1. Gary W. Coker
Title: Principal
Law School: University of Texas at Austin, J.D., with honors, 1986
College: Lamar University, B.B.A., Finance, with highest honors, 1983
Admitted: University of Texas at Austin, J.D., with honors, 1986
Practice Area: Business Organizations and Transactions, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Creditors Rights / Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and Probate, Financial Institutions, Health Law, Mediation / Arbitration, Real Estate
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas , Jefferson County Bar Association , Texas Association of Bank Counsel , Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow , East Texas Bankruptcy Bar Association | Bar Fellowship: Texas Bar Foundation.

2. Christopher D. Leavins
Title: Principal
Law School: South Texas College of Law, Class of 2007, J.D.
College: Texas A & M University, B.S., Economics 2004
Admitted: South Texas College of Law, Class of 2007, J.D.
Practice Area: Business Organizations and Transactions, Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Creditors Rights / Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and Probate, Financial Institutions, Public Law and Financing, Real Estate
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Texas Bar Association , Jefferson County Bar Association , Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association , Texas City Attorneys Association

3. Ms. Christy Amuny
Title: Principal
Law School: Texas Tech University School of Law, Class of 1990, J.D.
College: University of Texas at Austin, Class of 1986, B.A.
Admitted: Texas Tech University School of Law, Class of 1990, J.D.
Practice Area: Civil Litigation, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Defense, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Torts, Toxic Torts / Chemical Exposure, Transportation and Trucking Litigation
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas, Member , Louisiana State Bar Association, Member , State Bar of Texas Board of Directors - District 3 Representative (2016 to present) , State Bar of Texas, Litigation Council - 2004 to present Secretary 2009-2010 Treasurer… Read more Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas, Member , Louisiana State Bar Association, Member , State Bar of Texas Board of Directors - District 3 Representative (2016 to present) , State Bar of Texas, Litigation Council - 2004 to present Secretary 2009-2010 Treasurer 2010-2011 Vice-Chair 2011-2012 Chair-Elect 2012-2013 Chair 2013-2014 Immediate Past Chair 2014-2015 Chair Emeritus 2016-present , Texas Association of Defense Counsel, District 2 Director (2007-2010) Programs Vice President (2010-2012) Secretary (2

4. J. Mitchell Smith
Title: Principal
Law School: Baylor University, Class of 1991, J.D.
College: University of Texas, Class of 1988, B.A.
Admitted: Baylor University, Class of 1991, J.D.
Practice Area: Appellate Law, Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Intellectual Property Law, Maritime Law, Personal Injury Defense, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Railroad / FELA / Transportation, Torts, Transportation and Trucking Litigation
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, American Board of Trial Advocates (Houston Chapter), International Association of Defense Counsel, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, State Bar of Texas, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal… Read more Professional Memberships and Affiliations, American Board of Trial Advocates (Houston Chapter), International Association of Defense Counsel, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, State Bar of Texas, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, Director, Jefferson County Bar Association: 2006-2008 2013-2014, Houston Bar Association, Board of Editors, Texas Bar Journal: 2008-2014, Editor, Jefferson County Bar Journal: 2006-2017,

5. Sonny E. Eckhart
Title: Associate
Law School: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2012
College: Texas A & M University, B.B.A., Business Management, 2009
Admitted: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2012
Practice Area:
Membership:

6. Carmen J. Rejda-Ponce
Title: Associate
Law School: Duke University, J.D., 2011
College: Columbia University, B.A., 2008
Admitted: Duke University, J.D., 2011
Practice Area:
Membership: Houston Bar Association; Houston Young Lawyers' Association (President, 2011—).

7. Benjamin Sheffield Walton
Title: Associate
Law School: Liberty University School of Law, J.D., 2010
College: Whitefield College, B.A., 2007
Admitted: Liberty University School of Law, J.D., 2010
Practice Area: Products Liability Defense; Construction Litigation; Personal Injury Defense; Insurance
Membership: American Bar Association (2007-present); State Bar of Texas (2010- Present); Texas Young Lawyers Association (2010-present).

8. T. Phillip Brent
Title: Senior Counsel
Law School: Texas Tech University, J.D., 2001
College: University of Texas at Austin, B.B.A., 1998
Admitted: Texas Tech University, J.D., 2001
Practice Area: Personal Injury; Commercial Litigation; Premises Liability; Civil Litigation
Membership:

9. Sarah C. Jones
Title: Counsel
Law School: University of Oklahoma, J.D., 2001
College: University of Houston, B.S., 1997
Admitted: University of Oklahoma, J.D., 2001
Practice Area: General Litigation; Trucking; Industrial Injury; Contracts; Employment
Membership: Houston Young Lawyers Association; Texas Association of Defense Counsel.

10. B. Eliot New
Title: Principal
Law School: Baylor University Law School, J.D., 2007
College: University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., 2004; M.P.A., 2004)
Admitted: Baylor University Law School, J.D., 2007
Practice Area: Employment Litigation; Civil Litigation
Membership: Jefferson County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association; Texas Association of Defense Counsel.

11. Guy N. Goodson
Title: Principal
Law School: Southern Methodist University, J.D., 1976
College: University of Texas, B.B.A., with honors, 1973
Admitted: Southern Methodist University, J.D., 1976
Practice Area: Administrative Law, Business Organizations and Transactions, Employment Law, Public Law and Financing
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Jefferson County Bar Association , Past President , Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association , Past President , State Bar of Texas , Texas Bar Foundation

12. Paula H. Blazek
Title: Principal
Law School: Baylor University, J.D., cum laude, 1984
College: Baylor University, B.A., Political Science/English, summa cum laude, 1981
Admitted: Baylor University, J.D., cum laude, 1984
Practice Area: Toxic Torts; Products Liability; Personal Injury; Premises Liability; Pharmaceutical Litigation
Membership: Jefferson County (Director, 1989-1991; Vice President, 1991-1992; President-Elect, 1992-1993; President, 1993-1994; Immediate Past President, 1994-1995) and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association (Director, 1986-1987; Vice President, 1987-1988; President, 1988-1989); Texas Young Lawyers Association (Director, 1991-1993); Texas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Life

13. Scott C. Crutchfield
Title: Principal
Law School: St. Mary's University of San Antonio, J.D., 1992
College: University of Texas, B.A., 1989
Admitted: St. Mary's University of San Antonio, J.D., 1992
Practice Area: Business Organizations and Transactions, Financial Institutions, Real Estate
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Jefferson County Bar Association

14. Karen R. Bennett
Title: Principal
Law School: Texas Tech University, J.D., 1991
College: University of Texas at Arlington, B.A., 1988
Admitted: Texas Tech University, J.D., 1991
Practice Area: Civil Litigation, Class and Collective Actions, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Family Law, Insurance Law, Maritime Law, Personal Injury Defense, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Torts, Toxic Torts / Chemical Exposure, Transportation and Trucking Litigation
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas (1992-present) , American Bar Association (1991-present) , Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Houston Chapter of ABOTA (2009-present) , Texas Association of Defense Counsel (1992-present) , Jefferson… Read more Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas (1992-present) , American Bar Association (1991-present) , Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Houston Chapter of ABOTA (2009-present) , Texas Association of Defense Counsel (1992-present) , Jefferson County Bar Association (1991-present) , Board of Directors (2008-2009) , Family Law Section (2007-present) , Prior member of Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association , Prior member of The College of the State Bar of Texas &

15. Sandra Jean Cole Howard
Title: Of Counsel
Law School: South Texas College of Law, J.D., with honors, 1998
College: Lamar University, B.S., summa cum laude, 1993
Admitted: South Texas College of Law, J.D., with honors, 1998
Practice Area: Insurance Law, Mediation / Arbitration, Personal Injury Defense, Premises Liability, Toxic Torts / Chemical Exposure
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Jefferson County Bar Association , American Bar Association , State Bar of Texas (admitted 1998) , Defense Research Institute , Texas Association of Defense Counsel

16. Charles W. Goehringer, Jr.
Title: Principal
Law School: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 1995
College: Lamar University, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1980; Colorado University, M.B.A., 1983
Admitted: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 1995
Practice Area: Administrative Law, Business Organizations and Transactions, Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Environmental Law, Estate Planning and Probate, Intellectual Property Law, Real Estate
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Director, Jefferson County Bar Association, 2010 - 2011 , Member, Texas Water Conservation Association , Arbitrator, Better Business Bureau , General Counsel, Associated Builders & Contractors

17. Lawrence L. Germer
Title: Partner
Law School: University of Texas, LL.B., 1966
College: University of Texas, B.A., 1963
Admitted: University of Texas, LL.B., 1966
Practice Area: Civil Litigation, Class and Collective Actions, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Intellectual Property Law, Personal Injury Defense, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Professional Malpractice Defense
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers , Member, Jefferson County Bar Association , Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation , Fellow of the American Bar Foundation , Commission for Lawyer Discipline (a twelve-member board responsible for the… Read more Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers , Member, Jefferson County Bar Association , Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation , Fellow of the American Bar Foundation , Commission for Lawyer Discipline (a twelve-member board responsible for the grievance process for the State Bar of Texas) , Member and former Director of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel , State Bar of Texas , Past Director , Prior member of the Executive Committee , Member and prior Direct

18. Stephen H. Forman
Title: Of Counsel
Law School: Texas Tech University, J.D., cum laude, 1992
College: Texas A & M University, B.S., Chemical Engineering, 1984
Admitted: Texas Tech University, J.D., cum laude, 1992
Practice Area: Railroad Law; Insurance Defense; Employers Liability; Products Liability; Personal Injury
Membership: Jefferson County and American Bar Associations; College of the State Bar of Texas; National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel; Texas Association of Defense Counsel; Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association.

19. Kelli Burris Smith
Title: Associate
Law School: University of Texas, J.D., with honors, 1998
College: Lamar University, B.B.A., magna cum laude, 1994
Admitted: University of Texas, J.D., with honors, 1998
Practice Area: Complex Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Defense; Appellate Practice; Professional Malpractice Defense
Membership: Jefferson County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association; Texas Association of Defense Counsel.

20. C.C. (Buddy) Crutchfield, Jr.
Title: Partner
Law School: University of Texas, LL.B., 1959
College: University of Texas, B.B.A., 1954
Admitted: University of Texas, LL.B., 1959
Practice Area: Housing and Urban Development Law (multi-family housing, hospitals and nursing homes); Commercial Transactions; Real Estate; Mortgage Lending; Corporations and Business Entities
Membership: Jefferson County Bar Association (Treasurer, 1961; Secretary, 1981); State Bar of Texas.

21. James W. Henges
Title: Partner
Law School: Oklahoma City University, J.D., with honors, 1994; Georgetown University, LL.M., 1995
College: Texas A & M University, B.B.A., 1990
Admitted: Oklahoma City University, J.D., with honors, 1994; Georgetown University, LL.M., 1995
Practice Area: Personal Injury Defense; Insurance Defense; Employment Law; Appellate Practice
Membership: Jefferson County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association.

22. Toby Nash
Title: Principal
Law School: Texas Tech University, J.D., summa cum laude, 2005
College: Lamar University, B.B.A., Accounting, magna cum laude, 2002
Admitted: Texas Tech University, J.D., summa cum laude, 2005
Practice Area: Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Maritime Law, Personal Injury Defense, Railroad / FELA / Transportation, Medical Malpractice
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas , Jefferson County Bar Association , Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association , Texas Association of Defense Counsel , National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel

23. Kate K. Leverett
Title: Associate
Law School: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2012
College: Texas A & M University, B.A., 2009
Admitted: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2012
Practice Area: Administrative Law, Employment Law, Environmental Law, Public Law and Financing
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, Jefferson County Bar Association , State Bar of Texas , Recognized by the Beaumont chamber of commerce as a 40 under 40 young professional , National Bond Lawyers Association

24. Jason L. Hughes
Title: Associate
Law School: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2006
College: Lamar University, B.S., Criminal Justice, 1993
Admitted: South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2006
Practice Area: Insurance Law, Family Law, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Products Liability
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas , Jefferson County Bar Association , Member of Board of Directors, 2019 - Current, Texas Association of Defense Counsel , Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas , Family Law Section of the Jefferson County Bar… Read more Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas , Jefferson County Bar Association , Member of Board of Directors, 2019 - Current, Texas Association of Defense Counsel , Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas , Family Law Section of the Jefferson County Bar Association, Michell F. Mehaffy Inn of Court Read less

25. Collin D. Shellenberger
Title: Principal
Law School: Texas Tech University, J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
College: Lamar University, B.C.J., cum laude, 2001
Admitted: Texas Tech University, J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
Practice Area: Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Maritime Law, Personal Injury Defense, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Professional Malpractice Defense, Railroad / FELA / Transportation, Torts, Toxic Torts / Chemical Exposure, Transportation and Trucking Litigation
Membership: Professional Memberships and Affiliations, State Bar of Texas , Jefferson County Bar Association , Texas Association of Defense Counsel , Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association

26. C. Scott Mann, Jr.
Title: Principal
Law School: University of Texas at Austin, J.D., with honors, 1977
College: University of Texas at Austin, B.B.A., 1973
Admitted: University of Texas at Austin, J.D., with honors, 1977
Practice Area: Business Organizations and Transactions, Commercial Litigation, Financial Institutions, Real Estate
Membership: Jefferson County and American Bar Associations State Bar of Texas.

27. Frank T. Messina
Title: Associate
Law School: Texas Tech School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2009
College: Texas A & M University, B.B.A., cum laude, 2006
Admitted: Texas Tech School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2009
Practice Area: Commercial Litigation; Railroad Litigation; Products Liability; Employment Law
Membership:

28. Keith Jefferson
Title: Associate
Law School: University of Arkansas, J.D., 2002
College: Loyola University, B.B.A., Finance, Economic, cum laude, 1999
Admitted: University of Arkansas, J.D., 2002
Practice Area: Toxic Torts; Products Liability; Premises Liability
Membership: Young Lawyers Association.

29. Jeffrey S. Hawkins
Title: Partner
Law School: University of Texas at Austin, J.D., 1983
College: Texas A & M University, B.S., Economics, 1980
Admitted: University of Texas at Austin, J.D., 1983
Practice Area: Product Liability; General Civil Litigation
Membership: Texas Bar Foundation; Defense Research Institute, Inc.