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.

Underwood shareholder, Jennie Knapp, has recently been named to the Board of Trustees for the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society. The Society gathers and preserves the history and work of the Texas Supreme Court and the state’s appellate courts. Through research and scholarship, the Society educates the public about the judicial branch and its role in the development of Texas.

Alex L. Yarbrough with Underwood Law Firm has been selected to serve as a 2022-2023 Texas Bar Foundation Nominating Chair for District 13.  Nominating Chairs for each of the 17 State Bar of Texas districts identify nominees to join the Foundation as Fellows. Nominating Chairs of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the Texas Bar Foundation.  Selection is a mark of distinction and recognition of Mr. Yarbrough’s contributions to the legal profession. 

Mr. Yarbrough has devoted a significant portion of his practice to defending cities, counties, and law enforcement in all manners of disputes. Mr. Yarbrough’s practice focuses on all aspects of civil litigation, from pre-lawsuit resolution through the appeal of a judgment rendered by a trial court. Mr. Yarbrough handles a variety of real estate litigation, trucking and automobile litigation, commercial litigation, and premises liability. Mr. Yarbrough has experience handling complex matters of wrongful death, Federal Employers Liability Act, and railroad grade crossing accidents involving catastrophic injuries.

Selection as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation is restricted to members of the State Bar of Texas.  Each year one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys are invited to become Fellows.  Once nominees are selected, they must be elected by the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees.  Membership has grown from an initial 255 Charter Members in 1965 to more than 10,000 Fellows throughout Texas today.  If you are a Fellow and have a recommendation for a new member, please contact your District Nominating Chair.

Founded by attorneys determined to assist the public and improve the profession of law, the Texas Bar Foundation has maintained its mission of using the financial contributions of its membership to enhance the rule of law and the system of justice in Texas.  To date, the Texas Bar Foundation has distributed more than $24 million throughout Texas to assist nonprofit organizations with a wide range of justice-related programs and services.  More than $1.5 million is projected to be distributed for grants this fiscal year.  For more information, please visit www.txbf.org.

On August 8, 2022, at the Advanced Family Law Course, Underwood shareholder Chris Wrampelmeier presented a paper entitled “New Discovery Frontiers: Rule Changes and Impacts from Both Sides of the Bench” with the Hon. Emily Miskell, Presiding Judge of the 470^th District Court.  

Two days later, the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists presented Mr. Wrampelmeier with the Sam Emison Award. Each year, the Sam Emison Award is bestowed upon one exceptionally distinguished family law practitioner or judge who has demonstrated a significant commitment and made significant contributions to the practice of family law in the State of Texas. The Sam Emison Award is one of the most coveted awards in Texas family law.

Underwood attorney Slater C. Elza spoke to the Lubbock County Bar Association this August on “Ethics Jeopardy”. Slater presented with his fellow State Bar Litigation Council Board Members J. Paul Manning and Cade Browning to address a number of potential ethical issues for Texas lawyers. The State Bar Litigation Section is comprised of nearly nine thousand members from all parts of the State and all sides of the Bar. They are a neutral organization comprised of plaintiff attorneys, defense attorneys, judges, mediators/arbitrators, pro bono attorneys and law students who are dedicated to improving our justice system and the quality of legal services delivered to Texans.