Over the years, three families have had a significant impact on the South Texas College of Law:

• The Hutcheson Family: J.C. Hutcheson, Jr.(1923-1931)/J. C. Hutcheson, III (1933-1935)

• The Townes Family: Edgar E. Townes (1923-1962) /Edgar E. Townes, Jr. (1956-1986) and J.C. Townes, Jr. (1933-1934)/Herman P. Pressler, Jr., (1928, 1936-1937, 1941-42)

• The Bell Family: Holland E. Bell (1923-1935, 1941-1948)/Spurgeon E. Bell (1933-1991)

The Hutcheson Family

J. C. Hutcheson, Jr. (1879-1973), was one of the school’s founders, and its first Dean, 1923-1931. Hutcheson graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1900, and was Federal District Court Judge for the Southern District of Texas, 1918-1931, and then was appointed Federal Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit in 1931, eventually rising to Chief Judge, 1948-1959. He served on the bench of the 5th Circuit until 1964.

J.C. Hutcheson, III (1907-1997), the son of J.C. Hutcheson, Jr., graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1931, and practiced law with the Houston firm of Baker Botts for 60 years, 1931-1991. He was an Instructor at South Texas 1933-1935.

The Townes Family

Edgar E. Townes (1878-1962), was one of the founders of the school, served on the Board of Trustees, 1923-1934, and was its third Dean, 1934-1960. He then served as Dean Emeritus from 1960-1962. He was the son of John Charles Townes, long-time Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law, who spoke at the opening ceremonies of South Texas School of Law in 1923.

Townes graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1902 and specialized in oil and gas law, drafting the original charter for the Humble Oil and Refining Company in 1917. He worked for Humble until 1943, rising to the position of General Counsel, Vice-President and Director. In 1943 he retired from Humble, and commenced the practice of law with his son Edgar E. Townes, Jr., and his brother John C. Townes, Jr., in the Houston firm of Townes and Townes. He actively participated in the running of the firm until his death in 1962.

Edgar E. Townes, Jr. (1906-1991), was on the Board of Trustees of South Texas from 1956-1986, serving as Secretary, 1966-1983, and Chairman, 1983-1986. He also lectured for ten years in the school's Annual Oil and Gas Lecture series, which was open to both students and local attorneys, and was a forerunner of today's numerous Continuing Legal Education classes.

Edgar Townes, Jr. graduated with a Bachelors degree from the University of Texas in 1927, attended Harvard Law School, 1927-1928, and passed the Texas bar exam in 1930. He practiced law with his uncle John C. Townes, Jr., 1930-1931, then with the Houston firm of Vinson and Elkins from 1931-1947, when he left to join his father and uncle in the firm of Townes and Townes, where he practiced until his death.

John C. Townes, Jr. (1886-1948), was the brother of Edgar Townes, Sr., and was a Special Lecturer at South Texas during 1933-1934.

Townes graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1909, and from 1909 to 1919, he practiced law with Baker Botts, and then joined the law department of Humble Oil and Refining Company as head of their trial department, 1919-1929. Townes then entered private practice, and became known as a leading attorney in Houston on land litigation. Townes was President of the Texas Bar Association in 1933.

Herman P. Pressler, Jr. (1902-1995), was the son-in-law of Edgar E. Townes, Sr., and the brother-in-law of Edgar E. Townes, Jr., being married to Edgar Jr.'s sister Elsie Townes. He was an Instructor at South Texas in 1928-1937, and a Special Lecturer, 1941-42.

He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1925, and from then until 1933, he was engaged in the general practice of law in Houston. In 1933 he joined the law department of Humble Oil and Refining Company, and served there until 1967, eventually becoming Vice-President. From 1967 until his death he practiced law in Houston.

The Bell Family

Holland E. Bell (1876-1949), served as an Instructor at South Texas from 1923-1935, and as a Special Lecturer from 1941-1948.

Bell graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1907, and served as County Attorney and County Judge of Coryell County, then served one term in the Texas Legislature in 1923. From 1924-1927 he was chief supervisor of the oil and gas division of the Texas Railroad Commission, and then served as an attorney for Moutray Oil Company in Abilene.

From 1929-1941, he worked for Humble Oil and Refining Company, most of the time as chief supervisor of the oil and gas division. Thereafter he returned to the private practice of law with his son Spurgeon Bell and W. E. Dyche until his death in 1949.

Spurgeon E. Bell (1908-1996), South Texas' most beloved professor, taught as an Instructor, Special Lecturer or Adjunct Professor from 1933-1972, and as a Professor, 1973-1991. His first teaching stint at South Texas in 1933 was to fill in for his father Holland E. Bell. He also served as Chairman of the South Texas Board of Trustees from 1961-1973.

He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1933, and practiced law for several years with his father's firm of Bell, Dyche & Bell. He was also Asst. Harris County District Attorney, 1937-1938; First Asst. City Attorney, City of Houston, 1939-1940; State's Attorney, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 1941-1943, and Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, 1944-1945.

He was Judge of the 125th District Court in Harris County from 1953-1957. From 1957-1973, he was Associate then Chief Justice of the Texas First Court of Appeals.