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46 S. Tex. L. Rev. 573 (2004-2005)
Judge David Hittner: All in the Family

handle is hein.journals/stexlr46 and id is 589 raw text is: JUDGE DAVID HITTNER: ALL IN THE FAMILY LYNNE LIBERATO* A ringing phone in 1986 would signal the pivotal point in my legal career. Lynne, this is David Hittner, the caller said. Now that I am moving over to the federal court, would you be my co-author on the summary judgment article? He was offering a dream chance to a young appellate lawyer to work on the law review article referred to as the Bible on Summary Judgments. What I failed then to appreciate was that, more important than his wonderful invitation, I had just been adopted into the best legal family in Texas. Adoption is the description Judge Sharon McCally gave of the experience of joining the David Hittner circle. The word 'mentor' has become the popular word, explains the state district court judge. It's not enough to describe Judge. You are adopted. You are part of his family, so wherever you go and however you grow, he is a part of your future. She is on the long list of people who owe their finest achievements to the energetic lobbying and coaching of Judge Hittner. Ask any of us about him, and we tell you stories of humor, of caring, and of learning. Young and old. Friends and law clerks. Judges and advocates. We will all speak with voices of awe, gratitude-and love. Lawyer Diana Marshall puts it this way: A mentor could be anyone who sets a good example, so the word hardly captures the full force of the impact Judge Hittner has had on the lives of so many, * Partner, Haynes & Boone, LLP. J.D., South Texas College of Law, 1981; M.S., Texas A&M University-Commerce, 1977; B.S., Sam Houston State University, 1974. Former president of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association.