HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position Seeking: President Elect

Name: Nicondra “Nikki” Chargois-Allen

Firm: Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, L.L.P.

Areas of Practice: General Civil Litigation: Commercial, Personal Injury, Insurance

Defense, Property, Probate, and Collections.

Law School: St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas, 2001

Date Licensed: Texas, 2001

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2006

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

Community Justice Clinic Volunteer (2008 - 2012)

Hidalgo County Bar Association (Director, 2010-2011; Secretary, 2011-2013; Chairman of

the Committee of the Year, 2012; Community Justice Program Award, 2012)

HCBA Women’s Section (Opportunities Chair, 2010-2011; Rio Grande Valley Job Fair

Chair, 2011)

Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association (2006-2011)

Region One Mock Trial Competition Judge and Clinic Presenter (2007-2013)

HCBF Celebrate Freedom- Courthouse Tour Volunteer

Coach U5 – U7 Soccer Teams (2009-2012)

Coach for T-Ball and basketball youth teams (2008-2013)

Our Mother of Mercy Rodeo Committee (2001-2008)

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013-2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of Directors

(answer in 250 words or less)?

I am running for the position of President Elect of HCBA and HCBF in order to continue

my service to the legal community of Hidalgo County. Over the past three years, I have

coordinated, participated in and volunteered with many of programs of HCBA and HCBF. I

have been involved in the search for a new Executive Director and assisted with the

transition of staff into new positions. I have worked hand in hand with the new staff and

believe that there is more that can be done to insure that the programs of HCBA and HCBF

meet the advocacy, educational, social needs of our legal community, while providing legal

resources and assistance to the community of Hidalgo County at large.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position (answer in 250

words or less)?

Over the past three years, I have dedicated myself to the work of the HCBA and HCBF

through a commitment of time and a willingness to collaborate with others on issues

concerning the citizens and legal community of Hidalgo County. I have served in the HCBA

and HCBF as a Director (2010-2011) and as the Secretary (2011-2013). Prior to becoming a

Director, I volunteered with the different programs of HCBA and HCBF that were held in

the community. In addition to being involved in many of HCBA and HCBF’s programs as

a participant or as a volunteer, I have chaired or served on the committees of Access to

Justice, Public Service, Law Day, Finance, and Public Relations and Newsletter. During the

2011 - 2012 year, I chaired the Access to Justice Committee, which was named the

Committee of the Year. I also received the Community Justice Program Award in 2012.

As an officer in HCBA and HCBF for the past two years, I have seen how the

organizations operate and I know the areas in which they can be improved. As the

immediate past officer, I believe that I have the knowledge and insight needed to support the

President during this upcoming year and to lead the organizations in the following year. I

am committed to continuing to work diligently with the elected officers and directors to

make HCBA & HCBF responsive to the needs of the legal community and the community at

large.

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Treasurer

Name: Joshua A. Cummings

Firm: Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications): Real Estate, Commercia Lending, Bankruptcy,

and Probate

Law School: Baylor

Date Licensed: 2007

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

Director of the Hidalgo County Bar Association and Hidalgo County Bar Foundation (2011-

2013); Officer of Hidalgo County Real Estate Bar Section (2008-2013); Presenter at various

Hidalgo County Bar Association sponsored CLE events on real estate matters; Region One

Mock Trial Judge (2010-2012); Volunteer for Community Justice Clinic (2010-2011);

Volunteer for McAllen Police Department Toy Drive (2006-2012); and Junior High School

SUnda School teacher at United Methodist-McAllen (2009-2010.

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013-2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of Directors

(answer in 250 words or less)?

As a director/officer of the HCBA/HCBF and the HCBA Real Estate Section, I have

observed great leadership and valued my opportunities to also serve the HCBA & HCBF. I

wish to not only continue to show my gratitude to the HCBA & HCBF for its efforts to

educate and serve its members, but I also desire to continue my active community service

and continue the efforts of my colleagues.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position (answer in 250

words or less)?

Prior experience, work ethics and ability to work well with colleagues are all attributes that

make for good leadership and are attributes that I possess. I also have a passion to serve

others and protect their interests, and if elected, I will commit the time an effort to see that

the interests of the HCBA are protected and its mission of serving its members and

community is honored.

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Secretary

Name: Frank Sabo, Jr.

Firm: Guerra, Leeds, Sabo & Hernandez, P.L.L.C.

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications): Primarily insurance defense litigation involving

general personal injury, medical liability, premises liability and construction defect claims

with some small mix of Plaintiff employment and personal injury cases. I am board certified

in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Law School: St. Mary’s University

Date Licensed: November 3, 1989

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

I am actively involved in the education, extra curricular events and fund raising activities of

my three children and some children belonging to others, as a some time participant but

primarily as a spectator, driver and check writer.

I have been a director of the Hidalgo County Bar Association or the past two years and

formerly served as an officer on the board of the Hidalgo County Young Lawyers

Association.

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013-2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of Directors

(answer in 250 words or less)?

I have been on the board for the past two years. In that time I have initiated proposals to

implement judicial polling to bring to the public’s attention those judges who we as lawyers

recognize as outstanding, to bring back some of the bar member only events such as the

annual bar-b-que and to implement a mentoring program. I am running for the officer

position to further these objectives.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position

(answer in 250 words or less)?

I have practiced law in Hidalgo County for over 20 years. During that time I have gotten to

know local attorney ranging in experience from just a few years to many and in all areas of

practice. I am aware of the issues of interest in all areas of practice.

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Director

Name: Lisa Galvan

Firm: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications): Colonias & Real Estate, Probate Federal

Income Tax Housing

Law School: The University of Texas School of Law

Date Licensed: June 2009

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

1. Hidalgo County Bar Association, Member, Real Estate Section, Estate Planning and

Probate Section, 2009-Present

2. Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association, Director, 2011 – Present

3. Wills on Wheels Clinic, Coordinator, 2011 – Present

4. Region One Mock Trial Competition Judge

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013-2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of Directors

(answer in 250 words or less)?

I am running for director of HCBA because I would like to become more active in not only

my profession, but in the community in which I live and work.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position

(answer in 250 words or less)?

My experience as a legal aid attorney has given me a unique perspective of the community

which we serve. I am eager to develop programs that would enhance access to justice for our

client community. I work well with others, am a dedicated and hard worker, and I believe

that I could be a valuable member of this board.

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Director

Name: Elizabeth M. García

Firm: Guerra, Leeds, Sabo & Hernandez

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications): Civil Litigation - Defense

Law School: Seattle University School of Law

Date Licensed: 2006 – Washington State; 2007 – Texas

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

2011-2013; HCBA/HCBF - Director

2009 – Present; Women’s Bar Section - Board Member

2008-2010; Hidalgo County Young Lawyer’s Association - Board Member

2005-2008; Latina/a Bar Association (Washington) – Board Member/Executive Board Member

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013-2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of Directors?

I enjoy serving my community and working with my colleagues to accomplish the task. My two-year tenure

has given me the experience I need to continue serving our community. I look forward to strengthening our

existing community service projects.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position?

I am reliable and dependable. I am also passionate about serving our community.

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Director

Name: Carina C. Garza

Firm: Garza Garcia, PLLC

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications): Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law

Law School: The University of Texas School of Law

Date Licensed: November 7, 2008

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

Mediation & Arbitration Training

Manousso Mediation Training & Alternative Dispute Resolution Services, Houston, TX

Basic Mediation Certificate

Basic Arbitration Certificate

Professional Associations and Community Involvement

State Bar of Texas

Texas Young Lawyers Association

Hidalgo County Bar Association

Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association , 2009-present; Board Member, 2011-2012;

Secretary 2012-present

Women’s Bar Section, 2010-present; Community Service Chair, 2011-2012

City of Mission – Parks and Recreation Department, Board Member, 2011-present

Jr. Service Legue of Mission, 2009-2012

Region One Mock Trial Competition, Volunteer Judge, 2012 – present

Community Justice Program, Volunteer Attorney, 2010-present

Texas Exes – Hidalgo-Starr Chapter, 2009-present

Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce

McAllen Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Training

State Bar of Texas, Leadership SBOT Class Member, 2012-2013

Leadership Mission, Graduate Class XXVIII, 2010-2011; Board Member, 2012-present

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Director

Name: Benjamin R. Guerra

Firm: Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales, PLLC

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications): general civil litigation, commercial litigation,

creditors’ rights/ collection and personal injury

Law School: University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX

Date Licensed: 2006

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

Hidalgo County Bar Association 2011-Present

Cameron County Bar Association 2012-Present

Director, Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association 2007-Present

Bexar County Bar Association 2008-2011

Federal Bar Association 2007-Present

Fifth Circuit Bar Association 2009-Present

2013 Texas Rising Star Award

Community Justice Program – Hidalgo County, 2012-2013; Bexar County 2007-2011

Veterans Wills Clinic – 2012

TRLA Wills Clinic – Willacy County, 2013

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013 – 2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of Directors

(answer in 250 words or less)?

As I learned at the Texas Bar Leaders Conference last year, the HCBA/HCBF is one of the

strongest bar associations in the state. Although the Hidalgo Bar has a “small town” feel to

it, the HCBA’s numbers, events, and attorney involvement are consistent with the larger bars

in the state. The HCBA not only brings the legal community together for several events

throughout the year, but also provides various community service opportunities for its

members. I would like to not only participate in the HCBA, but actually contribute to the

organization’s continued success.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position

(answer in 250 words or less)?

When I commit to a board or officer position in any organization, I intend on being active in

all of the organization’s activities, including the planning and hands-on phases. The same is

true for the HCBA/HCBF. As a board member on the Hidalgo County Young Lawyer’s

Association, I have had the privilege of getting to know several attorneys in the community,

as well as the officers and board member of the HCBA. At the Bar Leaders Conference in

July 2012, I was able to collaborate with the HCBA’s Executive Directors and officers and

discuss future programs for the HCBA and HCYLA. I believe I can work well with the

HCBA board and officers in continuing to make the HCBA’s events and programs success.

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Director

Name: Justice Greg Perkes

Firm: 13th Court of Appeals

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications): Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the

Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Law School: St. Mary’s University School of Law

Date Licensed: 1987

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

Active Bar Involvement

Justice Perkes is licensed to practice in the State of Texas and before the United States District Courts for the Southern District

of Texas, the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. He

holds memberships in the State Bar of Texas, including the Judicial and Civil Appellate Law sections, and the American Bar

Association, Bar Association for the Fifth Federal Circuit, and the Hidalgo County, Cameron County and Corpus Christi Bar

Associations. He is currently serving on the Texas Center for the Judiciary’s Appellate Education Fund Committee and the Texas

Bar Association’s Appellate Judge’s Legislative Committee. He served as the Course Director for the Corpus Christi Bar

Association's Annual Civil Appellate Law Seminar from its inception in 1997 thru 2009(ish), and served on the Continuing Legal

Education, Law Day and other committees through the years. In the Corpus Christi Young Lawyers Association, he served as

Vice-President and Secretary and as Chairperson of Fundraising, Law School for Non-Lawyers, and the Outstanding Young

Lawyer Award. He was the Secretary and an Editorial Board Member for Corpus Christi Lawyer Magazine for a number of years.

He is currently the Co-Editor for The Appellate Advocate, the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section Report.

Community Leadership

A graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi XIX, Justice Perkes remains active in the community. He served on the Board of

Directors and Steering Committee for Leadership Corpus Christi (Class XXVII and XXXVII), and served on the Board of Directors

and as Sergeant of Arms for the Corpus Christi Rotary Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for public and non-profit

organizations, including Coastal Bend Regional Park Foundation (President), Corpus Christi Building Standards Board (Chair),

Corpus Christi Symphony Board (Director), and Flint Hill Resources Community Action Council. He was the co-organizer of the

Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce's "Doing Business with Mexico" program and chaired various committees. In addition,

Justice Perkes served on the YMCA Teen & Outreach Services Board (Chair), Mariposa Art Foundation (Co-Founder and

Director), Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (Vice-Chair), Corpus Christi Insight Steering Committee (Chair),

Business Alliance Leadership Council (Director), and Corpus Christi's Bold Future, among others. He has served as an Assistant

Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, and is currently serving as a Unit Commissioner for the South Texas Council. He

was the recipient of the 2009 S.B.A./S.B.D.C. "Small Business Champion" Award for his multi-year work in assisting small

businesses.

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013-2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of

Directors (answer in 250 words or less)?

I would like to become more involved with the Hidalgo County Bar Association and build

relationships with its Members. Most particularly, I would like to work on providing WIFI

coverage for the Hidalgo County Courthouse region in the same manner as has been done in

Corpus Christi and other metropolitan areas.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position (answer in 250

words or less)?

I believe that my experience with bar associations and non-profits will make me an important

asset in assisting with policy, committees, and programs. Most specifically, I have overseen

numerous seminars thru the years, as well as having been both speaker and writer. I believe that

I can add value and make a contribution in that regard.

HCBA & HCBF 2013-2014 ELECTION

OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE PROFILE Candidates, please note that there is a 250 word limitation for the final two questions of the profile.

Board Position: Director

Name: Victor Rodriguez

Firm: Colvin, Chaney, Saenz & Rodriguez, LLP

Areas of Practice (specify board certifications):

Law School: University of Texas School of Law

Date Licensed: November 6, 2003

Civic & Professional Involvement (contributions to community and profession):

I served as a Director of the Hidalgo County Bar Association and Hidalgo County Bar

Foundation from 2006-2009.

I received the John E. Cook Pro Bono award for service to community, which is awarded by

the Hidalgo County Bar Association and hidalgo County Bar Foundation.

I currently serve as a volunteer judge for the McAllen Teen Court Program.

What are your reason(s) for running for the 2013-2014 HCBA & HCBF Board of Directors

(answer in 250 words or less)?

I would like another opportunity to serve my fellow bar members and the Hidalgo County

community.

What makes you the best candidate for the aforementioned board position

(answer in 250 words or less)?

I have been practicing in Hidalgo County for nine years. I understand the needs of the Bar

and of the local community, and have prior experience working with the Hidalgo County

Bar and with the Hidalgo County community from the Director’s perspective. I am ready to

commit my time and to apply my knowledge and experience to help maintain and enhance

the relationship between the Bar and the local community.