Meet TCTA's staff attorneys

TCTA's experienced attorneys assist members with employment-related legal programs arising after they join.* Our attorneys have a passion for helping educators, and they are only a phone call away when members need support.

Michael J. Currie

Corporate Counsel
BA (English), University of Michigan
Doctor of Jurisprudence, Syracuse University
Joined TCTA in 1999
Past chair, School Law Section of the State Bar

Julie D. Leahy

Director of Legal Services
BA (English and History), University of Texas at Austin
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Houston
Joined TCTA in 2004
Past chair, School Law Section of the State Bar

Paige Williams

Director of Policy and Advocacy
BS (Psychology), Texas A&M University
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Texas at Austin
Joined TCTA in 2008
Treasurer, School Law Section of the State Bar

Kaylan Dixon Smith

Staff Attorney
BA (Political Science and Government), Fisk University
MEd (Educational Leadership and Administration), Lamar University
Doctor of Jurisprudence, UNT Dallas College of Law
Joined TCTA in 2023

Derrell A. Coleman

Staff Attorney
Bachelor's degree, Oberlin College
PhD, University of Texas at Austin in Education Administration
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Texas at Austin
Joined TCTA in 2025

Barrett J. Hollingsworth

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Fine Arts and Art History & Archeology), Washington University in St. Louis
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Texas at Austin
Joined TCTA in 2026

Sydney Leverette

Bachelor of Laws, Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom
Master of Laws (U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers), University of Texas School of Law
Joined TCTA in 2026

Lindsay Gustafson

Contract Attorney
BA (Political Science), Southwest Texas State University
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Houston

Holly Eaton

Senior Policy Consultant
BJ (Journalism), University of Texas at Austin
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Texas at Austin
Joined TCTA in 1996

How to reach us

Call 888-879-8282 – Members with legal questions involving specific facts should call TCTA headquarters so we can guarantee confidentiality. (Emails sent from school district email accounts are not confidential and can be read by school employees. They may also create a government or student record.)

Ask-a-Lawyer Email Portal – TCTA members may submit general work-related legal questions to the TCTA Legal Department via Ask-a-Lawyer.

*Legal services, as determined appropriate by the legal staff, are available only to members regarding employment-related matters arising after the effective date of membership. Membership with TCTA is subject to the terms of benefits as defined on the membership application.

Staff Attorneys & Legal Representation