Born November 15, 1961 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Michelle passed away April 25, 2014, in Dallas, Texas from complications of a sudden illness. Michelle lived life to the fullest and will be dearly missed by her family, close friends, colleagues in the legal community, and the many people whose lives she touched.
Michelle is survived by the true joys of her life, her loving husband of 26 years, Luis R. Atiles, M.D., and their two daughters, Amelia Nicole and Elena Marie. She is also survived by her brothers Robert A. Mendez Jr. and wife Donna Jean (Clarksburg, WV), Richard D. Mendez and wife Janet (Mount Clare, WV), sisters Diane Schlegel and husband Don (Orlando, FL), and Marie Mendez and husband David Herman (Vine Grove, KY).
She is preceded in death by her mother, Eulaene K. Mendez, her father, Robert A. Mendez, Sr., and a brother, David A. Mendez.
Michelle had a true passion for life. She was a devoted wife and mother and was dedicated to her many charities, including, among others, St. Monica Catholic School, North Dallas Shared Ministries, Sammons Center for the Arts, and Ursuline Academy. Of the numerous activities at St. Monica to which Michelle devoted her energies, she is perhaps best known for her love, and leadership, of the PTO Autumnfest.
For more than 25 years, Michelle practiced law as a commercial bankruptcy and litigation attorney, most recently as a partner with Conley, Rosenberg, Mendez & Brenneise, LLP. Michelle was the 2013-2014 chair of the State Bar of Texas Bankruptcy Section. She also has chaired the Research Fellows of the Center for American and International Law and is a long-standing member of the President’s Research Council of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She was a Dallas Bar Foundation Fellow and recipient of the Robert B. Wilson Distinguished Service Award from the State Bar of Texas Bankruptcy Law Section and an American Inns of Court, John C. Ford Inn, Master.
During her distinguished legal career Michelle was an active participant in numerous professional associations, including:
American Bankruptcy Association; State Bar of Texas, Bankruptcy Law Section, Chair and Treasurer; Dallas Bar Association, Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section, Chair; Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts; Turnaround Management Association; International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation; Women’s Finance Exchange; and, The Center for American and International Research Fellow and Chair.
Prior to becoming a partner at Conley, Rosenberg, Mendez & Brenneise, LLP., Michelle practiced law in the Dallas offices of Hunton & Williams LLP, Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C., Greenberg Traurig, and as a partner with Bell Nunnally &Martin LLP. She joined Hutcheson & Grundy LLP as an associate upon graduation from The George Washington University Law School.
Michelle attended Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan and graduated magna cum laude as a Mary Katharine Babb Randolph Memorial Scholar from The University of Charleston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Michelle A. Mendez St. Monica School Scholarship Fund, 9933 Midway Road, Dallas, Texas, 75220.
Please join the family for a Toast & Tribute to Michelle, 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2014, Pavilion West at the Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave. Dallas, Texas 75201.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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