12/23/2008

DA-elect Lykos Announces Leadership Team

District Attorney-elect Patricia Lykos

Dec. 23, 2008

Contact: 713-755-3320

Donna Hawkins or George Flynn

DA-elect Lykos Announces Experienced, Respected Leadership Team

Houston TX – Harris County District Attorney-elect Patricia Lykos today introduced a leadership team that brings extensive management and criminal justice system experience to her administration, which begins Jan.1. They have decades of success in all aspects of the justice system -- as prosecutors, defense attorneys, criminal court judges and law enforcement officers.

Lykos said the District Attorney’s Office is comprised of honorable and dedicated professionals who have performed their duties under difficult circumstances. She stated that the top-level supervisors, working together with the staff, are integral to restoring public trust and confidence in the Office and building it into the best in the nation.

“The unique perspective and experience they bring will be invaluable in fighting crime, protecting our community and ensuring justice,” Lykos said.

“These individuals are persons of integrity who will serve our citizens well,” the incoming District Attorney said. The new team includes:

Jim Leitner, First Assistant District Attorney

Leitner, board certified in criminal law, has three decades of legal experience. He has been a Harris County prosecutor, defense lawyer and appellate attorney. He has personally prosecuted and defended all of the major crimes the office will handle. Leitner has also served as the First Assistant DA in offices in Bell and Lampasas counties. Leitner has 26 years of duty with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, and was activated during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, before retiring with the rank of commander. He has twice served as Commanding Officer of Reserve units.

He will supervise overall daily operations for the 500-plus person office, working directly under District Attorney Lykos.

Roger Bridgwater, Chief of the Professional Development, Community Protection and Ethics Bureau

Prior to Bridgwater’s 2007 gubernatorial appointment as Judge of the 178th District Court, he was a respected trial attorney for 29 years. Bridgwater has served as both an assistant Harris County district attorney and criminal defense attorney. While attending South Texas College of Law, Bridgwater was employed as a Harris County criminal court trial clerk as well as a Harris County criminal district court coordinator.

All of that gives him a unique perspective to bring to the office.

A frequent continuing education speaker, Bridgwater is a past Chair of the Houston Bar Association’s Criminal Law and Procedure Section and currently serves as a trustee of Houston Baptist University and as chair of Houston’s First Baptist Church’s deacon body.

His areas of responsibilities include the 15-court DA’s Misdemeanor Division, and the Family Criminal Law and Crimes Against Children divisions. He will also oversee the newly created Mental Health and Protection of the Elderly sections.

Stephen S. Morris, Chief of the Governmental Integrity Bureau

Morris, board certified in criminal law, is a veteran of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Houston-based Southern District of Texas, where he served as interim U.S. Attorney in 1990. He specialized in Civil Rights Division investigations and prosecutions as both a state and federal prosecutor. While acting as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Morris supervised 109 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff. He will oversee the Public Integrity and Police Integrity divisions, the Grand Jury Division and liaison offices with local law enforcement agencies.

Hannah Chow, Chief of the Public Services and Infrastructure Bureau

Chow has more than 30 years of criminal law experience, serving as judge of County Criminal Court at Law No. 5 for 12 years. More recently, she has been a special assistant to Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee, supervising personnel, budgeting, and acting as a community liaison between the Commissioner and the people.

Chow is a past president of the Asian American Bar Association of Houston and has been on the board of the Texas Center for the Judiciary. She served on the Houston Regional Panel of the Punishment Standards Commission. As Chief of the Public Services and Infrastructure Bureau, she will supervise the DA’s Intake divisions, Public Information Office and Victim Rights Division.

John Barnhill, General Counsel

Barnhill has 11 years of service with the County Attorney’s Office of Harris County and has been First Assistant of that office for the past seven years. During his tenure, he was the lead general counsel for all county departments, assigned and supervised all major civil cases, and managed the day-to-day legal operations of the office.

He began his career as a prosecutor with the Limestone County Attorney’s Office and served 14 years as Goliad County Judge. As judge of Constitutional County Court, he presided over cases involving probate, misdemeanors, juvenile issues, mental health commitments and other matters.

He is a Vietnam veteran who served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Field Artillery. He graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law and has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Houston.

Barnhill will direct the DA’s Office of the General Counsel and the Appellate and Post Conviction Writs divisions.

Maria McAnulty, Chief of the Trial Bureau

McAnulty joined the D.A.’s Office in 1982. She specializes in cases involving major fraud, capital murder prosecution and public integrity. She recently served as Chief of the Special Crimes Bureau. She has been a law enforcement instructor for several police agencies and organizations, including the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Department academies.

She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and was an honors graduate from that school of law.

McAnulty will oversee the 22 felony state district courts of Harris County.

Donna Goode, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau, has been with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office throughout her 24-year career. That career has included service as Division Chief of Major Fraud and Organized Crime, Intake, and Public Integrity divisions.

She graduated from Trinity University with a B.A. in Psychology, and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Tulane. She attended the University Of Houston School Of Law.

Goode will supervise the Special Prosecution Bureau which includes Financial Crimes, Major Offender, and Check Fraud Divisions of the Office. This will include white-collar fraud prosecutions as well as criminal filings on complicated financial transaction frauds.

Don McWilliams, Chief Investigator for the District Attorney

McWilliams’ 30-year career with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office includes more than two decades of senior command experience. Most recently, he was Inspector General, where he supervised divisions which conducted administrative and criminal internal investigations. McWilliams also led policy reviews and compliance inspections for the sheriff.

The magna cum laude University of Houston graduate became the youngest sergeant, lieutenant and captain in Sheriff’s Office history. He is a former Texas State Guard officer, former pastor and ordained minister.

McWilliams will supervise the 69 District Attorney’s investigators.

Beverly Chambers, Executive Assistant to the District Attorney

Chambers has been Executive Assistant to the County Attorney of Harris County, overseeing administrative support, special projects and developing policies and procedures for that office.

She graduated with honors in the UT Health Science Center nursing program and has operated several successful businesses. She was Chief Operating Officer for the 1,200-employee Belmont Corp, managing day-to-day operations, program development and implementation, and supervising personnel.

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Last Updated: 1/2/2009