2017 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale dedicated to Verne F. Knickerbocker
By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2017
Legendary Attorney Verne F. Knickerbocker was honored at the 2017 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale (MCJLS) held during January 20-28, 2017 in Eagle Pass, Texas by having this year’s show dedicated to him in honor of his extraordinary contributions and support to the local show and the youth of Maverick County since 1970 to the present.
On Saturday, January 28, 2017, the 2017 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale Board of Directors held a dedication ceremony of this year’s show in honor of Maverick County and Texas famed attorney, Verne F. Knickerbocker, to open the Sale of the show animals. MCJLS Board President Tim Hardt presented a beautiful plaque honoring Verne F. Knickerbocker for his outstanding and excellent support of the youth and show since 1970 to members of the Knickerbocker, Heredia, Jasso & Salinas law firm, including Claudio Heredia, Rolando Jasso, Marco Salinas, Rolando Salinas, and Ana Sophia Berain. Knickerbocker was unable to personally attend the ceremony due to an illness.
Knickerbocker first came to Eagle Pass to attend a Court hearing for a local business family in 1969. He liked Eagle Pass so much on that 1969 trip that he decided to relocate from Midland, Texas to Eagle Pass in 1970 and opened his law office at the former Eagle Hotel in downtown Main Street. He eventually purchased the building in front of the Eagle Hotel and grew his law firm to add Jerald Abrams and Sid Cowan, becoming Knickerbocker, Abrams, & Cowan Law Firm.
Knickerbocker immediately became active with the community such as the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale. Often making generous donations and participating in the Sale among its Top 10 Buyers annually, a tradition which continues today. He also instilled upon other local law firms and attorneys to annually participate and support the MCJLS Sale, which continues until today.
Knickerbocker has provided many local and out of town young attorneys an opportunity to practice law with his law firm, including, but not limited to, Claudio Heredia, Rolando Jasso, Joaquin L. Rodriguez, Cynthia Muniz, Earl Herring, Jose “Joe” Ruiz, Felipe Hernandez, Marco Salinas, Rolando Salinas, and Ana Sophia Berain.
Knickerbocker was born on September 1, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Knox, Indiana and attended high school in both Chicago, Illinois and Knox, Indiana. In 1945, he joined the United States Navy and served in World War II. Upon returning from military service, Knickerbocker attended DePauw University where he received a Bachelor of Art degree in 1953. He later attended the University of Texas School of Law and received his Bachelor of Law degree in 1954. He was licensed as an attorney in Texas in 1953 by the Texas Supreme Court. He was also admitted to practice law in the United States Western District of Texas in 1965.
Knickerbocker moved to Midland, Texas where he opened his first Law Office as a sole practitioner. He later joined the Law Firm of John Watts. During 1955 to 1969, he was President of an oil company in Midland.
Knickerbocker won many jury trial verdicts in both civil and criminal defense cases during his illustrious career as an attorney in Maverick County and Texas. He believes in the truth and justice as well as representing his clients to the fullest under law. In addition to the MCJLS, Knickerbocker also generously contributed and supported many local non-profit organizations and represented indigent clients who could not afford an attorney.
