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Meet the 2026 Award Honorees
![]() | Ms. Ophelia Camiña is a senior partner at Susman Godfrey LLP, where she specializes in complex commercial and bet-the-company litigation. In 2023, she was named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Dallas Bar Association, becoming the 8th woman and first Hispanic lawyer to receive the honor. A nationally recognized trial lawyer, Ms. Camiña has also been featured by Lawdragon as a “Lawyer Limelight” and by the Dallas Bar Association as a “Living Legend.” Her record includes landmark jury verdicts and recognition by Texas Verdicts, Texas Super Lawyers, and the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame. Beyond the courtroom, she is a leader and mentor to women and Hispanic lawyers. She co-founded and chairs the Dallas Bar Association’s Women Empowered to Lead and founded ACT III, advancing networking, mentorship, and leadership opportunities for women lawyers. Her past leadership includes service on the boards of Parkland Health & Hospital System and the Dallas Bar Foundation, as well as the State Bar of Texas and Texas Equal Access to Justice Commission. |
| Maria Fernandez is Vice President, Associate General Counsel - Corporate & Securities at The Brink's Company (NYSE: BCO), where she advises executive leadership and the Board of Directors on securities compliance, corporate governance, executive compensation, and strategic transactions. With more than ten years of in-house legal experience, she most recently served in a legal leadership role at Albertsons Companies. Maria is a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel, and is committed to advancing diversity, mentorship, and leadership development within the legal profession. She is also a graduate of the Latina Executive Leadership Program and earned her J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of law. |
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Tom Zavala is a bankruptcy and commercial litigation attorney who draws on his extensive business and courtroom experience to develop practical solutions for clients. He represents both debtors and creditors in matters ranging from out-of-court workouts to complex Chapter 11 restructurings and adversary proceedings across a variety of industries. Before practicing law, Tom worked as a corporate tax consultant and earned his CPA license, giving him a strong foundation in business and finance. After graduating from Texas Law, he clerked for Chief Judge Stacey G. C. Jernigan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, where he developed valuable courtroom and bankruptcy experience. Tom now serves clients nationwide at Husch Blackwell in bankruptcy and commercial litigation matters. |
| Jennifer Montiel is an associate attorney at Javier Perez Law Firm, where she practices plaintiff-side employment law and advocates for employees facing workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other employment-related issues. As a first-generation attorney, Jennifer is passionate about giving back to the organizations and mentors who helped shape her career and creating similar opportunities for law students. She serves as Chair of the Scholarship and Judicial Diversity Committee, as the Sarah T. Hughes Scholar Liaison for the Dallas Bar Foundation, and as an Alumni Advisor to the UNT Dallas Hispanic Law Students Association, where she supports mentorship, scholarships, and professional opportunities for law students. Jennifer is also a member of the Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court and remains committed to staying involved in the legal community and giving back to the students and organizations that have invested in her. |
| Cozen O’Connor is a leading international law firm committed to delivering high-quality legal services while fostering a culture of opportunity, inclusion, and professional growth. The firm supports clients across a broad range of industries and legal practices, with offices throughout the United States and internationally. Cozen is also deeply engaged in the communities it serves through professional organizations, affinity bar associations, mentorship, leadership development, and community initiatives.
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