Don R. Richards
Texas Tech School of Law

A former award-winning community journalist, Richards now practices law primarily in the areas of public utility law, media law and administrative law. He is board certified in administrative law by the Board of Legal Specialization, State Bar of Texas, and is an adjunct professor of Law at the Texas Tech School of Law, where he teaches the Texas Administrative Law course. In telecommunication and utility matters, Richards regularly represents more than 40 local exchange telephone companies and electric utility cooperatives before the Texas Legislature and the Public Utility Commission of Texas. He has served as general counsel to the Texas Exchange Carrier Association and currently is chairman of the Legal Committees of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association. He is a member of Electric Cooperative Bar Association and the Texas Telephone Association and past chairman of the Public Utility Section of the State Bar of Texas. He previously was on the Washington, D.C., staff of Congressman Kent Hance as administrative aide, serving as press secretary and handling legislative matters dealing in communication, military and foreign affairs. Richards graduated cum laude from Texas Tech School of Law in 1984 and was named to the Order of the Coif for finishing in the top 10 percent of the class.