While standing in the security line at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport to catch an early flight on Oct. 29, former state district Judge Levi Benton extended his hand and warmly greeted one of Texas’ greatest trial lawyers, John M. O’Quinn.

Benton could not have known it would be the last time he would see him. O’Quinn, 68, of Houston’s The O’Quinn Law Firm, died in a car accident later that morning.