82R3675 JH-D

By: Phillips H.R. No. 568

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The life of a respected attorney and former state official came to an end with the untimely passing of Gregory Scott Coleman of Austin on November 23, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Born on October 31, 1963, Greg Coleman grew up in a military family and lived in many different locations during his youth, though he came to regard the Lone Star State as his home; as an undergraduate, he earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in applied mathematics from Texas A&M and then continued his studies at the university to attain a master's degree summa cum laude in business administration; during his years in College Station, he met his future wife, Stephanie, and the couple later became the parents of three sons, Chase, Austin, and Reid; and

WHEREAS, Intent on a career as a lawyer, Mr. Coleman enrolled at The University of Texas School of Law, where he served as the managing editor of the Texas Law Review and received a juris doctor degree with high honors in 1992; he then took the opportunity to broaden his legal knowledge by working as a judicial law clerk for U.S. Court of Appeals judge Edith Hollan Jones and U.S. Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Known for his determination and intellectual curiosity, Mr. Coleman applied his talents to the practice of appellate law and quickly built a reputation for success; he initially worked in the Austin office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, heading the firm's national supreme court and appellate practice; undertaking a broad range of cases, from complex business litigation to public policy and constitutional issues, he provided vital assistance to numerous clients, often on a pro bono basis; and

WHEREAS, This accomplished attorney was called to public service in 1999, when he became the first solicitor general of the State of Texas; in addition to skillfully arguing the state's position in its most important legal appeals, he established the high standards of professionalism that have continued to guide the actions of the individuals who have succeeded him in that important post; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Mr. Coleman cofounded the firm of Yetter Coleman, where he continued his stellar record as an appellate lawyer; in the course of his career, he frequently handled cases that were heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, and he had the distinction of arguing more cases before that institution than any other lawyer in Texas; in 2009 alone, he won two closely watched high court rulings, and these triumphs were recognized by the National Law Journal, which named Yetter Coleman to its prestigious Appellate Hot List; moreover, Mr. Coleman's stature was acknowledged by his inclusion on a number of other well-known rankings of top attorneys, including those published by Benchmark Litigation, Corporate Counsel, The American Lawyer, and Texas Monthly; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman was a mentor to numerous young lawyers, serving as an adjunct professor at the South Texas College of Law and the UT School of Law and taking a deep interest in the development of his law firm colleagues; widely admired by his peers, he was a member and president-elect of the Texas Law Review Association, and had served as vice chair and secretary of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice as well as been active in various legal organizations; and

WHEREAS, In spite of his professional commitments, this caring husband and father was dedicated to his family and took special delight in accompanying his sons on Gulf of Mexico fishing expeditions; his other interests included reading and taking part in a variety of outdoor activities, and he was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and

WHEREAS, Though his life ended far too soon, Greg Coleman nonetheless established himself as a lawyer of rare ability whose passion for justice and respect for the truth had a lasting and positive impact on many lives; his legacy of achievement and concern for others will remain an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Gregory Scott Coleman and that deepest condolences be extended to the members of his family: to his wife of 23 years, Stephanie Coleman; to his sons, Chase, Austin, and Reid Coleman; to his parents, Harold and Karen Coleman; to his sister, Sherie Olcott; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gregory Coleman.