Mills Shirley LLP announces newly elected partners Robert Booth and Charles Dunkel

Mills Shirley LLP is pleased to announce its newly elected partners Robert Booth and Charles Dunkel.

Robert Booth graduated with a JD from the University of Texas School of Law. Robert is a member of the firm's litigation section, providing representation in commercial litigation and civil disputes involving construction/design defects, property taxes, landlord-tenant, and personal injury defense.

He currently represents District 21 (Galveston, Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties) as a member of the Board of Directors for the Texas Young Lawyers Association. Robert has been recognized twice, in 2010 and 2011, as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Galveston County Bar Association and the Texas Association of Defense Counsel. Robert is also active in several other local organizations and was named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of Galveston County for 2009-2010.

Robert and his wife Amber live on Galveston Island where they restored an 80-year old pier and beam home. He is an avid runner having competed in the Chicago and Houston Marathons. Robert is also a technology enthusiast who operates several websites and blogs.

Charles Dunkel graduated with a JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Charles focuses his practice defending companies with regard to wage and hour claims, Title VII discrimination claims, Texas Human Rights violations claims, and Texas Workforce Commission tax and unemployment benefits disputes. Additionally, Charles represents governmental entities with regard to commercial and residential property evictions, landlord claims, contract negotiation and drafting, internal grievances, and statute compliance including Open Meetings and Open Records Act.

Charles grew up in Texas City. As a teenager, he began his work career catching newspapers from the press at the Texas City Sun. After graduating from Texas City High School in 1989, Charles enlisted into the United States Air Force where he provided support for pilots and test aircraft. Charles' military service included his deployment and participation in Desert Storm. Charles was awarded the Air Force Accommodation Medal and was honorably discharged in 1993. After his separation from the military Charles attended and graduated from University of Houston - Clear Lake with a degree in Government - Legal Studies. After receiving his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Charles served the community as a prosecutor in the Galveston District Attorney Office until 2004, when he accepted a position with Mills Shirley. In 2006 Charles was recognized by H Texas Magazine as a Top Professional on the Fast Track. Charles has been married to his wife Dana for 15 years and they have four beautiful children.  

Fred Raschke was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates at the Houston Annual Gala on November 12, 2011. The American Board of Trial Advocates is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. First and foremost, ABOTA works to uphold the jury system by educating the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury. Fred and his wife, Kim, are pictured as he received his induction plaque.  

Fred Raschke and John Eckel, in the Galveston office, have both been named 2011 Super Lawyers, and their names will appear in the inaugural national publication, Super Lawyers Business Edition. Both of their names will appear in the Litigation section, together with other outstanding attorneys from across the country.

Fred Raschke and John Eckel have also both been named 2011 Texas Super Lawyers, along with George Vie, a partner in the Houston office. This designation is a great honor in that only 5% of the attorneys in Texas are named to the list, based on peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes a statewide nomination process, independent research, and peer evaluation by practice area. Fred was named in the Civil Litigation Defense area; John was named in the Business Litigation area; and George was named in the Appellate practice area.  

On June 24, 2011, The Texas Young Lawyers Association recognized Robert Booth with its President's Award of Merit at a black tie event in San Antonio, Texas. Robert was recognized for his contribution in creating a new resource for young lawyers - Tools for Winning New Clients. This tool assists young lawyer in marketing their skills and developing clients through prepared presentations on various legal topics for use at speaking opportunities. Robert also worked on a monthly news letter that is sent to 27,000 young lawyers and helped to create a local affiliate website generator.

On June 24, 2011, Robert Booth accepted an invitation to serve on the University of Texas at Austin's University Unions Advisory Council. The council advises the administration and the student majority board overseeing the operations of the two student union buildings located on the campus.

On June 23, 2011, Robert Booth spoke at the monthly meeting of the Galveston County Bar Association. Robert presented an explainer on social media and new technology initiatives by the GCBA.

In May 2011, Robert Booth, was reelected to a two year term to the Board of Directors of the Texas Young Lawyers Association. Robert represents District 21 which is comprised of Galveston, Brazoria and Fort Bend counties. The Texas Young Lawyers Association is a department of the State Bar of Texas and has over 27,000 members. Robert co-chairs the technology committee.   

At the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA) Annual Meeting in April, Fred Raschke was elected to a three year term to the Executive Committee. Fred is also active on the Long Range, Finance, Marketing and Diversity Committees. At the ADTA Annual Meeting on April 7, 2011, Fred along with Bob Tait, presented "The Challenges Presented by a Four-Month Catastrophic Injury Trial."  

Fred Raschke was recently appointed by the County of Galveston, with the approval of the City of Galveston, to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) 14 Board.

On May 1, 2011, Mills Shirley in San Antonio moved to a new building that is almost as old as the firm itself. Located at 409 S. Presa and built in 1857, the office is owned by long-time San Antonio attorney Dan Carabin, who is retiring from full-time practice. Mills Shirley Partner Scott Lyford, Associates Richard Lindner and Keith Brittain, paralegal Adel Hernandez, and secretary/paralegal Vanessa Orta are excited about the move and the "new" space. Phone numbers and fax remain the same, with only the street address and zip code (78205) changing. The office is two blocks south of the historic La Villita along the San Antonio Riverwalk, and located conveniently between the State and Federal Courthouses. Stop by and see us if you are in the area.  

On November 1, 2010, Chris Garcia and Robert Booth were selected for inclusion on the 2011 Texas Rising Stars list published by Texas Super Lawyers, featuring outstanding young lawyers.

Maureen McCutchen was elected President of the Galveston County Bar Association.

Maureen McCutchen was elected to the Board of Directors of the Galveston Island Humane Society.

On November 4, 2010, Robert Booth, associate attorney in our Galveston Office, spoke to a group of about 500 students at George Ranch High School on the dangers of social media and cyber bullying.

Associate attorney Robert Booth was selected for inclusion in 2010 Rising Stars list published by Texas Super Lawyers. The list of Texas Super Lawyers is based on surveys of more than 65,000 attorneys across the state, and the top 2.5% percent of Texas young attorneys are named as Rising Stars. Robert practices business litigation, construction law and civil defense.

Carla Cotropia in the Houston office, and Fred Raschke and John Eckel in the Galveston office, have been named 2010 Texas Super Lawyers. Carla was selected in the employment litigation area, while Fred was named in the General Litigation area and John was selected in the Civil Litigation Defense area. Super Lawyers names Texas' top lawyers as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. The list of Texas Super Lawyers is based on surveys of more than 65,000 attorneys across the state, and the top 5 percent of Texas attorneys in more than 60 practice areas are selected.

Robert Booth was recognized as the 2010 Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Galveston Young Lawyers Association.