Senior Counsel, King & Spalding, U.S. District Judge, Western District of Texas

Honorable Lee Yeakel

The Honorable Lee Yeakel joined King & Spalding as senior counsel after 25 years on the bench, the last 20 as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas. He is a member of the American Law Institute, a life member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, a sustaining life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.  Judge Yeakel was awarded the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Lawyer, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the legal profession and his enduring impact over his career. The Austin Bar Foundation recognized Judge Yeakel as a trailblazer known for his widespread community contributions and unparalleled legacy of service with the 2023 Distinguished Lawyers Award.  In 2020 the Texas Bar Foundation named him an Outstanding 50-year lawyer.  The Honorable Lee Yeakel Intellectual Property American Inn of Court is named in his honor.  The University of Texas School of Law celebrated Judge Yeakel’s exemplary performance as a justice with the Outstanding Texas Jurist Award by The Review of Litigation in 2014. He was also awarded the Samuel Pessarra Outstanding Jurist Award by the Texas Bar Foundation in 2012 for his outstanding judicial service and contributions to the legal community in Texas. 

“Throughout my career in the judiciary, I have seen the critical importance of fair and impartial legal representation. The Texas Immigration Law Council plays a vital role in ensuring that the rights of immigrants are upheld, contributing to a just and equitable legal system in Texas and the United States.” 

Director, Immigration Clinic and Clinical Professor, The University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Denise L. Gilman

Denise L. Gilman, directs the Immigration Clinic and has been a Clinical Professor at The University of Texas Law School since 2007. Professor Gilman is a prominent figure in the field of immigration law and international human rights, and she is nationally renowned for her teaching, advocacy and scholarship that focuses on asylum law and policy, immigration detention, and the U.S.-Mexico border. Professor Gilman’s expertise and national leadership is reflected in her service on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration and her prior work as Director of the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project at the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, as Human Rights Specialist at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights at the Organization of American States, and as Director of the Mexico Project at the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (now Human Rights First). Professor Gilman frequently contributes to reporting on immigration policy in The New York Times, NPR, USA Today, and other media outlets. Professor Gilman’s scholarship is robust, providing policy makers frameworks to explore for viable solutions to some of the most pressing immigration issues facing Texas — e.g. Making Protection Unexceptional: A Reconceptualization of the U.S. Asylum System, 55 Loy.U.Chi.L.J.1 (2023). Professor Gilman has made significant contributions to understanding and addressing the legal challenges faced by migrants and has emphasized humanitarian perspectives and the intersection of immigration law with human rights principles. Professor Gilman’s work extends beyond academia; she actively engages in litigation and policy advocacy, aiming to protect the rights and dignity of vulnerable immigrant populations. Her research, advocacy, service, and teaching reflect a commitment to advancing justice and equity in immigration law and policy. 

General Counsel, Trace Midstream

Natara Williams, J.D. 

Natara Williams is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Trace Midstream II, a Quantum Energy Partners portfolio company. Previously, Ms. Williams served as the General Counsel of Trace Midstream I and the SVP, General Counsel of Intensity Midstream from 2019 to 2022 and both companies were successfully sold in 2022. From 2012 to 2019, Ms. Williams was the Assistant General Counsel of Oasis Petroleum (now Chord Energy) managing a diverse workload of transactional and other legal matters. Prior to going in house, she was an associate in the Energy Transactions & Project Finance group at the law firm of Vinson & Elkins where she represented Fortune 500 energy and oil and gas companies in matters involving upstream and midstream transactions, strategic investments and corporate and project financing and development. In addition to serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Texas Immigration Law Council, she is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Tahirih Justice Center. Ms. Williams earned her Juris Doctor degree from Duke University School of Law and has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Stetson University. 

“As Chair of the Texas Immigration Law Council, I am dedicated to fostering a community where immigrants and refugees are welcomed and able to contribute to our communities and economic growth. Our coalition, which spans across political, faith-based, educational, and business sectors, is a testament to the shared belief that diversity strengthens our state. Together, we can build a more inclusive Texas that benefits everyone.”

President & CEO, MAREK Family of Companies

Stan Marek

Stan Marek is the Chairman and CEO of Marek Family of Companies, a leading construction company in the Southwest. He is dedicated to championing inclusive policies that benefit both immigrants and the Texas economy. As a member of the Greater Houston Partnership Immigration Task Force, Mr. Marek works to advance immigration policies that foster growth and opportunity in the Greater Houston area. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Baylor/St. Luke’s Foundation and is an active member of the World President’s Organization. He is also a founding partner of the Rational Middle Immigration social media platform and a past president of the Texas A&M Construction Industry Advisory Council. In 2013, he was inducted into the Constructors Hall of Fame. Mr. Marek’s extensive record of servant leadership includes roles such as Emeritus/Life Board Member of the Catholic Charities: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, past President of the Archdiocesan Foundation Board, and former Board Trustee of St. John’s School in Houston. He is also the co-author, with Loren C. Steffy, of “Deconstructed: An Insider’s View of Illegal Immigration and the Building Trades.”  

“The future of Texas’ economy depends on a legal, inclusive approach to immigration. Lack of political will in Congress, since the passing of the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, has offered no sensible solutions to allow immigrants to fill the jobs that are needed to sustain our economy. By advocating for common sense immigration reform, the Texas Immigration Law Council is helping to build a stronger, more resilient state, where business and community thrive together.”

CPA, Shareholder, Martinez Satterfield PC

Stephanie Martinez

Stephanie Martinez, CPA, has over a decade of public accounting experience, dedicating her time to working with individuals, family-owned businesses, and tax-exempt organizations. She serves clients across various industries, including real estate, medical practitioners, and the non-profit sector. A San Antonio native and graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word, Ms. Martinez has worked in both local and national CPA firms in San Antonio and Houston, focusing on taxation and planning. Ms. Martinez exemplifies a deep commitment to making a difference in her community through her extensive board service. She has served as Treasurer for several organizations, including Hearts Need Art: Creative Support For Patients and Caregivers (2019-2023), the National Association of Business Owners (NAWBO) Foundation (2018-2020), and The Boardroom Project (2020-2024), that seeks to invest in the future of young girls and professional women. Her dedication to community service is further demonstrated by her awards and certifications, such as the Not-For-Profit Certificate I from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) in 2022 and the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Volunteer Award in 2023. In her role as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for TxILC, Ms. Martinez continues to lend her expertise in accounting and finances, driven by her passion for community service and making a positive impact.

“Having worked closely with a diverse range of clients across San Antonio and Texas, I’ve seen the vital role immigrants play in our communities and economy. The Texas Immigration Law Council’s mission resonates deeply with me because it aligns with the values of fairness and opportunity that I’ve witnessed in my work. Supporting policies that uplift immigrants isn’t just good for business; it’s good for all Texans, especially for building strong, thriving communities where everyone benefits.” 

Professor, Sociology and Demography, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Rogelio Saenz, Ph.D.

Rogelio Saenz, Ph.D.  Professor of Sociologist and Demography at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), research shapes critical discourse nationally and internationally on the study of demographic trends, inequality, immigration, and the sociology of Latino/as in Texas and the United States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire., Professor Saenz’ research, as highlighted by the U.S. Census Bureau, focuses on immigration and its implications for population dynamics and public policy.   He writes extensively in the areas of demography, Latina/os, race and ethnicity, inequality, immigration, aging, public policy, and social justice. Professor Sáenz is co-author of Latinos in the United States: Diversity and Change (Polity Press) and is co-editor of The International Handbook of the Demography of Race and Ethnicity (Springer Press).  He previously served as Dean of UTSA’s College of Public Policy, contributing significantly to understanding the impact of demographic changes on American society. Professor Sáenz recently received the 2020 Saber es Poder Academic Excellence Award from the University of Arizona’s Department of Mexican American Studies and the 2021 Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award from the American Sociological Association. He also was just inducted to the UTSA Academy of Distinguished Researchers. 

“As a demographer and scholar, I’ve studied the profound impact that immigrants have on Texas, particularly in driving economic growth. Immigrants bring innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing significantly to the workforce, Social Security, and our tax base, helping our state’s prosperity. The Texas Immigration Law Council is committed to advocating for policies that recognize and harness these contributions, ensuring that Texas remains a vibrant and dynamic place where all communities thrive.”

Pro Bono Partner, Akin

Steven H. Schulman

Steven Schulman is an international and national leader on asylum, human rights, law, developing models of how law firms and pro bono attorneys can close the justice gaps for vulnerable populations to access justice. Steven is a partner leading Akin Gump’s pro bono practice, maintaining a substantive practice in many areas of public interest law, including human rights, immigration, assistance to military personnel, and poverty law matters. His leadership in pro bono initiatives, as awarded by the Scholarship Rescue Fund, has been instrumental in providing critical legal assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. Mr. Schulman is an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where he teaches seminars on law firm economics and pro bono practice. Mr. Schulman has also taught at Stanford Law School and The George Washington University Law School. Mr. Schulman implemented Akin Gump’s Child Refugee Project, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Clinics, and Afghan humanitarian parole program. He is highly regarded for his steadfast commitment to advancing immigrant rights and access to legal representation. 

“My commitment to immigrant rights and human rights goes beyond professional duty — it is a deep moral imperative that drives every aspect of my work. I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring that those who are most vulnerable have access to the legal representation they deserve. At the Texas Immigration Law Council, we fight relentlessly to protect the dignity and rights of immigrants, because justice isn’t just an ideal — it’s a necessity that we must pursue with unwavering resolve.”

Regional Government Relations Director, FWD.us

Zaira Garcia

Zaira Garcia is a Regional Government Relations Director at FWD.us, a bipartisan organization dedicated to strengthening America by expanding opportunity for families, communities, and the economy. She is a seasoned policy and coalition leader with a strong record of advancing practical, bipartisan immigration solutions through strategic engagement across political and ideological lines.

At FWD.us, Garcia built and expanded the Texas Bipartisan Immigration Partnership, helping increase business leader engagement in support of immigration solutions that strengthen Texas and the nation. She has launched and led both center-left and center-right coalitions, bringing together diverse stakeholders around consensus-driven policy goals. Her work includes close engagement with congressional offices, media, business leaders, and community partners, as well as support for high-level bipartisan advocacy, including White House initiatives.

Garcia brings to TxILC deep expertise in coalition-building to build practical policy solutions. She is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned dual degrees in Government and Sociology.