SECRETARY

Eduardo “Lalo” Alvarez is Legal Counsel at Access World (USA), where he advises on legal and compliance matters across the Americas. A licensed attorney in Texas and Mexico, Lalo brings an international perspective to his practice and to his involvement in the Houston legal community. He currently serves as a Director of the Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) and was Chair of HYLA’s Second International Conference, Passport to Mexico City, which strengthened cross-border connections among legal professionals. Lalo is committed to bringing energy, organization, and meaningful engagement to HYLA and to supporting initiatives that keep members connected and involved.

CALLIE COPELAND

Callie Copeland is a commercial litigation attorney at Germer PLLC. Callie currently serves on the HYLA Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the Signature Events Committee, where she led record-breaking fundraising efforts for two cornerstone events: Evening with the Judiciary and Holiday Party. She is also currently a Committee Leader for the 2025 HYLA Leadership Academy and serves on the Women’s Committee. Callie began her involvement with HYLA in 2023 after being selected for Leadership Academy. She then went on to serve as the Co-Chair in 2024 and was a member of the Signature Events and Women’s Committees.

TREASURER

DAVID GUTIERREZ

David Gutierrez is an associate at Yetter Coleman, focusing on appellate litigation. He earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his B.A. from UCLA. David is a HYLA Director and served as co-chair of the Nights Out Committee and Leadership Academy Committee from 2024 through 2026. David was named Outstanding Committee Chair in 2025. David also volunteers as a mentor with Hire Heroes USA and the UCLA Alumni Association, serves as a catechist at St. Theresa Catholic Church, and is involved in the St. Thomas More Society. David previously clerked at the 10th Circuit and SDTX.

DIRECTORS

Paola Barbieri works at the Office of the Attorney General and serves as Co-Chair of the joint Wellness Committee of the Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) and Houston Bar Association (HBA). She joined HYLA in 2024 and participated in the 2024 - 2025 HYLA Leadership Academy. Paola has provided pro bono legal services with Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Catholic Charities, and Advocates for Immigrant Survivors. Born in Venezuela, she has proudly called Houston home for 20 years. A former powerlifter at the University of Texas and University of Houston Law Center, Paola enjoys weightlifting and practicing yoga and ballet in her free time.

SIMRITA CHAMDAL

Simrita has been involved with the Houston Young Lawyers Association since her law school days and has served as a committee chair for the past five years. She currently co-chairs the Harris County Bench Bar Book. She enjoys working alongside fellow lawyers to build community by fostering meaningful connections and expanding opportunities for young attorneys to grow, serve, and lead. Simrita earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2016 and graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston in 2019. Outside the office, she volunteers with the BARC TNR program, helping care for Houston’s community cats, and loves traveling.

ASHLEY CORONADO

Ashley Coronado is a multilingual attorney licensed in Texas and Utah who brings a strategic and globally minded perspective to the legal profession. Originally from California, she completed her Juris Doctor and mediation certification. Passionate about professional development and community engagement, Ashley is committed to expanding opportunities for young lawyers through collaboration and meaningful initiatives. Fluent in Spanish and proficient in Arabic and Norwegian, she values cross-cultural communication and inclusive leadership. Through her campaign for Director with HYLA, Ashley hopes to support innovative programming, strengthen connections among members, and encourage greater involvement in Houston’s legal and local communities.

CALLIE DECORT

Callie is thrilled to be running for Director this year. She is a first-generation attorney and a third-year associate at Jones Day in the business and tort litigation practice group. She also maintains an active pro bono practice through representation of individuals seeking asylum in the United States. She is a graduate of last year’s HYLA leadership academy class and currently serves as a committee member for this year’s leadership academy class. Callie is a Houston native and an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, serving on the scholarship event committee for the THE Ohio State Alumni Club of Houston.

BARNEY DILL

Barney Dill is a native Houstonian and personal injury trial lawyer with Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner. Before becoming a lawyer, he served as an Army officer and attack helicopter pilot, attaining the rank of Captain. Barney earned his law degree from Regent University School of Law after graduating from Texas State University. Outside the courtroom, he is an avid runner who spends most weekends racing around Houston’s roads and trails—usually by choice.

MIGUEL ESCOBAR

Miguel Escobar currently serves on the Houston Young Lawyer Association’s Board of Directors for the 2025-26 bar year. Miguel is also co-chair for HYLA’s Leadership Academy having completed the program himself. Miguel graduated from Texas Tech University of Law and is currently a third-year litigation attorney with Holland & Knight. He joined HYLA to connect and build friendships within the Houston community. In his spare time, Miguel practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu, golfs, and plays chess.

ERICA FAUSER

My name is Erica and I am a Houston native practicing business and commercial litigation at Burford Perry, LLP. This bar year, I’ve had the privilege of serving as one of the co-chairs for HYLA’s DEI Committee. My team and I brought back the DEI scholarship (now the Rising Together Scholarship) and hosted networking events and CLE’s that celebrate our city’s vibrant and diverse community. As a HYLA Director, I want to continue to fundraise for the Rising Together Scholarship, and to champion the goals of HYLA and the DEI Committee!

THOMAS FRASHIER

Thomas is a first-generation trial lawyer at AZA and has served for the last two years on the HYLA Board as the Liaison to the HLRS Board and has served as Co-Chairs of several HYLA Committees including the Judiciary Committee and Chili Cookoff Team (winning people’s choice this year!). Thomas is passionate about HYLA and was in the 2022 Leadership Academy. Thomas hopes to use his experience as a Committee leader and Board Member to continue to serve HYLA and advance its mission.

TREY GIFFORD

Trey is a proud first-generation attorney, Houston native, and fiduciary litigator at Crain, Caton, and James. Trey actively supports HYLA: he chairs the Veterans and Military Committee, where he has served since 2023, and co-chairs the HYLA Leadership Academy, where he has served since he graduated the Academy in 2024. Trey previously chaired the First-Generation Committee and is currently a Fellow of the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation. Trey is excited to continue serving the community that’s afforded him so much opportunity. Outside of billables and HYLA, Trey loves college sports, reading, and going on adventures with his family.

NIKOLAI HOOD

Nikolai Hood was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and after a short time away from his hometown attending law school at Georgetown in Washington, DC, he returned to Houston to work as a corporate attorney. Nikolai has been a member of HYLA since 2024, and through the HYLA leadership academy, has enjoyed getting more involved in HYLA events, getting to know fellow Houston attorneys through HYLA, and working to help plan the leadership academy’s capstone charity fundraiser. Nikolai hopes to continue growing his involvement in HYLA and to aid HYLA’s involvement in Houston’s legal community.

BAKER HOWRY

Baker Howry is a healthcare attorney at Jackson Walker. She currently serves on the HYLA Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Women’s Committee, and Committee Leader for the Leadership Academy. After graduating from South Texas College of Law in 2022, Baker joined HYLA through the Leadership Academy, later serving as its Co-Chair and as a member of the Women’s Committee in 2024. In 2025, she was inducted as a Fellow of the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation. With one year of Board service, she understands how HYLA can better support its members and is eager to continue building on that progress.

ADRIANA MERLAN

Adriana Merlan is a first-generation Senior Attorney at Kirby, Mathews & Walrath, PLLC who brings a bold, forward‑looking perspective to her work in oil and gas title examination, A&D due diligence, and complex land negotiations. As Co‑Chair of HYLA’s Signature Events Committee, Adriana has helped shape dynamic programs that strengthen community and spotlight achievement. Adriana is driven by a long‑range vision: to build lasting initiatives, expand opportunities, and shape an organization that continues to empower young lawyers well into the future. Adriana is ready to lead with purpose and impact as part of the HYLA Board of Directors.

JANET OYETEJU

Janet, a Houston native, is Legal Counsel at CEVA Logistics. She earned her undergraduate degree from UTSA, double majoring in HR Management and Business Management, her J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and her MBA from Prairie View A&M University. Since returning to Houston, Janet has been an active member of HYLA, participating in the Leadership Academy and taking on key leadership roles. She currently serves as a HYLA Director and Co-Chair of the Signature Events Committee. Janet is committed to expanding opportunities for attorneys and seeks re-election to advance HYLA’s mission of connection, leadership development, and service.

AUSTIN PAALZ

Austin Paalz is a corporate attorney at King & Spalding with a practice focused on mergers & acquisitions and private equity. Austin has been in Houston since he started practicing, and, over the past few years, has made it a focus to get more involved in the Houston community, including in various roles in HYLA and HBA. This year, Austin had the opportunity to serve as the Co-Chair of the Run Club Committee. Austin is excited to bring a different perspective, and lean on his past experiences, as a member of the HYLA Board!

CHUCK MATULA

Chuck Matula is a commercial litigator at Mayer Brown, where he also maintains an active pro bono docket representing families and individuals in need. After graduating from Duke Law and moving to Houston to clerk, Chuck became interested in the numerous leading, learning, and networking opportunities offered by HYLA. A member of the 2025-2026 Leadership Academy and the Pre-Law Committee, he enjoys both planning events with friends and mentoring aspiring lawyers. Outside of HYLA, Chuck is involved in the Houston Bar Association, Texas Appleseed, and the Houston Urban Debate League, and can be found spending time with his dog, Subi.

JAIME PAYNE-HOLT

Jaime is a passionate and dedicated leader and young lawyer seeking a Director position with HYLA. Jaime was selected for the 2025-26 HYLA Leadership Academy, where she collaborates with fellow young lawyers committed to strengthening Houston’s legal community. Known for her energy, approachability, and commitment to service, Jaime is eager to expand opportunities for young lawyers to connect, grow professionally, and give back. Jaime brings enthusiasm, leadership experience, and a collaborative spirit to every initiative she joins! As Director, Jaime hopes to build meaningful engagement, foster new leadership, and help make HYLA an even more dynamic home for young lawyers.

JULIAN SHARP

Julian Sharp is a litigation attorney at Haynes and Boone, LLP. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, “the City of Good Neighbors,” Julian prides himself on his relatability and friendliness. His background and experience—which includes service in Haynes and Boone’s inclusion networks and recruiting committees, and contributions to the firm’s robust pro bono practice—also positions him well to serve the Houston legal community as a director of the Houston Young Lawyers Association. When not at work, Julian enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.

HALEY STEWART

Haley obtained her bachelor’s degree in English from Louisiana Tech University. After graduating from Paul M. Hebert School of Law at Louisiana State University at the age of 23, Haley moved from her home state of Louisiana to practice family law in Houston. Since then, Haley has been an active member of HYLA and the greater Houston legal community, including serving as a HYLA Director, co-chair of the HYLA CLE Committee, and as a member of the HBA Golf Tournament Committee.

LORENA VALLE

Lorena Valle is a construction litigation associate at Porter Hedges LLP. As a first-generation attorney, Lorena is deeply committed to mentorship and actively supports law students and young lawyers as they navigate the realities of early practice. Lorena is intentional about building community and creating spaces where young lawyers can feel connected, supported, and empowered. Through her candidacy for HYLA Director, she aims to contribute leadership, fresh perspective, and impactful programming that strengthens HYLA’s ability to support and engage Houston’s young lawyers.