Thomas W George

Lawyer, JD, LL.M and Bioethicist, PH.D

Resume

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment History (Selected Professional and Academic Examples)

Thomas George, P.C. A Professional Corporation for the Practice of Law, Austin, Texas. Thomas George has been engaged in the private practice of trial law with emphasis in his Board Certified Specialty, Civil Trial Law: 1973 to the present time.

Appointed regular member of the Seton Family of Hospitals Institutional Review Board (IRB). 2010 – present.

Appointed to the St. David’s Medical Center Bioethics Committee. 2010 – present.

Appointed to the Seton Southwest Hospital Ethics Committee, 2010 – present.

Appointed Adjunct Professor, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin, Texas. 2010 – present.

General Counsel, Texas Life Science Foundation, Austin, Texas. 2008—Present

Associate Professor,  Graduate School of Management and Business, St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas – present

Adjunct Professor, Institute of the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), teaching Medical Jurisprudence to medical students, 2000-2004.

Adjunct Professor; University of Texas School of Law, Health Law, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 1999-2000.

Adjunct Professor, McComb’s School of Business, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 2001-2002.

Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Management, St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, 1995- Present

Adjunct Professor: Graduate School Masters of Arts in Human Services, St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, 1995-Present.

Adjunct Professor: Undergraduate School of Business and Graduate School of Management; St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas 1990-1994.

Adjunct Professor, School of Journalism, College of Communications, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 1991-1992

Legal Advisor: Office of Health Communications, School of Journalism, College of Communications, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 1989-1991

Adjunct Faculty-Paralegal Program-Austin Community College, Austin, Texas 1989-1991

General Counsel & Director of Legislation: National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Washington, D.C. –1970-1973

Instructor: Western Maryland College, Graduate School of Education, College Park, Silver Springs extension, Maryland -1970

Assistant Professor: Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania – 1964-1966

Community Service: Selected Examples

Appointed regular member of the Seton Family of Hospitals Institutional Review Board (IRB), 2010 to present time.

Appointed regular member of the St. David’s Hospital Ethics Committee, 2010 to the present time.

Appointd regualr member of the Seton Southwest Hospital Ethics Committee, 2010 – present.

General Counsel, Texas Life Science Foundation, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that acts in conjunction with the Texas Clinical Trial Network (TCTN), and the Texas Foundation for Bioscience Education, Inc.

The Mission of the Texas Life Science Foundation is to:

“Promote a greater understanding of the Texas bioscience community, which includes medical, agricultural, and environmental sciences, through education, and the exploration of new approaches to technology research, development, and commercialization in the State of Texas.”

The Mission of the Texas Clinical Trial Network is to:

“Extend and accelerate the success of clinical research and advanced medical technologies in Texas to prevent and control cancer and other life threatening diseases.”

The Mission of the Texas Foundation for Bioscience Education, Inc. is:

“To promote, facilitate, assist and encourage universities an industries to design educational programs to provide interdisciplinary training for students in bioscience,” and “To work with the public and private sector to create programs to facilitate the transfer of bioscience technologies to academia, urban populations, and the private sector.”

Serves as Chairman of the Bioethics Committee of the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute (THBI). THBI is a consortium of the major universities, research centers, and commercial pharmaceutical companies in the state of Texas, a Membership List is enclosed which includes, for example, U. T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, the Health Industry Council of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Region, Pfizer, Inc., Texas A & M University System, University of Texas System, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. 1999-2009.

Served as an adjunct intern member on the Seton Hospital Ethics Committee, 2007-2008.

Award of Commendation for Outstanding Service on the State Bar of Texas Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee (MCLE) Committee, Two Terms, June 1, 1998 – May 31, 2004.

Moot Court Judge, Finals of the Appellate Arguments and International Moot Court Competition, University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas. 1980s – 2000.

Moot Court Judge: Texas Trial Lawyer’s Association Moot Court State Competition, Austin, Texas 2000.

Served intermittently as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Westlake Oaks Homeowners Association, Austin, Texas. 1980 – 2000.

Served as Delegate to the Travis County Southwest Associations Council, 1985.

Served as a Member: Board of Directors, Westgate Building, Commercial and Residential Properties, Austin, Texas, 1985-1989.

Appointed Mediator, United States District Court, Western District of Texas & Travis County Trial Courts. 1985-2000.

Served on the Board of Directors of a Texas State Bank-1970s & 1980s.

Elected and served on the Vestry and Finance Committees of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church & Steering Committee for construction of a new Church, now completed, 360 Capitol of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas. 1985-2005

Served on the President’s Council, and as Board Member, American University Washington College of Law Development Fund

Served on the State Bar of Texas Volunteer Legal Services Program-Pro Bono Legal Services to the Needy, last 25 Years.

Contributed annually to numerous charities: some examples include children’s health care and cancer treatment, M. D. Anderson Cancer Research Center, Doctors Without Borders, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, Boy’s Town, Westlake Hills Officer’s Memorial Fund, and various native Indian Schools. 1980-2009.

Founder: Civil Justice Foundation, The Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism, State of Texas 1975

Served as Municipal Judge, Rollingwood, Austin, Texas.1973-1977.

Served as Police Commissioner, Rollingwood, Austin, Texas, 1973-1977.

Elected Member of City Council, Rollingwood, Austin, Texas, 1973-1977.

Served on the Rollingwood Texas Municipal Committees: Buildings, Streets, and Fire Protection. {Created and organized, together with Mayor Shaw, the Police Force, and Fire Department; purchased police cars, fire trucks, police uniforms, and communication equipment.), 1973-1977.

Publications

George, Thomas. Doctor of Philosophy ( Ph.D.) Dissertation: “The Reasonable Exercise of Responsibility: Legal Liability of Institutional Review Boards.” University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 2009.

George, Thomas. “Why the U.S. Is Still Searching for a Policy on Cloning.” Review of Crafting a Cloning Policy: From Dolly to Stem Cells, by Andrea L Bonnicksen. Medical Humanities Review 17, no. 1 (Spring 2003): 88-94.

George, Thomas. “Genetic Fingerprinting: Science, Law and Ethical Standards.” American College of Legal Medicine, 1997

George, Thomas, and Terri Lee Jones. ”Private Matters: Will Electronic Medical Records Doom Confidentiality?” Texas Medicine, May 1996

George, Thomas. Post Doctorate Master of Laws (LL.M.) Research Thesis: “Psychiatric Malpractice,” University of Houston Law Center, Health Law and Policy Center, Houston, Texas 1995.

George, Thomas. “The University, the Law and Donated Transponder Time: A Survey of Legal and Regulatory Constraints,” University of Texas Scholar’s Project, February 1990.

George, Thomas, and Demetri Vacalis. Legal Issues, AIDS, and the Practicing Physician, Texas Medicine, 1990.

George, Thomas, and Demetri Vacalis. The Role of Law and Public Policy in Preventing HIV Infection in the Black Community Law: University of Texas College of Communications-“The Texas Plan for the Prevention of HIV Infection, May 1989. May, 1989.

George, Thomas. “The Principal and Collective Negotiations,” Chapter in The School Principal and the Law, Ralph D. Stern, Editor in Chief, National Organization on Legal Problem of Education, W. H. Anderson company, 1978.

George, Thomas. “ Search of Premises and Property,” Chapter in Law of Guidance and Counseling, W. H. Anderson Company, 197 8

George, Thomas. “Law and the School Principal,” Chapter in Law and the School Principal, 2nd Edition, W. H. Anderson, 1975

George, Thomas. “Upheaval in School Law,” Bulletin of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Vol. 57, No. 373, May 1973.

George, Thomas. A Legal Memorandum: The National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1970-1973: A monthly memorandum to thirty-five thousand (35,000) school administrators. Selected Topics and Issues included:

Search and Seizure: Right to Privacy

The Confidentiality of Pupil School Records

The Legal Status of the Principal

Smoking in the Public Schools

Student Marriage and Pregnancy

Student Publications

George, Thomas. “Students and the Law,” Highlights: Student Life Highlights. The National Association of Student Councils and National Honor Societies of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Washington, D.C. 1970-1973. Selected Topics include:

Privacy: Search and Seizure

Discrimination and Equal Protection

National Education Association (NEA) Statement on Student Rights and Responsibilities

Suspended Long Haired Student Cases and Analysis

Age of Majority

Student Council Candidate’s Disqualification Criteria

George, Thomas and Robert Ackerly. ABA Position Paper on Rights and Responsibilities of Secondary School Students, 1972.

George, Thomas. “The Law and Public School Records: Issues and Views;” Bulletin of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Vol. 56, No. 365, September 1972.

George, Thomas and Paul W. Hersey. Management Crisis: A Solution, The National Association of Secondary School Principals, Washington, D.C. 1971 Library of Congress Catalogue Card No. 73-181063

George, Thomas. “The Displacement and Present Status of Black Principals in Desegregated School Districts,” Part 10, Hearings Before the Select Committee on Equal Education Opportunity, United States Senate, 92nd Congress, Washington, D.C., June 14, 1971.

.George, Thomas. Book Review: Journal of Law & Education, Vol. 1, No. 3, July 1972 The Law of Associations: An Operating Legal Manual for Executives and Counsel, By George B. Webster, Washington, D. C. American Society of Association Executives. Jefferson Law Book Company, Washington, D.C. 1971.

George, Thomas.” The Confidentiality of Pupil School Records.” National Association of Secondary School Principals, Washington, D. C. 1971.

George, Thomas. Master of Science( M.S.) Research Thesis: “The Comparative Effects of Five Androgens on Tissue and Behavioral End Points of the Albino Rat,” University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 1964. (Sponsored and supported in part by the Upjohn C).

George, Thomas. Prepared and presented hundreds of pleadings, motions, and legal briefs before trial and appellate courts; argued many cases before judges, juries, and appellate tribunals. The trial courts include those throughout the State of Texas and several other states. The appellate tribunals include: Texas Civil and Criminal Courts. Texas State Supreme Court: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; Northern, Western and Southern District Federal Courts; the United States Supreme Court (Writ of Certiorari) Several judicial opinions resulting from appellate briefs and arguments have been published in hard bound legal references texts such as the South Western Reporter, the Federal Reporter, and the Fifth Circuit Reporter.

Presentations; Selected Speaking and Panel Appointments.

 

Principal Presenter: ” The Reasonable Excercise of Responsibility in Human Research: Legal and Ethical Issues Relating to Institutional Reveiw Boards (IRBs),” The University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin, Texas 2011.

Principal Presenter: Human Research: Law, Ethics and Legal Liability in the United State.” St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, accredited  by the Texas Medical Association to provide continuing education to physicians, Austin, Texas 2012.

Participant: Texas Biosimilars Roundtable Discussion, sponored by the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Medical Association Auditoriuim, Austin, Texas 2010.

Presenter: “Texas Disciplinary Rules, Rule 502: Attorney-Client Privilege: Duty to Disclose Privileged Material; Department of Justice Memorandum; Contraband funds: Receipt of Stolen Property. Federal Rule 24 Fed. Prac. & Proc. Evid. § 5484.” Robert W. Calvert American Inns of Court, Headliner’s Club, Austin, Texas December 8, 2008.

Guest Lecturer: Ethics and Regulation of Clinical Research MEHU / 6310 -Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, together with Professor Harold Y. Vanderpool, November 18, 2008.

Principal Presenter: “The Reasonable Exercise of Responsibility: Legal Liability of Institutional Review Boards.” Student Research Colloquium, Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Open Gates, Galveston, Texas March 6, 2008

 

Testifying Expert Witness: “A Public Understanding of the Ethics of Stem Cell Research” in behalf of the Texas Healthcare and BioScience Institute before the State Affairs Committee, Texas State House of Representatives, Committee on State Affairs, Austin, Texas, April 12, 2007.

Principal Presenter: “Of Laboratories and Legislation: Science, Public Policy, and National Security.” “Stem Cell Science: Navigating the Intersection of Research, Politics, and Ethics.” Science Undergraduate Research Fair, University of Texas at Austin, February 3, 2006.

 

Principal Presenter: “Challenges and Trends in BioSciences: Moral and Ethical Issues.” BIO TEXAS SUMMIT 05, Linking Science, Industry, and Government for Healthier Lives Austin, Hosted by the Texas Healthcare and BioScience Institute, Central Texas Institute and UTMB, Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin, Hotel, Austin, Texas, June 7-8, 2005.

Featured Speaker and Panel Member: “Ethical Issues of Stem Cell Research: Medical Miracle? Or Medical Murder? University of Texas Student Science Research Conference, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, November 12, 2004. Featured Speaker & Panel Member

Featured Speaker and Panel Member: “On Public Understanding of the Ethics of Stem Cell Research: Ethical Considerations,” LBJ School of Public Affairs: Center for Health and Social Policy, University of Texas, Austin, Texas. President’s Council: Research America, November 17, 2003. Featured Speaker and Panel Member.

 

Visiting Lecturer: “Legal & Ethical Issues in Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” Houston Health Law and Policy Institute, University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas. Visiting Lecturer, 2003.

 

Panel Member: “Biotech Fraud: Fantasy or Reality,” Houston Health Law & Policy Institute, University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas. February 26, 2002. Panel Member

Speaker and Panel Member: “Genetically Modified Foods: Ethical and Research Considerations: Austin At Issue: KLRU Television, Austin, Texas. October 2002. Speaker and Panel Member.

Speaker and Panel Member: “Law, Ethics & Health Policy: Cloning and Stem Cell Research;” Houston Health Law & Policy Institute, Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas. July 22, 2002. Contributed as a Speaker and a Panel discussion Member.

Speaker and Panel Member: “Review of Litigation’s Medical and Health Care Litigation Symposium;” University of Texas Law School, March 2, 2001. Speaker and Panel Member

Testifying Witness: “The Displacement and Present Status of Black Principals in Desegregated School Districts,” Part 10, Hearings Before the Select Committee on Equal Education Opportunity, United States Senate, 92nd Congress, Washington, D.C., June 14, 1971.

Principal Presenter: “The University, the Law, and Donated Transponder Time: A Survey of Legal and Regulatory considerations” University of Texas Scholars’ Project, February 1990.

Principal Presenter: “Genetic Fingerprinting: Science, Law, and an Ethical Standard.” American College Of Legal Medicine, 37th Annual Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, March 6-8, 1997. Featured ( main) Speaker & Panel Member

Principal Presenter: “Confidentiality of Medical Records”; Medical Educational Services, Inc. Professional Development Network, Waukesho, Wisconsin: Drafted and presented extensive written materials; December 10, 1998, Red Lion Hotel; Austin, Texas.

Principal Presenter: “Confidentiality of Medical Records”; Medical Educational Services, Inc. Professional Development Network, Waukesho, Wisconsin: Drafted and presented extensive written materials; December 10, 1998, Red Lion Hotel; Austin, Texas

Principal Presenter: “AIDS/HIV Patient Records: Recent Legislative and Judicial Developments” Prepared extensive written materials. Medical Education Services, Inc. December 10, 1998; Red Lion Hotel, Austin, Texas.

Principal Presenter: School Law: Student Records; Seminar presentation: School Law Seminar, May 2, 1997, Radisson Hotel, Dallas, Texas.

Principal Presenter: Evidence at Trial: Making Your Case: MCLE State Bar of Texas Approved Continuing Legal Education October 28, 1994, Austin, Texas.

Featured Speaker: “Legal Aspects-An Evolving Process,” Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, May 1990.

As legal counsel and Director of Legislation for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Washington, D.C., he conducted many legal seminars and lectures in more than fifteen states for state administrators, associations and high school personnel that included teachers, supervisors, principals, superintendents and school board members. I also served as a principal presenter to several national conferences including: North Central Association for Colleges and Secondary Schools and the American Association of School Administrators

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Professional Memberships: 1970 – 2009

Bar of the State of Texas

Board Certified-Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Section on Civil Litigation

Section on Health Law

Bar of the State of Virginia

Bar of the District of Columbia

The American Bar Association

Section on Litigation; Commercial and Banking Litigation; Trial Practice

Federal Bar Associations: Western, Southern & Northern Divisions

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Texas Trial Lawyers Association (1985-1995)

Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1985-1995)

American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics

American Society of Legal Medicine

Austin Bar Association

College of the State Bar of Texas

Travis County Bar Association

Capital Area Trial Lawyer’s Association

American Arbitration Association (1985-1997)

The Texas Center for Legal Ethics & Professionalism

Original Research

 

Original Research into the history, laws, ethical codes and policies of Human Research and Institutional Review Boards in partial fulfillment of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas—.2007-2009; Ph.D. awarded May, 2009.

Original Research into the laws, statutes, and behavioral history of Psychiatric Malpractice in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a post – doctoral Masters of Laws (LL.M.) degree, Houston Health Law and Policy Institute, Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas. 1994-1995.

Original Research into the present Biological status of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, in support of presentations, publications and expert testimony 2004-2008.

Original Research into the behavioral causes and prevention of HIV infection in the Black Community, University of Texas College of Communication Issues of Law and Public Policy, University of Texas, 1989.

Original Research into the status of the Black Secondary School Principal for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for Hearings before the Select Committee of Equal Educational Opportunity. United States Senate: Displacement and Present Status of Black School Principals in Desegregated School Districts-Washington, D.C. 1970-1971.

Original Prison Research into the causes and determinants of convict recidivism; associated with the Attica New York Prison riots. 1971.

Original Research into the Effects of Androgens and Other Chemically Based Behavioral Determinants: for Master’s Thesis (M.S. Degree), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming. 1964.

Awards and Recognition. (Selected Examples)

 

Member: The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Thomas W. George, P.C. is AV Rated (highest rating professionally and ethically) and among the Top 5% nationwide of all law firms. He is recognized among those selected as a Preeminent Lawyer by the internationally recognized evaluation firm of Martindale Hubbell. 1985 to the present.

Letters of recognition and commendation from St. Edward’s University President George E. Martin for excellence in teaching and support of St. Edward’s University.

St. Edward’s University MBA Program Outstanding Teaching Award, 2000.

Commendation from the Dean of the University of Texas School of Law for excellence in teaching., 1999 – 2000.

Commendation from Chair of the University of Texas McCombs School of Business for excellence in teaching, 2001.

Commendations from the Dean of the St. Edward’s Graduate School of Management for excellence in teaching.

Commendations from the Dean of the St. Edward’s University Master’s of Art in Counseling (MAC) for excellence in teaching.

Commendation from the Chair of the Department for Human Services, Negotiation Theory and Practice, for excellence in teaching.

Inducted into the American Inns of Court, Robert A. Calvert, Austin Texas Division; a National Legal Honorary Society as Master of the Bench, highest level of accomplishment, 2008:

The Mission of the American Inns of Court:

“Currently there are more than 350 Inns throughout the United States, each dedicated to enhancing ethics, professionalism and civility within the legal profession. The American Inns of Court is a legal mentoring organization and is rooted in the noble 800-year-old tradition of the Inns of Court in England. The Inns have provided judges, lawyers, and law students an opportunity to participate actively in developing a deeper sense of professionalism, achieving higher levels of excellence and furthering the practice of law with dignity and integrity. The goal of the American Inns of Court is to raise the standard of the legal profession. Outside the courtroom and normal training, veteran seasoned professionals can share their wisdom and insight with less experienced practitioners, individually or in small groups. — Focused on the development of skills, Inn programs provide creative, practical, interactive instruction in all areas of legal practice. — A member of the American Inns of Court will join with local judges and lawyers dedicated to restoring the nobility and ideals of the legal profession—.”

Featured in St. Edward’s University News, Winter, 1997- “Living the Mission”

Featured in Definition – St. Edward’s University 2007-2008 President’s Report

INSPIRE: and quoted with regard to his dedication to the Mission of St. Edwards:

 

Special letter of Commendation from the Dean, Graduate School of Master of Arts in Human Services for excellence in teaching and support of the St. Edwards Mission.

Special letter of Commendation from the Advising Specialist, Center for Academic Progress, St. Edward’s University, for excellence in teaching and support of the St. Edward’s Mission.

Several letters and expressions of gratitude from Alumni of St. Edwards who have graduated and gained significant positions in business, professions and academia; for example a recent example letter from student in the Master of Arts Counseling Program:

Received numerous Plaques and Commemorative Citations from clients and associations over the years: e.g., State Bar of Texas Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee, and American Arbitration Association, and charitable missions and foundations.