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Steffen Horlacher — American Airlines’ Lawyer for ‘Head-hurting, Complicated Commercial Matters’

Steffen Horlacher has been instrumental at American Airlines during his 26-year career, helping the airline navigate significant challenges like 9/11, the 2011 bankruptcy, the merger with US Airways and the pandemic. He has managed various business initiatives and partnerships that support daily operations.

Recently, Horlacher led negotiations with motorcoach carrier Landline, making American the first airline to offer service in all 50 states. He also advised on a new alliance with Alaska Airlines that created international routes from Seattle and Los Angeles.

In recognition of his contributions, the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook have named him the 2024 Senior Counsel of the Year for Large Legal Departments. This is his story.

P.S. Honors Betty Torres, David Beck

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once told me during an interview that “there are lawyer heroes among us” who use their training to “make this a better society.” Betty Torres and David Beck are two of those heroes. Their good deeds and commitment to the legal profession are being recognized. In addition, the Texas Young Lawyers Association is building a website that can help those with an interest in becoming lawyers but who have no connections to the law better understand the process of becoming a part of this noble profession.

Ray A. Balestri, 1960-2025

Longtime Bell Nunnally corporate and M&A partner Ray Balestri died earlier this month at the age of 64. A Dallas entrepreneur, investor, adjunct professor and lawyer with four decades of experience, Mr. Balestri was known nationwide as a dynamic dealmaker, whether representing companies that needed seed money or advising on multibillion-dollar mergers.

Ousted Oil Executive’s Suit Goes to Trial in Dallas

Bernard Tubeileh, a German national, claims he was wrongly terminated by the Plano-based U.S. subsidiaries of a German oil and gas company he helped start. The companies say he resigned when his years of self-dealing, unlawful transactions and misappropriation of company funds came to light.

How Private Equity Will Shape M&A in 2025

With questions looming over the fate of the IRA, the likelihood of tariffs and more than a few geopolitical tensions muddying the view forward, many lawyers in the deal space are wary of describing what awaits them in the M&A market of 2025. However, one market area that almost all law firms and lawyers agree on, despite those serious variables, is that private equity will continue to help shape the world of Texas M&A.

Exit Interview: Leigha Simonton

The U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas officially leaves office on Sunday, the day before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. In a wide-ranging discussion with The Texas Lawbook, Leigha Simonton reflects on her two years as chief federal prosecutor in a district that sprawls across 100 counties, and her long years of public service that led her to the job.

Texas Capital Bank GC Anna Alvarado ‘Knows What Hard Work Really Is’

Anna Alvarado has an extraordinary life story. And she has experienced extraordinary success. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Alvarado grew up in government-subsidized housing at a work camp in Central California, picking grapes and selling cassette tapes. Neither of her parents spoke English. Her dad was an addict and felon who served prison time.

“Had it not been for all of those things and having to deal with all of those things, I would not be sitting here today,” Alvarado said in a 2022 interview. Today, she is a finalist for the 2024 DFW Corporate Counsel of the Year Award for General Counsel of the Year for a Midsized Legal Department.

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