June Alumni Updates

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW | JULY 3, 2026

We enjoy recognizing the achievements of our alumni community, including judicial appointments, promotions, publications, awards, and more. Have an update to share? We’d be glad to feature it in an upcoming issue of The Forum.

Recent Alumni Achievements

Jo Ben Whittenburg '73

Jo Ben Whittenburg was recognized by the Texas Bar Foundation with its 2026 Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award, honoring attorneys whose careers exemplify the highest standards of the legal profession and service to the public. A senior partner at Orgain, Bell & Tucker in Beaumont, Whittenburg has practiced law for more than five decades and previously received Texas Tech Law's Distinguished Service Award.

David W. Copeland '82

David W. Copeland was recognized by the Texas Bar Foundation with its 2026 Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award, which honors an outstanding Texas lawyer who exemplifies dedication, talent, and commitment to the legal profession and those it serves. A partner at Wick Phillips, Copeland is a past chair of both the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees and Fellows and previously received Texas Tech Law's Distinguished Alumni Award and Distinguished Service Award.

Ann Elizabeth Cruce-Haag '01

Ann Elizabeth Cruce-Haag has been appointed as an Immigration Judge with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Prior to her appointment, Cruce-Haag served for more than two decades as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas and previously clerked for U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings.

Justin Almand '09

Justin Almand has been named Chief of the Crimes Against Children Division for the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office. Almand has dedicated his career to prosecuting criminal cases in North Texas, with a particular focus on child abuse and family violence cases, most recently serving as chief child abuse prosecutor.

Ben Alonzo '17

Ben Alonzo has been appointed City Attorney for the City of Edinburg. A native of Edinburg, Alonzo previously served as deputy city attorney and interim city attorney and will now serve as the principal legal advisor to the city council, city manager, and municipal departments.

Russell Mayne '19

Russell Mayne has been named the 2026 Prosecutor of the Year by the Texas Gang Investigators Association in recognition of his outstanding work combating gang-related crime and his commitment to public safety. Earlier this year, Governor Greg Abbott also appointed Mayne to the Texas Violent Gang Task Force, which brings together local, state, and federal agencies to address gang activity across Texas. Mayne serves as an assistant criminal district attorney with the Border Prosecution Unit in the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney's Office.

Brittany A. Rodriquez '19

Brittany A. Rodriquez has been appointed as an Immigration Judge with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Before joining the bench, Rodriquez served as an assistant chief counsel with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New Mexico.

In Memoriam

William Thomas "Tom" Womble '71

William Thomas "Tom" Womble of Houston passed away on June 14, 2026, at the age of 83. A U.S. Army veteran and longtime trial lawyer, Womble graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1971, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Texas Tech Law Review. His distinguished legal career spanned more than five decades, earning widespread respect for his advocacy, professionalism, and integrity.

Share Your News

Have a recent promotion, appointment, publication, award, or milestone to share? We’d love to celebrate your accomplishments and feature them in a future update.

🔗 Submit an Alumni Update - alumni.law@ttu.edu

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