Underwood Shareholder Jennie Knapp was awarded the 2022 Texas Association of Defense Counsel President’s Award for work with and for the TADC that earned favorable attention for the organization and effected positive changes and results in the work of the TADC.

The TADC is a professional organization of civil trial attorneys dedicated to promoting excellence in its members, fairness in our judicial system, and preserving the right to jury trial for all citizens.

Underwood attorney Slater C. Elza was recently asked to speak at the Texas Association of Mutual Insurance Companies’ Annual Convention and Seminar in Austin, Texas. Slater’s presentation was entitled “Where Ethics, Morals and the Law Meet Integrity”.  TAMIC is an insurance trade organization comprised of farm mutual insurance companies which provide property and casualty insurance coverage for the people of Texas.  Slater regularly speaks on ethics and related issues to trade organizations, litigation attorneys and governmental entities throughout Texas.  Underwood’s Litigation Section works with a number of regional and national insurance companies to protect and defend the rights of insured companies and persons facing lawsuits.

Taylor Holley

Taylor was born in Abilene, Texas and raised in Tampa, Florida. She joined Underwood as an associate attorney in September of 2022. Her practice consists of a wide variety of civil litigation matters. Taylor attended Texas Tech University School of Law, where she was a member of the Texas Tech Law Review and an active participant on national moot court competition teams. Taylor won both the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition and the National Moot Court Competition, as well as two national best brief awards and one regional best brief award.

When she steps away from the office, Taylor enjoys spending quality time with her Labrador Retrievers and visiting local plant nurseries.

Samantha Espino

Samantha Espino was born in raised in the Texas panhandle. After graduating from Dumas High School, Samantha attended Texas Tech University where she graduated with two bachelors’ degrees with Highest Honors. She then came back to Texas Tech University to attend law school where she graduated with a Business Law Concentration.

Samantha joined Underwood Law Firm in 2022 as an Associate Attorney. She focuses primarily on bankruptcy, banking, and commercial transactions. Samantha also assists clients in entity formation with both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

On Friday, October 7, 2022, the Texas Supreme Court granted mandamus relief for In re East. This was the case in which both sides opposed a virtual jury trial ordered by the trial judge. Underwood shareholder Jennie Knapp submitted an amicus brief on behalf of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel. 

Underwood attorney Slater C. Elza was recently elected First Vice-President of the Texas City Attorneys Association in San Antonio at the annual Texas Municipal League meetings. TCAA is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League that was formed to promote, encourage, and advance the professional development of municipal attorneys throughout the State of Texas. TCAA currently has a membership of over 400 attorneys and continues to meet the needs, concerns, and problems of its members in a variety of ways.  Underwood’s Municipal Law Section represents over 40 Texas cities in general, specialized and litigation matters.

Jennie Knapp recently presented at the Texas State Bar Civil Appellate Practice 101 course in Austin. Jennie is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice includes complex litigation and appellate matters in state and federal courts.