Roger Dean Hepworth

Past Chair , Fowler Law Firm

Roger Hepworth has represented school districts and school boards throughout Texas since 1987. He has served as the chair of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, as well as served as an officer in the section for many years. He has also served on other State Bar committees.

Mr. Hepworth graduated from the University of Utah in 1973 and after working in private industry went back to law school with his wife and three children. He graduated with what is now recognized as Magna Cum Laude honors from LSU Law School in 1985. He received academic honors of the Order of the Coif and Phi Kappa Phi. He was inducted into the LSU Law School Hall of Fame in 1987.

Mr. Hepworth is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, as well as all Texas federal courts the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He has actively litigated cases throughout the state and argued appeals in many Texas Courts of Appeals, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and has briefed cases and attended argument at the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Hepworth has been a guest lecturer on school law at the University of Texas, Texas A & M, Sul Ross University, the University of Houston, Texas Women’s College, Baylor University and has presented trainings and papers at Sam Houston State University, UT Dallas, UT Commerce, UT Corpus Christi and many other colleges, school districts, education service centers and insurance companies. He has been a frequent speaker at the UT School Law Conference and the School Law Section of the State Bar retreats. He has also spoken nationally at School Law conferences, and has served for many years on the planning committee for the UT School Law Conference.

Mr. Hepworth has advised school boards, administrators, charter schools and junior colleges on a variety of issues throughout his career, and continues to enjoy helping his clients with their legal problems and providing training. He has been a popular speaker for many associations, including the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, Texas Association of School Business Officials, Texas Association of Community Schools, Texas Rural Educators Association, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, Texas Association of Public Schools and others.

Mr. Hepworth has defended school boards and superintendents in front of the State Ethics Commission, teachers and administrators in licensing and certification disputes and school employees in front of the Structural Pest Control Board.

Mr. Hepworth has authored several books on school personnel and administrative matters as well as numerous articles on school law for various newsletters and publications.

Mr. Hepworth is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has served and continues to serve in leadership positions in his church. He has been married to his lovely wife Peggy since 1973 and they have three sons, all of whom are married and gainfully employed! Roger and Peggy are the proud grandparents of ten grandchildren and are now kept company by their golden retriever, Simba.