On behalf of the firm, we would like to pay tribute on this Veterans Day to the V&E lawyers and administrative team members who have served our country. We are very grateful for the sacrifices they have made, and we thank them for protecting our freedom. And for those among us who come from a family of service—your unique challenges, resilience and dedication deserve our gratitude and recognition as well. V&E owes much to the leadership skills, teamwork, and work ethic our veterans and their families have brought to the firm. Today and every day, we salute you!

— Mark Kelly, Chairman and Scott Wulfe, Managing Partner

Glen Taylor, a law clerk in our Richmond office, proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 2002 to 2017. Glen completed five combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, ultimately retiring as a Major.

Michael Lamkin, an Information Security Compliance and Audit Manager in V&E’s Houston office, proudly served with the Texas Army National Guard for 23 years and 7 months, retiring in July 2020. Mike served with Special Forces in the 19th SF Group, and in Special Operations with the 197th STSC (SO) (A). While with the 197th, he served for several months on the U.S.-Mexico border, and was deployed three times – to Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, respectively.

Marion Killough, a Professional Assistant in V&E’s Houston office, is the proud mother of two current service members: her son Ace Killough (L), a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan; and her son Austin Killough (R), a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the United States Navy, currently stationed on board the USS Colorado.

Adam Torres, a help desk coordinator at V&E, served in the Navy from 1980 to 1986. He earned the rank of machinist mate first class (SS) (E-6).

Alva Duncan, a V&E collections analyst, served four years in the Army, where he earned the rank of specialist.

Anthony Christino III (Tony), the husband of V&E counsel Adrianne Goins, served in the Army from 1984 to 2004, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Tony’s Army assignment to Germany in 2000 took his wife away from V&E, but she returned after he retired in 2004. Tony and Adrianne’s daughter, Martha Christino, is now a cadet in Air Force ROTC at Penn State.

Ben Betner, a V&E associate, served in the Army seven years, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.

V&E associate Brian L. Howard II served ten years in the Air Force, including four tours of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom, attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant.

V&E professional assistant Cynthia Pahel served for nine years in the Navy, attaining the rank of yeoman second class.

Donald Smith, an information security engineer at V&E, served from 1981 to 1989 in the Navy, where he was an Interior Communications Electrician First Class (E-6).

V&E GDOCS coordinator Jimmie D. Lopez served six years in the Air Force as administrative assistant to the Chief of Administration at Bergstrom Air Force Base outside of Austin.

V&E associate John Daywalt served as an Army sergeant during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Jordan Stapley, the husband of V&E senior associate Crystal Y’Barbo Stapley, is a Major in the Army. From 2010 to 2015, Crystal practiced in V&E’s office in Washington, D.C., where Jordan was also based. In 2015, when the Army transferred Jordan, Crystal and V&E worked out a telecommuting arrangement so she could follow her husband to his new base while continuing to practice with the firm.

Jose Del Valle, a business systems analyst at V&E, served four years in the Army, where he earned the rank of specialist (E-4).

Retired V&E partner Louis E. McCarter served from 1965 to 1968, including a year in Vietnam, in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, attaining the rank of Captain.

V&E information technology trainer Louvenia Nicholas served two decades in the Air Force, attaining the rank of technical sergeant.

V&E professional assistant Merri Jo Ounan’s husband, Mark F. Ounan, served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 2014. He joined the service at age 17 with his parents’ permission and retired at 49. He served a tour in Iraq from 2006 to 2007 and was embedded with the Iraqi Army as part of a 12-member MiTT team, or Military Transition Team, that trained local forces. At retirement, he had attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Paul Deemer, retired partner in residence at V&E, served in the Navy from 1969 to 1972, finishing his active duty with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG). He was later promoted to Lieutenant in the Navy Reserve.

V&E professional assistant Tabitha Reyna served in the Army from 1996 to 1999, attaining the rank of Specialist (E4).

Anne Gallagher, a V&E professional assistant in the firm’s London office, comes from a long line of service members: great-uncles Christopher and Michael (who waved to each either as one was arriving and one was departing The Somme) and her grandfather all served with the British Royal Army in The Somme in WWI; another grandfather was a Garrison Sergeant-Major in Ireland in WWII; her father and uncles served at sea with the British Royal Navy in WWII; and most recently, her brother, Paul Gallagher (pictured), served as a Corporal with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers from 1986-1995.

Elizabeth Hoberg, a V&E professional assistant, comes from a family of dedicated service: her grandfather, General Raymond F. Crist, Jr. (pictured), was commander of the USMC 12th regiment at Iwo Jima in WWII and also later served in Korea; her uncle, USMC General James Devereux (the “Hero of Wake Island”), served in WWI and WWII, including time as a prisoner of war in Japan during WWII; her father, Maj. Raymond F. Crist III (also pictured), served as a USMC fighter pilot in Vietnam; and her brothers John F. Crist (enlisting with special permission on his 17th birthday followed by the Mayaguez Incident three months later) and Raymond F. Crist, IV served with the USMC.

Lloyd Edward Loftis, father of V&E partner Jim Loftis, served from 1952-1982 with the U.S. Army. A recipient of the Legion of Merit (pictured receiving here, with Jim in the khaki uniform reading the citation at the ceremony), Col. Loftis’s final posting was Commanding Officer of the 309th Ordinance Brigade.

Jessica BuFord-Fieth, a V&E conflicts analyst, served with the U.S. Army as a Specialist from 1994-1998. She comes from a family of service members as well: her grandfather, Melvin Whitmire, served with the U.S. Navy from 1945-1947; her father, Michael BuFord, served with the U.S. Marines as a Corporal from 1968-1973; her brother, Jason BuFord, served with the U.S. Marines as a Corporal from 1994-1998; and her son, Garrett Fieth, leaves for bootcamp with the U.S. Navy this month.

V&E counsel Scot Dixon’s father, Howard R. Dixon, Jr., served as Corporal with the U.S. Army in the WWII European Theater from 1945-1946. His father-in-law, Juanito B. Caudilla, served as Senior Chief Petty Office with the U.S. Navy from 1959-1981.

Seth Yost, a V&E associate, served from 2011-2016 in the Navy, attaining the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5).

Stella Guillen-Lazo, an office clerk in V&E’s Houston office, comes from a large military family: her father, William Guillen Sr., served with the U.S. Air Force in WWII from 1940-1943; her father-in-law, Bernard Q. Lazo, served with the U.S. Army in WWII from 1941-1944; her brother, Robert Guillen Sr., served with the USMC in the Vietnam War from 1970-1973; and her stepson, Mark Jimenez, served with the Navy in the Gulf War from 1990-1991.

Brian Sokolik, retired partner (resident partner at various times in our Houston, Austin, Warsaw and Moscow offices), served as a naval aviator in the Navy from 1968 to 1972. He completed active duty as a Lieutenant and later served as commanding officer of a naval reserve unit until 1974.

*In addition to service members of our U.S. military branches, we are pleased to include veterans of the British Armed Forces, who celebrate Armed Forces Day annually in June.