Waco Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

I was born and raised in South Texas, climbing my way up from very humble beginnings. Throughout high school, I worked minimum wage jobs and faced numerous legal challenges that many ordinary people encounter. After honorably serving in the US Army and teaching at the high school level, I learned the importance of hard work, firmly believing that it surpasses talent every time. My dedication, determination, and integrity have led me to represent publicly traded multi-billion-dollar entities. Being bilingual, I fluently communicate in both Spanish and English and have a deep understanding of Hispanic culture, having been immersed in it from a...

As a shareholder at Cowles & Thompson, P.C., I provide high-quality legal representation to businesses and employees in various civil and employment litigation matters. I have over 20 years of experience in handling complex cases involving breach of contract, wage and hour disputes, defamation, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, and COVID-19 issues. My industry expertise includes staffing, digital technology, and healthcare, where I have successfully resolved numerous disputes and achieved favorable outcomes for my clients. I also advise clients on employment policies and practices, compliance, and risk management. I am passionate about protecting the rights and interests of my clients...

My firm proudly helps people throughout East Texas with various types of legal matters. Our attorneys handle:

Personal Injury, Car Accidents, and Trucking Accidents

Family Law, Custody, and Divorce

Mediation and Arbitration

We offer flexible fees and reasonable cost legal services.

Mary E. Ramos is a highly respected divorce attorney licensed to practice law in the great State of Texas. With over 18 years of experience, she has built a reputation as a knowledgeable and compassionate family law attorney, dedicated to representing her clients with integrity and expertise. Mary started her legal career by interning at the 312th Family Court before earning her license to practice law in 2004. She has handled thousands of cases while practicing family law in Texas. She became Board Certified In Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction earned by only the top...

Education St. Mary’s School of Law, San Antonio, Texas, J.D. – 2012 Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, B.A. – 2007 Awards/Recognitions 2021 Top Family Lawyer- Scene In S.A. Magazine 2021 Best Female Lawyer- Scene In SA Magazine 2020 San Antonio “Best Family Law Attorney” & “Arbitrator/Mediator” by Scene Magazine 2020 Best Litigation Attorneys in San Antonio by Expertise 2019 Stars of Texas Bar Award for Series of Articles- Substantive Law 2019 San Antonio Top Criminal Defense Lawyer by Scene Magazine 2019 Best Litigation Attorneys in San Antonio by Expertise 2017 San Antonio Best Family Law Attorney by Scene Magazine (Under 5 years) 2017 Nominated by YMCA of Greater San Antonio for the...

With over 15 years of legal experience, Gratia goes to great lengths to ensure that every one of her clients, no matter the challenges they face, receives the compassion and respect they rightfully deserve. She is committed to personally guiding you through your legal journey, infusing it with her distinctive personal approach, empathy, and unwavering values. Gratia has assisted numerous clients in crafting their Trusts & Estate Plans, adeptly represented them in both uncontested and contested Probate cases, and provided invaluable support in matters such as Divorce, Paternity, Visitation, Child Support, and Adoption cases. Furthermore, Gratia boasts extensive experience as a...

Attorney Boe Bowen is a native Texan. He was born and raised in Texas and the first in his family to receive a post-secondary education when he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University at Huntsville, Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and History. In 2010 Boe began his legal career by entering the class of 2013 at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas.

During his tenure in law school, Boe remained extremely active by working as a research assistant, tutor, and participated in the mock trial program. Boe graduated Magna Cum...

Barletta Law, PLLC, focuses on civil, criminal, and family law appellate matters, writs of habeas corpus, family law litigation, and general civil litigation. Natalie is also a credentialed mediator. She has drafted briefs and motions filed in Texas state and federal courts, achieving favorable results for clients at both the trial and appellate levels. She was the second chair member of an arbitration trial team that defended a lawsuit where the plaintiffs claimed $500 million in damages and judgment was rendered in favor of her client on all counts. During law school, she was a national champion moot court advocate,...

Aric J. Garza Law PLLC provides quality, results-oriented legal services to business and individual clients throughout Texas. Since 2002, we have provided worked hard to attain our clients' goals and zealously advocate for their interests. We assist clients in general litigation, real estate law, probate/estate planning and commercial/business matters. Aric is also a nationally recognized ADR expert, serving as a panelist for the American Arbitration Association (Commercial, Employment and Consumer Panels), FINRA, the CPR Institute and the AHLA. He is the Co-Chair of the Arbitration Committee of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas ADR Section (Treasurer) and the San...

Every day, people come to our law firm on their personal or professional darkest day. Generally speaking, this sense of dread is simply due to being overwhelmed by the situation before them. As a lawyer, being able to shoulder our client's burdens and guide them through the litigation process is extremely rewarding. A native of Fort Hood, Texas, I have built a national litigation practice based on my deep Texas roots. Practicing since 2013, I represent clients across Texas and nationwide facing complex business and intellectual property litigation, including non-compete violations, breach of contract matters, and fraud and misrepresentation. Whether it's...

I am a highly trained, experienced, full-time mediator focusing on complex commercial disputes.

For over 22 years, I have primarily represented businesses when they are involved in lawsuits, both as a plaintiff and defendant. This background gives me insight into how people make decisions.

I arrive at each mediation prepared to facilitate settlement, and I pay careful attention to the people, their interests, and emotions while discussing the facts and legal arguments.

• Very experienced litigator (over 100 jury trials) who teaches trial skills to lawyers and law students o Representation in False Claims Act cases; Business and Commercial Litigation cases; Health Care Fraud cases; Environmental cases; Securities law cases; Tax cases; Trade Fraud cases; and other complex litigation matters o Representation in Internal Investigations o Representation in Corporate Governance matters • Part-time academic and widely published • Editor-in-chief of two legal treatises: one about pharmaceutical and medical device law; the other about corporate criminal liability • Past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section • Past Chief of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas • Past Section Chief of the Financial Crimes...

Sam Edwards is a partner at SSEK and has developed a wide-ranging practice representing individuals and institutions from the United States and almost every continent in the world in investment and financial disputes. Over the last decade, that representation has included hundreds of clients who range from retirees that have lost their life savings, to community banks and credit unions who have been defrauded by Wall Street in investment schemes or bad products, to states and municipalities defrauded by investment banks. The cases Mr. Edwards has worked on include claims for unsuitable investment recommendations, churning, misrepresentations and outright fraud. The investments...

A professional arbitrator, mediator with extensive trial experience, Stanley Santire is a highly experienced with advanced training in Alternative Dispute Resolution. As a panel member of the American Arbitration Association, he is dedicated to assisting lawyers and their client in resolving disputes. His several decades of experience includes construction, employment matters, non-compete-agreements, trade secrets, and business transactions. With an extensive background as a trial lawyer active in State and Federal Courts he understands the risks and issues that confront litigants. He is credentialed as an Advanced Mediator by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. Prior to...

Laura D. Heard has practiced law in San Antonio, Texas for her entire career, spanning more than 3 decades. She is known for her motto: "Justice Flows from Truth, Compassion, Wisdom & Persistence." She is a Family Law Mediator, Divorce Attorney, Wills and Probate Attorney. Laura is tenacious and experienced, and also a great listener. She has handled hundreds of cases in Bexar County and the surrounding counties. She can help with child custody cases, property division disputes, alimony, child support, adoptions, executing new Wills, creating trusts, and probate after death. Laura is a family law Mediator...

During law school, Simon interned with the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) where he assisted families with release from detention centers, visa applications, and removal proceedings. Simon interned as a Certified Legal Intern for the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association and Florida A&M University College of Law Legal Clinic as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing the best interest of children inside and outside of the courts. Simon also interned with a boutique law firm in Dallas, assisting their clients with commercial real estate, intellectual property, social media, tax planning, employment law, and...

Alex Hunt is a trusted family lawyer with experience in a wide range of family law matters, including complex child custody disputes, high-asset property divisions and divorces, and enforcements and modifications of existing court orders. He prides himself on providing ethical, responsive representation to all of his clients. His goal is to always ensure clients' rights and assets are protected, while keeping costs low and stress at a minimum. Alex's goal is to always provide client-focused representation. He is passionate about protecting important assets and rights. Clients will receive sound counsel that guides them through the legal process and helps...

Jeff Springer has more than two decades of experience serving as an advocate for individuals, families and businesses. He was an honors program graduate of Baylor University, and obtained his Juris Doctorate at Baylor Law School. Jeff is board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. He is a past President of the Denton County Bar Association. A former Adjunct Professor of Law at Texas Woman's University, Mr. Springer has published a number of articles covering topics ranging from tort...

Yanine Krohn is an attorney who has been practicing civil litigation in the Greater Houston area for over 8 years. Yanine has successfully represented clients in both jury and bench trials involving various complex litigation matters. Yanine has experience with all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, legal research, case management, discovery, oral depositions, mediations, settlement negotiations, arbitrations, and trial. In addition to her trial work, Yanine has successfully litigated matters before the Texas First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals. Despite the varied complexity of issues that may arise, Yanine’s goal is always the same – to navigate clients through their...

As a member of the Texas Bar College, my legal practice is focused on federal and cross-border legal matters, including litigation, import/export, and nearshore business projects. Additionally, I have extensive experience with international telecommunications law. I have been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since May 25, 1995, and am also licensed by the Department of Homeland Security as a United States Customs Broker. My firm specializes in legal matters in the USA/Latin America context, representing foreign clients within the US legal system, as well as managing outbound legal matters for US-based clients. The Ahlgren Law Firm provides strategic...

John Schmude is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law. As a former Presiding Judge of the 247th Family District Court of Harris County, Texas, he disposed of more than 13,000 cases in every area of family law, including complex divorce cases, modifications, custody actions, adoptions, paternity suits and enforcements. While on the bench, he presided over more than 400 contested family law bench trials, numerous jury trials and thousands of hearings in every area of family law.

Prior to his election to the Bench, John Schmude served as the President of Schmude...

O. (Oscar) Rene Diaz: With over 35 years of civil litigation experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from my time as the former Judge of the 224th District Court in Bexar County, Texas. I am fully bilingual (English & Spanish), and my training as a diplomat, working in the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Latin American Affairs, along with my background training as a certified mediator/arbitrator allows me to effectively guide cases towards the most favorable resolutions. I have been honored with an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest standards in both ethical...

As a partner at Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP (SSEK Law Firm), Kirk G. Smith focuses his practice on securities law. Representing individual and institutional investors against banks, brokerage firms and trust companies, Mr. Smith generally handles cases involving issues such as retirement losses, broker and brokerage firm misconduct, investment derivatives, fraud and financial product failures. He serves clients throughout the U.S.

Before earning a Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law Houston, Mr. Smith attended Loyola University New Orleans. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Previously working as an investment advisor for a large brokerage firm and...

Don Philbin is an innovative and tenacious mediator with a demonstrated history of resolving complex disputes. Recognized as a thought leader in Chambers USA, Who’s Who Legal, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers, Don is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Civil Trial Mediators and International Academy of Mediators. He has served as chair of the Texas Bar ADR Section, is a teacher, author, and developer of Picture it Settled®, a pioneering software tool akin to “Moneyball” for negotiation.

Multi-State Barred Attorney, Scott F. Lemanski began practicing law in the Corpus Christi area in 2005. Scott served as an assistant district attorney exlusively in County Court at Law No. 5, handlng all aspects of juvenile prosecutions. During his tenure with the district attorney's office, Scott handled certifications, pleas, bench trials, and jury trials, with an attention to hard work and a belief that his work was making a difference in the lives of victims, juveniles and the community. Scott is well educated in the legal requisites regarding guardianship law. All this experience has provided Scott with a firm foundation...

I am a mediator with 24 years of trial experience in civil litigation, from personal injury to business law to family law. My background in handling cases gives me an edge on many mediators who haven't been in the trenches with their clients. I am fully bilingual in Spanish. I have handled everything from small claims cases to multi-million dollar claims and have a degree in psychology. I am able to effectively communicate with all parties to get the best resolution for their case. I offer both in-person and zoom mediations.

I was born and raised in Northeast Texas and after graduating from East Texas State University in 1996, I worked as a paralegal for Foley & Coley until December of 2000 when I relocated to Houston to attend South Texas College of Law. While in law school, I worked full time for Crain, Caton & James, a large law firm in downtown Houston. In December of 2005, I graduated from South Texas College of Law and passed the Texas Bar in February 2006. I was licensed to practice law by May of 2006. I had a successfully practice in...

Tara Gilmore-Low has worked in the field of personal injury law in Abilene, Texas for several years. Prior to law school she was a paralegal in the same field for nearly 10 years, also in Abilene, Texas. She was raised in the small town of Clyde, Texas just a few miles outside of Abilene. When deciding where to pursue her legal career she had the choice of going to a big city firm or returning to her small town roots to be with her family and the people she loved. She returned to Abilene and has...