TCTA staff attorneys are widely recognized as experts in both successful teacher legal representation and legislative and educational policy influence at the state and local levels.
Jeri Stone, Executive Director & General Counsel
Jeri earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Texas-Austin and joined the TCTA staff in 1978. She has led the organization for 25 years.
Lonnie Hollingsworth, Jr., Director of Legal Services & Governmental Relations
Lonnie earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Texas-Austin and has been with TCTA since 1986. In 2005, Lonnie served as chair of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
Dohn Larson, Chief Staff Attorney
Dohn earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Texas-Austin and has practiced law since 1985. He has represented the members of TCTA since 1987.
Holly Eaton, Director of Professional Development & Advocacy
Holly earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas-Austin and joined the TCTA legal staff in 1996. Holly has practiced law since 1989 and deals extensively with state and federal education agency rules, including NCLB.
Michael Currie, Staff Attorney
Michael earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Syracuse University’s College of Law in New York and joined the TCTA legal staff in 1999. He has practiced law since 1995 and currently serves as an officer of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
Gerald Francisco, Staff Attorney
After graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law, Gerald has practiced law since 1990 and represented Texas teachers since 1993. He joined the TCTA legal staff in 1999. He is also a certified teacher and taught high school social studies at McAllen High School for five years.
Lindsay Gustafson, Director of Public Affairs
Lindsay earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center in 2001 and joined the TCTA legal staff that same year.
Julie Leahy, Staff Attorney
Julie earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center in 1997 and began practicing law that same year. She joined the TCTA legal staff in 2004. Prior to her arrival at TCTA, Julie was an attorney for the State Board for Educator Certification.
Paige Bruton Williams, Staff Attorney/Governmental Relations
Paige is the newest member of our legal staff, joiningTCTA in October 2008. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas-Austin in 2007 when she began practicing law. Before joining TCTA, Paige clerked for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and the Texas Association of School Boards. She also worked as a legislative aide for two sessions prior to joining the TCTA lobby team.
