2025-2026 Board of Directors
MELISSA LORBER
President
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Melissa Lorber is an attorney at Butler Snow LLP, where her practice focuses on representing businesses in litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts. She regularly represents clients before the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Courts of Appeals, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and she has handled appellate matters before the United States Supreme Court. Melissa is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She earned her J.D. with Honors from the University of Texas School of Law (2001), an M.B.A. in Strategic Management from the University of Houston–Victoria (2019), and B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Arizona (1996).
In addition to serving on the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association and Foundation Boards of Directors, Melissa serves on the State Bar of Texas Region 9 Grievance Committee, Chair of the Appellate Rules Subcommittee of the State Bar’s Court Rules Committee, a Past Chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Civil Appellate Section, and a member of the Calvert Inn of Court. She serves on the Grants Leadership Team for Impact Austin, a women’s collective giving organization, and was a volunteer advocate for CASA of Travis County for more than 20 years. Melissa has a son who graduated from the University of North Texas, a daughter who graduated from the University of Texas, and a daughter who attends and plays on the soccer team at Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) High School.
CASSANDRA PILLONEL
President-Elect
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Cassandra S. Pillonel is the Chief Operating Officer at Harper Law, a leading Texas personal injury law firm, where she combines her strategic leadership skills with a deep commitment to advocacy for injured clients. A seasoned civil litigator and law firm executive, Cassandra is known for building high-performing teams, streamlining complex operations, and ensuring the firm delivers results with excellence and integrity.
In her role as COO, Cassandra oversees all areas of firm operations, including finance, HR, marketing, IT, and case management systems—leveraging her decade-plus of law firm management experience to create efficient, client-focused processes. Her litigation background informs her approach to operations: she understands first-hand the demands of the courtroom and the importance of precision, preparation, and strategy in every case. Before focusing on operations, she litigated extensively, advocating for clients in high-stakes disputes and honing the skills she now uses to guide and mentor Harper Law’s attorneys.
Outside of Harper Law, Cassandra serves as President-Elect of the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association (TCWLA), where she works to advance women in the legal profession through mentorship, education, and community building. She is deeply proud to serve in this role and is excited to give back to an organization she loves, one that has played a meaningful role in her own professional journey.
Cassandra earned her B.A. summa cum laude and M.A. in Literature, both from UT Dallas, and her J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law, where she was an officer in Women in Law for two consecutive years.
When she’s not running a law firm or preparing for her TCWLA presidency, you’ll find Cassandra reading, traveling, wine tasting, cooking French cuisine, or taking walks with her husband and her beloved dog, Daphne—a foster fail who became family.
GABRIELLE SMITH
Immediate Past President/TCWLF Liaison
Gabrielle Smith is an attorney at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. She represents clients in litigation matters in state and federal courts, often involving issues of administrative and environmental law. She provides guidance to clients as they navigate through the steps of the process at both the trial and appellate levels. Gabrielle earned her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and her B.B.A. from Texas A&M University. She is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, as well as United States District Court for the Western, Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas.
Prior to joining Lloyd Gosselink, Gabrielle practiced in Dallas, Texas. Most immediately before moving to Austin, she represented federal government employees in their discrimination complaints and appeals of adverse personnel actions before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Merit Systems Protection Board. Gabrielle has also represented Texas public school districts in the areas of employment law, student discipline, and school board governance. While in Dallas, Gabrielle was involved in the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and served as Co-Chair for the Law Student Assistance Committee.
RACHEL LUNA
Treasurer
Rachel enjoys assisting business professionals make decisions that help foster their success. Prior to opening her own practice, Rachel spent six years as a litigator and twelve years as General Counsel for a national organization that had more than 8,000 employees and several affiliated small businesses. Drawing on this experience, Rachel considers issues from many perspectives, which allows her to provide support on a strategic as well as an operational level. She cultivates relationships with her clients, based on a foundation of common understanding and trust, in order to provide guidance that is appropriate to their goals and risk tolerance.
Rachel and her husband, Lance, have lived in Austin for more than 25 years. They spend their free time spoiling their dog, Mojo, traveling, attending local festivals, as well as frequenting local businesses. Additionally, Rachel is an avid runner, national parks enthusiast, and amateur photographer.
APRIL LUCAS
Secretary
April Lucas is a civil litigation partner at McGinnis, Lochridge, & Kilgore, LLP. She has practiced at McGinnis Lochridge since 2005, after working as briefing attorney to Justice David Puryear at the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, Texas. April’s civil litigation practice includes commercial, contract, and business disputes, trust and family disputes and probate suits, oil and gas, and occasional personal injury or wrongful death matters. A large portion of her practice is dedicated to fiduciary litigation, including defending attorneys against legal malpractice claims.
April practices in federal and state courts throughout Texas and the Fifth Circuit and often handles clients’ disputes through arbitration and mediation. She also enjoys appellate work and has handled briefing, argument, emergency motions, and mandamus matters in a variety of appellate courts.
April is a 2004 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, a member of the Order of the Coif, and a proud member of the fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2001. Although a devoted Aggie (and former resident of Lechner, Keathley, Hart, and Santa Chiara), she fails to follow collegiate sports closely and will be unable to keep up if you attempt to engage her in football banter. She grew up in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
April enjoys her family, horse, and dog. She also used to read a fair bit, before the law came along.
MILDRED ANAELE
Events Co-Chair
Mildred Anaele is an Attorney at the Public Utility Commission of Texas in the Division of Compliance and Enforcement. As a staff attorney, Mildred represents the public interest with issues involving utilities through litigation and mediation. Mildred obtained her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in College Station and her JD from Texas A&M University, School of Law. Mildred enjoys hiking, traveling to see family, exploring new places, cooking, reading and going to concerts.
NADIA BETTAC
Membership Co-Chair
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Nadia Bettac is a highly accomplished personal injury litigator, mediator, and adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law. She owns her own law firm and mediation practice, Bettac Advocacy and Mediation, PLLC. She is licensed in Texas and Florida. Prior to starting her practice, Nadia spent her career as a plaintiff lawyer before switching over to the defense as staff counsel for two major insurance carriers. Volunteering in her community and advocating for diversity has been her passion since childhood. She is an award-winning director for the Austin Young Lawyers Association, merit award recipient for the Austin Bar Association, and continues her passion through various projects and committee positions. Nadia is a graduate of the University of Texas and received her JD from Barry University School of Law in Florida. Nadia enjoys spending time with her husband and son who keep her adventurous.
JULIA Di FIORE BYRNE
CLE Co-Chair
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Julia Di Fiore Byrne is a trial attorney at Reid Collins & Tsai, where she practices plaintiff-side complex commercial litigation. Julia received her J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 2022, serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Law Review and a teaching assistant for first-year Contracts and Legal Research & Writing. While earning her J.D., Julia simultaneously earned a Master of Public Affairs at the LBJ School. In addition to her role as CLE Co-Chair with TCWLA, Julia is also a Co-Chair for the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Commercial Fraud Committee, a member of the planning committee for CASA of Travis County’s annual charity gala, “CASAblanca,” and a mentor through Texas Law’s alumni mentorship program. Julia harbors a deep love of music, having previously earned degrees in classical singing at Florida State University (M.M. in Voice Performance) and Vanderbilt University (B.M. in Musical Arts—Voice).
LESLIE DIPPEL
Website Co-Chair/Book Club Co-Chair
Leslie Dippel is the Executive County Attorney with the Travis County Attorney’s Office. Prior to joining the County Attorney’s office, Leslie was a trial lawyer with the Office of the Attorney General of Texas and a briefing attorney for United States Magistrate Judges Stephen H. Capelle and Andrew W. Austin. Immediately prior to joining the Travis County team, Leslie was in private practice with Brown McCarroll, L.L.P (now Husch Blackwell, L.L.P.) in Austin. For the majority of her legal career, Leslie’s practice has emphasized labor and employment law.
Leslie is an active member of the Austin community. She served on the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas and is a past President of the Austin Bar Association. She is an alumni and past member of the board of directors of Leadership Austin, her children’s school’s PTA boards, and the Bowie High School soccer team booster club. Leslie is a frequent speaker on employment law and government related topics for the State Bar of Texas, the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association, and the Austin Bar Association. Leslie and her husband are native Austinites and live in south Austin with their three children.
KIM HIDROGO
Community Service Chair
Kim Hidrogo is an Assistant County Attorney with the Travis County Attorney’s Office. Prior to becoming an attorney, she began her career as a victim witness counselor at the TCAO. Kim has handled all types of criminal and civil cases. She has been lead counsel on civil commitment cases in probate court and handles misdemeanor criminal cases in the Travis County criminal courts. She currently serves as Trial Court Lead in County Court 7.
Kim attended Tarleton State University where she obtained both her Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She attended law school at St. Mary’s University School of Law and The University of Texas School of Law and has been licensed in the State of Texas since 2018.
Kim enjoys giving back to her community and building upon her leadership skills. She is an active member of the Junior League of Austin and a regular volunteer with Mobile Loaves and Fishes. Kim was a member of the 2025 Austin Young Lawyer’s Association (AYLA) Leadership Academy and is serving on AYLA’s ’25-’26 Public Service Committee. She is currently participating in the LBJ Women’s Campaign School . Kim serves on the Public Safety Commission for the City of Austin ais thoroughly enjoying that role. Kim will be beginning the Leadership Austin Emerge Program in the fall of 2025. Kim enjoys spending time with her daughter and their three dogs.
MEGAN HONEY JOHNSON
Mentoring Co-Chair
Megan Honey Johnson has been the Staff Attorney for Judge Tim Sulak in the 353rd District Court since October 2012. Prior to public service, she practiced litigation and intellectual property law for seven years at Jackson Walker, LLP, representing clients in cases of all types of litigation including large, complex litigation and small contract or property disputes, and in various trademark and copyright matters. She attended undergraduate at Southwestern University and law school at Wake Forest University.
Megan serves on the Austin Bar Association Board of Directors, the Austin Bar Association Bench Bar Committee, and as an Austin Bar Association mentor. She is also member of the Civil Litigation Section and Austin Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) and is a graduate of the Austin Bar Association/AYLA 2017 Leadership Academy Class. Megan is a Barrister in the Barbara Jordan Inn of Court, a member of the League of Women Voters Austin Area, and a member of Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association (MAMAs).
Megan enjoys hanging with her husband, Jeff, her three children, and all of their animals. She also loves cooking, travelling to new places, and exploring all that Austin has to offer.
MARIEL KELLEY
Membership Co-Chair
Mariel Kelley is the Criminal Division Trial Director at the Williamson County Attorney’s office. Prior to joining the Williamson County Attorney’s Office, Mariel was a prosecutor in the Travis County Attorney’s Office for 6 1/2 years. Mariel began her legal career at the Attorney General’s office in the General Litigation Division, representing state agencies and universities in a variety of issues.
Mariel is a native Austinite, and was a high school social studies teacher in Pflugerville ISD for five years before going to law school. Mariel obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her JD from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
Mariel is a member of the Training Committee for the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association and often speaks to groups of law enforcement and prosecutors on trial advocacy and frequent legal issues. Mariel is in the PTA at her kids’ school, and serves as an assistant coach in her kids’ little league.
Mariel and her husband John live in North Austin with their three boys.
SAMANTHA MCCOY
AYLA and Affinity Bar Liasion
Samantha McCoy is an appellate and litigation associate at Hanna & Plaut, LLP. Her practice focuses on complex commercial and insurance coverage issues, with an emphasis on appellate issues. Samantha has been recognized for her appellate work and was peer-selected as a “Rising Star” in the Texas Super Lawyers for appeals in 2024 and 2025.
Samantha graduated summa cum laude from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she was continuously awarded and recognized for her legislative advocacy work, as well as her personal dedication to pro bono work and serving the community. During law school, Samantha additionally worked for the Honorable Justice Liza Rodriguez of the Fourth Court of Appeals in Texas and was a legal intern for the Capital Habeas Unit in the Western District of Texas.
Samantha continues her legislative advocacy outside of her law practice, where she volunteers her time lobbying for legislative changes to assist survivors of violence nationwide.
KIELE LINROTH PACE
Austin Bar Liaison
Kiele (Kee-EH-leh) Linroth Pace is a Lawyer Turned Law Leader Coach. Her passion is helping women lawyers and law leaders who are successful but unfulfilled find peace of mind and navigate more effectively and intuitively in law, business, and life in general so they can love life NOW while creating the life of their dreams. Kiele is a popular speaker and provides 1:1 coaching and group mentoring for individuals and customized training programs for law firms.
Before transitioning to coaching, Kiele owned and operated a boutique criminal defense firm that defended good people whose lives had been turned upside-down by an arrest for domestic assault. She still maintains a small non-litigation practice in which she helps other lawyers, small business owners, and high net worth individuals solve legal problems without spending a fortune, which sometimes involves retaining and managing specialized litigators.
More Info: www.pacefirm.com
BETH PAYAN
Community Service Chair
Beth Payán is an Assistant County Attorney with the Travis County Attorney’s Office in the mental health division handling all types of misdemeanors alleged to have been committed by individuals with a serious mental health diagnosis where there is a nexus to the crime. Prior to joining the County Attorney Beth was a criminal defense attorney with Jason S. English Law, PLLC, and before that she spent over 25 years at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
Beth graduated from the University of Texas in 1989 and St. Mary’s School of Law in 1992. After volunteering with the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas for a short time, she began her career as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Austin.
Beth went to work at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office in 1996 where she handled felony cases for over 25 years. Beth handled thousands of serious cases and has extensive jury and bench trial experience in everything from cold case capital murder, child abuse – civil and criminal, sexual assault, motor fuel tax fraud, burglary, robbery, domestic violence and most felonies in the Texas Penal Code. Beth was a supervisor in the Child Abuse and Juvenile Division, Sexual Assault Division, Diversion Division and Trial Court. She created and implemented programs to train and mentor newly licensed attorneys as they joined the office. Beth also served on the Hate Crimes Task force.
Beth is licensed in the State of Texas and the U.S Western District of Texas. Beth was recently honored by both the Austin Bar Association, Criminal Law Section with an award for Excellence in Criminal Law (2021) and the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association recognition in Criminal Justice (2021).
Beth is an active member of the Travis County Community. She is currently co-president of the National Council of Jewish Women- Austin Division. She previously served as Chair of the Anderson High School Project Graduation ’24, on the AISD Campus Advisory Committee, and on a variety of other boards. Beth is active with Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association and currently on the board of the Capital Area Democratic Women. Beth enjoys spending time with her husband, Ariel, their children and two dogs.
NEHA PAYMASTER
Mentoring Co-Chair
Neha Paymaster is an associate attorney at Eccles & McIntosh PC. Her practice is focused on Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts and Guardianship. As an associate, Neha assists in drafting Wills, Trusts, Disability Documents, Premarital Agreements and Family Settlement Agreements. She aids clients through the probate process and helps them navigate their role as the personal representative of an estate. Neha works with clients to determine when a guardianship is necessary and how to fulfill the duties of a guardian of the estate or person. She also serves as an Attorney ad Litem on Heirship and Guardianship cases in Travis County.
Neha obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her JD from Baylor Law School. She serves on board of the Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Austin Bar Association and is a committee member of the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association Mentor/Mentee Program. Neha is a member of the Junior League of Austin and enjoys traveling to see family, exploring new places, cooking, crafting, reading and spending time with her husband and handsome German Shepherd, Koda.
JESSIE POWELL
Publicity Co-Chair
Jessie Powell is Special Counsel at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). She provides legal and policy guidance to Commissioner Catarina Gonzales. Prior to her role at TCEQ, she was an environmental law attorney at a private firm in Austin, Texas. Jessie earned her Juris Doctorate from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
VELVA PRICE
Scholarship Co-Chair
Velva Price is the first African-American District Clerk of Travis County, Texas and began her first term in January 2015. She was reelected and began to serve her second term on Jan. 1, 2019. She was elected as Secretary of the County and District Clerks Association of Texas in June 2021.
Velva graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1986 and worked for corporations, government and private practice. Velva was the first African-American woman elected as President of the Austin Bar Association. She also served as President of the Austin Black Lawyers Association, Travis County Women Lawyers Association, and Chair of the Travis County Civil Service Commission for Sheriff Office Employees. The Travis County District Clerk oversees over 120 employees and has oversight for all district court proceedings on cases heard in the 12 Civil, 9 Criminal, 1 Criminal Magistrate, and 4 Associate Courts. Additionally, her office is responsible for all levels of county and City of Austin jury empaneling and passports.
PRINCESS RODARTE
CLE Co-Chair
Princess Rodarte is an attorney at Deyerle Silva Smith, where she primarily focuses on divorce, custody matters, and adoptions. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin, where she developed a strong foundation in client counseling and family dynamics. During her undergraduate years, she served as a court-appointed special advocate with CASA of Travis County, advocating for the best interests of children in the foster care system.
Princess went on to earn her J.D. magna cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law. While in law school, she was actively involved in the Family Law and Housing Clinic, where her dedication earned her the Ann and Robert J. Burbridge Family Clinic Award. She also received the Diversity Student Award and was named Pro Bono Student of the Year in recognition of her commitment to inclusion and providing legal services to underserved communities.
Princess is an active member of the Austin Young Lawyers Association, the Family Law Section of the Austin Bar Association, and The Junior League of Austin. She is passionate about community service and continues to volunteer with organizations that support families and children in the Austin area.
In her free time, Princess enjoys participating in a book club, spending time with her corgis, and cheering on the Texas Longhorns.
AMBIKA SANCHEZ
Events Co-Chair
Ambika is a licensed attorney with over a decade of experience in both public and private legal practice. Currently, she holds the Assistant General Counsel position with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners where she participates in administrative rulemaking regarding regulatory compliance, maintaining the ethical standards of the dental profession, and ensuring patient safety for the people of Texas.
Before joining the Dental Board, Ambika was the owner and attorney at The Law Office of Ambika Nagasandra, PLLC, where she delivered strategic legal counsel to clients across various legal matters. Her prior role as an Assistant District Attorney at the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office saw her advocating for the safety of children in abuse and neglect situations which strengthened her litigation skills and reinforced her passion for criminal justice, public service, and children’s advocacy.
Ambika is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Oklahoma. She earned her Doctor of Law (JD) from Oklahoma City University School of Law (2013) and her Bachelor of Arts in English and Comparative Literature from The University of Texas at Austin (2008).
RACHEL SESHAN
Website Co-Chair
Rachel is an Attorney with the Public Utility Commission of Texas in the Division of Compliance and Enforcement (DICE). As part of her current enforcement role, she initiates Commission investigations into regulated entities in the electric and water utility areas. Rachel also serves as a resource for the Commission’s rule-making and governmental relations divisions in electric utility matters. Immediately prior to joining the PUC, she was a regulatory prosecuting attorney with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, working on Building and Mechanical programs. In a past life, Rachel was in private practice with split focus on banking/financial and construction litigation.
When not regulating the power grid, or presenting CLEs about electric utility law, she enjoys traveling and reading (often at the same time). Her favorite destinations thus far are Antarctica and Bora Bora.
LAURA SMITH
Publicity Co-Chair
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Laura Smith is an attorney at Doyle & Seelbach, PLLC. She represents clients in complex litigation and is admitted to practice in Texas and New Mexico. Laura obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her JD from Texas A&M University School of Law. During her personal time, Laura enjoys unwinding with gardening and baking.
SHERINE THOMAS
W.E.L.L. Summit Chair/Book Club Co-Chair
Sherine Elizabeth Thomas is the Executive County Attorney at the Travis County’s Attorney’s Office. Although Sherine litigates cases filed against and on behalf of Travis County, its elected officials and employees in state and federal court at both the trial court and the appellate levels, she also oversees and coordinates with all six civil litigation and transactional divisions of the County Attorney’s Office. She assists in developing and managing policy and the budget for the office. In her appellate practice, Sherine has presented oral argument to various state and federal courts of appeals, including the Supreme Court of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her practice areas have included employment law, civil rights, personal injury and condemnation, elections, and land use.
When Hamilton Pool was polluted by developers, Sherine took the lead for Travis County in negotiating a collective settlement totaling $3.5 million dollars with almost $2.1 dollars going to Travis County. Not only is this the highest settlement amount received by Travis County for an environmental case of this kind, this settlement allowed for an unprecedented cleanup of the creek and Hamilton Pool. Most recently, Sherine was recognized as the 2016 Civil Practitioner of the Year by the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association and with Government Services Award by Travis County Women Lawyers Association.
She is special instructor for The University of Texas Law School’s Trial Advocacy Program. She is on the board of several professional organizations and community non-profits, with an emphasis on women’s issues.
JENNIFER WARD
Sponsorships
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Jennifer Ward is Principal Attorney at Law Office of Jennifer D. Ward in Austin, Texas. Her practice focuses on employment law and general counsel services for individuals, small businesses, and non-profits. She handles a range of legal issues from business formation to workplace disputes. She is licensed to practice in the State of Texas, the State of California, the U.S. Western District of Texas, the U.S. Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Eastern District of California, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also represents clients in administrative proceedings.
Jennifer graduated from University of California, Davis School at Law with a Certificate in Public Interest Law. She participated in Moot Court and Appellate Advocacy, served as Research Assistant to Professor Lisa Pruitt, and was active in numerous organizations. Prior to attending law school, Jennifer pursued a career in the Arts with the goal of becoming a music professor. She graduated cum laude from Rice University with a double major in piano performance and music history. She earned a Master’s of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in piano performance. She also founded a piano studio, working as an independent music teacher for a number of years.
Jennifer continues to enjoy the Arts. She spends time cooking, traveling, or exploring Austin whenever she can. Jennifer is looking forward to giving back to the legal community through her work with TCWLA.