Page 15 - The American Lawyer Trailblazers - South 2022

Texas

Kevin Lewis

Sidley Austin

What was the genesis of the idea/path that has made you a trailblazer?
I’ve worked in the aviation industry for decades, helping clients manage some of the most challenging crises in
the industry’s history from 9/11, to the 2008/2009 recession, to the recent COVID-19 crisis. My team and I often
work on innovative, “blue sky” never-been-done-before ideas, so the projects are never boring. Right now, we are
working with the airline industry as it spearheads the transportation industry’s move into carbon neutral travel.
What sort of change has resulted from the concept?
The pandemic was devastating to the airline industry, but we were able to address our clients’ urgent liquidity
needs by raising more than $10 billion in debt and equity capital in eight different capital markets offerings.
We were also able to help clients stem some of the heavy economic losses by revamping crucial aspects of their
business such as renegotiating global alliances that were impacted by disrupted international travel patterns and
monetizing loyalty program value.
As the airline industry begins to recover, the focus is squarely on a greener future. We’ve handled many cutting-
edge, multibillion dollar, sustainable aviation transactions over the past few years, including United Airlines’ pur-
chase arrangements for the world’s first net-zero carbon supersonic aircraft and for the largest sustainable fuel
order in aviation history. We’ve also led high-profile deals for several airlines to acquire electric vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft for use as quick, economical and low-carbon “air taxis” in urban markets.
What bearing will this have on the future?
I’ve been through many airline industry transformations throughout my career but nothing is as exciting as defin-
ing what sustainable aviation is going to look like over the next five to 10 years. Whatever issues and innovations
lie ahead for our aviation clients, we’ll be front-and-center helping them lead the way.

Derek R. McDonald and Maddy Dwertman

Baker Botts

What was the genesis of the idea/path that has made you a trailblazer?
Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals continue to face startling levels of discrimination and
violence. For several years, we have provided individual representation to TGNC individuals in civil and immigra-
tion matters. When our LGBTQ affinity group renewed its pro bono commitment in 2018, we vowed to focus our
efforts on the protection and expansion of trans rights more broadly.
What sort of change has resulted from the concept?
Since 2018, we have partnered with Lambda Legal (and others) on four impact litigation cases. Two of these cases
challenge state laws that bar or impermissibly burden the right of trans people to correct the gender marker on
their birth certificates. The remaining two challenge unlawful gubernatorial and state agency action involving
the investigation and prosecution of gender-affirming medical care to trans adolescents in the State of Texas as
child abuse. In June, a federal district court in North Carolina issued a consent judgment in one of these cases.
Transgender people born in North Carolina can now correct the gender marker on their birth certificates without
the need for surgery. Although the other cases remain pending, we have secured temporary injunctive relief for
multiple clients in the Texas litigation.

What bearing will this have on the future?
In the last few years, we’ve seen a surge in anti-trans legislation. The escalating political battle over trans rights
has had—and will continue to have—a devastating impact on TGNC communities, especially trans youth. Along
with our partners, we will continue to fight laws and other state actions that threaten and erode the rights of TGNC
people. To this end, our firm recently launched its Pride in Action initiative, which formalizes and further expands
our LGBTQ+ pro bono practice.

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