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s494_r1.qxd 3/8/2002 5:00 AM Page 10 Respect. Fairness. Service. Justice. The words used to describe their missions are the same; the voices are different. Although they all began at much the same place–as students at Strake Jesuit–their career paths were often varied. Yet today they have again reached a similar place: as judges in the District and Municipal Courts of Texas. “Strake Jesuit has more alumni currently on the bench in Texas than any other high school in the state,” asserts Judge Mark Davidson ‘71, the most senior of the alumni judges. The third most senior judge in Harris County, Judge Davidson presides over the 11 th District Court (the oldest court in Texas). John Coselli ‘70 is the judge of the 125 th District, and Judge Pat Mizell ‘82 presides over the 129 th District Court. In the Family Court, Frank Rynd ‘70 is judge of the 309 th District Court (please see accompanying box), and up the road, Alexis (Tripp) Walter III ‘76 is judge of the City of College Station Municipal Court. They all have different, often tongue in cheek, reasons for why they decided to enter the judiciary–watching Bro. Casey administer Saturday PH’s, successfully defending themselves in traffic court as juveniles, a “C” in Mr. Smelko’s Bones and Muscles class that kept one out of med school–but at basis, Strake Jesuit formed the foundation of where they are now. “What is attractive to me is not just being a judge but having the 8 a Spring 2002 COMMITTED TO JUSTICE Alumni Judges Bring Ignatian Ideals to Texas Courts Pat Mizell ‘82 Judge since 1995. Undergraduate: SMU Law School: University of Houston Wife: Shannon Mizell Children: Two Girls & Two Boys (ages 3 - 9) Interests: Golf & Politics opportunity to help people,” remarks Judge Walter. “That has been a goal throughout my career, beginning with my career as an attorney. Helping people and trying to make the world a better place are traceable back to what we learned at Strake Jesuit.” Judge Mizell credits SJCP with developing a love for his fellow man, respect for others, and the notion that scholarship is important. In a similar vein, Judge Coselli notes, “Our job is heavily weighted toward respect, honesty, fairness, justice, even education. We are in school every day.” The Ignatian ideal of service to others particularly influenced Judge Davidson. “I always try to remember that I am a public servant. It is easy to get “black robe disease”–to believe that as a judge you are above everyone else. The grounding that I received at Strake Jesuit reminds me that I am a public servant and am to serve the public, not rule over them.” Fr. Chris Billac, S.J., and Richard Nevle are also cited as individuals of strong influence in these men’s development at Jesuit. “My belief that we should try to live up to a certain moral code came from almost every teacher I had there,” remembers Mark Davidson ‘71 Judge since 1989. Recently elected to a two year term as administrative judge of Harris County. Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin: Law School: University of Houston (also attended UT) Wife: Sarah Duckers Children: Two Sons Interests: Cycling (MS 150 & Borders, Surf & Citrus 100) & Cooking (anything French) Judge Davidson. “Since morality is the basis of law, a lot of my love of the law came from the education I received at the school.” In his work in the Municipal Court, Judge Walter has found a special role for the values he learned at Jesuit. “One of my goals for the Court is to treat everybody with dignity and respect, judging fairly, especially with juveniles and their families. There is a need to show compassion. I try to get my hands around everything in a case–to go beyond what has brought them here and see other issues behind the current problem. And to see how to design a punishment that addresses all these things. I try to develop the potential in all these juveniles, which is very much in the tradition of Strake Jesuit. Our teachers were counselors in all areas, not just academics.” All these men believe passionately in the justice system and their ability to help make the world a more just place. And this passion is evident as they speak of what is most rewarding in their work. “You’d like to think you’ve administered justice in such a way that it has bettered people’s lives,” Judge Coselli reflects. “But ultimately when people make decisions for themselves, it is exponentially better. So, one of the most important aspects in effectively administering justice is how you make the decision. The reason I am
s494_r1.qxd 3/8/2002 5:01 AM Page 11 John Coselli ‘70 Judge since 1999. Undergraduate: Loyola of New Orleans Law School: University of Houston Wife: Carolyn Coselli Children: Four Sons (ages 8-13) Interests: Family, sons’ sports & Establishing Peer Mediation Programs in Houston area schools here is that I am trying to make a difference in the lives of the people I come in contact with. So that everyone who has contact with the Court can see their lives changed in a positive way.” “Having the contact with people, hoping you make a difference,” echoes Judge Walter on the motivation in his work. “It is difficult sometimes, because you don’t see the results, but you must be confident that you are doing the right thing. Nobody wants to be here (in Municipal Court); these people have been charged with offenses–traffic, alcohol-related, or criminal. This may be the first contact many people have with the Court and the system. It is important that I project a positive image of the Court and the system. It’s a great opportunity to positively impact people.” Judge Mizell concurs. “You get to have a positive impact on people’s lives. It is rewarding to work hard to achieve a right result.” And they all agree on one of the lighter benefits of being a Judge: those cool judge license plates. Tripp Walter ‘76 Judge since 1997. Undergraduate: University of Houston Law School: Texas Tech University Wife: Kim Walter Children: One Son, Thomas Interests: I used to play a little softball, but now I have a two year old son! Judge Frank Rynd ‘70 Seeks Justice for Children “It takes a special kind of person to be involved in family court,” remarks Judge Tripp Walter. “Those cases are so different from the ones heard by civil or municipal courts.” For the uninitiated, here is a distinction among those courts in a nutshell: Civil District Courts hear matters involving money or property, as well as suits to compel or prohibit wrongful action (injunctions). Municipal Courts judge people who have been charged with offenses–traffic violations, alcohol-related, or criminal. Family Courts hear matters involving paternity and divorce, including child support, property division and child custody. They also hear matters relating to child support and custody, even if it is not part of a divorce. If there seemed a perfect fit for a man and a career, it would be Frank Rynd ‘70 in his current position as Judge of the 309 th District Court of Texas (Family Court). Both in his professional and personal life, Judge Rynd has been a tireless advocate for children. Judge Rynd’s interest in children’s causes stems from his years in Dallas when he became involved in adoption work with the Buckner Baptist Benevolences; he later served as an ad liten, representing children in litigation. Upon his return to Houston, he became a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston. After many years of service, he is now an honorary board member. It was also during this time that Judge Rynd volunteered on a project with the Salvation Army to provide shelter for the homeless. “It was a tremendous personal experience. I really came to realize the enormous needs not being met,” he recalls. In 1999 he received the Shirlee Tracy Anderson award for long and distinguished service to BBBS of Houston, and in 2000 he chaired the kick off breakfast for the Interfaith Ministries Children’s Campaign. Judge Rynd served as general legal counsel for the Houston Astros for seventeen years before beginning his career as an associate judge (in 1999). Reflecting on his decision to enter public service, he echos the sentiments of his fellow alumni judges in the civil and municipal courts. “Anyone practicing before a judge has some desire to do this and to know how it works. I believe I have a sense of fairness and a sense of public service. This (the judiciary) allows me to give back to the community.” And like many of his fellows, he credits Fr. Chris Billac’s influence on his life–“You can live a life for others.” A graduate of the University of Texas and the UT Law School, Judge Rynd is a devoted uncle to two nieces and two nephews, one great-nephew, and mentor to eight god-children. An avid historian and advocate of historical preservation, he is also active in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. But after all is said, his greatest interest is in people, as evidenced by his innumerable friends. And it is reflected in his comments on the best part of his job: “It’s about making a positive difference in people’s lives.” Judge Rynd’s name appears on the ballot on March 12, as he faces an election challenge in the Republican primary. Crusader Chronicle a 9
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