The South Texas College of Law Houston Alumni Association is pleased to announce the recent election of seven new members to its Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD). The AABOD is a diverse group of legal leaders with a multitude of backgrounds, class years, and practice areas. Each is committed to promoting South Texas Law’s mission by championing its programs, students, and fellow alumni.
The new members are Amir Befroui ’12, Joseph Gutheinz ’96, Katie Harrington ’14, Lauren Herrera ’14, Jordan Mullins ’09, Hon. Raul Rodríguez ’91, and Dominique Varner ’94.
Alex Gonzalez ’12, is serving his first two-year term as the board’s new president.
“I am honored to welcome such an accomplished and passionate group of alumni to the AABOD,” said Gonzalez. “Their enthusiasm and love for South Texas College of Law Houston will elevate and advance our students, alumni, and school.”
Amir Befroui ’12
Befroui is a dedicated legal practitioner currently serving as the supervising and managing attorney of the Foreclosure Prevention Project at Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA). Board certified in residential real estate law, he embraces daily challenges that yield immense rewards, reflecting his unwavering commitment to justice and high-quality legal service.
With a diverse educational background and extensive legal experience, Befroui has cultivated a deep interest in various areas of law. He oversees a team of 10 staff members, guiding them to address the needs of clients across LSLA’s expansive 72-county service area. His primary mission is to assist low-income Texans, focusing on real estate matters, landlord-tenant disputes, and consumer law.
At Lone Star Legal Aid, Befroui combines his passion for service with strong leadership, leveraging the organization’s platform and resources to empower his team. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure that individuals who might otherwise lack access to justice receive the support and advocacy they deserve.
Beyond his work at LSLA, Befroui is excited to serve on the STCL Houston Alumni Association Board of Directors, where he looks forward to engaging with fellow alumni and supporting the institution’s commitment to legal education and professional development.
Befroui remains focused on making a meaningful impact, improving the lives of his clients, and strengthening the communities he serves.
Joseph Gutheinz ’96
Gutheinz is a highly accomplished attorney and former senior special agent with over 40 years experience in law, law enforcement, and education. He is a partner at his family-owned and operated Gutheinz Law Firm, specializing in criminal, civil, military, aviation, and space law.
A decorated professional, he has received numerous awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, and recognition as a Texas Super Lawyer.
As a Certified Fraud Examiner, Gutheinz has been a consultant on white-collar crime and aviation law, while also gaining acclaim for his investigative work, notably in recovering Apollo moon rocks. He has been featured in documentaries, TV shows, and publications, earning the nickname “The Moon Rock Hunter.”
A passionate educator, Gutheinz has taught criminal justice and risk management at multiple institutions, mentoring students and guiding initiatives. He holds advanced degrees in law, systems management, and criminal justice and is licensed to practice before several U.S. courts, including the Supreme Court.
Gutheinz’s multifaceted career highlights his dedication to justice, education, and public service.
Katie Harrington ’14
Harrington is a commercial litigator, representing clients in complex disputes across a range of industries. Her practice focuses on commercial disputes between businesses involving contract and warranty claims, product liability, insurance broker errors and omissions claims, post-transaction disputes, and consumer claims.
Harrington’s commercial litigation practice includes advising manufacturing companies, distributors, insurance brokers, and professional services firms on resolving and navigating disputes. In her energy litigation work, Harrington represents oil and gas companies involved in oilfield services, exploration, production, and midstream operations, as well as energy providers specializing in natural gas, electricity, and solar, and operators of power generation plants.
Harrington is a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP. She serves as the hiring partner of the Houston office and the vice chair of the firm’s LGBTQIA+ affinity group. Harrington is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for Grace Place and on the Houston Bar Association’s LGBTQ+ Committee.
Lauren Herrera ’14
Herrera is the founder of Herrera Law in Houston, where she leverages her extensive experience on both sides of the bar to provide exceptional representation in civil litigation. Her practice spans a wide range of areas, including commercial disputes, personal injury, medical malpractice, probate, real estate, insurance coverage, and wrongful death. Licensed in both Texas state and federal courts, Herrera has successfully appeared before courts across the state and is also skilled in facilitating mediations, helping parties resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
Herrera’s practice is defined by her honest, pragmatic, and client-centered approach. As both a litigator and counselor, she takes the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances and goals.
Known for her genuine and transparent demeanor, Herrera builds trust through every interaction — with clients, opposing parties, and the legal community. Her straightforward and passionate advocacy has earned her a stellar reputation among judges and her peers in the legal profession.
At Herrera Law, her dedication to integrity and excellence continues to set her apart as a trusted advocate and advisor for her clients.
Jordan Mullins ’09
Mullins is a trial lawyer with experience handling oil and gas disputes across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, and Wyoming. He also represents clients in contract disputes, wrongful death cases, business divorce matters, and probate litigation. He has argued before the Texas Supreme Court and obtained one of the more significant rulings in modern oil and gas royalty litigation. See Devon Energy Prod. Co., L.P. v. Sheppard, 668 S.W.3d 332.
His litigation expertise has earned him widespread recognition, including being named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2017 to 2022. He serves as an elected at-large member of McGinnis Lochridge’s management committee and co-chair’s the firm’s litigation practice group.
The Honorable Raul Rodríguez ’91
Judge Rodríguez was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and raised in Houston. Shortly after graduating high school, he applied for U.S. citizenship. For Judge Rodríguez, the opportunity to vote was a driving force behind this milestone, and in 1980, he proudly cast his ballot in his first presidential election.
Currently, Judge Rodríguez presides over Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 13, a position he has held since Jan. 1, 2019. As one of five judges overseeing Harris County’s SOBER Court (Saving Ourselves By Education and Recovery), he plays a critical role in addressing issues of alcohol and substance abuse within the justice system.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Rodríguez is deeply involved in the judicial community. He served as a board member of the Texas Center for the Judiciary from 2021 to 2023. The center provides educational services to judges across the state. He is also co-chair of the Harris County Pretrial Services and Community Supervision and Corrections Department Committee and a member of the Legislative Sub-Committee of the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas. Additionally, prior to being elected to his current position, he practiced family and personal injury law and worked as a mediator, assisting in resolving disputes referred by Family and Civil District Courts.
In November 2005, Mayor Bill White appointed Judge Rodríguez as an associate judge for the City of Houston Municipal Courts. Over 13 years, he honed his judicial temperament and commitment to fairness and respect for all parties involved.
Judge Rodríguez’s journey from a young immigrant to a distinguished judge exemplifies dedication, resilience, and a profound commitment to justice. His leadership continues to impact Harris County and the broader Texas legal community.
Dominique Varner ’94
Varner joined Hughes Watters Askanase as an associate in 1995 and became a partner in 2003. She focuses her practice on creditors’ rights in bankruptcy and probate. With extensive experience in conventional and home equity foreclosures, evictions, defaulted loan collections, and loss mitigation, Varner is a trusted advisor to a wide array of credit unions and community banks throughout the Houston area.
She brings a deep understanding of recent legal developments affecting the mortgage and credit union industries. Varner is board certified in consumer bankruptcy law and has over 27 years of experience in default servicing. Her expertise spans judicial and non-judicial foreclosures, creditor bankruptcy representation, creditor administrations in probate court, and all facets of collection practices.
Beyond her legal practice, Varner is deeply committed to service and leadership in her community. She serves as president of the American Lawyer Alliance and is a past president of the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary (HBAA), where she co-chaired the Annual Chili Cookoff since its inception in 2015 — raising money to provide scholarships for deserving law students. During her tenure as president of the Houston Young Lawyers Association, she was instrumental in establishing the HYLA Leadership Academy to empower rising young lawyers.
Varner also has a passion for travel and enjoys visiting family and friends in Italy. She is married to Roy Varner, a mortgage loan officer, and together they have two sons, Grant and Nicholas.
Original source can be found here.