Join AYLA at the federal courthouse to hear tips from former federal clerks. 

Date: Oct. 29, 2024

Time: 12 - 1 p.m.

Location: Federal Courthouse - 501 W. 5th St. Jury Assembly Room

Register here.

AYLA Federal Law Clerk CLE Panelist Biographies 

Madison George Dornak

•             Madison George Dornak is a litigation associate with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in Austin, Texas. Madison received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. She went on to receive her J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2021. While at SMU, Madison served as a staff editor and the Air Law Symposium editor for the SMU Law Review Association. After law school, Madison clerked for Judge Scott Walker on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from 2021–2022 and for Judge David S. Morales of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas from 2022–2024.

Ruben Cardenas

•             Ruben Cardenas is a civil litigation associate practicing eminent domain matters at Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP in Austin, Texas. Originally from Del Rio, Texas, Ruben received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Texas. Ruben then went on to receive his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 2020. While attending UT Law, Ruben served as Vice President of the Chicano/Hispanic Law Students Association and served as Managing Editor of Notes and Articles for the Texas Hispanic Journal of Law & Policy. After law school, Ruben clerked for Chief Judge Alia Moses of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas from 2020–2022.

Nicole J. Thacker

•             Nicole J. Thacker is an associate practicing civil and commercial litigation at Germer, Beaman & Brown PLLC in Austin, Texas. Nicole graduated cum laude from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2022, where she competed for moot court team and served as a Senior Associate Editor in law review. During law school, Nicole interned for Justice Patricia O. Alvarez of Texas Fourth Court of Appeals and for Magistrate Judge Renee H. Toliver of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.  After law school, Nicole clerked for Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas from 2023-24.