the world through their online presence to a much larger audience than San Antonio. That 1957 Chevy Bellaire in Grandma’s barn is worth a lot more to a larger audience who search the world for those cars. Valuable artwork and jewelry should always be sold through reputable auction houses that have professional appraisers. You will fetch a much better price by having a professional auctioneer sell it for you to a much wider audience than just a local sale. Decluttering your space is a good thing. It makes you feel good. Getting rid of those things that weigh us down should be our responsibility, not our children’s. Go through your valuables, make an inventory, and talk to your kids about the precious items you have. You may find out that the collection of gumball machines is NOT their idea of a great inheritance. It is just a big albatross they need to get rid of. n SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

25


MEET SOME OF SAN ANTONIO’S

Women In Medicine

OUTSTANDING

Nancy Burt, MD

Prabhdeep K. Grewal, MD

2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

Ear Institute of Texas

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

Phone: (210) 696-4327 Fax: (210) 798-2509 Email: nburt@eioftx.com Website: www.eioftx.com Areas of Practice: Neurology

Phone: (210) 396-5265 Fax: (210) 396-5266 Email: pgrewal@tsaog.com Website: www.tsaog.com Areas of Practice: Pain Management

............................................

Nancy Burt, MD is specializing in the medical treatment of neurological disorders in adults and teens. Including Dizziness/ Vertigo; Gait Imbalance; Carpal Tunnel; Epilepsy; Stroke/TIA; Parkinson’s; Alzheimer’s, Cognitive Disorder; Concussion; Trigeminal Neuralgia; and Myasthenia Gravis. She has been a practicing neurologist since 1999 and moved her family to San Antonio in 2011. When not at work she can be found spending time with her children and grandchildren.

............................................

Dr. Grewal is an Interventional Pain Physician focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal ailments. She completed her residency training in Anesthesiology at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where she was chosen to serve as Chief Resident. She then went on to subspecialize by completing an Interventional Pain fellowship from Rush University in Chicago. She believes in a multidisciplinary approach to treatment to chronic pain which includes daily exercise, physical therapy, biofeedback, spinal injections, and conservative medication management. Dr. Grewal is committed to providing the highest quality of care to her patients with an emphasis on functional status and quality of life through up-to-date techniques and technological advances. In her spare time, she enjoys sports, exercise, photography and most importantly, spending quality time with her family.

Bernice Gonzalez, MD 2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine Vital Life Wellness Center

............................................ Phone: (210) 595-1019 Fax: (210) 251-3194 Email: bgonzalez@vitallifewellness.com Website: www.vitallifewellness.com Areas of Practice: Family Medicine

Dr. Bernice Gonzalez is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vital Life Wellness Center. Her passion is to practice quality preventative medicine to improve the lives of her patients and their families. She offers her patients the most advanced testing tools and then guides them through their care to live a life of wellness. She is Board Certified and Diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Gonzalez is Board Certified with the American Academy of Anti Aging and Regenerative Medicine. A Graduate of University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and Post Graduate Education at Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christie where she served as Chief Resident.

Yekaterina Jordan, MD 2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine Aurora Breast Cancer Center

............................................

Phone: (210) 247-0888 Fax: (210) 558-0758 Website: www.aurorabreastcenter.com Areas of Practice: Oncology, Surgical, Breast Care and Surgery

Dr. Yekaterina “Katya” Jordan was born in Siberia, Russia. She moved to Texas in the early 2000s after becoming involved with Rotary International. She received her Medical Doctorate degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed her General Surgery Residence at UT Health San Antonio. She welcomes patients at Aurora Breast Center.

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

26

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Amanda Ivy, MD

Lauren E. Karbach, MD

2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

Thyroid & Endocrine Center of South Texas

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

Phone: (210) 491-9494 Fax: (210) 491-9696 Email: drhands@thyroid-center.com Website: www. thyroid-center.com Areas of Practice: Endocrinology; Diabetes & Metabolism

Phone: (210) 396-5265 Fax: (210) 396-5266 Email: aivy@tsaog.com Website: www.tsaog.com Areas of Practice: Surgery, Orthopaedic

Phone: (210) 396-5265 Fax: (210) 396-5266 Email: lkarbach@tsaog.com Website: www.tsaog.com Areas of Practice: Surgery, Orthopaedic Hand

Dr. Ivy is an orthopaedic surgeon with board certifications in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine.

Dr. Lauren Karbach is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery, in adults and children. She is trained in arthroscopy and arthroplasty of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand along with microvascular surgery.

Kathleen E. Hands, MD, FACE, ECNU 2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

............................................

.Dr. Kathleen Hands MD, FACE, ECNU, is board-certified in Endocrinology with a subspecialty focus in thyroid disorders. Past president of the TX Chapter of AACE, first endocrinologist with ECNU certification and first female endocrinologist to perform RFA Dr. Hands was first ECNU (Endocrine Certified in Neck Ultrasound) and recognized expert in thyroid ultrasound by American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine. She is the first female endocrinologist to perform RFA (radiofrequency ablation of thyroid) and a thyroid cancer specialist. She is the director of the Thyroid Center of South Texas. The center specializes in thyroid disorders, nodules, cancer of the thyroid, pregnancy related thyroid disorders, autoimmune thyroid disorders. She performs thyroid ultrasound, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (biopsy) of thyroid nodules, percutaneous ethanol injections (PEI) to dissolve cysts, cytopathology review and lab studies are provided on site and RFA for compressive benign nodules to help patients avoid surgery.

............................................

After earning her bachelor’s degree at Louisiana State University on a full academic scholarship, she rreceived her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 2005. Dr. Ivy completed her orthopaedic residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Following residency, she completed a sports medicine fellowship with Methodist Sports Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. There, she specialized in reconstructive surgery of the hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle. While in Indianapolis, she was an assistant physician for the Indianapolis Colts during the 2010-2011 season. She also served as the team physician for the Indiana State Sycamores and several area high schools. After fellowship training she returned to Texas.

............................................

Dr. Karbach completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Rochester. During her residency, she participated in multiple research projects and presented at multiple national meetings. As a chief resident, she traveled to Kumasi, Ghana, to serve as a medical volunteer with Health Volunteers Overseas in orthopaedic surgery. Following residency, she completed fellowship training at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, where she gained additional training in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery.

Dr. Ivy is a mom to two young boys. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, and cheering on The Tigers.

Dr. Karbach specializes in peripheral nerve surgery, arthritis surgery, traumatic conditions, and upper extremity reconstruction. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, trying new restaurants, working out on her Peloton, and traveling.

Aimee Oliver, DO

M. M. Ontiveros, M.D., FACC

Jayasree Rao, MD, PA

2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine

Vital Life Wellness Center

RiverCity CardioVascular

Jayasree Rao, MD, PA dba Oncology San Antonio

Phone: (210) 595-1019 Fax: (210) 251-3194 Email: aoliver@vitallifewellness.com Website: www.vitallifewellness.com Areas of Practice: Family Medicine

Phone: (210) 281-9800 Fax: (210) 281-1001 Website: www.rccvsa.com Areas of Practice: Cardiovascular Disease

Phone: (210) 490-2707 Fax: (210) 299-8099 Email: jrao@oncologysa.com Website: www.http://oncologysa.com Areas of Practice: Medical Oncology / Hematology

............................................

Dr. Oliver graduated from the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Med in 2002. She works in San Antonio, TX and specializes in Family Medicine and Internal Medicine.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

............................................

Dr. Ontiveros is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Ontiveros founded RiverCity CardioVascular, a comprehensive independent cardiology practice, which serves patients throughout San Antonio and the South Texas region at eight office locations and six hospital systems. Dr. Ontiveros has served the community as the Cardiac Rehabilitation Director and Chest Pain Unit Director at Baptist Medical Center and as the Director of Cardiac Services at Christus Santa Rosa Westover Hills.

............................................

Dr. Jayasree Rao is a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, with additional expertise in geriatric medicine. She is a member of the Oncology San Antonio Cancer Care Network. Dr. Rao believes in providing “WHOLISTIC” care to her patients. She is an advocate for women and children’s rights and has worked with the World Health Organization. She has authored several peer reviewed publications and presentations in Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine. Dr. Rao has been practicing medicine in San Antonio for 15 years.

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

27


MEET SOME OF SAN ANTONIO’S

Women In Medicine

OUTSTANDING

Jessica F. Rutstein, DPM 2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

............................................ Phone: (210) 396-5265 Fax: (210) 396-5266 Email: jrutstein@tsaog.com Website: www.tsaog.com Areas of Practice: Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle

Dr. Jessica Rutstein has a special interest in the conservative treatment of conditions of the foot, including bunions, hammertoes, warts, and heel and arch pain. Dr. Rutstein completed her undergraduate work with a BA from The University of Texas at Austin and she went on to study podiatry at The Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, IL. Her surgical training was provided while she was in residency at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, IL. Dr. Rutstein is a Board Certified Diplomat in Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. She is also a member of the Texas Podiatric Medical Association as well as the American Podiatric Medical Association. Dr. Rutstein is happy to be practicing in her hometown of San Antonio, alongside her husband, Dr. David Hughes.

SCENE IN S.A. CAN BE FOUND FOR SALE AT THE FOLLOWING SAN ANTONIO LOCATIONS: Twig Bookstore in the Historic Pearl off Broadway near downtown San Antonio Club Humidor located on Huebner at Vance Jackson, near I-10 Bijou Bettie’s Fine Art Gallery & Funtique Emporium 1009 S. Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78210 H-E-B locations H-E-B #585 1520 Austin Hwy., 78218 H-E-B # 463 1150 N.W. Loop 1604, 78248 H-E-B # 397 158140 San Pedro, 78232 H-E-B # 385 300 W. Olmos Drive, 78212

Melody Zamora, DDS 2021 Outstanding Woman in Medicine Zam Dental

............................................ Phone: (210) 494-2206 Fax: (210) 547-9513 Email: drzamora@zamdental.com Website: www.ZamDental.com Areas of Practice: General Dentistry

Since her earliest memories, the profession of dentistry has meant service for Dr. Zamora. Becoming a dentist is all she has wanted to do. Making a positive difference in peoples’ lives is unbelievably rewarding for Dr. Zamora, because she knows that smiles build confidence and change lives. It is a privilege for her to serve people and she strives to provide personalized, quality, and compassionate care to each and every patient while creating beautiful, healthy smiles for life. She received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from Texas State University, San Marcos, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She completed her dental education in 2003 at Oregon Health & Science University, in Portland, OR, and graduated with a D.M.D. degree. She also has additional training in both pediatric dentistry and pathology. Dr. Zamora is dedicated to staying up-to-date on the scientific research and developments in all areas of her field to provide her patients with the best possible care.

H-E-B #372 1955 Nacogdoches, 78209 H-E-B #395 12777 IH-10 W. Dezavla, 78230 H-E-B # 108 20935 Hwy 281 N., 78258 HEB #102 8503 NW Military Hwy., 78231

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

28

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


FEATURE

BY KAREN EVANS!

Photos By Sherrie Lene Johnson

Welcome to “The Happy Critic” column I created for folks who love extraordinary experiences. I use positive words to draw attention to remarkable people and their stories about creating, serving, eating and enjoying food. I share only the best.

The Happy Critic and some favorite gourmands find glorious food, unforgettable experiences, and people who love one another and enjoy their craft.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

29


La Frite is a favorite

restaurant of mine in Southtown because of the fantastic food, delightful service, and charming bistro atmosphere. It is my honor to present the mother and son team that created this classic dining space; Icy and Miles Donnelly. Happy Critic: What is the story behind La Frite, and what inspired you to become a restaurant owner? Miles Donnelly: Back in 2008, when we were figuring out what I would do with my life, I worked here as a server for Damien Watel when he owned this little jewel. My dad had just become sick, and was not able to work anymore. Was I supposed to go to professional school? What do I do? At that moment, the restaurant came up for sale. I was excited about La Frite possibly becoming our family business. I approached my parents, and we started talking about buying the restaurant to provide for my family. That “moment” turned into our new adventure that included the food and people we love.

Owner/Partners, mother and son team Icy & Miles Donnelly

Happy Critic: What is it like working as a mother and son team? Miles Donnelly: It’s phenomenal! We like being part of a family unit. Our family loves happiness in the kitchen, which is how my brother Rick and I grew up. I love supporting my family and doing this together. Happy Critic: What makes La Frite so great? Miles Donnelly: Honestly, it is us; we love each other and get along great. Our interaction and respect for each other, our staff, and our guests are critical. Everyone here is such an essential part of our success. Our Executive Chef, dishwasher, and prep people have been here for the entire 13 years we have been open. We are family. Happy Critic: Tell me about your food from heaven menu. Icy Donnely: We get our food fresh from vendors every day. We don’t have freezer space; we cook the food when we get it. Steak a Poive with green peppercorn sauce is so tasty. I think it is a meal you eat that you will never forget. We added the mussels in the worldly sauces served with frites, so spectacular, and they have become our signature dishes. There is a person for every mussel sauce on the menu. There is a customer for every item on the menu. We did not change the menu at all, just added to it. We added daily specials; the shrimp risotto, curry lamb shank, and rabbit are some favorites. Happy Critic: Tell us about how you all dealt with the Virus. Icy Donnely: Total Shock. We had to adapt to so much. We are an experiential place. The fresh food that we have does not travel that well. We had never done “To Go” ordering. Even changing to the “To Go” menu only, we never closed for one day. We pushed through and did what we could. We did not let our staff go. Seeing regulars one year later, vaccinated, ready to dine, happiness! A lot of our guests said this was their first meal out. We had four different tables for lunch today that had not been here in a year. We pushed through and pushed through, and now it is so exciting to have such a lively restaurant, and we are so thankful to be open at 80% capacity. Overall, La Fritte is our baby, now our teenager, 13 years!

Federico Villegas Executive Chef, Icy Donnelly , Luis Najera Sous Chef, and Miles Donnelly

Happy Critic: I am sure everyone will agree with me...the secret ingredient to La Frite’s success is LOVE! 728 S. Alamo in Southtown | 210-224-7555 11:30-2 pm Tuesday- Friday Lunch | 6-10 pm Tuesday-Saturday Dinner Wine, Beer & Champagne | Reservations and Walk-ins Welcome LaFriteSA.com 30

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Tutti’s A Place For Foodies Donna Norling, also

known as Tutti, has created a homey environment with simply delicious food. Tutti is bright, funny, talented, and delightful, and we are all blessed she is part of our Southtown community. Happy Critic: Where did you find the inspiration to start your restaurant? Tutti: It didn’t happen until I lost my husband, and my only child left for college. I wondered what I was going to do with myself and who am I after taking care of people all of my life. I know I am passionate about having people at my home and entertaining. Having a restaurant is something I have wanted to do my whole life. So I thought, why not? Happy Critic: How did you choose Southtown? Tutti: I came down here initially with an investor group to start turning the neighborhood around. I could not find a good cup of coffee, so I decided to be the person who made that excellent cup of coffee. Tutti’s was born! Happy Critic: Will you elaborate on your menu? Tutti: I call our food upscale comfort food. Everything is a little bit more than you would expect. Our food represents looking back at my life. The places I have been and my heritage. Things I have tasted that have knocked my socks off from around the world. I wanted to share that same joy with my customers. The Hummingbird Waffles are our best seller and my favorite food item on our menu. Hummingbird is a drink I found in Jamaica. We pour the drink into the batter and plate the waffle with hummingbird sauce, island fruits, and chicken tenders, so it is sweet and savory at the same time! The San Antonio Express-News named us the best meatloaf in the city. My Great Grandmother’s recipe. We serve an outstanding wine from Israel that pairs well with our grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with our home-smoked cheeses. Our staff makes creative drinks from our beer and wine, and our rice crispy treats are selling like hotcakes! Happy Critic: What do you think makes Tutti’s so great? Tutti: It is a combination of the 100-year-old house and backyard, the great food, and the happy staff. Our team is from the neighborhood, and I try to help other small local companies get started. We have a seasonal menu, and there is something for everyone, and our coffee is roasted and lovely. We are a dog-friendly establishment, and our staff is working on a “Doggie Menu” so that dogs can eat food with their families. Happy Critic: Good food is what makes the world go around, and Southtown could not be luckier! 318 E. Cevallos | 210-530-1313 tuttisforfoodies.com Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Wednesday - Saturday 8am - 9pm | Sunday Brunch 10am - 3pm Happy Hour Wednesday-Saturday 3pm-6pm

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

31


Going the Extra Mile for Pandemic Patient Care Monica Ramirez, RN, prepares a vaccination at the Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior Center.

WellMed Workers Volunteer Time to Help Patients in Need BY BONNY OSTERHAGE

O

nce bustling with classes and social activities for San Antonio’s older population, WellMed’s three senior centers have been quiet since March of 2020 when COVID-19 forced them to shut their doors. Today, nearly one year later, two of those three centers are once again activity hubs, serving as COVAX centers in a joint effort with the City of San Antonio where WellMed physicians, nurses, and staff volunteer their time to administer 1,500 COVID vaccines per day. As of press time, more than 30,000 people have benefitted from their tireless, voluntary efforts. “This is the most important thing that most of us have ever done in our careers,” said Dr. Michael Almaleh, WellMed Chief of Cardiology and Specialty Care. “I’ll work as many hours as it takes every day, as many days as it takes, and I’ll stop and rest when we’ve defeated COVID-19.” It may be the most important thing that the WellMed team has done to serve the community during the pandemic, but it is by no means the only thing. From addressing food insecurity through curbside pickup services and voluntary grocery delivery and caregiver support via the WellMed Charitable Foundation, to creating online platforms for socialization and patient care, the company is creating new and innovative ways to offer critical services.

GETTING SMART

WellMed has maintained a vision of “changing the face of healthcare delivery for the nation by providing quality, proactive patient care with a focus on prevention.” That vision was put to the test with COVID-19. Even with extensive protection protocols in place, some patients remained hesitant to come into the clinics. 32

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


“We realized quickly that all bets were off, and we had to approach patient care a little differently,” said Dr. Carlos Hernandez, WellMed Medical Group president. “We had to meet patients where they are.” Like many companies, WellMed looked to technology. A telemedicine system that patients access via smart phone was up and running in just two weeks, and to date has seen more than 600,000 appointments across all markets. The company purchased 1,100 easy-to-use, network-connected smart tablets that were checked out to older, often technology-challenged patients. Subsequently, WellMed has conducted almost 450,000 telemedicine visits to date since the start of the pandemic. As advanced as technology is, there are some areas of patient care that require human interaction. Recognizing that need, WellMed created drive-up clinics where patients can receive screenings, injections, and see their physician from the safety of their vehicles.

Employee wellness practices from guided group breathing techniques to drop-in meditation sessions were put into place, and employees received hazardous duty pay, childcare supplementation, paid time off, and even boxed lunches for easy access to a nutritious meal during a busy day. “We’re doing everything we can to support our employees and make sure they understand how much we appreciate what they are doing,” Keenan said.

LOOKING AHEAD

As more vaccines roll out, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The way that WellMed looks at patient care, however, will forever be changed. “We quickly realized there is an entire population we have been missing so we will continue with a hybrid model going forward,” said Carol Zernial, WellMed Charitable Foundation Executive Director. “People all over the country are tapping into our activity videos and calling into our Caregiver SOS support line. It’s allowed us to significantly expand our reach.” Dr. Hernandez agrees that, “the biggest thing we’ve learned is that we are going to have to continue to use technology and telemedicine to serve our patients. We will always have to be ready to innovate, implement and execute for whatever healthcare may throw at us in the future.” n Jimmie Keenan, RN, WellMed senior vice president of enterprise clinic operations, answers questions at a press conference Jan. 16 at San Antonio City Hall.

“This service is especially important for our diabetes and cardiac patients,” explained Jimmie Keenan, WellMed senior vice president of enterprise clinic operations.

STAFF SOLUTIONS

WellMed patients were not the only ones in need of care. Long hours and stressful conditions meant that WellMed employees needed to stay strong both physically and mentally. Making sure that every employee had the proper PPE, including fit-tested N95 masks, was the first step. The second was extensive communication including daily online briefings in “the situation room,” that kept everyone updated as new information came in almost hourly. “Our only defense was a strong offense,” Keenan said. “We had to make sure everyone was on the same page with information that was constantly changing, especially in the early days.” Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

33


TRAVEL

BY BARBARA BARTON SLOANE

A Walk on the Wales Side A Storybook Land Come to Life “A weekend of warmth in store for all.” So stated a local Welsh newspaper, the article promising spring sunshine and the hottest temperatures of the year so far. Arriving in Wales in early April when it can still be chilly and rainy, this was welcome news. I’m happy that the forecast was spot-on and the sun shone every warm, cloudless day of our visit. We flew into Heathrow and on to Padding Station. Our train ride to Cardiff, Wales’ capital, took a mere 2 ½ hours. It was lovely to sink into BritRail’s deeply cushioned velvet seats as a waiter proffered a welcoming cup of strong coffee and a sugar bun. Comforted, we let our thoughts drift dreamily to our destination – Wales – where we knew that the special pleasures of this wee, wonderful country awaited us.

Capital Culture

We checked into the Park Plaza Hotel, Cardiff, and in short order set off to explore the town – modern, cosmopolitan and with a calendar of events to rival any major European city. In the city’s center, Cardiff Castle was originally a Roman fort. We climbed to the top of the 12th century Norman Keep. Glad we did, as it offered astounding views of the entire city. At the National Museum, there are fascinating and evocative displays of Wales throughout history. We viewed 500 years of paintings, drawings, and sculpture, one of Europe’s finest art collections. The next day we picked up our rental car and were off to the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, in picture-perfect Usk Valley. This resort has been selected as the host course for this year’s Ryder Cup. At their health spa, we found a perfect place to shake off any remains of jet lag with a seductive massage.

The Pits

Abergavenny is the gateway to the incomparable Brecon Beacons National Park. There’s a World Heritage Site perched high on a lofty hill in Blaenavon overlooking the valley below. This area was once the heart of the industrial revolution and is full of historic interest. At The Big Pit National Coal Museum, one can have the consummate miner experience. Now here’s the catch: you absolutely cannot be 34

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

claustrophobic (that leaves out yours truly). However, my companions were gamely fitted with lamps, helmets and heavy battery-packs and accompanied by an actual miner as they descended 300 feet into a labyrinth of shafts. Emerging, they regaled me with terrifying tales of streams of rust-colored water flowing down walls which added to the dank, dark atmosphere. However, they were supremely proud of going into the pit for this seriously authentic experience – and I was glad to.. er.. experience it vicariously.

Beauty in Stone

“You will find here something you never found in books.” Cistercian Father Bernard of Clauvaux wrote these words centuries ago, and the poet Wordsworth was moved to pen his famous ode “Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” for this edifice. Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote “Tears, Idle Tears” and it inspired more than one painting by JMW Turner. We’re talking about the sublime Tintern Abbey, situated on the banks of the River Wye. Graceful – lacy – delicate. Can one refer to a building made of stone by such words? At Tintern, Yes. It was built in 1131 as a religious house by Cistercian Monks and despite the shell of this structure being open to the skies, it remains the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales. The chants of countless monks still echoed through the masonry as I strolled the corridors silently, respectfully, marveling at vast windows with delicate tracery and decorative details on the walls, doorways and soaring archways, all the while the Abbey captivating me with its haunting spell.

A Host of Golden Daffodils

Next day, a pastoral drive through the countryside to the town of Crickhowell called to mind a line from a Wordsworth’s poem: “When all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils.” And so we did. We drove through narrow alleys of green hedgerows sprouting purple flowers and then: Quick! Stop the car! In the meadow, hundreds of sheep and their fluffy, white offspring. Spring is lambing time in Wales, and the ewes, with babes in tow, began to warily approach the fence, checking us out amid a cocaphony of loud, plaintive bleats. They stared intently at us and gave every indication that Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


If You Go: Welsh Tourist Office www.visitwales.com

they would stand there passively gazing at us forever until we finally dragged ourselves away and climbed back into the car. Only then did they amble back to the field and begin grazing once more. Storybook country? Sure enough. After a day spent at the Manor House Hotel regrouping, resting and reveling in the striking scenery of Beacons National Park, we drove to Aberporth near Cardigan, making a stop along the way at the Carreg Cennen Castle. The castle appears to spring out of legend and fairytale, astonishingly sited and seen for miles in all directions.

Wales Patron Saint

A highlight of our Welsh tour was visiting St. David’s, the smallest city in Britain, and its magnificent cathedral built in 1181 on the site of St. David’s sixth century monastery, the final resting place of its patron saint. We arrived on a bright Sunday morning just in time to hear Matins, a large choir raising celestial voices in song to the very rafters.

Live and Laugharne

The site of Wales’ most famous poet, Dylan Thomas’ home, Laugharne (pronounced “Larn”), is where he spent his last four years. It was poignant as I entered the cottage and saw everything kept just as it was when he wrote some of his greatest works. There on his desk, a jumble of papers as though he might have just gotten up to get a cup of tea (or something stronger), photographs on the walls of his wife Caitlin and his daughter Aeronwy, a well-worn velvet sofa, and a small terrace from which we gazed out on the Taf Estuary, silent, gray and seeming to envelop his cottage with a somber, lonely feel. Nearby, both his and Caitlin’s graves rest in a peaceful church cemetery. Of course, we had to visit. After a long search around grassy, flower-strewn plots, we came upon his grave. A small, simple white cross, the plainest marker in the graveyard was his, resting back to back with Caitlin’s headstone. There, propped against the cross, a fitting tribute: A half-full bottle of Jack Daniels. He did not go gentle into that good night.

Waterfront Museum there’s cutting-edge interactive technology and exhibits that tell the story of Welsh industry and innovation over the last 300 years. We spent our last night in Wales at Morgan’s, Swansea’s charming 5-star hotel located near the city center and the stunning Mumbles and Gower coastline.

Crossed the Pond, Had a Wales of a Time

“I carry Wales inside me. I never really left” – Tom Jones. I get it. I think I’ll always carry a bit of Wales inside me, too. It is, after all, a true fairytale land. Here you find tiny, thatched-roof, ice cream-colored cottages, green valleys, winding, narrow country lanes bordered by tall, stately hedgerows, streams glinting gold and babbling through deep pine forests, little white lambs with fleece as white as snow. And how about these adorable names: Mumbles, Pontypool, Peny Park, the Wolf’s Castle, Beggar’s Reach and Rat Trap Inns, not to mention the Fairyhill Hotel in Swansea! On my journey I was charmed by a sign on a pub offering a brew called “Tippy Tup”, (drunk, perhaps from a sippy cup?). Also a notice on the side of a church advising “God Answers Knee-Mail.” And just remember when you visit and see ferocious dragons depicted all over the buildings, do not fear. The dragon is the renowned national emblem of this fairytale land. Why am I not surprised? n

Second City

Swansea. A lively city with a rich, seafaring heritage, it is a cosmopolitan example of today’s modern Wales. At the National We love feedback and we want to hear from you! Please let us know your comments about this story and the other features in this magazine. Email us at: editor@scenepublications.com

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

35


San Antonio’s

Top DUI/DWI Lawyers

Top 20 Scores 81

Shawn C. Brown

70

Nico Lahood

64

Adrian Flores

63

Bryan S. Orihel

59

Bobby Barrera

58

Andrew Del Cueto

52

Mark Stevens

48

Marc A. LaHood

48

Daphne Previti-Austin

40

Roy R. Barrera Jr.

37

RC Pate

36

Ernest Acevedo III

35

Robert F. Gebbia

32

Derek B. Hilley

32

Alex J. Scharff

31

Louis D. Martinez

30

Monica E. Guerrero

30

Rolando Ramos

30

Gable M. Sadovsky

27

Neil A. Calfas

27

Veronica Legarreta

The score listed to the left of the name represents the opinion of the

27

Joseph Strickland

lawyer’s peers. The higher the score, the higher opinion others have on

26

Adam J. Crawshaw

25

Sean Henricksen

based on the “Top DUI/DWI Lawyer” poll conducted by Scene In S.A.

24

Trey Porter

in January and February of 2021. The names bolded in red are

23

Leigh R. Cutter

23

Abel Aaron Dominguez Jr.

their abilities as a lawyer. You will see a vast difference in scores based on their experience, achievements and years in practice. Results are

advertisers, please take a moment to visit their advertsiment. Names shown here are listed alphabetically. © 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

36

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


LAW OFFICE OF

Robert “Bobby” Barrera Past President of the San Antonio Bar Association

Super Lawyers © Rated by “Super Lawyers” 2016 - 2021

Criminal Law, State & Federal Honored by his colleagues as one of San Antonio’s

Top DWI Defense Lawyers

for 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 _________________________________

Top Five Criminal Defense Lawyers for 2017, 2018, Voted #2 in 2020 _________________________________ Voted as one of San Antonio’s

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers for the last 16 years _________________________________

San Antonio Best Family Lawyers for 2017 as published in Scene In S.A. Magazine

37 Years Jury Trial Experience • DWI Cases, Intoxication Manslaughter • Sexual Assault - Domestic Violence Assault • Drug Related Offenses • Murder and Homicide Cases • Personal Injury and Family Law

bobbybarreralaw@gmail.com www.bobbybarrera.com 424 E. Nueva Street San Antonio, TX 78205 OFFICING WITH

The Barrera Firm

(210) BAR-RERA 2 2 7-7 3 7 2

Experienced and Personal Attention for All Your Legal Needs


San Antonio’s Top DUI/DWI Lawyers 36 Ernest Acevedo III

26 Adam J. Crawshaw Crawshaw & Simpson, PLLC

9

11 Rochelle Acevedo Law Office of Rochelle M. Acevedo

5

25 Sean Henricksen

Sean Henricksen Law Firm

21 Frank M. McElroy

Volk & McElroy, LLP

1

Joseph “Mick” Aguilera

23 Leigh R. Cutter

2

Christian D. Henricksen

5

Blakely I. Mohr

6

James B. Anders III

19 Douglas S. Daniel

Daniel & Halstead

5

Rolando C. Andrade

7

Daniel De La Garza

5

Jocelyn Andrews

Ernest Acevedo III, Atty at Law

Joseph “Mick” Aguilera Law Firm

The Law Office of James B. Anders III Atty at Law

Law Office of Jocelyn C. Andrews

1

Christopher Michael Arce

9

Jorge G. Aristotelidis

2

Steven P. Barnett

The Law Office of Chris Arce

Law Office of Jorge Aristotelidis Frey, Navarro & Wilkes, PLLC

59 Bobby Barrera

Law Offices of Robert Barrera, PC

40 Roy R. Barrera Jr.

The Barrera Firm

6

Roy R. Barrera Sr.

The Barrera Firm

10 Mark E. Braswell

Law Office of Mark E. Braswell, PC

5

Ricardo Briones Briones Law Office

16 William A. Brooks

William Brooks, LLC

81 Shawn C. Brown

Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PC

19 Alan Brown

Alan Brown

12 Jean S. Brown

Jean Brown Law Firm

6

Brock Stewart Burchard

Burchard Law

16 Deborah S.Burke

Law Office of Deborah Stanton Burke

27 Neil A. Calfas Calfas

Law Group PLLC

14 Oscar L. Cantu Jr. Oscar Cantu Atty at Law, PLLC 5

3

John F. Carroll

John F. Carroll, Atty at Law

Carroll & Hinojosa, PLLC

Law Offices of Jaime Cavazos

9

Jonathan “Chavy” Chavez

7

David D. Christian

6

M’Liss Christian

9

Kevin L. Collins

Law Office of Victoria Cruz Cutter & Associates

The Law Office of Daniel De La Garza, PLLC

Calfas Law Group

Law Office of David D. Christian Law Office Of M’Liss Christian Kevin L. Collins, PC

Ramos & Del Cueto, PLLC

10 Adam C. Cortez Cortez Law Firm

The Law Office of Joe D. Gonzales & Associates

10 Amanda I. Hernandez

Flanary Law Firm, PLLC

9

Ana Laura Hessbrook

Law Office Of Ana Laura Hessbrook

32 Derek B. Hilley

3

13 Colin Hobbs

Christine Martino Del Prado Del Prado & Del Prado, PC

11 David E. Dilley Jr.

Law Office Of David E. Dilley, PLLC

23 Abel Aaron Dominguez The Law Offices of

Abel A. Dominguez

7

Loraine Efron

9

Joseph A. Esparza

Law Office of Loraine Efron

Hilley & Solis Law, PLLC

10 Joseph F. Hoelscher II

Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda, PLLC

13 John T. Hunter

Hunter Lane Jampala

10 Therese M. Huntzinger

Law Office of Therese Huntzinger

10 Robert A. Jimenez De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Armendáriz, L.L.P.

10 Patrick J. Filyk

Law Office of Patrick J. Filyk

1

Sally L. Justice

9

Donald H. Flanary III Flanary Law Firm, PLLC

Law Office of Suzanne Kramer

The Law Office of Andrew C. Froelich

48 Marc A. LaHood LaHood Law PLLC

8

Jessica Garza

15 Adam M. Lahood LaHood Law, PLLC

1

13 Paul J. Goeke

16 Michael R. Latimer

11 Charles E. Gold

27 Veronica Legarreta Legarreta Law Firm

17 Gerald H.Goldstein 9 Goldstein & Orr, PLLC

Guillermo Lara Jr.

Law Office of Guillermo Lara, Jr. Law Office of Michael R. Latimer

Carl S. Lobitz

Law Offices Of Sam Lock

20 Michael C. Gross

13 Shannon Willis Locke

30 Monica E. Guerrero

7

Branden R. Lopez

10 Gammon D.Guinn Law Office of Gammo Guinn

4

Cleophus W. Marshall

14 Austin Hagee

31 Louis D. Martinez

Dunham & Jones

10 Patrick L. Hancock

Law Office of Patrick L. Hancock

Legarreta & Owen, PLLC

5

Trisha Morales Padia

8

Adam J. Paltz

Morales Padia Law

Law Office of Munoz & Paltz

37 RC Pate

Law Office of Branden Ray Lopez Marshall Law Firm Price & Martinez

7

Raymond Martinez

8

Lauren McCollum

Martinez & Herrera McCollum & Welch

Law Office of Brent De La Paz Grable Grimshaw Mora, PLLC

Pietrazek Law, PLLC

7

Kelly F. Pittl

Law Office of Kelly Pittl

Trey Porter Law, PLLC

1

Brandon J. Prater

Law Office of Jesse Hernandez

48 Daphne Previti-Austin

Shawn C. Brown Law Offices, PC

4

Michael S. Raign

Bexar County District Atty’s Office

12 Andrew G. Ramon

Law Office of Andrew G. Ramon, PC

30 Rolando Ramos Law Offices of Ramos & Del Cueto, PLLC

The Ramos & Torres Law Firm, PLLC

5

John “Bud” Ritenour

1

Robert G. Rodery

7

Timothy J. Rountree

9

Zoe E. Russell

The Ritenour Law Firm, PC Thomas J Henry Injury Attys Law Office of Tim Rountree Law Office of Zoe Russell, PLLC

30 Gable M. Sadovsky

The Locke Law Group, PLLC

Goldstein & Orr, PLLC

11 Amy E. Owen

Law Office of Jeb D. Lock

Law Office of Monica E. Guerrero

10 Ricardo Ramos Jr.

19 Sam H. Lock 17 Jeb D. Lock

Cynthia E. Hujar Orr

Carl Lobitz, Atty at Law

11 Matthew Gossen Edward L. Pina & Associates, PC Gross & Esparza, PLLC

Shawn C. Brown Law Office, PC

9

24 Trey Porter

LaHood Norton Criminal

35 Robert F. Gebbia Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda, PLLC

13 Andrew C. Froelich

Simpson and Gold, LLP

Norton Criminal Defense Lawyers

18 Mary Carol Pietrazek

Law Office of Adam Kobs

70 Nico Lahood

Vincent Peter Petrucci

12 John J. Fox

Paul J. Goeke, PC

Moreau-Davila & Associates, PLLC

18 Jay S. Norton LaHood

2

10 Suzanne M. Kramer

Law Office Of Sally Justice

Justin Fowlks

JG Law, PLLC

Rachel Moreau-Davila

12 Thomas G. Keyser Keyser Law Firm

6

Law Office of Patrick Montgomery

9

Law Office of RC Pate

Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, PC

Law Office of John J. Fox

Brent De La Paz

The Mohr Law Firm, PLLC

14 Pat Montgomery

9

14 Adam Kobs

LaHood Law PLLC

Law Office of Scott McCrum

64 Adrian Flores

Scott W. McCrum

63 Bryan S. Orihel

Gireud Hobbs, PLLC

Gross & Esparza, PLLC

10 Woodrow J. Halstead III 11 Jose‘Joey’ Contreras Daniel & Halstead

Atty at Law

58 Andrew Del Cueto Ramos & Del Cueto, PLLC

21 John Anthony Gomez III George E. Carroll Shawn C. Brown Law Office, PC

14 Jaime E. Cavazos

Victoria Cruz

7

Steven N. Harkiewicz

Sadovsky & Ellis, PLLC

3

Ishan ‘Shawn’ Sareen

Sareen & Bozza, PLLC

22 George A. Scharmen II

Law Offices of George A. Scharmen Continued on page 41

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

38

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


THE BARRERA FIRM, PC

SERVING ALL YOUR FAMILY’S LEGAL NEEDS SINCE 1957

Roy R. Barrera, Jr.

Mark J. Barrera

Assistant Criminal District Attorney 1980

Business Litigation, Estate Litigation

District Judge 144th District Court 1986

Scene In S.A., San Antonio’s Best Lawyers 2014 - 2020

Texas Super Lawyers since 2006 and

Texas Rising Star 2011 - 2014

Criminal and Family Law since 2010

Fluent in Spanish

Texas Super Lawyers since 2006 and Criminal and Family Law since 2010

mark@thebarrerafirm.com

THE BARRERAS A FAMILY TRADITION THREE GENERATIONS SINCE 1957

Voted Best SA Lawyer 2012 - 2020 Voted Top Ten Criminal Defense Lawyers 2017, 2019 Top Family Lawyer 2018, 2019 Top DUI Lawyer 2018, 2019 Top 5 DUI Lawyer 2020 Voted as one of San Antonio’s Best Criminal Defense Lawyers past 11 years

Roy R. Barrera III Business, Employment and Construction Disputes Scene In S.A., San Antonio’s Best Lawyers 2018, 2019, 2020 Texas Rising Star 2009 - 2014

Top 10 DWI Lawyer 2021

Texas Super Lawyers 2014 - 2017

210-224-5811 or 210-616-1331 rbarrerajr@ymail.com

rbarrera@thebarrerafirm.com

210-244-5858 424 East Nueva San Antonio, TX 78205

thebarrerafirm.com


Girl’s Day Out Editor & Photography: Leslie Foley Shetler Fine Jewelers set up an entire day to dazzle clients and customers with beautiful baubles and bubbly. The doors swung open at 10:00 a.m. with First Blush-biscuits & bubbles, noon offered Let’s Glow-popcorn & prosecco followed by Golden Hour-cupcakes & cocktails. Sparklers, charms and chains were displayed on the bar and guests sipped and shopped as they enjoyed giveaways, bubbly, baubles, shopping and girl time! n

Kaylie Bethel, Robin McEldowney, Andrea Blemsauners and Marcella Sowards Courtney Crane, Nicole Osborne and Patti Rittimann

Paige Flinn, Michelle Shetler (owner) and her daughter-in-law, Tatum Shetler

Alexia Barrera, Natalia De La Torre and Emily Jacks

Lisa Wolff, Joy Fuhrmann, Casey Barber and Kelly Strange

Sherie Johnson and Fernanda Ramos

Paige Flinn, Marissa Woodruff, Emily Honigblum, Michelle Shetler (owner), Casey Barber, Robin McEldowney, Emily Jacks, Courtney Williams, Michy Moore

40

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


San Antonio’s Top DUI/DWI Lawyers 3

Jesse A. Sepulveda

Law Offices Of Jesse A. Sepulveda

11 Tylden Shaeffer

Tylden Shaeffer, Atty at Law

32 Alex J. Scharff

Shawn C. Brown Law Office, PC

1

Mark J. Sideman

2

8

Mark J. Sideman, Inc.

Law Office of William Simmons

9

Kyle C. Simpson

2

Scott Simpson

5

Carlos A. Solis

3

Jodi Soyars

Simpson & Gold, LLP Huffman & Simpson Hilley & Solis Law, PLLC Soyars & Morgan Law, PC

52 Mark Stevens

Mark Stevens Law Offices

8

Stephanie L. Stevens

9

Matt C. Stolhandske

Congratulations

to our lawyers for being named among the

u u

Frank A. Hinojosa

Edw

Top Family Law Top Criminal Defense Lawyer

DWI Top 20 DWI Top Defense 5 Personal Injury Criminal Family Law Plaintiff Lawyer Catherine Carroll Javier Calderon u Top Kristin Dow* Plaintiff LawyerFiacco 10 Family Top 20 u Family Best LawyersTop 2020 Probate Law Probate Top Family Lawyer Top Family Lawyer Probate Law Probate Law DWI Top 20 Law

2020 "SA Best Lawyers 2019" “Top DWI Lawyers” & “Top Family Lawyers”

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations

our lawyers to ourtolawyers forforbeing being named among the named among the

Catherine Carroll

u

Top Criminal Defense Lawyer RobertTopH. Featherston* Personal Injury Plaintiff DWI Top 20 Lawyer Criminal Defense u Best Lawyers 2020 Top Family Lawyer Criminal Def: DUI/DWI Probate Law u u

Best Lawyers 2020

2020 "SA Best Lawyers 2019"

Estate Planning & Robert Featherston u u u

Frank Hinojosa

u

Kris

u Top Personal Injury Top DWI Lawyer Top Family Lawyer Criminal Defense Probate Law Plaintiff Lawyer *of Counsel Trusts Civil2020 Litigation u Best Lawyers

Estate Planning Real Estate Transactions Top DWI Lawyer Kristen Flacco Dow Top Criminal Defense Lawyer Named among the Best Lawyers in category u Top Criminal Defense Lawyer Best Lawyers 2020 u Best Lawyers 2020

“Top DWI Lawyers” & “Top Family Lawyers” 210.650.9074 u

Robert H. Featherston*

Named among the Best Lawyers in category

DWI Top Defense 20 Criminal

& Trust

www.salawyer.com Criminal Def: DUI/DWI

Criminal Def: White Collar

Top Family Family La Top DWI L Criminal

*of Cou

Named among the Best Lawyers in cate

Dayna L. Jones

Ramos & Del Cueto, PLLC

10 Frank B. Suhr 1

Carl R. Teague

7

Sharon C. Thorn

9

Mark I. Unger

4

Raymond J. Vale Jr.

1

Paul Vasquez

Law Office of Carl Robin Teague Law Office of Sharon C. Thorn, PLLC The Unger Law Firm, PC Vale Law Firm PC Dunham & Jones

22 David A. Volk

Volk & McElroy, LLP

10 Alice E. Warburton Law Offices of Alice E. Warburton, PLLC 7

Anthony Welch

1

Judith K. Wemmert

5

Sergio C. Ybarra

McCollum & Welch

Law Offices Of Judith K. Wemmert, PC Calfas Law Group, PLLC

10 Jennifer A. Zarka

Zarka Law Firm

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

D Cr Cr

Greg Sim

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Matt Stolhandske Atty At Law

Atty at Law

PI PI

Best Lawyers 2020

Simmons* Catherine CarrollGreg Javier Calderon u Top Criminal Defense Lawyer Top Family Lawyer Family Law

Criminal Def: White Collar

St. Mary’s Criminal Justice Clinic

DW Cr

Criminal u Best Lawyers 2020Defense u Top DWI Lawyer 2021 Estate Planning & Trusts Planning Civil Litigation DUI/DWI Estate & Trust Criminal Trust &Def:Estate Litigation Real Estate Transactions Estate Planning & Trust Javier Grey

27 Joseph Strickland

Family Law

Family 20 ProbateTop Law

u Top Criminal Defense Lawyer George Carroll u Top Personal Injury

William “Bill” Simmons

Crawshaw & Simpson, PLLC

Criminal Defense PI Plaintiffs General Estate Planning & TrustCarroll Trust & Estate Litigation PI Product George Edward GarciaLiability

Law Office of Ben Sifuentes, PC

Criminal Defense

Family ProbateTop Law10

Ben M. Sifuentes Jr.

15 Sean R. Simpson

George Carroll Frank A. Hinojosa Edward J. Garcia 2021 CONGRATULATIONS TO GEORGE CARROLL BEING NAMED AMONG THE TOP DWI LAWYERS DWI Top 20 DWI Top 20 DWI Top 5

2020 Best S.A. Lawyer Probate Law

David Balmer BALMER LAW FIRM, P.C. 10107 McAllister Freeway San Antonio, TX 78216 Phone: (210) 617-4600 Fax: (210) 617-4601 davidb@dbalmerlaw.com

Aggressive and Dedicated Representation San Antonio Criminal Lawyer

(210) 255-8525 jonesdefense.com SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

41


Top 20 Scores 77

Richard Orsinger

62

Jason S. Bashara

55

Charles E. Hardy

54

Jamie L. Graham

47

Erin Lee Groce

46

Alicia Maria Galvany

45

Jo Chris G. Lopez

42

Tracy E. Ross

41

Patricia A. Jay

40

Amber Liddell Alwais

39

Harold C. Zuflacht

38

Caroline L. Hulett

38

Ernest E. Karam

36

Chase W. Butler

36

Sarah Anne Lishman

35

Kristal C. Thomson

34

Lisa A. Vance

33

Ashley N. Butler

33

James G. Cramp

32

Jeffrey S. Bernstein

lawyer’s peers. The higher the score, the higher opinion others have

31

Hector E. Mendez

on their abilities as a lawyer. You will see a vast difference in scores

31

James E. Monnig

are based on the “Top Family Lawyer” poll conducted by Scene In

29

Chris H. Negem

S.A. in January and February of 2021. The names bolded in red are

28

Amanda Clepper Harrison

28

Karen L. Marvel

San Antonio’s

Top Family Lawyers

The score listed to the left of the name represents the opinion of the

based on their experience, achievements and years in practice. Results

advertisers, please take a moment to visit their advertsiment. Names shown here are listed alphabetically. © 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

42

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Voted Top Family Lawyer 2021 We fight to win.

FAMILY LAW CRIMINAL LAW

210.775.2000

derekritchielaw.com




San Antonio’s Top Family Lawyers 22 Rochelle Acevedo

Law Office of Rochelle M. Acevedo

8

Mary Lou Alvarez

Mary Lou Alvarez, PC, Family Law Firm

40 Amber Liddell Alwais Orsinger, Nelson, Downing &

Anderson, LLP

1

Joseph P. Appelt Jr.

5

Marisa Andrea Aragon

2

Monica Arriaga

9

Anthony Bancroft

Joseph P. Appelt PC

The Huron Law Firm, PLLC The Locke Law Group, PLLC Law Office of Anthony Bancroft

12 Stephanie J. Bandoske

Bandoske Butler & Reuter

20 Crystal A. Bannin Shumway Van 6

Jessica R. Bartlett

Law Office of Chris H. Negem

62 Jason S. Bashara

Law Offices of Jason S. Bashara

18 Sam Bashara

Bashara Schwartz Law Office

7

Hilary A. Bell

1

Bell Ripper, PLLC

Pamela M. Bell

Cordell & Cordell

26 Steven C. Benke IV

Law Office of Steven C Benke

26 Caitlin E. Bennett Zarka Law Firm 32 Jeffrey S. Bernstein The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Bernstein 9

Biasiolli Law Firm

William D. Bineham

9

Byrd L. Bonner

Bineham & Gillen, PLLC

The Law Office of Lisa A. Vance, PC

18 Crista M. Branch Branch Law Firm 12 Andrea Brooks The Law Office of Clinton F. Lawson 13 Jean S. Brown

Jean Brown Law Firm

6

Olga Brown

5

Carrillo, PLLC

1

Carter B. Casteel Carter B. Casteel

15 Ben R. Chappell

Bray, Chappell, Patterson & Olsen, Inc.

13 M’Liss Christian

Law Office of M’Liss Christian

10 Maurleen W. Cobb

Law Office of Maurleen W. Cobb

4

Angie Hernandez Cooke

Cooke Hernandez Law

33 James G. Cramp Cramp Law Firm, PLLC 5

Bryan K. Crone

The Law Office of Bryan Crone, PLLC

16 Maribel Cruz

Law Office of Maribel Cruz

4

Jason Cruz

Cruz Law

25 Leigh R. Cutter

Cutter & Associates PLLC

10 Justine M. Daly

Law Office of Justine M. Daly

15 Charla D. Davies Langley & Banack, Inc. 11 Shanti Day

Law Office of Shanti Day

10 Jane Freeman Deyeso Law Office of Jane Freeman Deyeso 9

Abel Dominguez Sr.

The Law Offices of Abel A. Dominguez

21 Moulton S. Dowler Jr.

Langley & Banack, Inc.

19 Ashley Duffy Taryn O. Biasiolli Cordell & Cordell PC

8

13 Rebecca J. Carrillo The Law Offices of Rebecca J.

Law Offices of Olga Brown

Ann E. Buonocore

Ann E. Buonocore, PC

36 Chase W. Butler

8

Deborah Suzanne Jackson

10 Justin Fowlks

7

Carrie L. James

13 Kathleen Fox-Sanvictores

Bashara Schwartz, PLLC

8

Ann W. Jamieson

2

Sam R. Fugate II

41 Patricia A. Jay

Law Office of David K. Foster LaHood Law PLLC

Law Offices of Sam R. Fugate, II

7

Rene Garcia

38 Ernest E. Karam

Law Offices of Ernest E. Karam, PC

2

Dianne Denise Garcia

8

Michelle S. Lanfear

Law Office of Steven C. Benke Atty at Law

Law Office of Dianne Garcia

22 Clint F. Lawson

3

Leticia Garza Gavito

36 Sarah Anne Lishman

Law Office of Letty G. Gavito

9

Jodi Head Lopez

7

Kate Guinn Gonzalez

3

Austin Lopez

1

Francis Edward “Frank”

12 Richard Loza

Law Office of Kate Gonzalez

Gonzalez Calfas Law Group

25 Stacy E. Goodbread Law Offices of

Stacy E. Goodbread, PC

54 Jamie L. Graham Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC 9

Matthew A. Grimshaw

Grable Grimshaw Mora PLLC Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

Atty at Law

Kristin Hanson Law Firm

55 Charles E. Hardy

19 Jessica A. Estorga

28 Amanda Clepper Harrison

1

Marisa Balderas Flores Begum, Peláez-Prada PLLC

Lishman Law, PLLC

10 Rebecca Anne Gonzalez Law Office of Rebecca A. Gonzalez

Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, LLP

17 Jennifer Espronceda

Atty at Law

Clint Lawson Family Law

45 Jo Chris G. Lopez Langley & Banack, Inc.

Kristin Hanson

26 Amy A. Geistweidt

8

Law Office of George C. Ruiz

Lanfear & Associates

Garza Law Group

Roland R. Esparza

Estorga Johnson Law Firm PLLC

9

David M. Evans

10 Hector R. Garza, Jr.

Kimberly Painter Hall

7

Beal Law Firm

10 Matthew Johnson

2

Estorga Johnson Law Firm PLLC

Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, LLP

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, LLP

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Maria Gannon

Espronceda Law, PLLC

The Law Office of Lisa A. Vance, PC

9

10 David T. Emory

Branch Law Firm

Law Offices of Sue M. Hall

Law Office of Roland R. Esparza, PC

Higdon Hardy & Zuflacht , LLP

15 Robert William Johnson IV Law Offices of Jason S. Bashara

Roberson Duran Law, PLLC

46 Alicia Maria Galvany

19 Sue M. Hall

Elizabeth Ann Fisher

Oscar Cantu Atty at Law, PLLC

David Kelley Foster

Laura O. Duran

8

4

1

5

10 Oscar L. Cantu

Ford Murray, PLLC

Brooke Irey

47 Erin Lee Groce

Lisa Duke Law, PLLC

Beauregard “Beau” Fiegel

Edward P. Cano Law Office

5

Lisa Duke

5

18 William H. Ford

6

The Law Office of Lisa A. Vance, PC

33 Ashley N. Butler Bandoske, Butler & Reuter, PLLC Edward P. Cano

C. Michael Ireland Jr.

Law Office of Raymond Flume

Kay Duffy

Calfas Law Group, PLLC

2

2

David M. Evans Atty & Counselor At Law

15 Raymond Flume

Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, LLP

Clepper Harrison & Duffy PLLC

9

Julie K. Hasdorff

4

Laura D. Heard

3

Hasdorff & Convery, PC Laura D. Heard Law Firm Inc.

Ana Laura Hessbrook

Law Office of Ana Laura Hessbrook

17 Artessia K. House

Tess House Law, PLLC

38 Caroline L. Hulett Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

Jodi Head Lopez & Associates PC Law Office of George C. Ruiz

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid

1

Sidney Mariner

3

Dennis R. Martin

Law Offices of George A. Scharmen Law Office of Dennis R. Martin

22 Denise Martinez

Martinez Rodriguez Law Firm

8

Diane Martinez

5

Kay Martinez

Law Office of Diane Martinez Law Offices of Lisa A Vance, PC

28 Karen L. Marvel

Marvel & Wong PLLC

5

Geoffery Ray Mayfield

Geoffery Mayfield Atty at Law

24 Rashin Mazaheri

Dreyer & Mazaheri, PLLC

10 Frank M. McElroy

Volk & McElroy, LLP

9

David L. McLane

9

Steven James Medina

4

Mark L. Medley

The McLane Law Firm Farrimond Castillo & Bresnahan, PC Law Office of Mark Medley

31 Hector E. Mendez

Law Office of Hector E. Mendez

5

William R. Metz

Law Office of Rebecca A. Gonzalez

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

46

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Voted by Peers as a

Licensed in the United States Supreme Court Licensed in Federal Court for the Western District of Texas Licensed in the State of Texas

Top Lawyer for Scene In S.A. magazine

Criminal Defense

2021

• • •

Experience Prosecuting and Defending DWIs, Assaults, Sex Crimes, Murders, and White-Collar Cases

Family Law

1998-2006 Assistant Criminal District Attorney for Bexar County

Experience with Complex divorces, Large Property Disputes, Business Valuation Disputes, and Child Custody Issues

2006-2008 Special Prosecutor for 38th Judicial District

Estate Law

Probate Matters, Wills, and Trusts

Private Practice Since 2006

MICHAEL A.

TONY REYES, P.C. AT THE LAW OFFICES OF NICHOLAS & BARRERA, P.C.

424 East Nueva Street

Tel 210.224.5811

tony@barrerapc.com

Fax 210.224.5890

17 Christina Molitor

Law Offices of Christina Molitor, PC

Law Offices Of

31 James E. Monnig

Olga Brown

Law Office of James E. Monnig

15 Aida Rojas Moore

Rojas Law Firm

11 Randy J. Mora

Grable Grimshaw Mora PLLC

16 Justin B. Morley

Langley & Banack, Inc.

6

Kim MacInnis Munsinger

7

Amanda L. Muth

2020, 2021 TOP FAMILY LAWYER

Kim M. Munsinger, Atty at Law

............

Law Office of Roland R. Esparza, PC

2020 TOP PI PLAINTIFF LAWYER

29 Chris H. Negem

Law Office of Chris H. Negem

5

Victor Hugo Negron Jr.

2

Dominic Negron

1

Justin Dwaine Niedens

Ford Murray, PLLC

............

Law Offices of Dominic J. Negron

2020 BEST SA LAWYER

Branch Law Firm

15 Chad A. Olsen

Bray, Chappell, Patterson & Olsen, Inc.

9

Dallas Olsen

............

Whitley Law Firm, PC

77 Richard Orsinger Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP 16 Tess Dunn Osborn

Reuter Law Group, PC

Continued on page 48

210-226-1550

One Alamo Center | Suite 250 | San Antonio, TX 78205

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

47


Bijou Betties Fine Art Gallery & Funtique Emporium Editor and Photographer: Leslie Foley Guests were invited to a Fabulous Fur & Flan Affair including jewelry, art, antiques, and glassware served with love & vino of course! The Fur & Flan Affair was hosted by Karen Evans, resident art curator, connector, and cook. Awesome finds included: amazing antiques, original art by Gilbert Duran Arte, Alex Nelipa, Rodulfo Gaudi, Colors of The Wind, Dan Duran, vintage prints, exquisite furs, and vintage designer purses. There is something for everyone at Bijou Betties owned by Kelly Welker, repurposed, reimagined, and reused collectibles can be found at 1009 S. Alamo in Southtown. n

San Antonio’s Top Family Lawyers 6

11 Jodi Soyars

Amy E. Owen

Legarreta & Owen, PLLC

Soyars & Morgan Law, PC

16 Crystal Pacheco The Law Office of Lisa A. Vance, PC

3

Carleton B. Spears

1

Dayla Sarai Pepi

12 Ashley Christian Specia

Specia Law Firm

8

Enriqueta Perez

8

Matt C. Stolhandske

7

Roger A. Perez

20 Suzanne Coates Taylor The Law Office of Suzanne Coates Taylor

Center For Legal & Social Justice

The Law Office of Enriqueta A. Perez

The Law Offices of Roger A. Perez

2

4

11 Heather Clement Tessmer Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

David G. Pfeuffer

Langley & Banack, Inc.

10 Mary Carol Pietrazek 10 Ricardo Ramos Jr. The Ramos & Torres Law Firm, PLLC

2

Pamela S. Thompson

1

Tracie Wright Reneau

35 Kristal C. Thomson

9

Rachel Mary Reuter

10 Amy Troy

1

Michael A. (Tony) Reyes

21 Stephanie Tschirhart

Pietrazek Law, PLLC

Wright-Reneau Law Firm, PLLC Reuter Law Group, PC

Michael A. (Tony) Reyes, PC

Law Offices of Christine Tharp

Thompson Ramey, PLLC Langley & Banack, Inc.

Law Office of Rebecca A. Gonzalez Bandoske, Butler & Reuter, PLLC

24 Robert J. Ulman

Robert J. Ulman, Atty at Law

Jaclyn Roberson 14 Mark I. Unger Roberson Duran Law, PLLC

5

Clayton Robison

34 Lisa A. Vance

Langley & Banack, Inc.

The Unger Law Firm, PC The Law Office of Lisa A. Vance, PC

14 Agatha L. Rode

The Law Offices of Agatha L. Rode, PLLC

10 Shawn E. Vandenberg

Jodi Head Lopez & Associates, PC

3

Joel Marquez Rodriguez Joel Rodriguez, PC

3

Jenna Villarreal

2

Neftali Rodriguez

3

Ben A. Wallis Jr.

Martinez Rodriguez Law Firm

Law Office of Jenna Villarreal, PLLC Wallis Law, PC

42 Tracy E.Ross

13 Stephani A. Walsh

16 Arthur J. Rossi Jr. Atty at Law & CPA & Mediator Arthur J. Rossi

13 Susan L. Watts

The Law Office of Susan L. Watts

24 Christine Rudy

Christine Rudy Law

3

Jennifer L. White

2

George Castillo Ruiz

3

Deanna Lynn Whitley

22 Rachel Sims Sadovsky

Cordell & Cordell PC

6

Stephanie H. Wilke

4

Jeffrey A. Saenz

4

Cheryl L. Wilson

26 Julian N. Schwartz Bashara Schwartz Law Office

1

Eric D. Wilson

6

Margaret A. Quijano Scott

1

Veronica S. Wolfe

1

Herman H. Segovia

6

Valin Woodward

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

Law Office of George C. Ruiz, PLLC

Matt Sossi

Law Office of Matt Sossi

10 Kate Soulsby

Law Office of Kate Soulsby

Law Offices of Herman H. Segovia

1

The Law Office of Margaret A. Quijano Scott

Carrington Smyth, PLLC

Grable Grimshaw Mora, PLLC

15 Lauren Carrington Smyth

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

4

48

Law Office of John F Taylor

Christine M. Tharp

Sherrie Johnson, Shadia Khoury, Lejla Cenanovic, Ruth Medallin, Karen Evans, Natalie Nathan, Laura Youngs, Cindy Taylor

John Fisher Taylor II

7

Rebecca Martinez; Gallery Owner Kelly Welker; Dr. Roland Cavazos; Karen Evans; Sherrie Johnson

Matt Stolhandske Atty At Law

15 Amy Eubanks Perkins Law Office of Perkins & Janis, PC

10 Derek S. Ritchie The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC

Karen Evans, Elizabeth Morales, Gilbert Morales and Dr. Roland Cavazos with photobomberer Gilbert Duran

Spears Law Office, PLLC

Stephani A. Walsh Law Offices

Jennifer L. White Law Firm, PLLC Whitley Law Firm, PC

Law Office of Stephanie H. Wilke Atty & Counselor at Law Wilson Brown, PLLC Ford Murray, PLLC

Langley & Banack, Inc.

23 Jennifer A. Zarka Zarka Law Firm 9

Frederick R. Zlotucha

Law Office of Frederick R. Zlotucha

39 Harold C. Zuflacht

Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, LLP

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED



Mozart & Margaritas Editor & Photographer: Leslie Foley San Antonio Garden Club hosted Mozart & Margaritas luncheon, the club’s signature fundraising event recognizing fine arts students within the local area, and promoting friendship within the membership. Julian Gold once again presented a runway style show featuring models and club members. The luncheon was one of the first events that many guests had attended since the pandemic, and the first style show for Julian Gold as well. And what a stylish affair it was! Emcee Siobhain Buckley Anders welcomed guests, Britt Kleberg offered a prayer, and all at once, “Marie Antoinette” aka Melissa Gonzalez, stepped on the runway along with Woodlawn Academy Premier for singing and performing All That Jazz. Marie Antoinette followed, striking a pose and sang “VOGUE” letting her body move to the music.

Co-chairs Sharron Batchelor and Christi Tidwell

Co-chairs Sharron Batchelor and Christi Tidwell along with committee members outdid themselves AGAIN with Mozart décor, colorful costumes, toe-tapping tunes, top-notch prizes and fabulous fashions. These ladies with an attitude (from Vogue) always do it first class all the way! And did I mention how excited everyone was to dress up and attend a luncheon. Once Marie Antoinette stepped off the runway, the song Rock Me Amadeus signaled the beginning of the style show. Rock Me Amadeus refers to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most-renowned musicians in the history of Western music. The club’s queen, Chandler Suzanne Simpson, was the last to model her beautiful white dress and sparkling tiara. President Laura Humphries thanked members, models and the Fine Art Scholarship Presentation was presented by Tenchita Flores. Mozart and Marie Antoinette rocked this lyrical luncheon. n

Connie Hudson, Jennifer Parascand and Sarah Benson

Andrea Reid, Denise DeGeare, Suzette Sullivan, Christi Tidwell and Lynn Riddick

50

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Paula Johnson and Carol Thompson. Back row: Mertie Wood, Veronica Boldt, and Elizabeth Greenblum

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Taylor Losack, Christi Tidwell, Annalese Smolik and Mary Barker

Melissa Rubiola, Kathryn Howie, Debi Flume, Courtney Schultz, and Martha O’Neil

Tawana Timberlake in her Mozart finest

Britt Kleberg and Tommie Stone

Ryan Coppin and Darrin Newhardt

Prersident Laura Humphries

Barbara Haley, Ruth Dolan and Carol Dornbluth

Emcee Siobhain Anders laughs it up with co-chairs Sharron Batchelor and Christi Tidwell

“Marie Antoinette” aka Melissa Gonzalez

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

51


N

o one will soon forget that Texas froze in February and vast portions of the state’s electric grid went dark. Five million Texans lacked electricity, heat and water for days. The death count attributable to the storm and the grid failure is still climbing. Looking for answers, the Texas Legislature convened hearings, summoning a dozen or more witnesses who sit atop corporate and government bodies, most of whom accepted some shared responsibility for the failures. Witness after witness, including those running electric generation plants and several from the oil and gas industry, pointed to the root cause of the grid failure: Electric generation companies that rely on natural gas for fuel could not get enough gas and couldn’t get it delivered at the necessary pressure to run the generation equipment. Meanwhile, natural gas producers could not produce and compress the gas to deliver it to the generation plants because the electric grid was down, stranding their compressors and production equipment. Half the grid’s capacity was lost as a result of those two compounding failures. As each witness described this clearly obvious design flaw, I wanted to smack my head on my keyboard, as likely did some of the legislators and any engineer who listened. “We need to recognize the interdependencies and we need to come up with a protocol between gas and power,” said Curt Morgan, the CEO of Vistra, a company owning many

52

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

generation facilities. “There’s nothing that I can do, if the gas companies cannot get pressurized gas to us.” The failures were compounded by the actions of the Texas Railroad Commission, which has nothing to do with railroads. It oversees oil and gas production in the state. As the storm hit, it issued an order telling gas companies and pipelines to prioritize gas deliveries to residences, for those who heat their home with gas. The order further deprived the electric generation companies of the fuel they needed to power the grid. When asked by our legislators to own their part of the debacle, did our elected and appointed representatives step up to acknowledge their failures? They did not. Both Christi Craddick, chair of the Railroad Commission, and DeeAnn Walker, head of the Public Utility Commission (with jurisdiction over the electric grid), deflected blame entirely. According to Craddick, “My agency and the people I regulate did our job better than anyone else in our state.” And Walker? When asked if she offered any apology to the public for the PUC’s failures in protecting the grid, she remained silent. The entire Public Utility Commission has since resigned, leaving the entire agency vacant. Before they left, they fired the head of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the day-to-day operations of the grid. The Railroad Commissioners who are elected for six year terms remain in their positions.

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Despite the agency bloodletting, it looks like the next time the issue comes up we will be headed for exactly the same debacle, because literally no one is charged with managing the reliability of the integrated system, from fuel source to wall socket. When no one is in charge, no one is accountable for foreseeable failures. All of what happened was “somebody else’s problem.” Even worse, the Railroad Commission could have done something for decades that would have prevented the whole grid failure. Take one example of a law already on the books that the Railroad Commission defiantly refuses to enforce. Flaring is the intentional lighting on fire of natural gas at the wellhead for no beneficial purpose. In 2019, oil and gas operators flared enough gas to power every home in Texas if it had been converted to electricity. Flaring has been illegal for over 100 years, yet the Railroad Commission grants operators permits to flare gas as a routine matter. That flared gas could easily have been converted to electricity at the wellsite; the generators designed for that purpose are readily available in the marketplace. Had oil and gas producers been forced to stop flaring they likely would have done exactly that, converting it to electricity. As a result, they could have met their own power needs and been freed from overdependence on the grid. To be plain: had the laws against flaring been enforced by the Railroad Commission and that gas turned to electricity at the wellsites, the grid failure would not have happened. The Legislature should make sure that Texas’ laws against flaring are enforced at a minimum. If it wanted to go further, it could incentivize microgeneration grids to manufacture electricity at scale from the flared gas. Oil and gas companies could thereby meet not only their own power needs but could also return enough electricity to the grid that we would avoid ERCOT capacity problems for a decade. It’s technologically and economically feasible right now, as it was long before the catastrophe happened. The Legislature needs only to pave the way. But the Legislature should not stop there. In full recognition of the dereliction of duties by the PUC and the Railroad Commission, as well as

the holes in their agencies’ abilities to provide effective oversight, it is time to create a new agency. This agency should assume jurisdiction over our integrated energy portfolio and to plan for our current and future needs. Our state’s fragmented approach has resulted in lack of accountability, massive infrastructure failure, lost lives and $50 billion in estimated property damage. This new agency should replace the old and ineffectual Railroad Commission and PUC. It must be empowered and charged with thinking the problem through from beginning to end, making sure that obvious critical failure modes – such as the co-dependence of natural gas and electricity – are avoided. A newly-created Texas Energy Commission must be charged with the mission of balancing the full spectrum of Texas’ current and future energy needs, resources, production and delivery. It’s time. We can’t have another debacle like the grid failure of 2021. And if we do, every single Texan is accountable for our collective failure to demand the change we need. n Chrysta Castañeda is a Dallas attorney and engineer specializing in oil and gas litigation matters. She was the 2020 Democratic Nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission. She wrote this article for Scene in S.A.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

53


THE RESULTS OF OUR

FIRST ANNUAL SURVEY OF

SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Law AS VOTED BY THEIR PEERS

Practicing lawyers of Bexar County tell us who they believe are the city’s outstanding women attorney’s in 80 distinct areas of practice. They can’t vote for themselves and they can’t just give us names of their law partners without giving us the name of others outside their practice. We do know this: Unlike many other societies on this earth, we live in a society that is largely structured by law. Law protects private property for the benefit of the living, the dead or those yet to be born. Law protects our person and property from harm by willful force and other acts of nefarious men. Law provides for our right to “due process” if society or its actors try to take our freedom or our property. The law defines the pathways by which we create, build, protect and convey all value and lawyers are our guides down those pathways. Sometimes the law and lawyers can achieve justice. The names in red are advertisers. . DISCLAIMER: The information presented in Outstanding Women in Law 2021 is not legal advice, nor is Outstanding Women in Law 2021 a legal referral service. Scene In S.A. strives to maintain a high degree of accuracy in collecting and providing the information presented, but makes no claim, promise or guarantee about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained within the list. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on the information provided in this magazine. No representation is made that the quality of service performed by the lawyers in this list will be better than that of other licensed lawyers. Scene In S.A. is an independent magazine publisher and has developed its own methodology for selecting lawyers on the Outstanding Women in Law 2021 list. All lawyers featured in Outstanding Women in Law 2021 are selected by their peers in a survey conducted by Scene In S.A. Advertising has no bearing on how the list of Outstanding Women in Law 2021 was determined. Scene In S.A. is not affiliated with any state or regulatory body, and its listings to not certify or designated a lawyer as a specialist.

INDEX AND KEY OF SPECIALTIES AT Antitrust Litigation ADM Administrative Law ANL Antitrust Litigation APP Appellate ARB Arbitration & Mediation BNK Banking BKR Bankruptcy BRC Bankruptcy/Consumer BGF Bonds & Government Finance BC Business & Corporate BL Business Litigation CM Cities/Municipalities CIV Civil Litigation Defense CLS Class Action/Mass Torts CHB Closely Held Business

CLB Collaborative Law CST Constitutional Law CNL Construction Litigation CNS Construction and Surety CSM Consumer Law CGC Corp. Governance/ Compliance CD Criminal Defense DUI Criminal Def: DUI/DWI CDW Criminal Def: White Collar CP Criminal Prosecution ELD Elder Law ED Eminent Domain EB Employee Benefits/ERISA EMD Employment Lit: Defense EMP Employment Lit: Plaintiff

EOG ENT ENV ELU EST FAM FRD GEN GVR GVC HC IMM INF INH IC IDC

Energy & Oil & Gas Entertainment & Sports Environmental Litigation Environmental & Land Use Estate Planning & Trusts Family Law Franchise & Dealership General Litigation Government Relations Government Contracts Health Care Immigration Information Technology In-House Counsel Insurance Coverage Insurance Def: Commercial

IDP IPL INP INT LAB LUZ LAS LGR MLD MLP MA NON PDG PDP PPG PPP

Insurance Defense: PI Intellectual Prop. Litigation Intellectual Property International Labor & Employment Land Use/Zoning Legal Aid & Services Lobbying & Govt Relations Med. Malpractice: Defense Med. Malpractice: Plaintiff Mergers & Acquisitions Nonprofit PI Defense: General PI Defense: Product Liab. PI Plaintiffs: General PI Plaintiffs: Product Liab

POL PRB PLD PUB RLE RET SCH SCF SCR SOC TAX TRM TXL TRE WRK

Political Law Probate Law Prof. Liability: Defense Public Utilities Real Estate Litigation Real Estate Transactions Schools & Education Securities & Corp. Finance Securities Litigation Social Security Law Tax Transportation & Maritime Tax Litigation Trust and Estate Litigation Workers Compensation

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

54

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com



INDEX OF NOMINEES Rochelle Acevedo-CD Crystal Acker-RET Rebecca Aduddell-CIV, IDC, PRB Ruth Kelleher Agather-RET Paloma Z. Ahmadi-EMD, IMM, LAB Chessa L. Akins-BL Lisa P. Alcantar-BL, CIV, EMD Daniela Gonzales Aldape-IDP, PDP Phiang Aldrich-FAM Taelor A. Allen-EOG Valerie Alonzo-FAM Amber Liddell Alwais-FAM Kelly Majors Anderson-BL, CGC, INH Kristy L. Arellano-FAM Andrea Nicole Hernandez Arevalos-CP Natalie M. Arledge-PPP, PPG Daphne Previti Austin-CD, DUI Brittany Marie Baker-CIV Crystal A. Bannin-FAM Kristian Joy Barrientes-PPG Carol R. Baskin-EST Bethany Beck-CNL Sasha Begum-BC, PPG Nancy Belinsky-ELU, PUB, RET Hilary A. Bell -ARB Hannah Hembree Bell-FAM Carol Bertsch-ELD, EST Lindsey Berwick-BNK, RET, SCF Pamela Bethel-LAB, TAX Taryn O. Biasiolli-CNL, CD, FAM Judith Reed Blakeway-BL Megan Q. Bluntzer-BL, ENV, INH Jane E. Bockus-PDP Elizabeth C. Boddy-BL, RET Emily Boney-EMD, GVR Kelli M. Borbon-BL, CIV Elizabeth Bourbon-ENV Brittany E. Box-PDG Crista M. Branch-FAM Elizabeth Breazeale-RLE, RET Lara Brock-EMP, PPG, WRK Margaret Brown-CIV, IDP, PDG Jean S. Brown-FAM Raven Bruno -BC, EOG, RET Georgina Elizabeth Buckley-Graham-PDG Maggie Buentello-EOG Dana L. Burket-FAM Elizabeth Drought Burney-EOG Ashley N. Butler-FAM Catherine Byers-EST, PRB Leslie Selig Byrd-LAB Katherine Cabello-Flores-FAM Emma Cano-BL, GEN Valerie Cantu-PPG Sylvia Cardona-BL, GEN, INT Amanda E. Carollo-IDP, PDG Rebecca J. Carrillo-CLB, FAM Michelle R. Casillas-PRB Carter B. Casteel-FAM Jenna C. Castleman-BL, CIV, GEN Adelita Cavada-BKR Laura A. Cavaretta-APP, MLD Catriona M. Cavender-MA Daniella Salas Chacon-IMM

Amy Chance-EOG Stephanie L. Chandler-BC, EOG, INF Kerrisa Chelkowski-APP, CD, CDW Lauren S. Ciminello-BC, CHB , MA Brittany Hinojosa Citron-EST, PRB Tiffanie Clausewitz-BL Shelayne Clemmer-GEN Chanda L. Clepper-FAM Meagan Enriquez Cook-CD, DUI , CDW Gayla S. Corley-BL Amanda Crouch-BL Stephanie L. Curette-TRE Ashley S. Dahlberg-BL, CIV, SCR Courtney Dailey-CD Cassidy Roos Daniels-BL Katherine E. David-TAX Charla D. Davies-FAM Shanti Day-FAM Jane Freeman Deyeso-FAM Amber K. Dodds-LAB Mary Doggett-IC, RET, TAX Rachel Donnelly-GEN Ashley Duffy-FAM Lisa Duke-FAM Kala S. Dumont-EMP, LAB Laura O. Duran-EST, FAM Jennifer Gibbins Durbin-IDP Britney A. Durham-CP Sara E. Dysart-RET Loraine Efron-CD Nicki Kay Elgie-IDP, MLD Edna G. Elizondo-PPP , PPG Hayley Christine Ellison-BRC, BL, GEN Kristina Escalona-CP Cynthia Sanchez Escamilla-INH Jennifer Espronceda-FAM Jessica A. Estorga-ARB, FAM Ingrid P. Etienne-EOG, INT, RET Delilah Lorenz Evans-EMD, LAB Ashley Farrimond-LUZ, LGR Tanya E. Feinleib-EST, PRB, TAX Lauren Ferrero-BGF Dawn B. Finlayson-EMD Valerie Cortinas Fisher-FAM Toni Fisher-RLE, RET Melissa Morales Fletcher-EMP, LAB Marisa Balderas Flores-PPG Jillian Gordon Foerster-EB Jane Ann Fosson-EMD, LAB Kathleen Fox-Sanvictores-FAM Alexine Friedman-BC, CHB , MA Melanie L. Fry-CIV Holly Fudge-Stokes-PPG Gina B. Gaedke-EST Alicia Maria Galvany-FAM Maria Gannon-FAM Alexis R. Garcia-BL, GEN, PPG Savannah Garcia-CLB, FAM Michelle Garcia-Shaw-PDG LeeAnn De La Garza-PPG Malinda Ann Gaul-EMP Diana M. Geis-BL, TRE Amy A. Geistweidt-FAM Elizabeth A. Germany-EMP

Destinee Gesing-SCH Erica Benites Giese-CDW, GEN Morgan Elizabeth Glenny-FAM Stacy E. Goodbread-FAM Jamie L. Graham-FAM Alicia Grant-BL Jasmine Grant-EMD, GVR Alicia Grant-PDP Susan G. Gray-BC Kay Lynn Grimes-BC Cynthia Day Grimes-GEN, HC Erin Lee Groce-FAM, PRB Gay Gueringer-BC Celia E. Guerra-PDG Monica E. Guerrero-CD Amy Gurecky-IDP Sue M. Hall-FAM Stephanie Mcclain Hall-GEN Shekinah D. Hammonds-EST Lori Hanson-CNL Danielle Hargrove-ARB Allison S. Hartry-EMP Gamu J. Hativagone-EST, FAM Amanda Louise Hazleton-GEN Jade Tyler Heep-PPG, WRK Storey B. Heintzelman-EST Amanda I. Hernandez-CD Angelita Hernandez-Cook-FAM Claudia Hernandez-IMM Mary Ann Hisel-LAB Hillary E. Holdsworth-EOG Carrie D. Holloway-CNL Lauren Horne-IDP Artessia K. House-RET Heather Hudson-FAM Caroline L. Hulett-FAM Yvette Y. Changuin Humble - IMM, LGR Therese M. Huntzinger-CD Evelyn Martinez Huron-FAM Leslie Hyman-ANL, APP, BL Jennifer Ingram-IMM, LAB Debra L. Innocenti-Placette-INH Brooke Irey-FAM Nicole E. Jackson-BL, CIV, GEN Carrie L. James-FAM Amanda Nicole James-IDC, IDP Ann W. Jamieson-FAM Beth Janicek -MLP Patricia A. Jay-FAM Chantal Jennings-EMP Judy K. Jetelina-EMD, LAB Abby Johanson-RLE, RET Dayna L. Jones-APP, CD Natalie K. Karam-PPG Kimberly Anne Kayatta-IDP, PDG Kimberly S. Keller-APP Karen L. Kelley-LAS Marlise Aimone Kercheville-RET Nancy Nowlin Kerr-EST Janet L. King-BC Bonnie Kirkland-IDC Elizabeth Kopecki-EOG Staci L. Krause-CD, DUI Jacqueline R. ‘Jackie’ Kriebel - FAM

Devi Kumar-Nambiar-PUB Christine Dauphin Lacy-CD Karen Landinger-APP Michelle S. Lanfear-FAM Michelle C. Le-IPL Ann M. Leafstedt-BC, CHB Veronica Legarreta-CD, DUI Jessica Lerma-CGC, EB, INH Monica J. Lerma-INH, LAB Jeffrie B. Lewis-APP, BL, CIV Diana Liebmann-EOG, PUB Emily Liljenwall-EST Megan P. Lindberg-LAB Sarah Anne Lishman-FAM Cathleen Lockhart-GEN, PPG Jo Chris G. Lopez-FAM Maria LoRusso, J.D., M.B.A., Finance-BC Christine Lozano-EOG, RET Leslie Luttrell-BKR, BL Stephanie Macchia-CNL, RET Laura Macom-MLD Judy Fulmer Madewell-APP, CD Janice Maloney-MLP Julia W. Mann-BL, EOG, ENV Shari Y. Mao-BC, CHB Lucretia R. Marmor-MLD Cathrin J. Martinez-PDG Karen L. Marvel-FAM Jamie M. Mathis-EST Rashin Mazaheri-FAM Donna K. McElroy-EMD Greta S. McFarling-APP, BL, PLD Susan McGee-BC, INH Heidi McLeod-BRC Fatima Menendez-LGR, POL Martina Meritz-EOG, GEN, PDG Megan R. Meyerson-FAM Andrea Meza -IMM Michelle Miller-BC, INH, SCF Sarah Rebecca Minter-BL, CNL, GEN Mary Lisa Mireles-BC, LAB Linda Molina -CD Christina Molitor-ARB, CLB, FAM Daniela Mondragón-BL Aida Rojas Moore-FAM Joyce W. Moore-EST, GEN Eunice Fernandez Moore-GEN, PPG Joyce W. Moore-TRE Marissa Barrera Morales-FAM Shannon Patrice Moralez-CNS, INH Colleen Mulholland-LAB Mysti Murphy-FAM Sally Murphy -INH Suzanne Murray-EB, FRD, HC Desiree Murrofo-PPG Brenna G. Nava-GEN Jennifer Neal-CLS, GEN, PPG Molly E. Neck-BC, CNS, MA Jessica A. Newill-EST, PRB Katherine P. Noll-TAX , TRM Laura E. O’Donnell-IMM, LAB Melissa Oliva-CP Cynthia M. Olson-CP Alicia D. O’Neill-CLS, GEN, PPG Continued on next page

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

56

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com



Stephanie Lyn O’Rourke-CNL Cynthia E. Hujar Orr-CD, DUI , CDW Kati Orso-RET Tess Dunn Osborn-FAM W. Abigail Ottmers-PUB Patricia M. Oviatt-ARB, BL, CIV Sara Paciente-EOG Trisha Morales Padia-CD, FAM Rebecca Page-GEN, MLP, PPG Lauren D. Parker-EST Brittany Passdar-Shirazi-IDP, PDG Katie Elizabeth Payne-GEN Malorie J. Peacock-PPP , PPG E. Juanita Pelaez-Prada-BC, GEN, PPG Paula D. Perez-CD, PPG Enriqueta A. Perez-FAM Amy L. Perry ANL, BC, SCF Mary Carol Pietrazek-CD, DUI , FAM Laura Pazin Porter-PPP, PPG Zandra L. Pulis-GVC, LAB, PUB Ashley N. Randol-RET Sidney Reed-CD Sidney Reed-FAM Katherine Reese-FAM Marion M. Reilly-APP Christine E. Reinhard-EMD, LAB Diana Alejandra Rendon-RET Tracie Wright Reneau-FAM Rachel Reuter-FAM Shellie R. Reyes-BL, GEN, RLE

Tara D. Richardson-PPG Jaclyn Y. Roberson-EST, FAM Lisa Rocheleau-MLD Clare Rodgers-IC Samantha V. Rodriguez-BC Clarissa M. Rodriguez-CIV, EMD Julia R. Rodriguez-FAM, LAS Clarissa M. Rodriguez-PDG Sonia M. Rodriguez-PPP , PPG Nadine G. Rodriguez-PPG Susan Dianne Gile Rogers -RET Erin Rogiers-GEN, MLP, PPG Jennifer Beldon Rosenblatt-BC, CNS, LAB Tracy E.Ross -CDW, FAM Cassandra R. Ross-RET Mary Ruth Rowe-TAX Christine Rudy-EST, FAM Zoe E. Russell-CD Karen R. Vowell Sales-APP Stacy Sampeck-LAB Leah Sanchez-RET Barbara E. Scharf-Zeldes-APP, BL, PRB Hella V. Scheuerman-EST, PPG, PRB Shannon B. Schmoyer-EMD, LAB Yelena V. Seletskaya-RET Elena P. Serna-BL, IDC, PDG Regina B. Shattles-IC, IDP, PDG Sherena Shawrieh-ANL, BKR, BL Carolyn E. Shellman-PUB Maurine (Mo) H. Shipp-PRB

Tiffany Shute-EOG Kirstin I. Silberschlag-BC, CGC, INH Neena Singh -BKR, BC, ELU Elizabeth Grace Smith-BL Annalyn G. Smith-BL, CNL Shavonne L. Smith-PDG Lauren Carrington Smyth-CD, FAM Eileen E. Sommer-RET Jodi Soyars-FAM Phylis J. Speedlin-APP, GEN Amanda Spencer-WRK Tiffany L. Cox Stacy-EMD Jennifer Maritza Stewart-CP Mary Brennan Stich-ADM, EMD, GEN Ashley Elizabeth Street-BC, INH, IC Elise M. Stremel-FAM Emily Gayle Kinney Stroup - PDG Elena Villaseñor Sullivan-INH, IC, IDC Missy Swallows-LAB Laura G. Tamez-CNL, PPP, PPG Katherine Tapley-RET Lisa M. Tatum-BGF, BL, EST Suzanne Leigh Coates Taylor - FAM, PRB Heather Clement Tessmer -FAM Jennifer Thiel-LAB Paige Ann Thomas-IC, IDC, IDP Pamela J. Thompson-BL, CNL, FAM Ruth S. Thomson-CGC Kristal C. Thomson-FAM Stephanie Tschirhart-FAM

Monica Morales Urrabazo BKR Soledad M. Valenciano-ADM, BL, ED Lauren Valkenaar-BL Erica E. Valladares-ADM Aimee Vidaurri-BL, GEN Aleida A. Villarreal-ELD Dannick G. Villaseñor-Hernandez - EMP, PPG, WRK Jill S. Vogel-HC Shalimar S. Wallis-GEN, PPP, PPG Delilah Walter-RET Alice E. Warburton-CD Robbie L. Ward-CD, CDW, GEN Celina Warren-GVR Christine Joyce Warren-INH Maribel Cordova Wasmiller - PPP , PPG Katy Wehmeyer-EOG Laurie A. Weiss-CIV, IDC, PDP Claire Whitten-EOG Lorien Whyte - APP Deborah D. Williamson-BKR Natalie F. Wilson-BKR, BRC, INF Veronica S. Wolfe-FAM Valin Woodward-CNL, FAM Paula A. Wyatt-PPP , PPG Renee Alison Yanta-APP Katherine S. Yates-ADM, GVC, INH Whitley B. Zachary-CNL Jennifer A. Zarka-CD

1ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Law

Administrative Law Mary Brennan Stich Rackspace Hosting

Christina Molitor

Natalie F. Wilson

Jeffrie B. Lewis

Patricia M. Oviatt

Bonds & Government Finance

Judy Fulmer Madewell

Banking

Cokinos | Young

Soledad M. Valenciano

Gonzalez Chiscano Angulo & Kasson, PC

Erica E. Valladares

Federal Public Defender West. Dist. TX

Katherine S. Yates

Spivey Valenciano, PLLC

Law Offices of Christina Molitor, PC Cokinos | Young

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Lauren Ferrero

McCall Parkhurst & Horton, LLP

Lindsey Berwick

Lisa M. Tatum

Chasnoff / Stribling, LLP

Bankruptcy

Marion M. Reilly

Adelita Cavada

Business & Corporate

Karen R. Vowell Sales

Leslie Luttrell

Amy L. Perry

Barbara E. Scharf-Zeldes

Sherena Shawrieh

Sherena Shawrieh

Phylis J. Speedlin

Neena Singh

Lauren S. Ciminello

Monica Morales Urrabazo

Alexine Friedman

Langley & Banack, Inc.

San Antonio Housing Authority

Antitrust Litigation Leslie Hyman

Pulman, Cappuccio & Pullen, LLP NuStar Energy LP

Valero Energy Corporation

Appellate Laura A. Cavaretta

Cavaretta, Katona & Leighner, PLLC

Kerrisa Chelkowski

Greta S. McFarling Hilliard Martinez Gonzales U.S. District Clerk for Western District Group Legal Services Dykema

Lorien Whyte

Pozza & Whyte PLLC

Renee Alison Yanta

Law Office of Renee Yanta PLLC

Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski

Arbitration & Mediation

Leslie Hyman

Hilary A. Bell

Pulman, Cappuccio & Pullen, LLP

Dayna L. Jones

Law Office of Dayna L. Jones

Kimberly S. Keller Keller Stolarczyk, PLLC

*The names in red are advertisers

58

Karen Landinger

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Bell Ripper, PLLC

Jessica A. Estorga

Estorga Johnson Law Firm PLLC

Danielle Hargrove

DLH ADR Solutions PLLC

Jackson Walker LLP

Adelita Cavada Law Luttrell & Carmody

Valero Energy Corporation NuStar Energy L.P. Law Office of Monica Morales Urrabazo/Graves

Deborah D. Williamson Dykema

Natalie F. Wilson

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Bankruptcy/Consumer

LM Tatum, PLLC

Sasha Begum

Begum & Peláez-Prada, PLLC

Raven Bruno

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC

Stephanie L. Chandler Jackson Walker LLP Jackson Walker LLP

Jackson Walker, LLP

Susan G. Gray

VP Racing Fuels, Inc.

Kay Lynn Grimes Lone Star Bakery, Inc.

Gay Gueringer

Richie & Gueringer, P.C.

Hayley Christine Ellison

Janet L. King

Heidi McLeod

Ann M. Leafstedt

Davis & Santos

McLeod Law Office

King & Sommer, PLLC Jackson Walker LLP

Continued on page 60 © 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


The firm continues its proud tradition of representing Texas and New Mexico businesses as well as the professionals who serve those businesses.

Robert E. Valdez

Jose “JJ” Treviño, Jr.

Michael M. Novak

Brendan T. Villanueva

Amanda L. Stephens

Christopher M. Karl

Adán A. González, III

Elyse I. Gonzalez

Brittany Passdar-Shirazi Sarah E. Smart

Brittany Passdar-Shirazi

NOMINATED BEST FEMALE LAWYER 2021

Joseph E. Cuellar

Joseph S. Ellis

Mark A. Zamora

Mathews J. Metyko

Michael M. Machado

Jenna S. Ard

8023 Vantage Dr. Suite 700, San Antonio, TX 78230 | (210) 598-8686 | valdeztrevino.com

C

elebrating over 80 years, the firm has represented corporate officials, doctors, lawyers, judges, legislators, journalists, athletes, entertainers, public officials and others. Dedicated to improving our Justice system and holding prosecutors accountable, the firm represented exoneree Michael Morton, who wrongfully served 25 years for the murder of his wife, resulting in the reform of criminal discovery in Texas and the first ever criminal conviction of a prosecutor for the intentional suppression of favorable evidence. The firm represented exoneree, Hannah Overton, whose capital murder case was reversed and dismissed, freed Texas’ youngest death row inmate, and continues to seek vindication for Cameron Todd Willingham, whose wrongful execution was based on junk science. G&O has successfully represented prominent business, professional, and public figures facing criminal and regulatory difficulties, including a U.S. Congressman in the Abscam Scandal, wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, rappers 2 Live Crew, NFL and NBA players, former Panamanian President Manuel Noriega before the United States Supreme Court, a lawyer in Operation Brilab and Gonzo journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.

310 South St. Mary’s St. 29th Floor, Tower Life Building, San Antonio, TX 78205 Tel: (210) 226-1463 • Fax: (210) 226-8367

GOLDSTEINORR.LAW Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

59


1ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Law

Maria LoRusso

Alicia Grant

Clarissa M. Rodriguez

Kirstin I. Silberschlag

Shari Y. Mao

Leslie Hyman

Laurie A. Weiss

Ruth S. Thomson

Susan McGee

Nicole E. Jackson

Class Action/Mass Torts

Criminal Defense

Michelle Miller

Jeffrie B. Lewis

Jennifer Neal

Rochelle Acevedo

Alicia D. O’Neill

Daphne Previti Austin

Closely Held Business

Taryn O. Biasiolli

Maria T. LoRusso, P.C. Jackson Walker LLP Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. NuStar Energy, LP

Pulman, Cappuccio & Pullen, LLP Rosenblatt Law Firm

Mary Lisa Mireles

Gonzalez Chiscano Angulo & Kasson, PC

Molly E. Neck

Luttrell & Carmody

Rosenblatt Law Firm Rosenblatt Law Firm

E. Juanita Pelaez-Prada Begum Peláez-Prada, PLLC

Amy L. Perry NuStar Energy LP

Samantha V. Rodriguez

Leslie Luttrell

Julia W. Mann

Jackson Walker LLP

Greta S. McFarling Chasnoff / Stribling, LLP

Sarah Rebecca Minter Elms Macchia, PLLC

Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech PC Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Watts Guerra LLP Watts Guerra LLP

Lauren S. Ciminello Jackson Walker LLP

Alexine Friedman Jackson Walker, LLP

Ann M. Leafstedt Jackson Walker LLP

Rosenthal Pauerstein Sandoloski Agather, LLP

Daniela Mondragón

Jennifer Beldon Rosenblatt

Patricia M. Oviatt

Kirstin I. Silberschlag

Shellie R. Reyes

Taryn O. Biasiolli

Neena Singh

Barbara E. Scharf-Zeldes

Carrie D. Holloway

Group Legal Services

Pearson Legal, PC

Ashley Elizabeth Street

Elena P. Serna

Collaborative Law

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Valero Energy Corporation NuStar Energy L.P. USAA

Business Litigation Chessa L. Akins Rosenblatt Law Firm

Lisa P. Alcantar

Porter, Rogers, Dahlman & Gordon, PC

Kelly Majors Anderson Southwest Research Institute

Judith Reed Blakeway Clark Hill Strasburger

Megan Q. Bluntzer

Valero Energy Corporation

Elizabeth C. Boddy

Person, Mohrer, Morales, Boddy, Garcia & Gutierrez, PLLC

Kelli M. Borbon

King & Sommer, PLLC

Emma Cano Jefferson Cano

Sylvia Cardona Jefferson Cano

Jenna C. Castleman

Castleman & Associates, P.C.

Tiffanie Clausewitz Clausewitz Law Firm

Gayla S. Corley Shelton & Valdez

Amanda Crouch Jackson Walker LLP

Ashley S. Dahlberg

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Cassidy Roos Daniels

Rosenthal Pauerstein Sandoloski Agather, LLP

Hayley Christine Ellison Davis & Santos

Alexis R. Garcia Watts Guerra LLP

Diana M. Geis

Curl Stahl Geis, P.C. *The names in red are advertisers

60

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Jackson Walker LLP Cokinos | Young

Clausewitz Law Firm

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Sherena Shawrieh

Valero Energy Corporation

Elizabeth Grace Smith

Law Offices of Elizabeth G. Smith

Annalyn G. Smith

Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP

Shari Y. Mao

Valero Energy Corporation Jackson Walker, LLP

Law Office of Rochelle M. Acevedo Shawn C. Brown Law Offices, PC Biasiolli Law Firm

Kerrisa Chelkowski

Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski

Meagan Enriquez Cook John Kuntz Law

Courtney Dailey

The Law Office of Krause & Dailey, PLLC

Jackson Walker LLP

Loraine Efron

Constitutional Law

Monica E. Guerrero

Biasiolli Law Firm

Rebecca J. Carrillo

The Law Offices of Rebecca J. Carrillo, PLLC

Savannah Garcia

Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo

Christina Molitor

Law Offices of Christina Molitor, PC

Lisa M. Tatum

Construction & Surety

Pamela J. Thompson

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Soledad M. Valenciano

Zachry Construction Corporation

Lauren Valkenaar

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Law Office of Loraine Efron Law Office of Monica E. Guerrero

Amanda I. Hernandez Flanary Law Firm, PLLC

Therese M. Huntzinger

Law Office of Therese Huntzinger

Dayna L. Jones

Law Office of Dayna L. Jones

Staci L. Krause

The Law Office of Krause & Dailey, PLLC

Christine Dauphin Lacy Dauphin Law, PC

Veronica Legarreta Legarreta Law Firm

Molly E. Neck

Judy Fulmer Madewell

Shannon Patrice Moralez

Linda Molina

Jennifer Beldon Rosenblatt

Cynthia E. Hujar Orr

Chasnoff, Mungia, Valkenaar, Pepping & Stribling

Construction Litigation

Trisha Morales Padia

Aimee Vidaurri

Sanderford & Carroll, P.C.

LM Tatum, PLLC

Thompson | Ramey, PLLC Spivey Valenciano, PLLC

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Civil Litigation Defense

Bethany Beck Lori Hanson

Hanson Law P.C.

Rebecca Aduddell

Stephanie Macchia

Lisa P. Alcantar

Sarah Rebecca Minter

Brittany Marie Baker

Stephanie Lyn O’Rourke

Gonzalez, Chiscano, Angulo & Kasson, P.C. Porter, Rogers, Dahlman & Gordon, PC Valdez & Trevino Attorneys at Law PC

Kelli M. Borbon

King & Sommer, PLLC

Margaret Brown

Lindow Stephens Treat LLP

Jenna C. Castleman

Castleman & Associates, P.C.

Ashley S. Dahlberg

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Melanie L. Fry Dykema

Nicole E. Jackson Rosenblatt Law Firm

Jeffrie B. Lewis

Gonzalez Chiscano Angulo & Kasson, PC

Patricia M. Oviatt Cokinos | Young

Elms Macchia, PLLC Elms Macchia, PLLC Cokinos | Young

Annalyn G. Smith

Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP

Laura G. Tamez

The Herrera Law Firm, Inc.

Pamela J. Thompson Thompson | Ramey, PLLC

Valin Woodward

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Whitley B. Zachary Cokinos | Young

Corp. Governance/Compliance Kelly Majors Anderson Southwest Research Institute

Jessica Lerma Grunt Style, LLC

Federal Public Defender West. Dist. TX Duarte Molina

Goldstein & Orr, PLLC Morales Padia Law

Paula D. Perez

Law Ofice of Paula D. Perez, PLLC

Mary Carol Pietrazek Pietrazek Law, PLLC

Sidney Reed

The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC

Zoe E. Russell

Law Office of Zoe Russell, PLLC

Lauren Carrington Smyth Carrington Smyth, PLLC

Alice E. Warburton

Law Offices of Alice E. Warburton, PLLC

Robbie L. Ward

Robbie L. Ward, Attorney at Law

Jennifer A. Zarka Zarka Law Firm

Criminal Def: DUI/DWI Daphne Previti Austin

Shawn C. Brown Law Offices, PC

Meagan Enriquez Cook John Kuntz Law

Staci L. Krause

The Law Office of Krause & Dailey, PLLC

Veronica Legarreta Legarreta Law Firm

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


Cynthia E. Hujar Orr Goldstein & Orr, PLLC

Mary Carol Pietrazek Pietrazek Law, PLLC

Criminal Def: White Collar Kerrisa Chelkowski

Dedicated To Helping Those Injured In Our Community BECAUSE WE CARE.

Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski

Meagan Enriquez Cook John Kuntz Law

Erica Benites Giese Jackson Walker LLP

Cynthia E. Hujar Orr Goldstein & Orr, PLLC

Satisfied Clients For More Than 20 Years.

Tracy E.Ross

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

Robbie L. Ward

Robbie L. Ward, Attorney at Law

Criminal Prosecution

The Experience You Need.

Andrea Nicole Hernandez Arevalos Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Office

Britney A. Durham

Bexar County County District Attorney

Kristina Escalona

Bexar County District Attorney’s Office

Melissa Oliva

Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Office

(210) 366-4949 Toll Free (877) 795-3425

Cynthia M. Olson

Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Office

janiceklaw.com

Jennifer Maritza Stewart

Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Office

Elder Law Carol Bertsch

Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC

Aleida A. Villarreal

Law Office Of Aleida A. Villarreal, PLLC

Eminent Domain Soledad M. Valenciano

Clarissa M. Rodriguez

Amy Chance

Shannon B. Schmoyer

Stephanie L. Chandler

Tiffany L. Cox Stacy

Ingrid P. Etienne

Mary Brennan Stich

Hillary E. Holdsworth

Employment Lit: Plaintiff

Elizabeth Kopecki

Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech PC Schmoyer Reinhard LLP

Spivey Valenciano, PLLC

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, Inc.

Employee Benefits/ERISA

Rackspace Hosting

Jillian Gordon Foerster Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Jessica Lerma

Kala S. Dumont

Suzanne Murray

Lara Brock

Employment Lit: Defense

Melissa Morales Fletcher

Grunt Style, LLC

Haynes and Boone, LLP

Paloma Z. Ahmadi Haynes & Boone, LLP

Lisa P. Alcantar

Porter, Rogers, Dahlman & Gordon, PC

Emily Boney

Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Delilah Lorenz Evans Schmoyer Reinhard LLP

Dawn B. Finlayson

Caldwell East & Finlayson, PLLC

Jane Ann Fosson

Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP

Jasmine Grant

Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Judy K. Jetelina

Schmoyer Reinhard LLP

Donna K. McElroy Dykema

Christine E. Reinhard Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP

Gaul and Dumont

Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC Morales Firm P.C.

Malinda Ann Gaul Gaul and Dumont

Elizabeth A. Germany Cubeta Law Group

Allison S. Hartry

The Morales Firm, P.C.

Chantal Jennings

Plunkett, Griesenbeck & Mimari, Inc.

Dannick G. Villaseñor-Hernandez Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC

Energy & Oil & Gas Taelor A. Allen

Jackson Walker, LLP

Raven Bruno

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC

Elizabeth Drought Burney Drought, Drought & Bobbitt, L.L.P.

Maggie Buentello

Mazurek, Belden & Burke, P.C.

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Santoyo Wehmeyer, P.C. Jackson Walker LLP NuStar Energy LP

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC Langley & Banack, Inc.

Diana Liebmann Haynes & Boone, LLP

Christine Lozano

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC

Julia W. Mann

Jackson Walker LLP

Martina Meritz Meritz Reddy, PLLC

Sara Paciente

Mazurek, Belden & Burke, P.C.

Tiffany Shute

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC

Katy Wehmeyer

Santoyo Wehmeyer, PC

Claire Whitten

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC

Environmental & Land Use Nancy Belinsky

San Antonio Water System- General Counsel

Neena Singh

NuStar Energy L.P.

Environmental Litigation Megan Q. Bluntzer

Valero Energy Corporation

Elizabeth Bourbon

Valero Energy Corporation

Julia W. Mann

Jackson Walker LLP

Estate Planning & Trusts Carol R. Baskin

Rosenthal Pauerstein Sandoloski Agather, LLP

Carol Bertsch

Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC

Catherine Byers

Weisinger Law Firm, PLLC

Brittany Hinojosa Citron Weisinger Law Firm PLLC

Laura O. Duran

Roberson Duran Law, PLLC

Tanya E. Feinleib Langley & Banack, Inc.

Gina B. Gaedke

Granstaff, Gaedke & Edgmon, PC

Shekinah D. Hammonds The Whitehead Law Firm

Gamu J. Hativagone Roberson Duran Law

Storey B. Heintzelman Heintzelman Law PLLC

Nancy Nowlin Kerr Norton Rose Fulbright

Emily Liljenwall H + L Law, PLLC

Continued on next page

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

61


1ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Law Jamie M. Mathis

Alicia Maria Galvany

Katherine Reese

Joyce W. Moore

Joyce W. Moore

Maria Gannon

Tracie Wright Reneau

Eunice Fernandez Moore

Jessica A. Newill

Savannah Garcia

Rachel Reuter

Brenna G. Nava

Lauren D. Parker

Amy A. Geistweidt

Jaclyn Y. Roberson

Jennifer Neal

Jaclyn Y. Roberson

Morgan Elizabeth Glenny

Julia R. Rodriguez

Alicia D. O’Neill

Christine Rudy

Stacy E. Goodbread

Tracy E.Ross

Rebecca Page

Hella V. Scheuerman

Jamie L. Graham

Christine Rudy

Katie Elizabeth Payne

Lisa M. Tatum

Erin Lee Groce

Lauren Carrington Smyth

E. Juanita Pelaez-Prada

Family Law

Sue M. Hall

Jodi Soyars

Shellie R. Reyes

Gamu J. Hativagone

Elise M. Stremel

Erin Rogiers

Angelita Hernandez-Cook

Suzanne Leigh Coates Taylor

Phylis J. Speedlin

Heather Hudson

Heather Clement Tessmer

Mary Brennan Stich

Caroline L. Hulett

Pamela J. Thompson

Aimee Vidaurri

Evelyn Martinez Huron

Kristal C. Thomson

Shalimar S. Wallis

Brooke Irey

Stephanie Tschirhart

Robbie L. Ward

Carrie L. James

Veronica S. Wolfe

Government Contracts

Ann W. Jamieson

Valin Woodward

Patricia A. Jay

Franchise & Dealership

The Law Office of Jamie M. Mathis Langley & Banack, Inc. Gardner Law, PC

Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Roberson Duran Law, PLLC Christine Rudy Law

Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC LM Tatum, PLLC

Phiang Aldrich

Law Office of Phiang Aldrich, PLLC

Valerie Alonzo

Law Office of Valerie Alonzo

Amber Liddell Alwais

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP

Kristy L. Arellano

Law Offices of Kristy Arellano

Crystal A. Bannin Shumway Van

Hannah Hembree Bell

Hembree Bell Law Firm, PLLC

Taryn O. Biasiolli Biasiolli Law Firm

Crista M. Branch Branch Law Firm

Jean S. Brown

Jean Brown Law Firm

Dana L. Burket

Marvel & Wong PLLC

Ashley N. Butler

Bandoske, Butler & Reuter, PLLC

Katherine Cabello-Flores Tessmer Law Firm

Rebecca J. Carrillo

The Law Offices of Rebecca J. Carrillo, PLLC

Carter B. Casteel

Casteel & Casteel, PLLC

Chanda L. Clepper

Wright-Reneau Law Firm, PLLC

Charla D. Davies

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Shanti Day

Law Office of Shanti Day

Jane Freeman Deyeso

Law Office of Jane Freeman Deyeso

Ashley Duffy

Cordell & Cordell P.C.

Lisa Duke

Lisa Duke Law, PLLC

Laura O. Duran

Roberson Duran Law, PLLC

Jennifer Espronceda Espronceda Law, PLLC

Jessica A. Estorga

Estorga Johnson Law Firm PLLC

Valerie Cortinas Fisher Valerie Cortinas Fisher Law

Kathleen Fox-Sanvictores Bashara Schwartz, PLLC

*The names in red are advertisers

62

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC Law Office of Steven C. Benke Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. Law Office of Jean Brown

Law Offices of Stacy E. Goodbread, PC Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC Law Offices of Sue M. Hall Roberson Duran Law

Hernandez Cook Law PC

Heather Hudson Law Firm, PLLC Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC Law Huron Law Firm Branch Law Firm Langley & Banack, Inc. Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, L.L.P. Beal Law Firm

Jacqueline R. ‘Jackie’ Kriebel Kriebel Law Firm PLLC

Michelle S. Lanfear

Law Office of Michelle Lanfear

Sarah Anne Lishman Lishman Law, PLLC

Jo Chris G. Lopez Langley & Banack, Inc.

Karen L. Marvel Marvel & Wong PLLC

Rashin Mazaheri

Dreyer & Mazaheri, P.L.L.C.

Megan R. Meyerson Marvel & Wong PLLC

Christina Molitor

Law Offices of Christina Molitor, PC

Aida Rojas Moore Rojas Law Firm

Marissa Barrera Morales The Morales Firm, PC

Mysti Murphy

Mysti Murphy Law Firm

Tess Dunn Osborn Reuter Law Group, PC

Trisha Morales Padia Morales Padia Law

Enriqueta A. Perez

The Law Office of Enriqueta A. Perez

Mary Carol Pietrazek Pietrazek Law, PLLC

Sidney Reed

The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC

Katherine Reese, PLLC Wright-Reneau Law Firm, PLLC Reuter Law Group, P.C. Roberson Duran Law, PLLC Texas Rural Legal Aid

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC Christine Rudy Law

Carrington Smyth, PLLC

Soyars & Morgan Law, P.C. Cordell & Cordell P.C. The Law Office of Suzanne Coates Taylor Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Thompson | Ramey, PLLC Langley & Banack, Inc.

Reuter Law Group, P.C. Ford Murray, PLLC

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Suzanne Murray

Haynes and Boone, LLP

Langley & Banack, Inc. Law Offices of George Salinas, PLLC Rackspace

Watts Guerra LLP Watts Guerra LLP Watts Guerra LLP

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C. Begum Peláez-Prada, PLLC Clausewitz Law Firm Watts Guerra LLP Dykema

Rackspace Hosting

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP Watts Guerra LLP

Robbie L. Ward, Attorney at Law

Zandra L. Pulis CPS Energy

Katherine S. Yates

San Antonio Housing Authority

Government Relations

General Litigation

Emily Boney

Emma Cano

Jasmine Grant

Jefferson Cano

Sylvia Cardona Jefferson Cano

Jenna C. Castleman

Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Celina Warren

Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Castleman & Associates, P.C.

Health Care

Shelayne Clemmer

Cynthia Day Grimes

Rachel Donnelly

Suzanne Murray

Hayley Christine Ellison

Jill S. Vogel

Alexis R. Garcia

Immigration

Vericast

USAA Real Estate Davis & Santos

Watts Guerra LLP

Erica Benites Giese Jackson Walker LLP

Cynthia Day Grimes Clark Hill Strasburger, LLP

Stephanie Mcclain Hall Valero Energy Corporation

Amanda Louise Hazleton Alford & Clark PLLC

Nicole E. Jackson Rosenblatt Law Firm

Cathleen Lockhart Lockhart Law Firm, P.C.

Martina Meritz Meritz Reddy

Sarah Rebecca Minter Elms Macchia, PLLC

Clark Hill Strasburger, LLP Haynes and Boone, LLP

Kreager Mitchell Law Firm, PLLC

Paloma Z. Ahmadi Haynes & Boone, LLP

Daniella Salas Chacon Garcia & Garcia

Claudia Hernandez

De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Armendáriz, L.L.P.

Yvette Y. Changuin

Humble Refugee and Immigration Center for Education Service

Jennifer Ingram

Haynes & Boone, LLP

Andrea Meza RAICES

Laura E. O’Donnell Haynes & Boone, LLP

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


In-house Counsel Cynthia Sanchez Escamilla University of The Incarnate Word

Kelly Majors Anderson Southwest Research Institute

Megan Q. Bluntzer

Valero Energy Corporation

Debra L. Innocenti-Placette USAA

Monica J. Lerma Vericast

Jessica Lerma Grunt Style, LLC

Susan McGee

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Michelle Miller NuStar Energy, LP

Shannon Patrice Moralez Zachry Construction Corporation

Sally Murphy USAA

Kirstin I. Silberschlag Valero Energy Corporation

Ashley Elizabeth Street USAA

Elena Villaseñor Sullivan USAA

Christine Joyce Warren USAA

Katherine S. Yates

San Antonio Housing Authority

Information Technology Stephanie L. Chandler Jackson Walker LLP

Natalie F. Wilson

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Insurance Coverage Regina B. Shattles

Frank R. Rivas & Associates

Mary Doggett

National Investors Title Insurance Company

Clare Rodgers

Pace Rodgers Law, PLLC

Ashley Elizabeth Street USAA

Elena Villaseñor Sullivan USAA

Paige Ann Thomas

Goldman & Peterson PLLC

Insurance Def: Commercial Rebecca Aduddell

Gonzalez, Chiscano, Angulo & Kasson, P.C.

Amanda Nicole James Lindow Stephens Treat LLP

Bonnie Kirkland Dykema

Elena P. Serna

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Elena Villaseñor Sullivan USAA

Paige Ann Thomas

Goldman & Peterson PLLC

Laurie A. Weiss

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Insurance Defense: PI Daniela Gonzales Aldape Prichard Young, LLP

Margaret Brown

Lindow Stephens Treat LLP

Amanda E. Carollo Brock Guerra Stranomo Dimaline Jones PC

Jennifer Gibbins Durbin Allen, Stein, & Durbin P.C.

Nicki Kay Elgie

Evans, Rowe & Holbrook, PC

Amy Gurecky

Geico staff Counsel

Lauren Horne

Law Office of R.E. (Felix) Cox

Amanda Nicole James Lindow Stephens Treat LLP

Kimberly Anne Kayatta

Brock Guerra Stranomo Dimaline Jones PC

Brittany Passdar-Shirazi

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys at Law PC

Regina B. Shattles

Frank R. Rivas & Associates

Paige Ann Thomas

Goldman & Peterson PLLC

Intellectual Prop. Litigation

Judy K. Jetelina

Schmoyer Reinhard LLP

Monica J. Lerma Vericast

Lisa Rocheleau

Boone, Rocheleau & Rodriguez, P.L.L.C.

Med. Malpractice: Plaintiff

Megan P. Lindberg

Beth Janicek

Mary Lisa Mireles

Janice Maloney

Colleen Mulholland

Rebecca Page

Laura E. O’Donnell

Erin Rogiers

Haynes & Boone, LLP

Watts Guerra LLP

Zandra L. Pulis

Mergers & Acquisitions

Holt Companies

Rosenblatt Law Firm Equal Justice Center

CPS Energy

Christine E. Reinhard Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP

Jennifer Beldon Rosenblatt Rosenblatt Law Firm

Stacy Sampeck 3M

Shannon B. Schmoyer Schmoyer Reinhard LLP

Janicek Law Firm, P.C. Law Offices of Pat Maloney Watts Guerra LLP

Catriona M. Cavender

Hornberger Fuller & Cohen Inc

Lauren S. Ciminello Jackson Walker LLP

Alexine Friedman Jackson Walker, LLP

Molly E. Neck

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Michelle C. Le

Missy Swallows

PI Defense: General

International

Jennifer Thiel

Curney, Farmer, House, Osuna & Jackson, PC

Land Use/Zoning

Margaret Brown

Law Offices of Michelle C. Le, PLLC

Sylvia Cardona Jefferson Cano

USAA USAA

Ingrid P. Etienne

Ashley Farrimond

Labor & Employment

Legal Aid & Services

NuStar Energy LP

Killen, Griffin & Farrimond PLLC

Brittany E. Box

Lindow Stephens Treat LLP

Georgina Elizabeth BuckleyGraham Naman Howell Smith & Lee, PLLC

Paloma Z. Ahmadi

Karen L. Kelley

Pamela Bethel

Julia R. Rodriguez

Leslie Selig Byrd

Lobbying & Govt Relations

Amber K. Dodds

Killen, Griffin & Farrimond PLLC

Kala S. Dumont

Refugee and Immigration Center for Education Service

Cathrin J. Martinez

Delilah Lorenz Evans

Fatima Menendez

Martina Meritz

Melissa Morales Fletcher

Med. Malpractice: Defense

Brittany Passdar-Shirazi

Jane Ann Fosson

Cavaretta, Katona & Leighner, PLLC

Mary Ann Hisel

Evans, Rowe & Holbrook, PC

Jennifer Ingram

Thornton Biechlin Reynolds & Guerra

Haynes & Boone, LLP USAA

Bracewel, LLP

Bracewell, LLP

Gaul and Dumont

Schmoyer Reinhard LLP Morales Firm P.C.

Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP Hisel Law Firm P. L. L. C. Haynes & Boone, LLP

© 2021 SCENE MONTHLY LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

St. Mary’s University

Texas Rural Legal Aid

Amanda E. Carollo

Brock Guerra Stranomo Dimaline Jones PC

Michelle Garcia-Shaw Chavez Legal Group

Celia E. Guerra

Ashley Farrimond

Brock Guerra Stranomo Dimaline Jones PC

Yvette Y. Changuin Humble

Brock Guerra Stranomo Dimaline Jones PC

MALDEF

Laura A. Cavaretta Nicki Kay Elgie Laura Macom

Lucretia R. Marmor

Kimberly Anne Kayatta

Benjamin, Vana, Martinez & Biggs, LLP Meritz Reddy

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys at Law PC

Clarissa M. Rodriguez

Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech PC

Elena P. Serna

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Regina B. Shattles

Frank R. Rivas & Associates

Langley & Banack, Inc.

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

63


1ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO’S OUTSTANDING

Women In Law

Shavonne L. Smith

Thornton, Biechlin, Reynolds & Guerra, L.C.

Emily Gayle Kinney Stroup Upton, Mickits & Heymann, LLP

Watts Guerra LLP

Alicia D. O’Neill Watts Guerra LLP

Diana Alejandra Rendon

Prof. Liability: Defense

Rosenblatt Law Firm

Greta S. McFarling

Susan Dianne Gile Rogers

Chasnoff / Stribling, LLP

Rosenthal Pauerstein Sandoloski Agather, LLP

Rebecca Page

Public Utilities

Daniela Gonzales Aldape

Malorie J. Peacock

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

San Antonio Water SystemGeneral Counsel

Jane E. Bockus

E. Juanita Pelaez-Prada

Devi Kumar-Nambiar

Jackson Walker LLP

Alicia Grant

Paula D. Perez

Diana Liebmann

Barton Benson Jones PLLC

Laurie A. Weiss

Laura Pazin Porter

W. Abigail Ottmers

King & Sommer, PLLC

CPS Energy

Katherine Tapley

Tara D. Richardson

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Ketterman Rowland & Westlund

Zandra L. Pulis CPS Energy

Delilah Walter

Natalie M. Arledge

Sonia M. Rodriguez

Carolyn E. Shellman CPS Energy

Schools & Education

Edna G. Elizondo

Nadine G. Rodriguez

Real Estate Litigation

Destinee Gesing

Malorie J. Peacock

Erin Rogiers

PI Defense: Product Liab. Prichard Young, LLP Dykema

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

PI Plaintiffs: Product Liab. Cowen Rodriguez Peacock The Carlson Law Firm, PC Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Laura Pazin Porter

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Sonia M. Rodriguez Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Laura G. Tamez

The Herrera Law Firm, Inc.

Shalimar S. Wallis Watts Guerra LLP

Maribel Cordova Wasmiller Wasmiller Cordova, Attorneys At Law

Paula A. Wyatt

Wyatt Law Firm, PLLC

PI Plaintiffs: General Natalie M. Arledge

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Kristian Joy Barrientes Calfas Law Group, PLLC

Sasha Begum

Begum & Peláez-Prada, PLLC

Lara Brock

Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC

Valerie Cantu Pearson Legal PC

Edna G. Elizondo

The Carlson Law Firm, PC

Marisa Balderas Flores Begum, Peláez-Prada PLLC

Holly Fudge-Stokes

Fudge Nieto Stokes Law Firm, PLLC

Alexis R. Garcia Watts Guerra LLP

LeeAnn De La Garza Wayne Wright, LLP

Jade Tyler Heep

Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC

Natalie K. Karam Wayne Wright, LLP

Cathleen Lockhart Lockhart Law Firm, P.C.

Eunice Fernandez Moore

Law Offices of George Salinas, PLLC

Desiree Murrofo Davis Law Firm

64

Jennifer Neal

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Watts Guerra LLP

Begum Peláez-Prada, PLLC

Law Ofice of Paula D. Perez, PLLC Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock Rodriguez Trial Law

Cassandra R. Ross

Nancy Belinsky

Jackson Walker LLP

Leah Sanchez

Yelena V. Seletskaya

CPS Energy

Eileen E. Sommer

Haynes & Boone, LLP

Walter Law

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C.

Elizabeth Breazeale Haynes and Boone, LLP

Securities & Corp Finance

Toni Fisher

Lindsey Berwick

Abby Johanson

Michelle Miller

Shellie R. Reyes

Amy L. Perry

Real Estate Transactions

Securities Litigation

Shalimar S. Wallis

Crystal Acker

Ashley S. Dahlberg

Maribel Cordova Wasmiller

Ruth Kelleher Agather

Wasmiller Cordova, Attorneys At Law

Rosenthal Pauerstein Sandoloski Agather, LLP

Tax

Paula A. Wyatt

Nancy Belinsky

Pamela Bethel

San Antonio Water System- General Counsel

USAA

Lindsey Berwick

Katherine E. David

Fatima Menendez

Elizabeth C. Boddy

Mary Doggett

Probate Law

Elizabeth Breazeale

Watts Guerra LLP

Hella V. Scheuerman

Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC

Laura G. Tamez

The Herrera Law Firm, Inc.

Dannick G. VillaseñorHernandez Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC Watts Guerra LLP

Wyatt Law Firm, PLLC

Political Law MALDEF

Rebecca Aduddell

USAA Real Estate Company Haynes & Boone, LLP

Jackson Walker LLP

Person, Mohrer, Morales, Boddy, Garcia & Gutierrez, PLLC Haynes and Boone, LLP

Catherine Byers

Mary Doggett

Probate Court 2

Brittany Hinojosa Citron Weisinger Law Firm PLLC

Tanya E. Feinleib Langley & Banack, Inc.

Erin Lee Groce

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

Jessica A. Newill Gardner Law, PC

Barbara E. Scharf-Zeldes Group Legal Services

Hella V. Scheuerman

Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC

Maurine (Mo) H. Shipp Clark Hill

Suzanne Leigh Coates Taylor

The Law Office of Suzanne Coates Taylor

NuStar Energy LP

Kruger Carson, PLLC

Raven Bruno

Michelle R. Casillas

NuStar Energy, LP

Clausewitz Law Firm

Gonzalez, Chiscano, Angulo & Kasson, P.C. Weisinger Law Firm, PLLC

Jackson Walker LLP

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC National Investors Title Insurance Company

Sara E. Dysart Sara E. Dysart, PC

Ingrid P. Etienne NuStar Energy LP

Toni Fisher

USAA Real Estate Company

Artessia K. House Tess House Law, PLLC

Abby Johanson

Haynes & Boone, LLP

Marlise Aimone Kercheville Kercheville & Badger, PC

Christine Lozano

Mazurek Belden & Burke PC

Stephanie Macchia Elms Macchia, PLLC

Kati Orso

Jackson Walker LLP

Ashley N. Randol Rosenblatt Law Firm

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Clark Hill PLC

National Investors Title Insurance Company

Tanya E. Feinleib Langley & Banack, Inc.

Katherine P. Noll Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Mary Ruth Rowe

The Kreager Mitchell Law Firm

Transportation & Maritime Katherine P. Noll Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Trust & Estate Litigation Stephanie L. Curette

Hornberger Fuller Garza & Cohen, Inc.

Diana M. Geis

Curl Stahl Geis, P.C.

Joyce W. Moore

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Workers Compensation Lara Brock

Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC

Jade Tyler Heep

Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC

Amanda Spencer

Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC

Dannick G. Villaseñor-Hernandez Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Scene In S.A. asked women in our community: Where did you find the motivation, confidence and courage to start and build your business? Many of them are leaders of large or small organizations as professionals, business owners and managers. These are strong and inspiring women who have fought hard to get to where they are today. Here are their responses.

............................... Jeanne Albrecht Owner, Travel Agent Cruise & Tour Center

Where did I find motivation and courage to start and build a business? I have started two businesses—one as a PR consultant when I was in my mid-30s; one as the owner of a travel agency when I was in my mid-50s. Each were started for very different reasons, but with the same rewarding result. Even though I loved working for the PR firm where I got my start (thank you, NSJ!), an undeniable strong desire to set my own hours so I could be present for my two gradeschool sons’ lives—from soccer practices to baseball games to those cursed science experiments—led me to quit the 9-to-5 system. Think of mama bear defending her cubs—that kind of desire. I worked out of the home I shared with my boys and husband, and even though the quality of my bank account suffered at first, my quality of life was off the charts. I am still blessed coordinating PR and/or special event for incredible clients in San Antonio like NIOSA, County Line BBQ, Central Catholic High School, Tuesday Musical Club, (CAMP as a Board Member) --and still love it every day. So why own a travel agency? Matter of dollars and cents! Our most expensive habit was and still is travel, so I figured why not learn the best places to travel, for the best rate, with the least amount of risk--and take all my friends and their friends with me. Full disclosure: I didn’t start the business, but I did expand it greatly when I took Cruise & Tour Center over because the past owner was the only agent, and he didn’t have a logo, website nor Facebook page. I first worked as an agent, and within a year, we flipped jobs---I now own it, and he is still one of my agents. To keep management demands low and satisfaction high, I only have three other agents besides Bob. The most challenging part of this job: triple (and often quadruple) checking every single reservation and accommodation to be sure all is 100% perfect. Let me take that back: Covid has been the most challenging part of this job, but my clients were all incredible when trips were canceled. Most have rebooked to late 2021 and 2022, and I am getting calls every week for new trips. People are so ready to get out there! Practically the whole world is working from home now, but I have been doing it since the mid-80s and have always loved it. I am blessed with that strange mix of being motivated enough to work from home, but not letting it overtake my life. I have always loved that I can get to my desk at 5 in the morning when the world is quiet, but take off throughout the day whenever needed. And yes, I work nights and weekends, but when you love what you do, that is not a problem.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

...............................

Constance M. Barone, M.D., FACS Constance M. Barone, MD, PLLC and Elegante Surgery Center, LLC 2021 Best S.A. Female Doctor

For my entire life I have been involved in medicine and retail. My great uncle, who was a surgeon, owned his own hospital in Boston and my grandfather and father owned a chain of pharmacies. I assisted my dad and family in running the pharmacies and this included the payroll, ordering supplies and helping stock his new pharmacies before the grand openings. My father always encouraged everyone including his daughters and staff to seek higher education. He was pivotal in my decision to go into medicine but it was my mother who taught me how to sew and create. I became board certified in General Surgery at Temple University Hospital and was the third woman to complete the surgical residency and the first woman awarded the Caswell Teaching award. I was drawn to the creativity of Plastic Surgery and completed my Plastic Surgery Residency at New York University and a Craniofacial Fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Later in life, I was recruited to University of Texas San Antonio as the first female chief of Plastic Surgery. During my tenure, I was again awarded a teaching award by the plastic surgery residents. My father’s business entrepreneurial sense ran through my blood and I set out into private practice and built my own plastic surgery office, spa and surgery center. I wanted more control over the running of the office and the ability to order state of the art equipment for my patients. I have LOVED every aspect of my career and have been especially grateful to be a part of so many patients’ lives. From student to academic practice to private practice and business owner, they have all been challenges that I have grown from and enthusiastically embraced. It has been and continues to be such a fulfilling journey!

You educate a man; you educate a man.You educate a woman; you educate a generation.

. . . . . . . . . .–.Brigham . . . . . . .Young ............. SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

65


............................... Jean Brown

Attorney at Law 2021 Best S.A. Female Lawyer I never really gave opening my own business much thought. At age 13, I was the only child in my family who chose to work. I started teaching swimming and diving lessons in the summers on my own and worked from sun up to sun down because I like working hard. I was known as the local swimming and diving coach. I worked my last year of college, not out of financial necessity, but because I wanted to. I like working. Once out of college, I opened my first “storefront” business, the Anatomy Academy. Anatomy Academy was an exercise studio before Jane Fonda days. I had gone to an exercise class at the downtown YMCA and I thought I could do a much better job. I hung out my shingle and totally made up the whole program. The business lasted about twelve years, many of which I also did a live local television exercise show. I got the idea of going to law school when I was 37. My husband had urged me to go for several years, telling me I was a natural. I was not enthused about the idea of law school until I went to the court house and watched a closing argument. Again, I thought I can do that so much better. I signed up for the LSAT, took it in three weeks and found my self in law school very soon thereafter. Upon graduation, I worked very briefly for a large firm before hanging my shingle out again. I was a self employed lawyer. That was thirty years ago. It wasn’t until the last five or so years that I really got interested in running a business, that is employing others to work for me and being responsible for overhead and their salaries as well as my own. Now, that has been fun! I love studying different business models and incentivizing others to reach their potential personally and financially in an environment that is fun to work in and appreciates each person’s individual contribution. To top it all, in family law, we have the opportunity to help so many people during a crisis in their lives. I do large property cases, but my favorites are working with the family issues and helping individuals overcoming addiction issues. I can’t pinpoint where the drive or confidence came from. Quite frankly, I think I was scared and felt insecure before all of these endeavors and still do on some days today. I just feel the fear and do it anyway.

............................... Rebecca Carrillo Attorney at Law 2021 Best S.A. Female Lawyer

As a young family law attorney, I learned just how rough it can be for the people going through some very difficult times in their lives. I saw people in some really dire straits who just needed simple, honest, straightforward legal representation, and that was tough to find in San Antonio in 2011. I can’t say opening my own practice was easy – it was quite the opposite! – but whenever I faced a hurdle to my young practice’s success, I tried to think about those I was there to help. I’d also say that plenty of fortitude emerges from knowing yourself and what motivates you. My joy in life is giving others the tools and representation they need to succeed. By starting my own practice, I was able to empower my employees to do the same. Identifying this joy made my work feel energizing and exciting, something that I was eager to get to in the mornings.

On the flip side, some of my grit came from sheer necessity. I started my business during the recession, when cases came slowly, competition was fierce, and the future looked bleak. Despite this and even because of this, I simply did not give myself the option to fail. I had to make it work, so I gave it my all – nights, weekends, everything. When you’re against a rock and a hard place, you learn not just how tough you are but also how tough you can become. In those early years I found grit that I didn’t know I had, a grit that I believe everyone has within them when they push toward their goals.

............................... Shanti Day

Attorney at Law 2021 Best S.A. Female Lawyer Sometimes life doesn’t give you a choice but to change. When Covid hit San Antonio, our family was turned upside down. The firm I was at wasn’t able to accommodate the changing situation so I left and opened my own practice. Confidence came from over a decade of practice as an attorney. Pep talks are still a regular occurrence as I remind myself that I know what I’m doing and that I bring real results to my clients. My success in growing my business has been the result of years of good client relationships and making genuine connections with my colleagues. Former clients have spent time and energy to find me at my new practice and colleagues have referred me cases regularly. The amazing group of family law attorneys in San Antonio makes being a solo practitioner much less lonely. Our community is fairly small and close knit and I am so proud to have these colleagues with whom I can exchange questions and ideas. Motivation is easy. When you run your own business, you don’t get paid if you don’t work.

............................... Esmi Gonzalez Professional Organizer Certified/Principal – Sort It Out I have always been neat and tidy since a very young age. This is mostly due to watching my mother’s daily habits and routines while growing up. She is a very strong and independent woman. I would have to say she is my first inspiration to start my own business. She gave me the courage and confidence to tackle whatever was in front of me at any given time.

I started my business after losing my job in the marketing industry during the last recession. I was on unemployment and there were very few marketing jobs available at the time. A friend, a very successful entrepreneur who owns several businesses gave me the idea to “make your own job.” After reading an article about a Professional Organizer in Dallas I told him this was my next career. He basically gave me every resource he had to get started. Starting a business was a no brainer for me because I had everything I needed at my fingertips with his mentorship, help and advice. I opened Sort It Out in 2011 when the organizing industry in San Antonio was nearly unheard of. Boy, that gave me a run for my money! It was certainly motivation and the need to work even harder at making my business succeed. Having a marketing background came in handy, targeting my audience came easy for me. Ten years later, Sort It Out is thriving and we are one of the busiest organizing companies in the city. Contact Info: 210-818-8250 | esmi@sortitoutsa.com

66

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


............................... Maria Antonietta Joeris Owner of Salon Visage Full Service Salon My name is Maria Antonietta Joeris, I’m a native San Antonian. I went OW Holmes High School and I was in the first graduating class of the Cosmetology Vocational Program. After graduating from school, I took the state board exam and was fortunate to have a job waiting which was amazing! I continued furthering my education in my industry… NY, LA, Atlanta, and went to a cutting styling school in London (Vidal Sassoon) and Jingles International. I was ready to open my salon, SALON VISAGE, which I opened 28 years ago. I can honestly say that I have some of the best clients of our community; very influential and most importantly, clients that make a difference in our community. Salon Visage is full service salon located in the lovely Historical Monte Vista.. I recently bought a 1916 historical building that is currently under renovation with hopes to open April of 2021. I’m really looking forward to our new location at 126 E Mistletoe in MV. It’s going to be so charming and unique, it’s been a lot of work and more to come, but everything worth having truly is. The services that we offer include: all types hair color, wigs, extensions, manicures and pedicures, lashes, skin care, plus a boutique in the salon. I currently operate with a staff of 10 and hope to gain a few more at our new location. As a business owner, I feel strongly about participating with and giving back to several organizations that our clients are involved with as well.

............................... Lisa Marten, MD, MPH

Medical Director and Owner of the South Texas Eye Institute, the First Clinic in San Antonio to perform LASIK. Motivation I always knew I would follow my father’s business plan. He owned a medical practice and was a brilliant surgeon, and I would strive do the same. I had good mentors along the way who paved the way for me. Confidence I knew I had good training in medicine, and I knew that if I treated my patients well, they would keep coming back. I learned the business side on the job, and found it was helpful to supplement my education in business, to strengthen my management and leadership skills. Courage It was a big endeavor, but I had the drive and the energy. I improved my skills, I struggled, but with a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck, the business evolved and grew into what it is today.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

............................... Marianne Pinkston, MD Pinkston Medical and Wellness Clinic 2021 Best S.A. Female Doctor

When I graduated residency a local large medical group went bankrupt and all their credentialed and established doctors were let loose into the market and took every available job I could see. I was new on the scene and no one wanted a fresh residency grad that was more expensive than useful their first 6 months out. My then husband and I held our nose and jumped in the deep end. We started our own family practice. All we needed was a line of credit and a place to hang my shingle. 25 years later I am still here and now one of the very few and proud doctors in solo practice. Both my parents owned their own businesses. I knew I could do it. My then husband and business partner knew we could. I will tell the world the smartest decision ever made was to go into solo practice. Since then I have seen over 50k new patient souls in this beautiful city and I have never regretted a day. Would I do it over again? Absolutely. Motivated by lack of actual job availability, the confidence of watching my parents run a business my whole life and the support of a great spouse and the sheer will of the significant passion for medicine and love of people, as cliché as it sounds, I never looked back. We did it and are still here.

............................... Jaclyn Roberson Attorney and Counselor at Law 2021 Best S.A. Female Lawyer

I have always been an independent person. From an early age, my mother empowered me to forge my own path. When I first became a lawyer, I was blessed to be surrounded by intelligent, confident female solo practitioners. At the time, I worked for a law office, but I was eager for something more where I could make a difference on my own terms. One jurist in particular, the Honorable Judge Yolanda Huff, then an accomplished solo practitioner, would often encourage me to hang up my shingle. If I expressed any hesitation, she would tell me stories of how she started her practice right out of law school. Witnessing her courage and confidence convinced me that I could open my own law practice. I opened the Law Office of Jaclyn Y. Roberson, PLLC in March 2006 and I am proud of everything we have accomplished. In 2020, we were blessed to partner with Laura O. Duran to form Roberson Duran Law, PLLC. Together, I hope that we can be an example to other female lawyers ready to forge their own path.

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

67


Mums and Mimosas Editor: Leslie Foley Good Samaritan Community Services hosted its annual fundraiser: The 12th Annual Mums & Mimosas VIRTUAL Luncheon. Presenting sponsors were the Mays Family Foundation and The Donnell Family. Committee members made sure that attendees received the full Mums & Mimosas experience with a catered brunchin-a-basket, customizable add-ons, and a front row seat this impactful event.

Co-chairs Nicole Johnson and Whitney Ormond

to

Close to 300 virtual attendees helped to raise over $200,000. The luncheon featured New York Times best-selling and local author Melanie Shankle as the 2021 guest speaker. Melanie is also the author of the Big Mama Blog, co-host of The Big Boo Cast podcast. You won’t want to miss her newest book, On The Bright Side, released in February 2020, along with her first children’s book, Piper and Mabel: Two Very Wild But Very Good Dogs.

Speaker, Melanie Shankle

Over the past decade, the Mums & Mimosas luncheon has brought the community together to celebrate the women and mothers in their lives; raising over one million dollars to empower mothers and families at Good Samaritan Community Services. Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam) is a catalyst for change, supporting youth, individuals, and families by providing excellent community services to overcome economic Valero attendees poverty. These services include an early childhood services program, a youth and teen services program, and the only nationally accredited senior center in south Texas. What began as a ministry of the Episcopal Church on the west side of San Antonio in 1951 now reaches more than 4,700 individuals and 1,800 families around South Texas. n

Grand Western Shindig Editor: Leslie Foley The 41st Annual Grand Western Shindig committee and Mission Road Ministries staff decided last June that they would approach this year’s Shindig as a general fundraising campaign and not try to create a social distancing event. The committee diligently personally contacted each donor and asked for their financial support. No special baskets or food orders nor did they encourage people to have small parties - they simply encouraged people to watch the premier. The video was a nice tool to share the important Mission Road Ministries story. The added bonus is that the video will always be an accessible 24/7/365 on their YouTube Channel. n

68

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Chris Zaiontz with Jose Zertuche, Mission Road client Chris Zaiontz and Sharon Aguillen of TCB Productions, Shindig 2020 Creative Director with Gregg Chinn, Chairman, Board of Directors, MRM (VP at Frost Bank)

Toby Summers, MRM CEO, with Siobhain Anders, Shindig 2020 Mistress of Ceremonies

Chris Zaiontz with Linda Villarreal, Chef and Food Service Director, MRM with Siobhain and Sharon Aguillen, TCB Productions, Shindig 2020 Creative Director Siobhain Anders, Shindig 2020 Mistress of Ceremonies and Lynette Farrimond, Vice President, Development and Communications

Siobhain Anders with Brenda Fikes, Geovana Tejeda, Olga Bara, Linda Villarreal - MRM Food Service Team

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


............................... Yvette Robinson

Owner, Robinson General Contractors, Inc. My name is Yvette Robinson, born in Laredo, TX, the oldest daughter of three sisters, where I grew up with strong entrepreneur role models. My father and uncle started their own residential construction company when I was very little, they are still a success today and am very proud to have been a part of that. That background gave me the foundation to take the leap with my husband Kurt Robinson in 2010 to start Robinson General Contractors, Inc. We initially started this company to fill a niche market in retail construction, to take on the smaller remodel work that larger companies with tons of overhead were unable or unwilling to do. That lead us from remodeling a single restroom to upgrade to ADA spec in our first week of business to eventually building entire grocery stores from the ground up just 4 short years later. We are still a small GC and enjoy it, at Robinson everyone is treated like family and that is how we try to treat every project, that it is for family. Robinson General Contractors is a family, when we put on that logo in the morning, we are together as one unit. We could not be where we are today without our amazing people helping us get things done. They ARE Robinson General Contractors and we are happy to have them on our team. Being a Latina, Woman Owned Company and seeing what we have achieved as a company gives me the motivation and confidence to pull forward and that anything is possible.

............................... Christine Rudy

Attorney and Counselor at Law 2021 Best S.A. Female Lawyer

After becoming a licensed attorney in California, I moved to San Antonio in 2015 and became licensed to practice in Texas as well. While practicing family law at a firm in town for a couple years, I became involved with the Bexar County Women’s Bar (“BCWB”) - a local nonprofit organization dedicated, “… to improve the status of women in the legal profession by providing its members with diverse opportunities for leadership, mentoring, career development, and involvement in the greater legal community.” Thereafter, I was introduced to the LEAD Academy (“LEAD”). LEAD is an extension of the BCWB created, “…to assist women attorneys in attaining the highest levels of success in their firms and organizations, communities, and in the legal profession.” In 2017, I was accepted into LEAD’s inaugural class, and attended a year-long program comprised of symposiums with presentations by accomplished female attorneys from across the country. Upon graduation, I was outfitted with a new “girl gang” of female attorneys that I could turn to for support in career decisions and beyond. LEAD was hugely instrumental in starting my own business. I am now on the BCWB Board of Directors with many of these same women. Finally, becoming a 200-RYT certified yoga teacher was a primary motivator in starting my law practice. I have been an avid yoga practitioner since age 19. I love everything the practice provides – community, mindfulness, and balance – and numerous other benefits outside the scope of this narrative. In December 2018, I obtained my yoga teacher training certification and shortly began teaching 3 times per week. For me, teaching yoga requires authenticity and constant self-reflection to deliver the energy needed to offer yogis a sacred space to practice. In order to remain authentic to myself and my values, I knew I needed a change. With the support of my family in Colorado, as well as the amazing legal and yoga communities in San Antonio, I had the motivation, confidence, and courage I needed to move forward and start my business in February of 2018. Making the change will forever be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

............................... Alice E. Warburton

Attorney and Counselor at Law 2021 Best S.A. Female Lawyer | 2021 Top DWI Lawyer I was motivated to start my own criminal defense law firm because I wanted the freedom to advise my clients with unfettered authenticity. I also wanted the opportunity to run a business with complete creative freedom. Starting your own business means you must wholly own your failures, but you wholly own your successes too.

............................... Maribel Cordova Wasmiller

Attorney and Counselor at Law 2021 Best S.A. Female Lawyer

Do you ever have that gnawing feeling and ask yourself, is this it? A feeling that you have not reached your full potential, that there is more for you to do out there, more to learn, more to give, more joy for the taking. This was the point in my life that I had had enough and decided if I did not make some changes, in spite of the fear, I was going to slowly fall into a place in my profession where I was comfortable, but not happy. I was looking for joy, independence and challenges in my work. I had to make more time for each client, my family, my friends, my community and for myself. I knew I had to make a change and go for it, in search of the path that would allow me to have the flexibility needed to create a space where I could help those who need it most. No woman is an island unto herself and I have had incredible support from so many people. Faith, confidence in humanity and love is what has given me the strength to start and build a law firm with my husband, Larry. Listening to the quiet inner voice that always has the answers and guides us to doing what is right. I try not to question this faith-driven guidance and instead, hold onto to the knowing that compassion and understanding will always lead me in the right direction. Whatever business we choose, the business must be driven by a power that is built on humility, competence, diligence, compassion and understanding. I remind myself that I cannot control every single outcome and yes, sometimes things do not turn out exactly as planned. I am human and I have days that are filled with fear of the unknown, uncertainty, the need for perfection, moments of questioning my skills, and moments of questioning others, and so I lean on the idea that there must be another way. The truth is, I won’t always have all the answers, things will not always be perfect, I may even “mess things up”, BUT I remind myself to just keep doing what is right and to keep making decisions based on that reminder. A law practice is not a building with a few people sitting in a room, mindlessly running through documents. It is a space we have been given to realize the pain brought by injustice to other human beings. By knowing this pain and understanding this pain, I am fueled to work for just outcomes. I lean on love, faith, and a deep understanding that nothing can block progress when we work for bringing justice and peace.

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

69


JULES ALDAZ GUERRA, Fashion Stylist of the Year

It is Springtime! Who doesn’t love spring flowers, spring weather, and spring colors. Its time for tulips, warmer daytime weather with breezy evenings, start of wedding season and the fashion…the fabulous spring fashion! If you are like many ladies these days, a new season influences us to have new clothes. With all that has happened you may have felt cheated on wearing all your spring clothes from last year. You do not have to go out and spend your life savings on everything new and you can still mix last year with this years fun trends. Here are a few helpful tips to help you change up your wardrobe and have fun with trends while doing it. MIX AND MATCH THE SEASONS Definitely mix and match the season by keeping all of the above in mind too. If you DO love that burgundy sweater, just pair it with white jeans. If you love your winter cashmere sweater, add it to a midi skirt and sneakers. And if you are SO ready for that summer dress, wear it with booties and a leather or denim jacket. Mix and match patterns, keep in mind fabrics and lighter layers and you’ll be golden! INTRODUCE SOME LIGHTER COLORS INTO YOUR WARDROBE Blend seasonal colors in with your lighter colors. You can take a year round blouse of white & black floral mix (as shown) and put it with any color of pants (see color trends below). Also when adding in colors think the spring flowers. The colors on trend this season are bright and bold!

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


TRANSITION YOUR SHOES You can wear a beautiful fun spring floral dress and add a fabulous pair of combat boots. Wear your combat boots or ballet flats with bare legs and a shorter skirt or simply switch out your ballet flats for a pair of strappy sandals. ACCESSORIZE WITH WINTER TO SPRING HATS We love a good hat and you do not have to put away the felt hats. Pair with a pair of white jeans and a pale blue or pink lightweight sweater. Also looks great with transitional dresses. WEAR FOR A STATEMENT JACKET Simply throw on your favorite fabulous statement jacket over a tank top or a cap sleeve blouse. Don’t forget to add a little trend when thinking about your spring wardrobe by adding in some color and trends at the same time. Black and white colors are very popular this season but so are bright hues! Here are the Top 5 colors trends for Spring: • Mellow Yellow • Bubblegum Pink • Magnetic Magenta • Tiger Tangerine • Tennis Ball Green Have fun incorporating these fun colors in your wardrobe and remember you can start by adding a simple belt or statement pieces of jewelry. n

For more fashion & beauty tips, go to www.jules.style. Book your style appointment thru the website and let Jules help you create your own fashion story.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

71


MEET SOME OF SAN ANTONIO’S

Women In Law

OUTSTANDING

Amber Liddell Alwais

Taryn O. Biasiolli

Kerrisa Chelkowski

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law 2021 Top Family Lawyer

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Top Family Lawyer

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP

Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski

Biasiolli Law Firm

Phone: 210-225-5567 Email: amber@ondafamilylaw.com Website: www.ondafamilylaw.com Areas of Practice: Family Law; Appellate

Phone: 210-551-5580 Fax: 888-501-9307 Email: biasiollilawfirm@outlook.com Areas of Practice: Family Law; Criminal Defense

...................................... .....................................

Confident, yet compassionate, Amber Liddell Alwais protects her clients, making them feel safe and secure while fighting for them from beginning to end. Amber is a staunch advocate for clients, committed to providing highly personalized legal services in all Family Law matters, including traditional and nontraditional divorce, custody issues, property division, child support and adoption matters. Amber had the honor of being the first of only two staff attorneys for Bexar County District Judges. There she had the privilege of experiencing the law from both sides of the bench. In addition to her legal practice, Amber serves as a family law, probate law and criminal law instructor at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She is also vice president of the San Antonio Bar Association Family Law section.

72

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Phone: 210-228-9393 Fax: 210-226-7540 Email: kerrisa@defendtexas.com Website: www.defend-texas.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense; Criminal Def: White Collar; Appellate

Kerrisa is recognized for her passion and tireless work in the defense of her clients. She continues her successful record in both state and federal court. Recently, she secured an acquittal for her client from a lengthy federal trial. Her reputation as a zealous advocate is proven through her successful trial and appellate record. In addition, Kerrisa has been a District Court Magistrate for over 10 years, special prosecutor, and lecturer on innovative legal approaches.

Susan D. Reed became the first woman Criminal District Attorney of Bexar County, Texas from 1998 to January 3, 2015.

Hannah Hembree Bell

Emily Boney

LeeAnn De La Garza

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Top Family Lawyer

Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Wayne Wright, LLP

Phone: 210-538-5385 Fax: 210-538-5384 E-mail: eboney@slh-law.com Website: www.slh-law.com Areas of Practice: Government Relations; Employment Lit: Defense

Phone: 210-888-8888 Fax: 210-734-9965 Email: ldelagarza@waynewright.com Website: www.waynewright.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General

Hembree Bell Law Firm, PLLC

...................................... Phone: 512-765-7002 Email: hannah@hembreebell.com Website: www.austindivorcelawyers.us www.sanantoniodivorcelawyers.us Areas of Practice: Family Law

Hannah Hembree Bell is a family law and estate planning attorney offering real solutions for real families in Bexar, Travis, and surrounding counties. Hannah understands what you’re going through because she’s walked the road you’re walking. Because of this experience, Hannah offers personal, practical, in-the-weeds solutions—blending empathy and advocacy in equal parts.

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

Taryn Biasiolli is a devoted family law advocate from San Antonio with experience in all areas of family law. Her teaching background and involvement in the LGBTQ community has given her the necessary experience needed to appreciate that each family is unique and should be represented accordingly.

......................................

...................................... ......................................

Ms. Boney’s practice includes representation of school districts, private schools, charter schools, and other public and private entities, primarily in employment law matters. Ms. Boney received a J.D. with Distinction in 2011 from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Ms. De La Garza is a proud graduate of Texas State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She attended St. Mary’s University School of Law and received her Juris Doctorate in 2011. Her practices focuses solely on personal injury claims, wherein she has obtained numerous multimillion dollar settlements. In addition to helping car crash victims, Ms. De La Garza also specializes in premise liability and funeral home negligence claims. A native of the Texas Hill Country, Ms. De La Garza prides herself on holding negligent parties accountable and keeping Texas safe.


Erica Benites Giese

Jasmine Grant

Natalie K. Karam

Jennifer Neal

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

Jackson Walker LLP

Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Wayne Wright, LLP

Watts Guerra LLP

Phone: 210-978-7791 | Email: egiese@jw.com Website: www.jw.com/people/erica-giese Areas of Practice: White Collar - Civil and Criminal

Phone: 210-538-5385 Fax: 210-538-5384 E-mail: jgrant@slh-law.com Website: www.slh-law.com Areas of Practice: Government Relations; Litigation; Employment Lit: Defense

Phone: 210-888-8888 Fax: 210-734-9965 Email: nkaram@waynewright.com Website: www.waynewright.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General

Phone: 210-447-0500 Fax: 210-447-0501 Email: jneal@wattsguerra.com Website: www.wattsguerra.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General; General Litigation; Class Action/Mass Torts

...................................... ...................................... ......................................

Erica handles civil and criminal white collar and government investigations. Having tried over 100 cases, she has extensive litigation experience. Erica leverages this experience to defend clients and helps respond to grand jury subpoenas and civil investigative demands. She handles False Claims Act, healthcare fraud, government contract fraud, bank and wire fraud, and immigration worksite enforcement matters. Erica also advises and advocates for individual and corporate victims of fraud. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner.

......................................

Jasmine Grant’s practice includes the representation of school districts, private schools, charter schools, and other public and private entities in all areas, including labor and employment, governance, tort litigation, and contracts. She received a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 2016.

Ms. Karam graduated Summa Cum Laude from DePaul University in Chicago and received her Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 2011. Her practice is now focused exclusively on personal injury matters and she has obtained numerous multi-million dollar settlements on behalf of injured Texans. As a San Antonio native, she understands the unique challenges facing clients and their loved ones following a devastating injury.

Sara E. Dysart

Alexis R. Garcia

Aida Rojas Moore

Alicia D. O’Neill

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

Sara E. Dysart, PC

Watts Guerra LLP

2021 Top Family Lawyer

Watts Guerra LLP

Phone: 210-224-7111 | Fax: 210-224-1733 Email: sara@dysartlaw.com Areas of Practice: Real Estate Transactions

Phone: 210-447-0500 Fax: 210-447-0501 Email: argarcia@wattsguerra.com Website: www.wattsguerra.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General; General Litigation; Business Litigation

...................................... ......................................

Sara Dysart is a certified in commercial real estate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law. Dysart has served on the board of directors of the San Antonio Bar Association, Bexar County Women’s Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, San Antonio Bar Foundation, and Texas Bar Foundation. She has served on the St. Mary’s University School of Law Board of Visitors since 2016 and has been its chair since 2018. She is currently on the board of directors of Broadway Bank, St. Mary’s University, the Texas Bar College, and the San Antonio River Foundation. She is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Sara has won numerous awards, including a State Bar Presidents’ Award; State Bar Presidential Citation; San Antonio Bar Foundation Peacemaker Award; San Antonio Bar Association President’s Award; Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation Belva Lockwood Outstanding Lawyer Award; Association of Corporate Counsel South Texas Chapter C. Lee Cusenbary Ethical Life Award; and the Texas Bar Foundation Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award.

Alexis Garcia is a South Texas native who was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. Alexis’s education took her to Columbia University for her undergraduate degree and Cornell Law School. Her practice focuses on plaintiff-side personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, and mass torts for Watts Guerra LLP.

Rojas Law Firm

...................................... Phone: 210-299-4600 Fax: 210-299-4600 E-mail: aidarojas@aidarojaslaw.com Website: www.aidarojaslaw.com Areas of Practice: Family Law

Aida Rojas Moore has over 16 years of qualified experience in dealing with family law cases such as divorce, custody, domestic violence, CPS, child support and adoptions. Throughout the course of representing clients, Ms. Rojas has gained the reputation of a lawyer who will always fight for justice and will protect the legal rights of Texas families and children.

Jennifer Neal is a Partner at Watts Guerra LLP whose areas of practice focus on personal injury, mass torts, harmful pharmaceuticals, and commercial litigation. Jennifer completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas and obtained her law degree from St. Mary’s University.

...................................... Phone: 210-447-0500 Fax: 210-447-0501 Email: jneal@wattsguerra.com Website: www.wattsguerra.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General; General Litigation; Class Action/Mass Torts

Alicia O’Neill is the Managing Partner for Watts Guerra LLP’s Mass Tort office. Over the years, and in many state and federal courts, Alicia has successfully handled cases involving: mass torts, sexual assault and sexual harassment, harmful pharmaceuticals, personal injury, contract disputes, and fraud.

Justice Rose Spector was the first woman ever elected to the Texas Supreme Court. Previously, she served 18 years on the trial bench. Elected Judge of County Court at Law No. 5 in 1974, she was among the first women elected to a county-wide public office in Bexar County. SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

73


MEET SOME OF SAN ANTONIO’S

Women In Law

OUTSTANDING

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

74

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Cynthia Orr

Soledad Valenciano

Marion M. Reilly

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Top DUI Lawyer

Spivey Valenciano, PLLC

Hilliard Martinez Gonzales

Phone: 210-787-4654 Fax: 210-201-8178 Email: svalenciano@svtxlaw.com Website: http://www.spivaltx.com/ Areas of Practice: Eminent Domain; Administrative Law; Business Litigation

Phone: 361-882-1612 Fax: 361-882-3015 Email: marion@hmglawfirm.com Website: www.hmglawfirm.com Areas of Practice: Appellate

Goldstein & Orr PLLC

...................................... Phone:210-226-1463 Fax: 210-226-8367 Email: whitecollarlaw@gmail.com Website: www.goldsteinhilley.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Law & Appeals

.....................................

Cynthia Eva Hujar Orr is the past Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section and in its House of Delegates, on the Texas Board of Law Examiners, is past President of the NACDL and TCDLA. She founded the San Antonio Lawyers Association and the Texas Innocence Network. She is listed in the Best Lawyers in America, is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a Texas’ Top 100 Trial Lawyer. She is in the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, she was TCDLA 2015 Pro Bono Lawyer of the year, clerked for federal Judge Emilio Garza and is Board Certified in Criminal Law and Appeals. She is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and is AV Rated by Martindale Hubble.

Soledad Valenciano exclusively represents property owners in eminent domain cases, including those involving road expansions, electric transmission lines, pipelines and more. She also represents clients before the Texas Public Utility Commission. Her clients include developers, ranchers, and business owners with significant commercial or rural holdings in Texas. Soledad is the Past-President of the San Antonio Federal Bar Association and a Chairperson on the 2020 Steering Committee for the Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation’s LEAD Academy. Soledad writes for the San Antonio Lawyer’s “Federal Court Update,” and she was recently published in the Federal Lawyer Magazine.

Erin Rogiers

Jodi Soyars

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

Watts Guerra LLP

2021 Top Family Lawyer

..................................... Phone: 210-447-0500 Fax: 210-447-0501 Email: erogiers@wattsguerra.com Website: www.wattsguerra.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General; General Litigation; Med. Malpractice: Plaintiff Erin Rogiers is a Partner at Watts Guerra LLP handling a variety of cases including automobile and trucking collisions, premises liability, product liability, work injuries, medical malpractice, civil rights, and mass torts. She has litigated cases in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Wyoming, Connecticut, and Kentucky.

Soyars & Morgan Law

..................................... Phone: 210-568-9400 Fax: 210-858-5181 Email: jodi@soyarsmorganlaw.com Website: www.soyarsmorganlaw.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense and Family Law

......................................

Marion M. Reilly, a partner at Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP, focuses on personal injury, complex civil and multidistrict litigation, and appellate matters. Throughout her career, Marion has argued multiple cases at the Federal Courts of Appeals, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Marion has also briefed cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits, as well as before the United States Supreme Court, Texas Supreme Court, and nearly all of the lower Texas appellate courts. She has been a valuable member of the trial team for numerous multi-million dollar verdicts obtained by HMG. For her outstanding work, Marion was named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2017 through 2021, and was also recognized as the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year by the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association in 2018.

Laura G. Tamez 2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

The Herrera Law Firm, Inc.

.....................................

Jodi Soyars has gained a reputation for being a strong trial attorney who is not afraid to vigorously defend her clients’ rights. Over the past 15+ years, she has represented defendant’s accused of misdemeanors and felonies throughout Central Texas. She graduated with honors from law school and was a member of the prestigious Houston Law Review. She has been admitted to practice in the U.S. Western District Courts (federal court). Her practice emphasizes personal attention to each client’s case and prompt communication with her clients. Jodi attributes her success to her pretrial case preparation and her “think outside the box” trial approach.

Phone: 210-224-1054 Fax: 210-228-0887 Email: ltamez@herreralaw.com Website: www.herreralaw.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General; Construction Litigation; PI Plaintiffs: Product Liab.; Civil Litigation

Laura Tamez is a shareholder with the Herrera Law Firm, where she has a civil litigation practice. Ms. Tamez is the Past President of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association. She graduated Texas A & M and then received her J.D. at St. Mary’s University School of Law. Laura is the first recipient of the prestigious San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association Pat Maloney, Sr. Courage Award.

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Robbie L. Ward

Renée Alison Yanta

Paula Wyatt

Rebecca Page

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

Robbie L. Ward, Attorney at Law

Law Office of Renee Yanta PLLC

Wyatt Law Firm, PLLC

Watts Guerra LLP

Phone: 210-758-2200 Fax: 210-941-0497 E-mail: robbieleaward@yahoo.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense; State and Federal, White Collar, General

Phone: 210-774-4088 Fax: 210-579-6625 E-mail: formerjudge@reneeyantalaw.com Areas of Practice: Appellate

Phone:210-340-5550 Fax: 210-340-5581 E-mail: pwyatt@wyattlawfirm.com Website: www.wyattlawfirm.com Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Phone: 210-447-0500 Fax: 210-447-0501 Email: rpage@wattsguerra.com Website: www.wattsguerra.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General; General Litigation; Med. Malpractice: Plaintiff

.....................................

Robbie Ward is recognized as one of the best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Texas, working thousands of cases over a 20 year career in criminal law. Her portfolio of work includes high profile murder cases, she has secured numerous “Not Guilty” verdicts and dismissals, litigated jury trials, and has represented a wide range of individuals and professionals both in State and Federal Court. Her early career after St. Mary’s University School of Law began at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, where her expertise as a trial lawyer earned her a spot as a Felony Prosecutor. She was then recruited as a Federal Prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office. Her next high level promotion was as a First Assistant in the Ector County Attorney’s Office where she resided and ran the office for several years. With her transition back to San Antonio, Robbie entered Criminal Defense Law as a partner in a local defense firm for four years, where she thrived and gave every client her unique experience as both a prior prosecutor and a defense lawyer.

.....................................

Former Judge Renée Yanta served as a District Court Judge for 7 years. While presiding over childprotection cases, Renée saw the special challenges faced by teen girls in Foster Care. She deployed her judicial resources to change the lives of these amazing young women, creating a healing program, called PEARLS Court. Prior to taking the Bench, Renée Yanta handled appeals all over Texas, including many in the Texas Supreme Court. She became Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2003. Since leaving the Bench in 2018, Judge Yanta built a mediation, arbitration and private judging practice. She also returned to her roots as an appellate lawyer. She handles the full range of civil appeals, including family, personal injury, and commercial law, in all Texas appellate courts, including the Texas Supreme Court. She is a frequently-published legal author and teaches Law at St. Mary’s. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and one of the top Women Lawyers in Texas. She has also been honored by the Bexar County Women’s Bar Association as recipient of the Belva Lockwood Award.

.....................................

Paula knows the profound human impact of personal injuries or death. As such, she takes the time to not just get to know her clients, but to understand them. Paula represents individuals and families who have suffered losses from trucking accidents, carbon monoxide exposure, and oilfield and industrial accidents, just to name a few. Rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale - Hubbell, Paula has been recognized by multiple organizations, including Super Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

.....................................

Rebecca Page was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She completed her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio summa cum laude. Rebecca completed her law degree at St. Mary’s University and focuses on personal injury, product liability, and commercial litigation.

Shirley Butts developed a reputation for excellence, particularly in the area of criminal law. From 1976 to 1981 she taught at St. Mary’s University School of Law. In 1981 she was appointed to the Fourth Court of Appeals, becoming the first female appellate justice in the State of Texas.

She is now in private practice where she will continue to serve her clients at the highest level, in a community she has personal and professional ties to. Robbie credits her family for the values of loyalty, hard work, and dedication she exemplifies in her life and her law career. She serves as a current Board of Directors of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer Association, is a current Member of TCDLA and NACDL, and has been recognized in 2019 as a Lawyer of Distinction, and as a Top 10 Defense Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine.

Irene Gertrude Brown Was one of the first women to graduate from Texas Law who received her LL.B. degree in 1914.

Jill S. Vogel

Celina Warren

Shalimar S. Wallis

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law

Kreager Mitchell Law Firm, PLLC

Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Watts Guerra LLP

Phone: 210-283-6243 Fax: 210-821-6672 Email: jvogel@kreagermitchell.com Website: www.kreagermitchell.com Areas of Practice: Health Care

Phone: 210-538-5385 Fax: 210-538-5384 E-mail: cwarren@slh-law.com Website: www.slh-law.com Areas of Practice: Government Relations; Litigation; Education Law

Phone: 210-447-0500 Fax: 210-447-0501 Email: swallis@wattsguerra.com Website: www.wattsguerra.com Areas of Practice: PI Plaintiffs: General; General Litigation; PI Plaintiffs: Product Liab.

.....................................

Jill Vogel is board certified in Health Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also a registered nurse. She is an adjunct law professor at St. Mary’s University School of Law and is credentialed as a Fellow of Information Privacy by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

.....................................

Mrs. Warren’s practice includes representation of school districts, private schools, charter schools, and other public and private entities in all matters, particularly transactional matters and contract law. She graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2012.

.....................................

Shalimar Wallis has been a Partner at Watts Guerra LLP since 2003. She specializes in product liability, trucking, industrial explosion, pipeline explosions, oil field injuries, and other catastrophic injury cases. Her practice is dedicated to representing individual personal injury and commercial plaintiffs against large corporations nationwide.

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

75


MUSIC

BY LAURA YOUNGS

Rock Band Rewind San Antonio-based MOTHERSHIP recreates the authentic feel of Zeppelin

E

nglish rock band Led Zeppelin was formed in 1968. The group consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones on bass and drummer John Bonham. With record sales estimating 300 million worldwide, the iconic group ranks as the third best selling band and fifth best selling act in the U.S., penning classic hits such as “Stairway to Heaven”, “Rock and Roll” and “Whole Lotta Love”. Although their last album was recorded in the 90’s and they no longer toured, the legendary group reunited at the O2 Arena in London in 2007. According to Guinness World Records 2009, the show set a record for “Highest Demand for Tickets for One Music Concert” as 20 million requests were submitted online. With hits and awards too numerous to mention, it is no wonder that an untold number of Zeppelin Tribute bands abound throughout the country. San Antonio is no exception with its own tribute band Mothership, named after Zeppelins 2007 compilation album. Mothership is the brainchild of local businessman Albert Steves, an unexpected source considering he had not been in the music scene for 20 some odd years. Playing guitar in a college band, he met drummer and Mary Bolner who shared his love for classic rock. As is common for young bands, it was typically short-lived, but the two remained close friends. Steves married, started a family and became a successful businessman and his musical career was relegated to practicing the guitar at home. Once the music bug bites, however, its sting never goes away! In 2009 a phone call from Mary prompted a discussion on getting something unique together and the seed for a Zeppelin Tribute band was planted. Albert had no experience forming or booking a group. “We didn’t know what we didn’t know,” he said. “This was a project of love. What made us happy, and we thought we could share this with people and make them happy and we built from that.” They eventually put together a band of multi-talented musicians consisting of Albert Steves on guitar/bass/bow/theremin and mandolin, Mary Bolner - drums/percussion/acoustic guitar, Sean Finch – lead vocals and percussion, Dave Parent – guitar, bass and vocals, Conor Gober – bass, cello, mandolin, guitar and vocals and Danny Elliott on keyboards, vocals and trombone. These multi-talented musicians that form the group Mothership are still together today. It is not uncommon for bands to lose members through the years due to creative differences and the likes, and I asked Steves what the bands secret was. “We talk,” he said. “How special it is and how rare it is that you have a group of people like this come together.” That communication clearly has been effective. They have played all the major Texas cities. With no manager, Steves took over the onerous duty of booking the band. This has meant knocking on doors and not giving up until he gets a positive response and it certainly has paid off. Mothership has had successful shows at venues such as the Tobin Center, Aztec Theater, Sam’s Burger Joint, the legendary Antone’s in Austin and House of Blues in Houston. These concert venues are the perfect backdrop for the bands desire to have their shows be as authentic as possible with their elaborate use of lasers, light and fog shows. Albert has also channeled Jimmy Page in his use of a violin bow to play the electric guitar. This is something very few guitarists have mastered and is very impressive to see live. As if that was not enough, the versatile musician has mastered the theremin, another quite unusual instrument that is basically a pitch antenna played by holding ones hands above it to make various sounds. An instrument only used in the rock scene by Page, it is a nod to the dedication of Steves to do what it takes to truly recreate a Led Zeppelin show. In addition to the many public shows they also play private parties. It was at one of the parties where they were asked to do a song by the classic rock group Queen. The band did a rough version of the Queen mega hit “Bohemian Rhapsody” and a week later received a call asking if they could play at a “Queen” party the couple was having in a few months. This led to the formation of yet another tribute band, Q: The Music of Queen. It

76

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


contains the same musicians but also added singer Taylor Bini for backup vocals. Q has had as big of a response as Mothership and plays the same venues. Many times the two bands are booked together for a show and one band will be the opening act for the other! What started out as a simple song request morphed in to an opportunity not planned on but entirely welcome. The advent of Covid, needless to say, has slowed down the entire live music industry but it is slowly coming back. Mothership was booked to open for Blue Oyster Cult for Fiesta 2020 before its cancellation but they are primed to play it once it returns. Q is booked to play the Tobin Center and the Oasis at Lake Travis as well as some private parties and you can expect more bookings for both groups. An impressive coup for Albert, who never thought that music would come back to be such an integral part of his life. And to think it all began with a phone call from an old friend. n

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

Mothership’s musical director and guitarist, Albert Steves

We love feedback and we want to hear from you! Please let us know your comments about this story and the other features in this magazine. Email us at: editor@scenepublications.com

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

77


Top Lawyer Profiles Bobby Barrera

# 5 2021 Top DUI/DWI Lawyer Firm Name: Robert “Bobby” Barrera, PC Phone: (210) 224-5811 | Fax: (210) 224-5890 E-mail: bobbybarreralaw@gmail.com Website: www.bobbybarrera.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense Bobby has been practicing criminal law for over 30 years. He has been recognized by his fellow lawyers as one of San Antonio’s “Top Ten Criminal Lawyers” and as one of San Antonio’s “Top Five DWI Lawyers.” He has been on Scene In S.A.’s “Best Lawyers” list for the 12 years. He is the Past President of the San Antonio Bar Association and Director of the Texas Lawyer’s Association. Website is bobbybarrera.com. Bobby has been included in the “Super Lawyers” listing in Criminal Law.

Roy R. Barrera, Jr.

2021 Top DUI/DWI Lawyer Firm Name: The Barrera Firm Phone: (210) 224-5811 | Fax: (210) 224-5890 E-mail: rbarrerajr@ymail.com Website: www.golden-barrera.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense; State and Federal Criminal Law & Procedure I have practiced criminal law for over 42 years. My experience includes prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney for Bexar County, Presiding Judge of the 144th Judicial District Court of Bexar County and criminal defense. In such capacities I have handled all types of cases including Capital Murder, Sexual Assault, and Drug – DWI cases to mention a few. My practice also includes the defense of Federal Offenses in the Western District and Southern District of Texas. Voted to be in the Top Ten since 2010.

Roy R. Barrera, Sr.

2021 Top DUI/DWI Lawyer Firm Name: The Barrera Firm Phone: (210) 224-5811 | Fax: (210) 224-5890 E-mail: rbarrera@thebarrerafirm.com Website: www.golden-barrera.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense; Business Litigation

Alexander Begum

2020 Top Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyer Firm Name: Villarreal & Begum Phone: 210-800-0000 | Fax: 210-233-8278 Email: abegum@texaslegalgroup.com Website: www.texaslawguns.com Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Alexander Begum is a founding shareholder of the Villarreal & Begum Law Firm, with offices in San Antonio, Laredo and McAllen. Mr. Begum earned a double major in Marketing and Finance at Trinity University. He then attended Harvard University where he studied finance and legal writing. Alex acquired a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Texas Tech. Alexander Begum has devoted his career to helping those injured by negligent drivers, 18-wheelers and bad corporate actors. Scene In S.A. magazine has named Alex Begum Best Injury Lawyer for years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Brent De La Paz

2021 Top DUI/DWI Lawyer Firm Name: Law Offices of Brent de la Paz Phone: 210-229-1322 | Fax: 210-229-9405 Email: brent@delapazlawfirm.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense Brent de la Paz brings experience, integrity, and results to the table. For over a decade, the de la Paz Law Office has been an integral part of the growth of the Central Texas community. Texas DWI Lawyer, Brent de la Paz solves legal issues for individuals, established companies, entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, and financial institutions. Fiercely committed to his clients, de la Paz offers accommodating appointment times, flexible payment plans and fluent services in both English and Spanish. He is one of Central Texas’ Top DWI lawyers.

Laura D. Heard

Family Lawyer and Mediator 2021 Top Family Lawyer 32 Years Experience as a Lawyer in San Antonio Since 1987 Firm Name: Laura D. Heard Law Firm Inc. Phone: 210-655-9090 | Fax: 210-655-8318 Website: www.ldheard.com Areas of Practice: Family Law; Probate/Wills & Estates; Mediation Laura D. Heard, has been in business in San Antonio since 1987. She has been twice before honored as one of San Antonio’s best Appellate Attorneys in Scene In S.A. (‘06-07). In 2019, she was named one of the Top 10 Family Lawyers in Texas, and named an Outstanding Lawyer by San Antonio Business Journal. In 2020 and 2021, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys honored her firm as one of the 10 Best Law Firms for exceptional client service and satisfaction. After graduating with honors from Baylor University, she completed her Juris Doctorate decree at St. Mary’s School of Law in the top 10% of her law school class. She was a briefing attorney for the 4th Court of Appeals, and later an adjunct professor. Her practice focuses on all aspects of Family Law, including Child Custody, Divorce, Wills, Probate and Mediation. Laura D. Heard is an experienced mediator with special training in Family Law Mediations, and a volunteer mediator for the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center. She is active in the Nat’l Assoc. of Women Business Owners and she has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.“Justice Flows from Truth, Compassion, Wisdom and Persistence, (tm)” is her motto.

Javier L. Herrera

2020 Top Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyer Firm Name: The Herrera Law Firm, Inc. Phone: 210-224-1054 | Fax: 210-228-0887 Email: Javier@herreralaw.com Website: www.herreralaw.com Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Javier graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He went on to the University of ChicagoSchool of Social Services Administration, and graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2010. He is currently a member of the American Association for Justice. Javier ensures that justice comes to everyone, and that empowerment comes through the court room.

Jorge A. Herrera

2020 Top Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyer Firm Name: The Herrera Law Firm, Inc. Phone: 210-224-1054 | Fax: 210-228-0887 Email: jherrera@herreralaw.com Website: www.herreralaw.com Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Jorge graduated from Columbia University and received the Charles M. Rolker Prize for leadership. Jorge is the general counsel for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was recently elected to serve on the board of the Mexican American Legal Defense And Education Fund. He is a proud member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Herrera believes in fighting for justice, one client at a time.

Aida Rojas Moore

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law 2021 Top Family Lawyer Firm Name: Rojas Law Firm Phone: 210-299-4600 | Fax: 210-299-4600 E-mail: aidarojas@aidarojaslaw.com Website: www.aidarojaslaw.com Areas of Practice: Family Law Aida Rojas Moore has over 16 years of qualified experience in dealing with family law cases such as divorce, custody, domestic violence, CPS, child support and adoptions. Throughout the course of representing clients, Ms. Rojas has gained the reputation of a lawyer who will always fight for justice and will protect the legal rights of Texas families and children. PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

78

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Top Lawyer Profiles Ashley Morgan

2020 Top Criminal Defense Lawyer Firm Name: Soyars & Morgan Law Phone: 210-568-9400 | Fax: 210-858-5181 Email: ashley@soyarsmorganlaw.com Website: www.soyarsmorganlaw.com Areas of Practice: DWI and Criminal Defense Ashley Morgan is a highly educated and highly experienced trial attorney. She has hundreds of trials under her belt and her ability to communicate clearly and effectively with jurors is second to none. Ashley has the unique ability to empathize with clients – a skill often overlooked by other attorneys. She is a fierce advocate and will vigorously defend you. As a former prosecutor she is able to anticipate strategies and tactics you will face and this insight into preparation will serve you well. It also means she has the experience needed to negotiate with the State.

Richard Orsinger

#1 2021 Top Family Lawyer Firm Name: Orsinger Nelson Downing & Anderson, LLP Phone: 210-225-5567 | Fax: 210-267-7777 Email: Richard@orsinger.com Website: www.ondafamilylaw.com Areas of Practice: Family Law Richard Orsinger is well regarded as one of Texas’ top family law and appellate lawyers. He offers clients unparalleled experience gained over the course of an esteemed 43-year career. In that time, his peers have repeatedly recognized him for his legal acumen, dedication to hard work and to the integrity of his profession. The list of awards bestowed upon him from a variety of legal organizations and publications is impressive. Richard has been named to The Best Lawyers in America in Family Law listing each year since 1987 and in Appellate Law since 2007.

Alice E. Warburton

2021 Top DUI/DWI Lawyer 2021 Outstanding Woman in Law Firm Name: Law Offices of Alice E. Warburton Phone: 210- 246-3770 Fax: 210-246-3770 Email: aewarburton@gmail.com Website: www.attorneyalice.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense; DWI Alice Warburton graduated from TMI - Episcopal in San Antonio. She attended Baylor Law School on scholarship. She worked in private practice and as a prosecutor at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office before opening her own criminal defense firm. As a criminal defense attorney, Ms. Warburton has obtained dismissals all over Texas for both misdemeanors and felonies—including a murder case. She specializes in DWI, Drug Offenses, Family Violence, and defending Non-U.S. Citizens.

Robbie L. Ward

2021 Outstanding Woman in Law Firm Name: Robbie L. Ward, Attorney at Law Phone: 210-758-2200 Fax: 210-941-0497 E-mail: robbieleaward@yahoo.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense; State and Federal, White Collar, General Robbie Ward is recognized as one of the best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Texas, working thousands of cases over a 20 year career in criminal law. After graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law she began work at the Bexar County District Attorney’s office, where her expertise as a trial lawyer earned her a spot as a Felony Prosecutor. She was then recruited as a Federal Prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office. Her next high level promotion was as a First Assistant in the Ector County Attorney’s Office where she resided and ran the office for several years. With her transition back to San Antonio, Robbie entered Criminal Defense Law as a partner in a local defense firm for four years. She is now in private practice. She serves as a current Board of Directors of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer Association, is a current Member of TCDLA and NACDL, and has been recognized in 2019 as a Lawyer of Distinction, and as a Top 10 Defense Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine.

Derek S. Ritchie

2021 Top Family Lawyer Firm Name: The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC Phone: 210-775-2000 | Fax: 210-592-4370 Email: derek@derekritchielaw.com Website: www.derekritchielaw.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense and Family Law Derek is the founder and managing attorney of the Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie. He earned his law degree in London then made his way to the United States and earned his LLM from the University of Texas School of Law. He handles DWI’s, intoxication manslaughter, murders and sex crimes as well as all areas of Family Law. He is available to his clients everyday, including weekends.

Javier Villarreal

2020 Top Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyer Firm Name: Villarreal & Begum Phone: 210-800-0000 | Fax: 210-233-8278 Email: texasattorney@hotmail.com Website: www.texaslawguns.com Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Javier Villarreal received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA in 1995. He then continued his education at Tulane School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctors in 1998. Upon graduation, he served as a Briefing Attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In 2001 Javier opened his private practice in Brownsville, Texas and developed his plaintiff personal injury practice. He is licensed to practice law in both the State of Texas and the State of Arizona.

Wayne Wright

2020 Top Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyer Firm Name: Wayne Wright, LLP Phone: 210-888-8888 | Fax: 210-734-9965 Email: wyatt@waynewright.com Website: www.waynewright.com Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Mr. Wright received his law degree from the University of Northern Illinois College of Law, with the honors of Magna Cum Laude, First in Class. Mr. Wright is licensed to practice law in 9 states, including Texas; a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked as a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers; and has been listed as a Best Attorney in San Antonio by Scene In S.A. magazine since 2009.

Wyatt Wright

2020 Top Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyer Firm Name: Wayne Wright, LLP Phone: 210-888-8888 | Fax: 210-734-9965 Email: wwright@waynewright.com Website: www.waynewright.com Areas of Practice: Plaintiff Personal Injury Wyatt Wright handles complex trucking accident cases resulting in serious injury or death, as well as dangerous product and drug cases. Mr. Wright is licensed to practice law in 15 states, including Texas; is a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; is ranked as a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers; and has been listed as a Best Attorney in San Antonio by Scene In S.A. magazine since 2009.

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

79


SPORTS

BY SAM STERN

T

he Spurs season is at the halfway point, and this young rising squad has shown they are one of the brightest teams in the league. The sudden emergence of Keldon Johnson, Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker, IV and Derrick White is taking the league by storm.

Aldridge, 35, signed as a free agent in San Antonio in 2015 during Tim Duncan’s last year in the NBA. He has averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds per game throughout his 6 seasons in the silver and black, and he has been a 4-time all-star during that time.

DeMar DeRozan has been the steady veteran presence that the Spurs expected him to play, and his fantastic season midway through had fans believing he had a spot in the all-star game in Atlanta; although he didn’t make the game, his role cannot be understated on this energetic team.

This season he has been averaging career lows in scoring and minutes this year where he is averaging 14 points per game in 26 minutes on average. As a veteran declining, his skills would be more useful in a market with an older deep playoff caliber team.

The other star veteran, LaMarcus Aldridge, has seen his tenure in San Antonio come to a close as they search for a team to take him on; with the direction that the Spurs are looking to go in, it just makes sense to send him away to a contending team that could use a front court boost. The emergence of Jakob Poeltl on both ends of the floor pushed Aldridge out of the lineup and onto the bench. Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich stated about Aldridge, “He’s been a great teammate. No problem there, we just think this is a win-win for both LaMarcus and the club. When an opportunity arises, that'll be up to management, his agent and that sort of thing, and we'll all move forward.”

Patty Mills, the Australian thrill, has been teammates with LaMarcus dating back to their days together on the Portland Trail Blazers. “He might be the longest teammate that I’ve had, he’s obviously well respected by this group particularly and every team that he’s played for. As a teammate, you just wish the best for him,” Mills said. His patented fadeaway midrange and his offensive skills will be missed by the Spurs fan base for years to come. His leadership and basketball ability will keep him in the mix for one of the greatest Spurs big men of all-time. A great person, a great teammate, and a hell of a player. What a run for the Texas native, LaMarcus Aldridge. n

We love feedback and we want to hear from you! Please let us know your comments about this story and the other features in this magazine. Email us at: editor@scenepublications.com

80

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Hearts in Harmony Editor: Leslie Foley On Thursday, February 25th guests gathered in their homes for the first-ever, virtual gala to celebrate the success of the Children’s Bereavement of South Texas. Re-imagining a 20-year tradition, the Children’s Bereavement Center partnered with five locally-renowned restaurants to deliver a delicious meal, wine, and décor to bring the beauty and excitement of the Hearts in Harmony gala directly to guests! Hearts in Harmony At Home allowed the Children’s Bereavement Center to celebrate their success in 2020 amid a global pandemic while maintaining the safety of guests and staff.

Janie Worth, advisory board member

With the support of sponsors and guests, the Children’s Bereavement Center raised $175,000 which will help to provide grief counseling services to more than 300 children and their families. The Center prides itself on the fact that all counseling services are always provided at no cost to families. Most importantly, this virtual gala highlighted the importance of the virtual grief work being done as families continue to experience unimaginable loss. Unfortunately, the Children’s Bereavement Center anticipates the need for their services will grow substantially as children continue to cope and grieve over the next year. Support for the Children’s Bereavement Center ensures that their mission of hope and healing can continue.

Mario Galdos, Darien Galdos, and Stephanie Galdos

Coming in our next issue of

For more information on their grief services or ways to support the Children’s Bereavement Center visit their website at cbcst.org. n

Our Annual

Best S.A. Lawyers 2021

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION: EMAIL KE@SCENEPUBLICATIONS.COM

Gala invite

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

Floral donations by H-E-B Blooms

CALL (210) 828-4209, EXT. 407

SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

81


Photo of DaLuz working on a drawing. It appears in the 100 Great Drawings Issue that he curated, and is headed for the Moon

BETWEEN WORLDS is scheduled to open at AnArte Gallery San Antonio, Texas Artist reception will be May 5th • 5:30 - 7:30 pm Exhibit on view through May 31, 2021

Artist on the Moon San Antonio-based artist, Steven DaLuz, is one of 1200 creative artists who has artwork and a curation headed for the Moon. As far as we can determine, he is the only artist living and working in San Antonio whose digitally stored work will be on the Peregrine Lunar Lander, the first commercial craft scheduled to land on the surface of the Moon in July, 2021. DaLuz, a local artist whose work has been shown internationally, is represented by AnArte Gallery, owned and operated by the dynamic Ana Montoya, with whom he has been with since 2007. DaLuz has been invited, on several occasions, to curate issues of magazines and physical exhibitions on behalf of PoetsArtists magazine, published by Didi Menendez. One of the issues he curated in 2016, “100 Great Drawings”, was selected to be in the time capsule headed for the lunar surface, along with one of his works of art from “The Portrait Issue” of PoetsArtists magazine. Upon first learning of this historical event, DaLuz exclaimed, “Is this a joke?” Once he was assured it was true, he was honored and humbled to be a part of the mission, stating, “I feel so fortunate to have a small piece of my vision leaving the bonds of Earth to rest in perpetuity on the surface of the Moon. I find it amazing how a confluence of interpersonal relationships with others, events, and choices can result in something so special as this. For all of its quirks, even social media, which has shrunk the globe, have allowed me to connect with so many fascinating individuals from across the seas. I am most grateful to Didi Menendez and to Dr Samuel Peralta for this wonderful opportunity. I will never look at the Moon at night in quite the same way!” DaLuz has been working on his next solo exhibition for two years, called, “Between Worlds”. n Portrait DaLuz did of Thomas Dodd, an internationally-recognized photographer, from the Portrait Issue, also headed for the Moon.

This is the title painting, “Between Worlds” ; oil, metal leaf on panel; 60” x 40”; c. 2019 82

SAN ANTONIO SCENE | WINTER 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


FIND A DOCTOR/DENTIST BREAST CARE & SURGERY Yekaterina Jordan, MD Aurora Breast Cancer Center Phone: (210) 247-0888 Fax: (210) 558-0758 yekaterina.jordan@protonmail.com www.aurorabreastcenter.com

OPHTHALMOLOGY Jane Lindell Hughes, M.D., F.A.C.S. Ophthalmology/Ophthalmic Surgery 10007 Huebner Rd. Suite 302 San Antonio, TX 78240 Phone: (210) 614-5566 Fax: (210) 558-1844 www.janehugheseyemd.com

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY Wayne A. Lee Hill Country Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine 540 Madison Oak Drive San Antonio, TX 78258 Phone: (210) 491-4125 Fax: (210) 491-4138 lee-frontdesk@yahoo.com

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE Dallas Broadway, M.D.

Is There A Doctor In The House?!

Modern Vascular 9819 Huebner Rd. Bldg. 4 San Antonio, TX 78240 Phone: (210) 761-8775 Fax: (210) 519-0216 dbroadway@modernvascular.com

Scene In S.A. is pleased to share with our readers details, announcements, awards, and events about medical staff and offices in our community.

VASCULAR SURGERY Jeffrey M. Martinez, M.D.

If you would like to share your information, please send to: ke@scenepublications.com

Peripheral Vascular Associates, PA 610 N Main Ave San Antonio, TX 78240 Phone: (210) 225-6508 Fax: (210) 224-1486 jmartinez@pvasatx.com

The Ear Institute of Texas is excited to welcome Dr. Burt, Neurology

Dr. Robert K. Thompson III, M.D.

Veintec Varicose Vein Clinics 18626 Hardy Oak Blvd., Suite 209 San Antonio, TX 78258 Phone: 210-483-8822 Fax: 210-483-8866 mdeltoro@veintec.com www.Veintec.com

OTOLARYNGOLOGY James H. Atkins, M.D.

Atkins Sinus Experts 15900 La Cantera Prkwy Ste 20210 San Antonio, TX 78256 Phone: (210) 607-4687 Fax: (830) 816-3833

jatkins@texassinuscenter.com

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

BE PART OF OUR PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY! If you are interested in purchasing a listing for your practice, please contact our office: (210) 828-4209 or Email: editor@scenepublications.com

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

40% of adults seek medical treatment for dizziness. We are thankful that Dr. Burt joined us to help treat the overwhelming need of people who suffer with imbalance. She can bring answers and relief to our patients. Did you know that most forms of dizziness are treatable, often without medicine or surgery. We specialize in treating patients with dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders. Dr. Nancy Burt Neurology Ear Institute of Texas 210-696-4327 18518 Hardy Oak Blvd, Suite 300 San Antonio, TX 78258 www.eioftx.com WINTER 2021 | SAN ANTONIO SCENE

83


FIND A LAWYER BUSINESS LAW

Dreyer & Mazaheri, P.L.L.C. Rashin Mazaheri Phone: (210) 239-9420 Fax: (210) 472-1404 rashindd@yahoo.com www.dreyermazaherilaw.com BUSINESS & CORPORATE

Michael H. Gibbs Whataburger Phone: (210) 476-6793 Fax: (210) 476-6922 mgibbs@wbhq.com

BUSINESS LITIGATION

Olga Brown Law Offices of Olga Brown Phone: (210) 226-1550 Fax: (210) 226-1884 argyle2@sbcglobal.net

Timothy J. Rountree Law Office of Tim Rountree Phone: (210) 667-3520 Fax: (210) 610-9871 www.sanantoniodwidefense.com

Taryn O. Biasiolli Biasiolli Law Firm Phone: 210-551-5580 Fax: 888-501-9307 biasiollilawfirm@outlook.com

ESTATE PLANNING & TRUSTS

Rashin Mazaheri Dreyer & Mazaheri, P.L.L.C. Phone: (210) 239-9420 Fax: (210) 472-1404 rashindd@yahoo.com www.dreyermazaherilaw.com

Carmen Samaniego Carmen A. Samaniego Attorney at Law Phone: (210) 802-4888 Fax: (888) 224-3924 attorneycarmen@me.com www.attorneycarmen.com FAMILY LAW

Laura D. Heard Laura D. Heard Law Firm Inc. Phone: (210) 655-9090 Fax: (210) 655-8318 Attorney@ldheard.com www.ldheard.com

George Dombart Law Offices of George B. Dombart Phone: (210) 281-1394 Fax: (210) 569-6255 george@georgedombart.com www.GeorgeDombart.com

Chris H. Negem Board Certified in Family Law Law Offices of Chris H. Negem, PLLC Phone: (210) 226-1200 Fax: (210) 798-2654 chris@negemlawfirm.com www.negemlawfirm.com

Kerrisa Chelkowski Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski Phone: (210) 228-9393 Fax: (210) 226-7540 kerrisa@defendtexas.com www.defend-texas.com

Carrie James Langley & Banack, Inc. Phone: (830) 387-2587 Fax: (830) 625-2122 cjames@langleybanack.com www.langleybanack.com

DWI

Jessica R. Gonzales Law Offices of Chris H. Negem, PLLC Phone: (210) 226-1200 Fax: (210) 798-2654 jessica@negemlawfirm.com www.negemlawfirm.com

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

George Dombart Law Offices of George B. Dombart Phone: (210) 281-1394 Fax: (210) 569-6255 george@georgedombart.com www.BexarDWI.com

George Dombart Law Offices of George B. Dombart Phone: (210) 281-1394 Fax: (210) 569-6255 george@georgedombart.com www.BexarDivorce.com Jane Freeman Deyeso Law Office of Jane Freeman Deyeso Phone: (210) 226-7445 Fax: (210) 226-7448 kgarrett@deyesolaw.com Matt Sossi Law Office of Matt Sossi Phone: (210) 224-1667 mattsossi@bsossi.com www.familylaw-sa.com FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW

George Dombart Law Offices of George B. Dombart Phone: (210) 281-1394 Fax: (210) 569-6255 george@georgedombart.com www.GeorgeDombart.com IMMIGRATION

Analisa Nazareno Nazareno Law, PLLC Phone: (210) 396-9873 Fax: (800) 595-0856 analisa@nazarenolaw.com

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION 84

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


Shannon Salmon-Haas Salmon-Haas Law Phone: (210) 734-8472 Fax: (800) 948-5209 shannon@salmonhaas.com www.salmonhaas.com

OBITUARY

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Pete Adams Pete Adams Law, PLLC Phone: (512) 879-8576 info@peteadamslaw.com

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW

Mark Anthony Sánchez, Esq. Sánchez & Wilson, PLLC Phone: (210) 222-8899 Fax: (210) 222-9526 masanchez@gws-law.com www.sanchezwilson.com MEDIATION

Matt Sossi Law Office of Matt Sossi Phone: (210) 224-1667 mattsossi@bsossi.com www.familylaw-sa.com PERSONAL INJURY

Alexander M. Begum Villarreal & Begum Law Firm, PLLC Phone: (210) 921-2200 Fax: (956) 982-8602 abegum@texaslegalgroup.com www.texaslegalgroup.com Nathaniel Mack III Mack Injury Attorneys Phone: (210) 333-6225 Fax: (210) 855-3152 info@macktexaslaw.com www.333mack.com PROBATE LAW

Laura D. Heard Laura D. Heard Law Firm Inc. Phone: (210) 655-9090 Fax: (210) 655-8318 Attorney@ldheard.com www.ldheard.com PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION LAW

Michael Thurman Thurman & Phillips Phone: (210) 341-2020 Fax: (210) 344-6460 mthurman@thurmanphillips.com www.thurmanphillips.com

Like us at www.facebook.com/Scene-in-San-Antonio

Roland R. Esparza Roland R. Esparza passed away on January 22, 2021. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas in 1986. He pursued a college education at the University of Texas in Austin (Hook’em Horns) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1989 and he furthered his education at the University of Houston Law Center graduating with a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1992. Roland was licensed to practice law in the state of Texas and he served as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of San Antonio from 1997-2003. He served on both the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and the Fee Dispute Committee for the San Antonio Bar Association. He was a member of several Professional Associations such as the San Antonio Bar Association and Mexican American Bar Association. He was recognized as one of San Antonio Best Attorneys by Scene in S.A. since 2018 and awarded the Client’s Choice Award. He was a well-respected, extraordinary, and honorable lawyer as owner of The Law Office of Roland R. Esparza, P.C. It was his privilege to help people who came to him for his guidance and expertise during their time of need. He did not take for granted the fact that people placed their trust in him to do his best to resolve their disputes. He loved his family with all his heart taking them on numerous memorable vacations and teaching them values in life. He loved working out daily with his sweetheart, playing golf on the weekends with the guys, and enjoyed Friday night dinners with friends. He was a humble, conservative, generous, joyful, and spiritual man who believed in God. Roland was a friend of Scene In S.A. magazine and he will be missed. n SPRING 2021 | SCENE IN S.A.

85


SCENE PEOPLE INDEX

86

Alexia Barrera..........................................40

Eric Friendland........................................12

Lauren Sanditen.....................................12

Robin McEldowney................................40

Alice Bruni................................................10

Fernanda Ramos...................................40

Lejla Cenanovic......................................48

Roma Villavicencio................................10

Andrea Blemsauners............................40

Francisco Cigarroa, MD........................12

Leslie Foley..............................................48

Rome Escobedo.....................................10

Andrea Reid.............................................50

Frank Haring ..........................................12

Linda Villarreal .......................................68

Ruth Dolan ..............................................50

Angela Holliday.........................................8

Geovana Tejeda.....................................68

Lisa Wolff.................................................40

Ruth Medallin..........................................48

Annalese Smolik....................................50

Gilbert Duran ..........................................48

Lynn Riddick............................................50

Ryan Coppin ...........................................50

Barbara Haley.........................................50

Gilbert Morales.......................................48

Manuel Santiago, MD...........................10

Sarah Benson.........................................50

Blake Bessan Berry .............................12

Gregg Chinn............................................68

Marcella Sowards..................................40

Shadia Khoury........................................48

Brenda Fikes...........................................68

Harvie Lindeman....................................12

Mario Galdos..........................................81

Sharon Aguillen......................................68

Britt Kleberg.............................................50

Howard Haring ......................................12

Marissa Woodruff..................................40

Sharon Sharon Aguillen........................68

Carol Dornbluth......................................50

Jack Twilley.............................................12

Martha O’Neil..........................................50

Sharron Batchelor..................................50

Carol Thompson....................................50

James Turcotte......................................12

Mary Barker.............................................50

Sherie Johnson .....................................40

Casey Barber...........................................40

Janet Fetzer............................................12

Melanie Shankle.....................................68

Sherie Lene Johnson............................48

Charlotte Pollok......................................10

Janie Worth.............................................81

Melissa Gonzalez...................................50

Siobhain Anders.....................................68

Chris Zaiontz ..........................................68

Jean Claire Turcotte..............................12

Melissa Rubiola......................................50

Siobhain Anders ...................................68

Christi Tidwell.........................................50

Jenifer Parascand.................................50

Mertie Woo..............................................50

Stephanie Cash......................................12

Cindy Taylor............................................48

Jessica Knudsen......................................8

Michal Waechter....................................10

Stephanie Galdos...................................81

Clay Garner Berry ..................................12

Joanna Weidman.....................................8

Michelle Jones .....................................12

Stewart Emmons...................................10

Connie Hudson.......................................50

John Seybold............................................8

Michelle Shetler......................................40

Susan Green...........................................48

Courtney Crane......................................40

Jose Zertuche.........................................68

Michy Moore...........................................40

Suzette Sullivan......................................50

Courtney Schultz...................................50

Jose Zertuche.........................................68

Natalia De La Torre ...............................40

Tatum Shetler.........................................40

Courtney Wiliams..................................40

Joy Fuhrmann........................................40

Natalie Nathan........................................48

Tawana Timberlake ..............................50

Darien Galdos.........................................81

Karen Evans ..........................................48

Nicole Johnson .....................................68

Taylor Losack ........................................50

Darrin Newhardt.....................................50

Kate Fagan................................................8

Nicole Osborne.......................................40

Theresa Sanborn...................................10

Debbie Chesney ....................................12

Kathryn Howie........................................50

Olga Bara.................................................68

Toby Summers.......................................68

Debi Flume..............................................50

Kathy Martinez.......................................12

Paige Flinn...............................................40

Tommie Stone .......................................50

Denise DeGeare.....................................50

Kaylie Bethel............................................40

Patti Rittimann........................................40

Tony LoBasso...........................................8

Dr. Roland Cavazos...............................48

Kelly Strange...........................................40

Paula Johnson .....................................50

Veronica Bold..........................................50

Elizabeth Greenblum.............................50

Kelly Welker.............................................48

Paula Turcotte .......................................12

Vicki Goebel.............................................10

Elizabeth Morales..................................48

Kristen Torring, Sr....................................8

Rebecca Martinez..................................48

Wanda Garner Cash .............................12

Emily Honigblum....................................40

Laura Casso............................................12

Renee Silber ...........................................10

Weezie Mims Chesney.........................12

Emily Jacks ............................................40

Laura Youngs.........................................48

Richard Cash..........................................12

Whitney Ormond ...................................68

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com


What do YOU like about the magazine?

What would YOU like to see included in the magazine?

What do YOU not like about the magazine?

YOU be the editor!

We would like to publish your comments and attribute them to you, with your permission. The comments that we consider to be of value will be published alongside your picture (optional).

PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS BACK TO

SASCENEEDITOR@GMAIL.COM We will need your complete contact information including your email, phone number and address. Don’t worry, this information will not be published.

IN OUR 22 ND YEAR AS SAN ANTONIO’S PREMIER CITY MAGAZINE - ESTABLISHED 1999


THE LAST PAGE

BY BETSY JAMES COOPER

The Art of Solving Crimes

How I became a

Forensic Artist M y father passed away in his sleep in April of 1983. I was devastated and feeling the need to get away and start a new chapter in my life. I found a job working on a cruise ship out of Florida as the ship’s Activities Coordinator. It was a wonderful experience filled with fun and adventure. When that job came to an end due to the ship going into dry dock, I decided to move to San Francisco to seek employment on another ship. Initially, I lived in a residential club on Nob Hill which was temporary housing where you could pay by the day, week or month. There were many transient type people living there, mainly drug addicts and criminals seeking refuge. After a month or so of living in this depressing and dangerous environment, I found an apartment that was just a few blocks up Nob Hill. My apartment was surrounded by buildings owned by the Academy of Art University. With my love of art I couldn’t resist looking into classes. Before I knew it I was an art student living in San Francisco focusing on illustrating the human figure. Honestly, what could be better? I loved my life but I started to feel the innate need to create art that would have some sort of purpose, I needed my art to be beneficial to humanity. Little did my father know, shortly before he passed away, he gave me a special gift. My father’s gift was giving me the awareness that I could sculpt. He asked me to sculpt a bust of him. Reluctantly, I took on the project and was truly surprised and even amazed of my revealed sculpting abilities. I believe my father knew I had this talent well before I did. While attending art school in San Francisco, I began searching for an art form that would have importance. I visualized what I could do with my God given abilities. I knew that my interests were in human anatomy, specifically facial anatomy and I enjoyed sculpting. I remembered years earlier while taking a life drawing class at the McNay Art Institute in San Antonio, there was a woman in the corner of the room working on an ear. Honestly, I was more intrigued with the women in the corner of the room sculpting an ear than the nude woman posing in front of me. Further investigation revealed that the mystery woman was creating a prosthetic ear for a patient. She was an anaplastologist also known as a maxillofacial prosthetist. This is a branch of prosthodontics that involves making prosthetics for patients with facial defects or disabilities due to disease or trauma. Once the University of Texas Health Science Center heard of my interest in maxillofacial prosthetics, they made contact with me and sent me a dexterity test. I was interviewed over the phone and soon thereafter I was recruited to attend the dental lab technology program at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. After a few weeks of classes at the dental school, there was a flyer in the hallway announcing a presentation on forensic facial reconstruction. Betty Pat Gatliff of Norman, Oklahoma was the speaker. I was amazed that her audience was filled with doctors. I was the only grey lab coat in a sea of white lab coats. Betty Pat gave an unbelievable slide presentation that opened my eyes into an art form that would change my life path forever. She revealed the technique she used in 1967 to identify a deceased Native American man from his skull. When the lights were switched back on, my recruiter turned to me and said, what do you think? With tears running down my face I replied, “You watch, I’m doing this!”

From that day forward, I was on a mission. I looked into what courses would be beneficial towards becoming a forensic artist. My list included: pathology, anthropology, osteology, dental and head & neck anatomy and even criminal investigations. I took my course outline to the dean of the university and presented my proposed curriculum. Not only did I get the approval to proceed with my course plan, I was also given a laboratory for my work space. The opportunities started to roll in with every course I took. I spent many hours at the UTHSC’s library researching the subject and was issued cases from the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office. After meeting Betty Pat, she was so gracious to provide me with guidance and encouragement along the way. A few years into my research and case work I was finally able to attend one of Betty Pat’s forensic sculpting workshops. It was shortly after returning from her workshop that one of my cases was identified. The last of many letters I received from my friend Betty Pat, was to congratulate me on my first identification, I felt as though I had finally earned my wings. Through Betty Pat, I met Karen Taylor. Karen has been instrumental in my journey of becoming a forensic artist and still is to this day. I attended Karen’s workshop on composite drawing back in 1991. Karen has proven to be a masterful trainer in the world of forensic art and she wrote what I consider the bible for forensic artists, “Forensic Art and Illustration.” Betty Pat contributed the chapter on “Three-Dimensional Facial Reconstruction on the Skull.” Both of these women are pioneers in the development of forensic art and were instrumental in my journey of becoming a successful forensic artist. Sadly, Betty Pat passed away in January of 2020 at the age of 89, but her passion lives on in each and every person she trained. In her own words, “I think everybody deserves to be identified. Family and friends need to have that closure and know what happened. Everybody’s somebody’s daughter or mother or cousin. Everybody’s got somebody.” My father planted the seed 40 years ago that sent me on a wild and exciting journey to where I am today. I still have my grey lab coats from when I was a dental lab technician and I wear them from time to time to remind me of my humble beginnings. Today, I’m happy to say that I’ve had a great number of cases that have assisted law enforcement in bringing criminals to justice and have helped in the identification of many lost souls. I finally found what I believe to be my life’s purpose and that is to help God’s children find their way back home. n NOTES: Betty Pat Gatliff, quote from the Oklahoman Newspaper 2002.

We love feedback and we want to hear from you! Please let us know your comments about this story and the other features in this magazine. Email us at: editor@scenepublications.com

88

SCENE IN S.A. | SPRING 2021

Subscribe today at www.yourSAScene.com




Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.