82R3675 JH-D
By: Phillips H.R. No. 568
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a respected attorney and former state
official came to an end with the untimely passing of Gregory Scott
Coleman of Austin on November 23, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 31, 1963, Greg Coleman grew up in a
military family and lived in many different locations during his
youth, though he came to regard the Lone Star State as his home; as
an undergraduate, he earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in
applied mathematics from Texas A&M and then continued his studies
at the university to attain a master's degree summa cum laude in
business administration; during his years in College Station, he
met his future wife, Stephanie, and the couple later became the
parents of three sons, Chase, Austin, and Reid; and
WHEREAS, Intent on a career as a lawyer, Mr. Coleman enrolled
at The University of Texas School of Law, where he served as the
managing editor of the Texas Law Review and received a juris doctor
degree with high honors in 1992; he then took the opportunity to
broaden his legal knowledge by working as a judicial law clerk for
U.S. Court of Appeals judge Edith Hollan Jones and U.S. Supreme
Court justice Clarence Thomas; and
WHEREAS, Known for his determination and intellectual
curiosity, Mr. Coleman applied his talents to the practice of
appellate law and quickly built a reputation for success; he
initially worked in the Austin office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges,
heading the firm's national supreme court and appellate practice;
undertaking a broad range of cases, from complex business
litigation to public policy and constitutional issues, he provided
vital assistance to numerous clients, often on a pro bono basis; and
WHEREAS, This accomplished attorney was called to public
service in 1999, when he became the first solicitor general of the
State of Texas; in addition to skillfully arguing the state's
position in its most important legal appeals, he established the
high standards of professionalism that have continued to guide the
actions of the individuals who have succeeded him in that important
post; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Mr. Coleman cofounded the firm of Yetter
Coleman, where he continued his stellar record as an appellate
lawyer; in the course of his career, he frequently handled cases
that were heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, and he had the
distinction of arguing more cases before that institution than any
other lawyer in Texas; in 2009 alone, he won two closely watched
high court rulings, and these triumphs were recognized by the
National Law Journal, which named Yetter Coleman to its prestigious
Appellate Hot List; moreover, Mr. Coleman's stature was
acknowledged by his inclusion on a number of other well-known
rankings of top attorneys, including those published by Benchmark
Litigation, Corporate Counsel, The American Lawyer, and Texas
Monthly; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman was a mentor to numerous young lawyers,
serving as an adjunct professor at the South Texas College of Law
and the UT School of Law and taking a deep interest in the
development of his law firm colleagues; widely admired by his
peers, he was a member and president-elect of the Texas Law Review
Association, and had served as vice chair and secretary of the Texas
Board of Criminal Justice as well as been active in various legal
organizations; and
WHEREAS, In spite of his professional commitments, this
caring husband and father was dedicated to his family and took
special delight in accompanying his sons on Gulf of Mexico fishing
expeditions; his other interests included reading and taking part
in a variety of outdoor activities, and he was a devoted member of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and
WHEREAS, Though his life ended far too soon, Greg Coleman
nonetheless established himself as a lawyer of rare ability whose
passion for justice and respect for the truth had a lasting and
positive impact on many lives; his legacy of achievement and
concern for others will remain an inspiration to all who had the
good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Gregory Scott Coleman
and that deepest condolences be extended to the members of his
family: to his wife of 23 years, Stephanie Coleman; to his sons,
Chase, Austin, and Reid Coleman; to his parents, Harold and Karen
Coleman; to his sister, Sherie Olcott; and to his other relatives
and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gregory
Coleman.