HOME | Thursday, March 11th, 2010
News & Events
Myra McDaniel, Partner and former Secretary of State, passes away- 2/25/2010
We are extremely sorry to report that Myra McDaniel passed away February 25, 2010. Words cannot express our loss.
Myra McDaniel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Eva and Toronto Atwell on December 13, 1932. McDaniel attended the prestigious Philadelphia High School for Girls and went on to receive her B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954. Myra then worked several administrative jobs at Baldwin Wallace College and at Indiana University. She received her J.D from the University of Texas, School of Law at Austin in 1975.
Ms. McDaniel was hired by the Attorney General's Office in Texas and worked her way up to Chief of the Taxation Division in 1979. She then worked as counsel for the Railroad Commission. Myra entered a private practice in Midland, Texas, but Governor Mark White appointed her as General Counsel to the Governor. In 1984, she became the first African American in Texas history to serve as the Secretary of State. In this position, Ms. McDaniel was also the highest- ranked African American appointee in the history of Texas government.
Myra McDaniel rejoined private practice in 1987 with Bickerstaff, Heath, and Smiley, later becoming a named partner in Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel, L.L.P., becoming the first African American woman to lead a major law firm as managing partner in 1995.
Myra McDaniel has received numerous awards for her outstanding community service. Her career highlights include:
Former Secretary of State, State of Texas
Former General Counsel, Office of the Governor of Texas
Former Assistant Special Counsel, Railroad Commission of Texas
Former Chief, Taxation Division, Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Outside General Counsel, Austin Community College
Member, Board of Directors, Foundation on Insurance Regulatory Studies in Texas
Member and Past-Chair, Board of Trustees, St. Edward's University
Member, Board of Trustees, Bishop Quinn Foundation, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Member, Advisory Board, Texas Association of Counties Leadership Foundation
Member, Board of Trustees, Austin Public Education Foundation
Myra McDaniel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Eva and Toronto Atwell on December 13, 1932. McDaniel attended the prestigious Philadelphia High School for Girls and went on to receive her B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954. Myra then worked several administrative jobs at Baldwin Wallace College and at Indiana University. She received her J.D from the University of Texas, School of Law at Austin in 1975.
Ms. McDaniel was hired by the Attorney General's Office in Texas and worked her way up to Chief of the Taxation Division in 1979. She then worked as counsel for the Railroad Commission. Myra entered a private practice in Midland, Texas, but Governor Mark White appointed her as General Counsel to the Governor. In 1984, she became the first African American in Texas history to serve as the Secretary of State. In this position, Ms. McDaniel was also the highest- ranked African American appointee in the history of Texas government.
Myra McDaniel rejoined private practice in 1987 with Bickerstaff, Heath, and Smiley, later becoming a named partner in Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel, L.L.P., becoming the first African American woman to lead a major law firm as managing partner in 1995.
Myra McDaniel has received numerous awards for her outstanding community service. Her career highlights include:
Former Secretary of State, State of Texas
Former General Counsel, Office of the Governor of Texas
Former Assistant Special Counsel, Railroad Commission of Texas
Former Chief, Taxation Division, Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Outside General Counsel, Austin Community College
Member, Board of Directors, Foundation on Insurance Regulatory Studies in Texas
Member and Past-Chair, Board of Trustees, St. Edward's University
Member, Board of Trustees, Bishop Quinn Foundation, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Member, Advisory Board, Texas Association of Counties Leadership Foundation
Member, Board of Trustees, Austin Public Education Foundation
Ricardo Ortiz, Partner is honored- 2/22/2010
We want to congratulate Ricardo Ortiz, a Partner at the Firm, for being elected as the Chairman of the Board of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. February 23, 2010, Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court Justice, will be the honored guest at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center where Rick will be installed in office. We congratulate Rick for this high profile recognition of his leadership skills.
Election Law Changes Requiring Action by Texas Local Governments/Entities- 1/4/2010
Changes to the Texas Election Code during the Legislative Session will affect your May 2010 elections.
Notice of Candidate Filing Period
Texas Election Code Section 141.040 now requires that a notice of the candidate filing period shall be posted "in a public place in a building in which the authority has an office." This notice would apply to and General and Special elections requiring candidates to file for place on the ballot. The notice must be posted no later than 30 days before candidates can file for office and must be posted continuously until after the filing period closes. For the May 2010 General Elections, the notice must be posted from January 7 until March 8. The Secretary of State Office has prepared a form for this posting. You can obtain a copy of the form and additional information on this requirement at: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2009-11.shtml
Early Voting in Runoff Elections
Texas Election Code Section 85.001(e) had added new requirements for runoff elections. Under this new law, the early voting period for a runoff after an election held on the uniform election date in May will begin on the 12th day before the runoff election day.
New Notice of Elections to County Officials
Texas Election Code Section 4.008 requires that each political subdivision give Notice of Election to the county clerk and county voter registrar sixty (60) days before an election.
We hope that this notice of these changes is helpful to you. Let us know if you have any questions about the information presented here and click on "details" below to take you straight to the link mentioned above.
Notice of Candidate Filing Period
Texas Election Code Section 141.040 now requires that a notice of the candidate filing period shall be posted "in a public place in a building in which the authority has an office." This notice would apply to and General and Special elections requiring candidates to file for place on the ballot. The notice must be posted no later than 30 days before candidates can file for office and must be posted continuously until after the filing period closes. For the May 2010 General Elections, the notice must be posted from January 7 until March 8. The Secretary of State Office has prepared a form for this posting. You can obtain a copy of the form and additional information on this requirement at: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2009-11.shtml
Early Voting in Runoff Elections
Texas Election Code Section 85.001(e) had added new requirements for runoff elections. Under this new law, the early voting period for a runoff after an election held on the uniform election date in May will begin on the 12th day before the runoff election day.
New Notice of Elections to County Officials
Texas Election Code Section 4.008 requires that each political subdivision give Notice of Election to the county clerk and county voter registrar sixty (60) days before an election.
We hope that this notice of these changes is helpful to you. Let us know if you have any questions about the information presented here and click on "details" below to take you straight to the link mentioned above.
John Clark Long IV Joins the Firm- 12/18/2009
Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta is proud to announce John Clark Long IV has joined our firm. Mr. Long focuses his practice on business and governmental litigation and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has significant experience representing county governments, cities, banks, private companies, and private individuals in a wide range of commercial disputes.
Mr. Long is a graduate of St. Mary's School of Law (J.D.) and the University of Texas at Dallas (B.S.). He is an accomplished trial lawyer who has tried numerous cases in state and federal court. Mr. Long served as Chief of the Civil Division of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, where he had the opportunity to defend the county's elected officials and employees in civil rights, tort claims, breach of contract, employment claims, and constitutional challenges to laws and resolutions.
Mr. Long will be practicing in our Dallas Office located at:
1700 Pacific Ave.
Suite 4501
Dallas, Texas 75201
214.397.0390
214.397.0389 Fax
Mr. Long is a graduate of St. Mary's School of Law (J.D.) and the University of Texas at Dallas (B.S.). He is an accomplished trial lawyer who has tried numerous cases in state and federal court. Mr. Long served as Chief of the Civil Division of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, where he had the opportunity to defend the county's elected officials and employees in civil rights, tort claims, breach of contract, employment claims, and constitutional challenges to laws and resolutions.
Mr. Long will be practicing in our Dallas Office located at:
1700 Pacific Ave.
Suite 4501
Dallas, Texas 75201
214.397.0390
214.397.0389 Fax
New Office Opens in the Rio Grande Valley- 11/11/2009
We are proud to announce our newest office located in the Rio Grande Valley.
Serving the firm's government and business clients throughout The Valley, we are located in the heart of the region's growth at the intersection of Highway 281 and 83. Our phone number is (956) 683-9404.
Our new address is:
135 Paseo Del Prado Ave
Suite 50
Edinburg, TX 78539-9614
(956) 683-9404 Office
(512) 320-5638 Fax
Serving the firm's government and business clients throughout The Valley, we are located in the heart of the region's growth at the intersection of Highway 281 and 83. Our phone number is (956) 683-9404.
Our new address is:
135 Paseo Del Prado Ave
Suite 50
Edinburg, TX 78539-9614
(956) 683-9404 Office
(512) 320-5638 Fax
