Lynn Rossi Scott
2023 Kelly Frels Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Lynn Rossi Scott has practiced in the area of school law for over 35 years, representing boards of numerous independent school districts, charter schools, universities, community colleges, education foundations, and private and independent schools. She advises public and private educational entities in all aspects of school and public law, including employment, student discipline, special education, competitive purchasing, construction, real estate, policy development, elections, and open government. She has substantial experience defending educational entities before the Texas Commissioner of Education and other state and federal agencies as well as before federal and state courts.
Ms. Rossi Scott was instrumental in drafting the model construction contract amendments used by school districts throughout the United States. She is also a frequent speaker at state and national education conferences and regularly provides training for school boards, school administrators, and staff.
Ms. Rossi Scott served as chair of the State Bar of Texas School Law Section, as chair of the Texas Association of School Boards’ Council of School Attorneys, and as President of the national Education Law Association.
Daniel Ortiz
2022 Kelly Frels Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Daniel represents clients all over the state in employment and commercial litigation matters for a wide range of corporate and individual clients. He’s been in practice for over thirty years, assisting clients in a wide array of industries including construction, retail, technology, and education. His areas of experience include trials, appeals, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution.
Before opening his practice in April 1985, Daniel served as briefing attorney for the Eleventh Court of Appeals in Eastland, Texas. He also practiced with an trial firm in Arlington. Daniel is a former member of the Kennedale Independent School District’s board of trustees and the YMCA of Arlington board of directors. He is a member of the Arlington and Tarrant County Bar associations and has served on the Tarrant County fee dispute committee.
Daniel moved to Arlington in 1980 after growing up in Kingsville and finishing highschool in Abilene. Daniel’s parents were both educators and school law is close to his heart. In addition to his commercial clients, he has represented teachers and administrators in all areas of school law since 1980.
Thomas E. Myers
2022 Kelly Frels Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Tom Myers has practiced for over 40 years and has primarily practiced in the area of school law for over 25 years representing boards of numerous independent school districts, charter schools, and private and independent schools. He advises public and private educational entities in all aspects of school law including construction, real estate, personnel, student discipline appeals, open government, and employment and business contracts. He has successfully represented schools before the Texas Commissioner of Education as well as federal and state district and appellate courts.
Mr. Myers chairs the Construction Contracts Committee of the Texas Association of School Boards, Council of School Attorneys, and was instrumental in drafting the model construction contract amendments used by school districts throughout the United States. He is also a frequent speaker at state and national education conferences. He is a trained mediator and is proud to still hold a Texas teaching certificate.
Mr. Myers represents clients in consumer law cases, primarily involving construction and insurance issues. He began his career working as an Assistant District Attorney with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office and continues to represent individuals and schools in a wide variety of criminal matters.