Announcements 2008
2008 LEGAL DEPT. EMPLOYEE AWARDS
2008 Edward A. Cazares Award Winner
Martin Buzak -- Each year the Legal Department awards an attorney with five years experience or less the Edward A. Cazares Award for excellence in professionalism and municipal law. The Legal Department is proud to announce that the winner for 2008 is Martin Buzak.
Martin Buzak graduated from the University of California, Davis, B.A., English, 1997, and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., in 2004. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2005.
Martin previously worked for the City of Houston Legal Department’s General Counsel Division from 2000 to 2001. He rejoined the Legal Department in 2005 and is currently practicing as an Assistant City Attorney in the Contracts Division with an emphasis on procurements for the General Services and Public Works and Engineering Departments.
2008 Outstanding Attorney Award Winner
Robert Johnson -- Each year the Legal Department awards an attorney the Outstanding Attorney Award for performance above and beyond. The Legal Department is proud to announce that the winner for 2008 is Robert Johnson.
Robert R. Johnson graduated from the University of Texas, B.A. Economics, in 1974, from North Texas State University, M.S. Economics, in 1975 and from the South Texas College of Law, J.D. in 1991. He was a member of South Texas Law Review (1990), and Associate Editor, Corporate Counsel Review (1991). He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1992. He is Board Certified – Commercial Real Estate Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, and the real estate sections of the Houston Bar Association and State Bar of Texas. Mr. Johnson joined the City of Houston Legal Department in 1992 and is currently practicing as a Senior Assistant City Attorney in the Real Estate Division.
Mr. Johnson handles general real estate matters, including land purchase and sale agreements, easements, rights-of-entry, leases, encroachment permits, resolution of title issues, and special projects. His principal client is the Houston Airport System.
2008 Outstanding Paralegal Award Winner
Kimberly Rose -- Each year the Legal Department awards a paralegal the Outstanding Paralegal Award for performance above and beyond.
The Legal Department is proud to announce that the winner for 2008 is Kimberly Rose.
Kimberly J. Rose graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, 2000.
She received her paralegal certification from the Center for Advanced Legal Studies in 2004.
Ms. Rose joined the City of Houston Legal Department in 2005 and is currently a Paralegal in the Defense Litigation Division.
2008 Outstanding Staff Member Award Winner
Bonnie Ashcroft -- Each year the Legal Department awards a staff member the Outstanding Staff Member Award for performance above and beyond. The Legal Department is proud to announce that the winner for 2008 is Bonnie Ashcroft.
Bonnette “Bonnie” Ashcroft graduated from Jackson State University, B.S. Business Finance in 1978. Prior to joining the City of Houston Legal Department, she worked several years in the Accounting Department as a Systems Analyst for Century 21 Headquarters located in Irving, California and Irvine, Texas. She joined the Legal Department in 1990 and is currently working as an Administrative Assistant in the Neighborhood Services Division.