Law – Page 4 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

POLS 4081 & New Skills: Kicking Off a Purposeful Summer Semester

by Michelle Moya

The summer semester is almost halfway through, and we are in the midst of a productive “break.” With a lighter campus crowd and a more flexible schedule, summer presents a unique opportunity to focus on learning new skills!

Between new responsibilities and summer coursework, I’ve found the perfect balance of challenge and opportunity this summer. One of the biggest surprises so far has been exploring the new course on campus, POLS 4081, “How to Win in the Courtroom,” which is designed as a preparation for Moot Court.

Unlike a traditional political science lecture, POLS 4081 simulates the experience of arguing a case before the United States Supreme Court. Structured around a fictional constitutional law case from the American Moot Court Association (AMCA), the class has us acting as attorneys—preparing and presenting oral arguments on behalf of either the petitioner or the respondent. In this course, there is an emphasis on reading the original judicial opinions–reading closely for the facts of the case and legal nuances. And, you don’t just study legal concepts; you also apply them in a courtroom-style setting.

“How to win in the Courtroom” is not just as an academic course but also as a preparatory experience for those considering trying out for the official Moot Court team in the fall semester. It’s a chance to build confidence, sharpen public speaking skills, and gain experience in persuasive legal reasoning in a supportive classroom setting. It’s an entirely new experience for me—and a challenging one—but also exciting.

Beyond this course, the rest of the summer is filled with creative pursuits and professional development opportunities for all LEAP Ambassadors. With new responsibilities, fresh academic challenges, and creative pursuits, this summer promises to be both busy and rewarding. Even though it’s technically a break, it’s the perfect time to stay engaged with coursework, contribute to meaningful projects, and continue growing both personally and professionally. Here’s to a strong and promising start to the summer semester for everyone!

Understanding Pharmacy Fraud: Lessons from the Houston ACFE Lunch

The Houston Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners met last week to discuss medical fraud, particularly as it relates to pharmaceuticals. And with former LEAP Ambassador Bianca Saldierna on the Houston ACFE Board, LEAP students found themselves at the Tanglewood Ballroom alongside approximately 25 certified fraud examiners to discuss pill mills, pharmacy shopping, and the black market.

Following an introduction by Robert Rodgers, the Director of ACFE’s In-Person events…

…featured speaker Yasir Shakoor offered an interesting–and even entertaining–discussion of the diverse types of pharmacy fraud over lunch.

Mr. Shakoor has both a BA and an MHC in Health Care Administration, and he is also a Certified Fraud Examiner, and he was clearly qualified to discuss the different types of fraud.

Following a discussion of common myths and an emphasis on the costs associated with pharmacy fraud, Shakoor made a distinction among (1) fraud–falsely representing services rendered; (2) waste–not reasonably conserving resources; and (3) abuse–which may involve exploiting gray areas in laws or policies and, while perhaps not illegal, is unethical and costly.

The case studies were perhaps the most interesting component of the presentation.

Examples included (1) an individual who hacked into an e-prescription service and issued 18,500 prescriptions (in one day) to purchase sport cars, basketball tickets, and to be “entertained” at strip clubs, (2) a doctor who would offer opioids for the flimsiest of pretenses, and (3) underground organizations that offered substandard, black-market drugs (or, sometimes, just any substance available) in place of the specified medication. It is frightening, costly, and, often, deadly.

Apart from the educational aspects of the lunch, our major reason for attending was to see Bianca Saldierna.

A key LEAP Ambassador in 2016-2017, Ms. Saldierna has remained involved in her alumni years, and she generously invited us to attend this event. With many thanks to Bianca and to ACFE, we eagerly await our next such lunch!

Lessons from the Bench: A Day at Huntsville Municipal Court

While the LEAP Center’s project-based internships are robust by themselves, they are supplemented with opportunities for professional development. One such opportunity occurred last week at the Huntsville Municipal Court, with guidance from Court Clerk Flor Borbor, Officer Eric Scott, Prosecutor Cody Corcoran, and Judge Devan Dawson.

To learn more about our Court system, the City Fellows–along with former LEAP President and current SHSU attorney Victoria McClendon-Leggett–journeyed to the Municipal Court building in Huntsville. With Flor Borbor facilitating the tour and Judge Dawson leading the discussion, we began by covering the basics:

The Municipal Court Judge is hired/appointed by Council, not elected;
The Municipal Court hears Class C Misdemeanors;
The Municipal Court hears Jury and Bench Trials;
Bench Trials involve six jurors.

Cody Corcoran was also on hand to discuss his approach to prosecutions, which mostly involved finding ways to work with the accused. He and Judge Dawson appeared to agree that while justice should be served, they both sought ways to achieve justice without major setbacks for the alleged wrongdoer. There was even more agreement, however–among the Judge, Clerk, Prosecutor, and Officer–that lying or being rude would lead to a harsher sentence.

The students were impressively engaged, bringing up good points, asking interesting questions, and remaining involved even when the men began arguing about who had caught the bigger fish.

Officer Scott also discussed his career in law-enforcement in general, while particularizing on his duties as a bailiff. With good humor and a disarming self-deprecation, he described his job as “secretary with a gun,” highlighting his tendency–and, in fact, all the officials in the Municipal Court–to pitch in where needed.

It was a good lesson for young people, especially this group of mostly Criminal Justice majors, many of whom are deciding between careers in law-enforcement and the legal field. The lessons of courtesy, professionalism, and pitching in are valuable across all disciplines and occupations.

Following views of the jury room, the business office, and a formal group photo, the tour came to a close. And while the tour only lasted a little more than an hour and a half, the perspectives they gained may last a lifetime.

SHSU Students Shine, Earn Recognition in the Texas Legislature

For the past twelve years, the LEAP Center has supervised one of SHSU’s highest-profile programs: The Sam Houston Austin Internship Program (SHAIP). The program oversees the recruitment, selection, preparation, and placement of students who work the entire session–while also taking classes and representing SHSU at various events.

The 89th session doesn’t end until June 2, but the light at the end of the tunnel is visible for the students, and some of their hard work was recognized on the House floor in May, when the Speaker recognized the SHAIP students, for performing “their duties with great skill and dedication.” Authored by Representative Armando Martinez and co-authored by other intern supervisors, the Resolution was scheduled for May 20 at 10:00am.

As Representative Martinez read the resolution alongside the ever-supportive (and alum) Representative Metcalf, the seven students stood, acknowledging the applause from the floor and the gallery.

The recognition is a culmination of sorts of a year-long process that plays out over a two-year period. Professor Mike Yawn oversees the LEAP Center, which participates in some 150 programs/activities every year, allowing Yawn, other SHSU staff, and LEAP Ambassadors to assess the interest and professionalism in students from across the University. The spring before legislative session, informational meetings are held, informing students of the outlines of the programs and encouraging students to find flexible housing if they are interested in the program.

In the fall, students submit applications that are reviewed by a committee of five SHSU faculty staff, and SHAIP alumni. Once the committee’s recommendations come in, students are offered the chance to express their interest in interviewing with offices in which they would like to work. Their resumes are then sent to those offices, where staff members select the students they’d like to interview.

Following an extensive round-robin interview process, the interns rank the offices with which they’ve interviewed, and the offices rank the students with whom they met. From there, matches are made, and the process of preparing the students for Austin begins.

This year’s matches were fortuitous, with the students indicating a high level of satisfaction with their placements and earning very high evaluations. Cinthia Villarreal Carillo interned with Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez; Makenna McDaniel interned with Representative Will Metcalf; Sarah Isett interned with the legislative affairs team of the Texas Association of Counties; Guadalupe Centeno interned with Representative Senfronia Thompson; Saara Maknojia interned with Representative Suleman Lalani; Sarah-Hope Parohl interned with Representative J.M. Lozano; and Michelle Cardenas interviewed with Governor Abbott’s Legislative Affairs office, an internship that has been extended through June.

While in Austin, the students are encouraged to explore, learn, and engage, and they have made the most of those opportunities. Most important, though, they have sharpened their skill sets, more fully learned the legislative process, and expanded their professional networks, all while elevating the reputation of Sam Houston State University and earning–as the resolution notes–the “high regard of the Texas House of Representatives.”

Eight is Enough: The Houston Family Legacy

by Olivia Discon

Huntsville is home to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Presidential Library (SHMM) for good reason. Sam Houston and his family made their home here, and their lasting legacy continues to shape our community. But what did their lives actually look like beyond Sam Houston’s legendary public service? SHMM set out to explore that very question through a new exhibit titled The Fate of the Eight—a look at the lives of Sam and Margaret Houston’s eight children: Temple Lea, Margaret Lea, Antoinette Power, Andrew Jackson (AJ), Nancy Elizabeth, Mary William, Sam Houston Jr., and William Rogers.

LEAP Ambassadors attended the exhibit’s opening reception on May 13, 2025, which was well-attended by community members and history lovers alike. Jude Routh, SHMM Curator of Exhibits, remarked that while the display was expansive, it only scratched the surface of the museum’s Houston family archives.

Centered in the exhibit space were personal artifacts—swords, Bibles, marriage licenses, family photos—that brought the Houstons’ story to life.

Below is a brief look into the lives of each of the eight Houston children, all of whom carved unique paths shaped by their family’s name, their own aspirations, and the changing world around them:

Sam Houston Jr.
Born in 1843 at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Sam Jr. was the first child of Sam and Margaret Houston. He attended Baylor University and Bastrop Military Academy before enlisting in the Confederate Army. Wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, he was later released from a Union prison and returned to Texas. He studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and practiced in several towns before turning to writing later in life. He died in 1894 in Independence, Texas.

Nancy Elizabeth “Nannie” Houston
Born in 1846 at the family’s Raven Hill plantation, Nannie was the Houstons’ eldest daughter. She was educated at home and at Baylor and was known for her musical talent. After marrying Joseph Morrow, she raised six children and cared for her younger siblings following her mother’s death. She died in 1920 and was buried in Georgetown, Texas.

Margaret Lea “Maggie” Houston Williams
Maggie, born in 1848, assisted her father with correspondence during his later years. She married Captain Weston Williams and lived for many years in Independence, later relocating to San Antonio. When she died in 1906, the Alamo flew its flag at half-mast in her honor.

Mary William “Mary Willie” Houston
Born in 1850, Mary Willie was educated at Baylor Female Seminary. She married John Morrow and, after being widowed, served as postmistress in Abilene. Known for her church involvement and independence, she died in 1931.

Antoinette Power “Nettie” Houston Bringhurst
Born in 1852, Nettie was a gifted poet whose works were sung in Texas schools. Married in the Governor’s Mansion and later active in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, she led a literary life. She was killed in a car accident in 1932 and buried in San Antonio.

Andrew Jackson Houston
Born in 1854, Andrew had a long and varied career that included service as a U.S. Marshal, military school cadet, lawyer, and historian. In 1941, at age 87, he was appointed U.S. Senator, making him the oldest person to serve in that body at the time. He supported completion of the San Jacinto Monument before his death that same year.

William Rogers Houston
Born in 1858 in Huntsville, William Rogers Houston was the seventh child of Sam and Margaret. Though often sick as a child, he grew into a strong and devoted man. He served in the U.S. Indian Service, a role that reflected both his sense of duty and the legacy of his father’s early years with Native American communities. William never married and remained deeply connected to his siblings throughout his life. He died while on official duty in Oklahoma.

Temple Lea Houston
The youngest of the Houston children, Temple was born in 1860 in the Texas Governor’s Mansion. A gifted orator and attorney, he gained fame as a frontier lawyer known for his dramatic courtroom presence. He served in the Texas Senate and later as counsel for the Santa Fe Railroad.

The Houston family has a strong legacy here in Huntsville, and it was great for us LEAP Ambassadors to learn more about it through The Fate of the Eight exhibit.

If you happened to miss this exhibit, you are in luck. It runs through June 29, 2025, so there’s plenty of time to check it out and enjoy this wonderful hub of culture and history in the Huntsville community.

Murder Most Foul: An April Adios

For all Pre-Law Society members, our April was the last get together of the academic year. But for one unlucky member, it was, at least in the world of fictional fun, the last meeting ever. That’s because our social involved a murder mystery, something of a theme for our sinister solicitors.

Our officers and activity committee put together treats to ~~bribe~~ encourage us to attend, and it worked!

A healthy 30 or so students attended, a reflection of our growing sociality as an organization.

Mikaela Baires was the unlucky victim. Indeed, she was doubly unlucky, inasmuch as the murder weapon was a laxative, giving new meaning to Shakespeare’s phrase “murder so foul” (thankfully, we did not meet at the beautiful Wynne Home this year…).

The suspects were Mikaela’s peers: Chrissy Biello…

Jose Carreno…

Katherine Burnett…

Madison Cawthon…

Neehal Ahmed…

and Niya Thompson.

Given the suspects–any one of whom is capable of such a dastardly act–it was going to be a tough evening for our social sleuths.

Thankfully, there were four clues uncovered, and throwing Miranda out the window, the suspects were questioned without their lawyers being present.

After much debate, hand-wringing, and interrogation, the law-enforcement, apparently imitating the Keystone Kops, accused the wrong person–Katherine Burnett–perhaps motivated by a strong desire to sequester her from society for eternity, or at least until they graduate.

In fairness, the actual murderer, Jose Carreno, broke the rules of the game and lied. Who knew a murderer would lie about his whereabouts? Following the game, Jose vowed that, “when things have settled a bit, I will pursue as my primary goal in life the killer or killers who slaughtered ~~Nicole and Mr. Goldman~~…Mikaela Baires.”

On a happier note, Madison Cawthon led the speed debating contest.

Befitting our status as future lawyers in society–and, perhaps, lawmakers–we spent our time arguing over trivialities ending in ludicrous judgments.

Neehal Ahmed, for example, argued that it should be illegal to text a single “k” to indicate affirmation via messaging.

The debate over whether “ttyl” should be punishable by firing squad was tabled. And thank God we didn’t even get to people who use odd text colors or emojis.

It was a fitting and fun end to a record-breaking semester. With 116 members–well, now just 115 members (sorry Mikaela)–PLS garnered its largest membership ever, donated funds to a scholarship and enrichment fund, and offered pre-law students some amazing events and programs. We can’t wait to see what never year brings!

Texas 10th Court of Appeals Hosted by the Walker County Bar Association

by Chrissy Biello

The night before the Texas Tenth Court of Appeals convened for oral arguments at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), the Walker County Bar Association hosted a dinner at Sam’s Table to welcome the visiting justices. The guests of honor were Chief Justice Matt Johnson, Justice Lee Harris, and Justice Steven Smith, along with Clerk of the Court Sherry Williamson.

Approximately thirty members of the local legal community gathered for the occasion, including 278th District Judge Tracy Sorensen, 12th Judicial District Judge David Moorman, County Court at Law Judge John Gaines, Municipal Court Judge Devan Dawson, and County Judge Colt Christian. The dinner also drew several prominent attorneys, including Alvin Martin of Smither, Martin, and Henderson; Michael Foreman of Haney, Paschal and Romoser; and multiple representatives from the Walker County Criminal District Attorney’s Office: Assistant District Attorneys Malori Martin (who is arguing a case tomorrow), Jennifer Jenkins, and Graciela Garcia.

Throughout the evening, there were multiple conversations taking place, some filled with friendly laughter, while others centered on the cases scheduled for the following day. Some exchanged thoughts on the legal questions involved, as some of the cases have some interesting aspects that could have greater implications on the legal field.

Clerk of the Court Sherry Williamson shared stories from her early career, including her time serving as clerk of the Eleventh Court of Appeals in Eastland, Texas. While reflecting on her time there, she mentioned “Ol’ Rip,” the legendary horned toad that Eastland is known for. According to local lore, Ol’ Rip survived a thirty-one-year hibernation, only to later pass away from pneumonia. The toad is now on display at the Eastland Courthouse!

Ol Rip in a custom-made coffin at the Courthouse

While speaking with SHSU LEAP students, Chief Justice Johnson shared his journey into law. He spoke about his early career as a practicing attorney and the transition into becoming a judge. He first served as Justice of the Peace in McLennan County, then as Judge of the 54th District Court for fourteen years, before being elected to the Texas Tenth Court of Appeals in 2020. During the conversation, he emphasized the importance of gaining trial experience for those who aspire to serve on the bench.

Judge David Moorman also spoke highly of the opportunity for students to observe the appellate court in action, calling it a unique and valuable educational experience.

The event served as both a warm welcome to the visiting court and a reminder of the strength and collegiality within the local legal community. The justices will hear three cases at SHSU tomorrow, including two driving while intoxicated cases and one involving injury to a child. The Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics continues to be grateful that the Texas Tenth Court of Appeals visits Sam Houston State University each year. The event offers a multitude of valuable learning experiences. You can read more about the event here.

Finding Fulfillment: Lessons from Lone Star Legal Aid

Katherine Burnett and Neehal Ahmed

It’s been a semester of elections, practice LSATs, simulated law classes, presentations, court cases, and there’s more to come. But on April 16, the Pre-Law Society completed its final meeting of the semester, featuring a wonderful presentation by Deborah Concepcion and Liz Miller from Lone-Star Legal Aid–as well as a cording ceremony conducted by Pre-Law Society President Olivia Discon.

Lone Star Legal Aid provides legal assistance to impoverished Texans in myriad fields of law, making it a worthy place to ply the legal trade—not to mention a valuable resource for many Texans. Ms. Concepcion spoke to her experience at both Howard University and Seton Hall University, where she earned her undergraduate degrees and JD, respectively.

With this educational foundation, Ms. Concepcion worked in various capacities of the law, adding to her professional network—but, she learned, not finding the internal rewards she had hoped for.

Through several twists of fate, she found herself living in the “warm, hospitable environment of Texas.” After the move to the Lone Star State, she opened her own practice and eventually met an attorney from Lone Star Legal Aid. After learning more about the organization and its mission, she began working with Lone Star Legal Aid—advancing the legal rights of low-income Texans and ensuring equal access to justice.

Ms. Concepcion’s narrative highlighted one of the key lessons in her presentation: to find fulfillment in legal work, we must follow our passions and allow ourselves to practice in fields and ways that align with who we are as individuals.

Interestingly, the work of Lone Star Legal Aid also includes serving as “first responders” during disasters, collaborating closely with organizations such as FEMA. From this, Ms. Concepcion explained how her work is varied, requiring her to learn and apply laws across a range of fields, from family law to assisting victims of sexual assault. She also described the clinics hosted by Lone Star Legal Aid, which aim to help community members with legal issues that fall outside the organization’s primary areas of practice.

Ms. Concepcion offered a plethora of advice for the Pre-Law Society students:

Be prepared;
Go beyond the required work;
Be intellectually curious, and satisfy this curiosity, in part, with questions.

Not to mention, she stressed the importance of being able to work with others, whether with fellow attorneys or legal staff. In fact, her Legal Secretary, Liz Miller, was also on hand, and she offered similar high-quality advice: law school, she noted, does a good job of teaching you to think, but not necessarily how to practice law. Behaving in a manner that makes a young lawyer worthy of help—by other attorneys and legal staff—is part of being a successful attorney.

Ms. Concepcion generously took several questions from PLS students, who were unusually engaged.

Following Ms. Concepcion’s presentation, the PLS officers quickly moved through the organization’s general business: Finance (Chrissy Biello, in her last official act as Treasurer)….

…Minutes (Laila Alimi)…..

…Marketing (Niya Thompson)…

… Membership (McKenna Nonnenmann)…

…And, of course, President Discon.

To cap the evening, McKenna Nonnenmann called on graduating seniors, who were corded by President Discon, and given their certificates by Niya Thompson.

Even as finals approach, PLS members prepare for their upcoming social, and pre-law students begin studying for the LSAT. In all, we were happy to take a long pause and learn from Ms. Concepcion and Ms. Miller and recognize those graduating seniors–whose hard work is sure to pay off in the coming years!

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