Biography

As the Director of Pro Bono Programs, Phil Davies, J.D., oversees the implementation of the service graduation requirement for J.D. students at the St. Mary’s University School of Law. Through the development of multiple community-centered collaborations, the Pro Bono Program connects law student volunteers with opportunities to meet the law-related needs of the San Antonio community.

As the supervising attorney for the Identification Recovery Program, Davies oversees a law student-powered outreach effort at Haven for Hope, San Antonio’s largest homeless services provider.

Prior to joining St. Mary’s, Davies was a senior staff attorney at RAICES, the largest immigration legal service provider in Texas. There he represented indigent immigrant clients in a wide variety of immigration proceedings. He also started a program at RAICES that provided dedicated immigration identification recovery services to homeless individuals.
While in law school, Phil interned with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, investigating allegations of abuses in immigration detention centers. He also interned with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section. Following law school, he was selected for the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney Honors Program, which brought him to San Antonio.

• “Intersections of Migration,” Texas Immigration Legal Provider Summit, September 2024, San Antonio, Texas
• “Immigration Tips and Tools for Legal Aid Workers,” Texas State Bar Poverty Law Conference, September 2022, Austin, Texas
• “DACA: Past Present and Future,” Our Lady of the Lake University, April 2021, San Antonio, Texas
• “Immigration 101,” UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, May 2021 and May 2022, San Antonio, Texas

Biography

Jana Powell serves as the Business Manager for the Law Journals at the St. Mary’s University School of Law. She is responsible for the production of The St. Mary’s Law Journal, The St. Mary’s Journal on Legal Malpractice and Ethics and The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice. She oversees the business administrative capacity and management of related budgets.

Powell also coordinates and plans School of Law symposiums and award ceremonies.

She brought to St. Mary’s a background in Educational Testing Service, where she managed, mentored and supervised the Test Creation Administration, Graphics and Editorial departments. She also managed aspects of major project deliverables to the U.S. Department of Education for various states. Powell acted as a liaison between test developers and support teams to align projects to state contract requirements.

She also possesses cutting-edge communications, advertising and public relations skills. Powell served as a copywriter, editor and proofreader for multiple public relation accounts. She managed graphic production on materials such as manuals, newspaper ads, brochures, and TV and radio scripts.

Powell is experienced in reviewing print-ready files for production specifications and blue lines, attending press checks, and working with printers to produce quality documents. She can perform graphic arts tasks.

Biography

Catherine Deyarmond joined St. Mary’s University in April 2024 as Associate Director of Law Communications. In this role, she promotes the interests of the School of Law, primarily through electronic communications, web-based and printed publications, and social media.

Deyarmond came to St. Mary’s with 16 years of higher education experience at UT Health San Antonio and Our Lady of the Lake University. During her time at these universities, she worked in media relations, communications, publications, social media, marketing and advancement.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism from UT Austin, Deyarmond began her career in print journalism, working as a reporter and section editor for The Huntsville Item and the McKinney Courier-Gazette. During her college years, she worked part time at the San Antonio Express-News and the Austin American-Statesman.

When she moved back to her hometown in the 1990s, San Antonio had become a one-newspaper town. With no writing jobs available, she became Executive Producer of KTSA 550 AM News Talk Radio. Deyarmond scheduled and prepared guests for the talk show hosts to interview on air.

She later worked in new home marketing, where she expanded her marketing and advertising skillset, but her love of higher education drew her back to marketing the product that benefits all – higher education.

She knows firsthand the benefits of a college degree, and the professional career it has afforded her. After graduating from Highlands High School in San Antonio, Deyarmond was fortunate to receive a four-year endowed scholarship to attend college.

Deyarmond is particularly excited to be able to share the achievements and impactful stories of the School of Law. With its dedication to celebrating inclusivity, valuing the dignity of all of its members, and assisting community members battling social and economic injustices, she is proud to continue to grow the school’s reputation.

Biography

Jacqueline is the staff attorney for the Housing Rights Project at the Center for Legal and Social Justice at St. Mary’s University School of Law. Jacqueline assists clients with eviction defense and advises clients on remedies for tenant’s issues. She also assists the supervising attorney with seminars, trainings, and other community outreach events on behalf of the Housing Rights Project.

Prior to her role at St. Mary’s, Jacqueline practiced family law, probate law, and estate planning in San Antonio. She continues representing children as an ad litem in Child Protective Services cases. She still assists with estate planning through her non-profit, Cindy’s Angels. Jacqueline is a St. Mary’s University School of Law graduate and was a staff writer on The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race & Social Justice.

Jacqueline grew up in San Antonio, Texas. She attended Incarnate Word High School and graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2013. She has been published locally and nationally in The San Antonio Report (formerly The Rivard Report), San Antonio Magazine, and the Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality.

Articles in a Periodical

• State Bar of Texas Poverty Law Conference Presenter 2023; Defending Tenants in Justice Court from A-Z
• Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality (2020)
• Battle of the Sexes: A History of Social Change and a Solution for Maintaining a Child’s Best Interest in Light of the #MeToo Movement

Biography

Nicole Monsibais (M.P.A. ’11, J.D. ’12) is the Director of Law Career Strategy in the Office of Career Strategy (OCS). In this role, she advises and encourages law students and alumni as they explore career opportunities, including preparing them for potential challenges. As a first-generation law graduate, Monsibais understands the transformative impact that staff can have on a student’s career trajectory. With a passion for individualized student support, she is eager to be part of their career development journey.

Prior to attending law school, Monsibais worked in the public sector, serving as a Luna Scholar at the Texas State Capitol, an Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C., and as staff at nonprofit organizations. As a law student, Nicole served as a Senator on the Student Bar Association, as Vice President of the Women’s Law Association, as a Staff Writer on The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race & Social Justice, and as a Teaching Assistant for the Civil Justice Clinic.

Upon graduation, Monsibais was a Clinical Administration Fellow at the St. Mary’s University Center for Legal and Social Justice. This unique role allowed her to spearhead initiatives, develop partnerships, manage external grants, and coordinate outreach programs that provided opportunities for law students to engage in legal services while serving the community.

Subsequently at other institutions of higher education, she oversaw compliance, specifically regarding university policy and laws related to campus security, equal opportunity, disability access, anti-harassment, non-discrimination, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence. Monsibais led the investigation, adjudication, and resolution of complaints, and provided training and consultation regarding compliance, regulations, and best practices.

She has presented at numerous local and national conferences on topics ranging from student services to contract management. Monsibais also chaired a university-wide inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility council, and served as the president of staff assembly.

Biography

Smith’s background is comprised of strong leadership and diverse experiences that has played an integral role in her career.

Smith, J.D., Ed.D., is well-versed in many facets of higher education which includes student conduct, disabilities services, Title IX, student activities, and internal compliance reviews.

She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Master’s degree in Counseling Personnel Services with an emphasis on College Student Personnel. She obtained her certificate of graduate study in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University, a Doctorate in Higher Education (Ed.D.) from AU-Atlanta. Smith recently earned her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from WMU-Cooley Law School.

Prior to joining St. Mary’s University School of Law, Smith served as an Associate Dean of Residence and Student Life at Kentucky State University, Associate Dean of Student Affairs at South University-Savannah, Adjunct Faculty, and an Area Coordinator for Housing and Residential Education at Vanderbilt University.

• Conflict Management, Professional Development Presentation, Virtual, Savannah, GA, 2023, 2012
• Ole Miss Way: Excellent Customer Service, Candidate Presentation, Oxford, MS, 2016
• Eagles Engaged: Enhanced Pathway Experiences, Candidate Presentation, Hattiesburg, MS, 2016
• The Power of Social Media, Student Leadership Training, Savannah, GA, 2013, 2015, 2016
• Faculty & Student Engagement, Professional Development Presentation, 2012
• Got Leadership? Student Leadership Training, Savannah, GA, 2012
• The Student Leadership Challenge, Student Leadership Training, Savannah, GA, 2012
• College Student Success: Formula for Student Persistence, Doctoral Coursework, Atlanta, GA, 2012
• Advising Student Groups & Organizations, Professional Development Presentation, Savannah, GA, 2011
• Driving Education with a Purpose: A Roadmap to creating a Living Learning Community, NASPA Conference, 2011
• The Price of the Privilege, Professional Development Presentation, Nashville, TN, 2010

Biography

Native to San Antonio, Chavez dedicates his professional career to the advancement of his community. Prior to obtaining his law degree, he served as an educator to underserved students throughout South Texas.

Continuing efforts to assist those in need, Chavez spent a portion of his academic time at St. Mary’s Law to volunteer under the guidance of Sister Grace Walle, providing pro bono services to local and national sites in dire need of legal assistance.

During law school, and after becoming licensed to practice law, Chavez worked within nonprofits and private practice firms in the area of Family Law. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and an active member of the San Antonio Bar Association, the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Mexican American Bar Association, and the Hispanic Law Alumni Association of St. Mary’s. Chavez is a first-generation lawyer and remains committed to the advancement of the profession serving under St. Mary’s School of Law.

Biography

Veronica Elizalde, J.D., (B.A. ’97) leads employer engagement efforts at the Office of Career Strategy (OCS), fostering relationships to expand opportunities for law students and alumni. She manages the On Campus Interview (OCI) Program and counsels law students, alumni, and LL.M. students on career development, offering guidance on job search strategies, document preparation, and interview techniques. Elizalde also contributes to developing career-related programming with the OCS team.

She was elected to serve as a Regional Representative for the Southeast Region on the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and currently serves on the Sunbelt Recruitment Program Board. She is also a member of the San Antonio American Inns of Court, the San Antonio Bar Association, and the Mexican American Bar Association of San Antonio.

A University of Texas School of Law graduate, Elizalde practiced for five years, specializing in high-volume, delinquent ad valorem tax litigation. She holds a B.A. in English-Communication Arts from St. Mary’s University.

Outside of work, Elizalde enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking on LesMills+ challenges, and reading fiction.

Biography

As the current Assistant Director of J.D. Admissions, Fickel counsels prospective students and applicants on the J.D. program application process. She is responsible for educating prospective students about the various aspects of St. Mary’s Law.  She also engages prospective students through the use of social media by connecting them with current St. Mary’s Law students, faculty, and staff.

She is an alumna of Kenyon College in Ohio where she studied international environmental policy and practice with an emphasis on sustainable development. At Kenyon, she also worked in the undergraduate admissions office as a tour guide and a Senior Admissions Fellow. It was in these positions that she helped high school students understand the intricacies of higher education through the lens of a current undergraduate. There, she discovered her passion for access to higher education and diversity in academia.

During her free time, Johanna enjoys reading novels, learning new songs on her guitar, and going on hikes with her rescue dog.

Biography

Brooke Pate, Director of Law Alumni Relations, joined St. Mary’s University in September of 2022. Brooke holds a bachelor’s and MPA degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Brooke also obtained her Nonprofit Administration and Leadership Certificate from UTSA.

Brooke has spent over 14 years in the education sector. Prior to joining St. Mary’s, she was the Volunteer Resource Manager for the North East Independent School District and The North East Educational Foundation serving 60,000 students and their families.

Brooke believes building meaningful relationships with alumni is important to the University and its increasingly diverse student body. She looks forward to engaging alumni and providing tangible benefits to alumni, the University and current students.

Brooke grew up in San Antonio, she is married to her husband Robert. In her free time, she likes to cheer on the Roadrunners, pick up a good book or be out in nature with her 4 rescue dogs.