Announcing the 2016 Michelle Mendez Serviam Award Recipients

We are pleased to announce the 2016 Michelle Mendez Serviam Award recipients:

  • From Mississippi: Robert A. Byrd, managing partner at Byrd & Wiser
  • From Louisiana: Jan M. Hayden, shareholder at Baker Donelson
  • From Texas: Deborah B. Langehennig, Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Texas

The Mendez Award, presented by CAIL in conjunction with its bi-annual 5th Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference, recognizes bankruptcy professionals who have demonstrated persistently exceptional contributions to others in the bankruptcy profession and community. These contributions may be in the form of professional leadership, pro bono work, bar activities, community contributions, and other criteria that demonstrate extraordinary service to others. Serviam translated means “I will serve.”

The honorees received their awards on February 25 at a luncheon during the 5th Circuit Bankruptcy Bench/Bar Conference. Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals was the featured speaker.

CAIL 5th Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference

CAIL President, Mike Marchand, presenting award to Robert A. Byrd

CAIL 5th Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference

CAIL President, Mike Marchand, presenting award to Jan M. Hayden

CAIL 5th Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference

CAIL President, Mike Marchand, presenting award to Deborah B. Langehenning

About the Michelle Mendez Serviam Award

The Michelle Mendez Serviam Award was created in 2015 in recognition of the life and work of Michelle Mendez. Her extraordinary contribution to the 5th Circuit Bench and Bar was but one of the many selfless contributions she made in her lifetime for the benefit of fellow bankruptcy professionals. 

A Partner in the Dallas firm of Conley, Rosenberg, Mendez & Brenneise, Mendez served as Chair of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Chair of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section of the Dallas Bar Association, and Chair of the Research Fellows of The Center for American and International Law. She was also a co-founder of the 5th Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference. Mendez passed away in 2014 from complications of a sudden illness.