La Villa Business Lawyers

A founding partner of Steckler Wayne Cochran PLLC (“SWC”), Stuart Cochran is a civil trial lawyer with almost twenty years of experience litigating, trying, arbitrating, and mediating complex commercial, class action, and personal injury cases in state and federal courts across the nation. Stuart has a nationally-recognized consumer class action practice, and he is frequently brought in to cases outside of Texas due to his experience. More locally, Stuart handles complex commercial cases and catastrophic personal injury cases. Stuart’s practice is unique in that he handles cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. Stuart has helped recover...

Mr. Sessions is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Leagal Specialization since December, 1991. He is experienced in handling complex litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and arbitrations. His practice includes prosecution and defense of claims, primarily in business-related litigation. In 2008, Mr. Sessions obtained a $22,178,403 unanimous jury verdict in the case of Sovereign Cherokee Nation Tejas v. Frank P. Hernandez, which ranked No. 98 in VerdictSearch's top 100 Verdicts of 2008. Mr. Sessions has been counsel of record in multiple litigation matters involving more than $10 Million in...

Diana Weitzel is a dedicated attorney at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, bringing a deep commitment to family law and a strong passion for advocating for families and children. A proud graduate of Texas Wesleyan School of Law, Diana holds a Juris Doctor degree, as well as an Executive MBA from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor of Science from Indiana State University. Licensed to practice in Texas, and admitted to the Northern and Eastern District Bankruptcy Courts, Diana also holds certifications as a Mediator, Family Law Mediator, Guardian Ad Litem, and in Collaborative Law. She has been honored with...

AV Rated
40 plus years of experience
Less than 14% of attorneys throughout the entire United States are “AV” Rated
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We have limited our practice to Estate Planning and Taxation. And we are dedicated to giving you the legal solutions and tools you will need to plan and build for your future with confidence.


Member of The College of the State Bar of Texas
The College of the State Bar of Texas is an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas. Members are qualified attorneys who are interested in both high ethical standards and improved training for...

Matthew G. Messerli is the founding attorney of The Messerli Law Firm, PLLC. Prior to pursuing his legal career, Attorney Messerli earned his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management and his Master’s in Finance (MSF) from the Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He has accumulated more than a decade of experience as a business consultant and operator. Attorney Messerli later spent several years serving as a financial advisor to high-net-worth individuals and businesses before earning his Juris Doctorate (JD) from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman Law School in Dallas, Texas. His unique blend of...

I was born and raised in San Diego, California. After moving to Washington State, I earned bachelor degrees in both Sociology and Religious Studies from Seattle Pacific University. In 2006, I obtained a J.D. from South Texas College of Law. I served as the Head Clerk of the 151st District Court of Harris County with The Honorable Caroline E. Baker from 1998 to 2005. My employment with the 151st District Court provided a valuable “behind the scenes” look at the practice of law. It was during this tenure, as clerk of the 151st, that I developed a passion for law...

Christina Wanies-Guirgis studied government and politics at St. John’s University in New York, New York, and received her law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. As a Houston native, Christina has a personal connection to the community, and her loyalty is reflected in her representation. She served as an Article and Note Editor for Currents: International Trade Law Journal, and holds memberships in several esteemed organizations, including: Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) Houston Bar Association (HBA) State Bar of Texas

Joey Leak has a diverse litigation and business practice, representing clients ranging from individuals and local companies to regional and national firms. His transactional practice includes general business and real estate matters, as well as private equity fund formation and offerings. An experienced litigator, Joey is also able to assist his clients in a broad range of commercial matters, including those involving breach of contract, fraud, embezzlement, property disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, business torts, partnership disputes, and enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Martin C. Law is an associate in the litigation section of Patout & Shaw, PLLC. His primary practice areas are arbitration, mediation, oil and gas, commercial law, real estate litigation and development, construction law, and consumer transactions. While in law school, Mr. Law was awarded the Lawrence C. Hoff Jr. Memorial Scholarship and the Dean’s Scholar Award. Mr. Law actively participated in the school’s award winning advocacy program, which culminated in a first place finish at the 2013 FINRA/St. John’s Securities Dispute Resolution Competition. He was an active member in the Oil and Gas Law Society, the Environmental Law...

From a family of distinguished public servants, after obtaining his law degree from UT Law School, Gregory honed his legal skills for 20 years at Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLP, in McAllen, where he practiced a broad range of property law, including estate planning and probate. He has represented individuals, businesses, national and State banks, and local government entities on all sides of transactions. Gregory is a member of the State Bar of Texas , a member of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, and is certified in Professional Fiduciary Management...

Michael M. Probus, Jr. received his law degree with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 1988. Mr. Probus served as judicial law clerk for the chief judge for the United States District Court in Houston, Texas during his first two years as an attorney, then he returned to Austin for the private practice of law. In 1997, Mr. Probus founded his own law firm. Mr. Probus has been listed in Who's Who in American Law since 1996.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Joe Lassen served as a police officer with the New York City Police Department and retired as a Lieutenant after 20 years of service. He received his Bachelor of Science in 1993 from the John Jay College in Legal Studies and his Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School in 2002. While in law school, Joe worked for the NYPD’s prosecutor’s office, handling high profile corruption cases. Joe was a first responder on September 11th at the World Trade Center and shares a special affinity for all military branches and first responders.

Joseph Lassen started practicing law...

Texas Attorney Nathaniel Gilbert practices in the area of estate planning and real estate.

Jodi Lazar practices family law exclusively and represents clients in both the traditional litigation and collaborative law models, depending on the client’s needs.

Jodi is also an Adjunct Professor in the Advocacy Department at The University of Texas School of Law, where she teaches Intensive Trial Skills and works with the Interscholastic Mock Trial Program.

EDUCATION
The University of Texas School of Law, 1988
The University of Texas at Austin, 1985

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & HONORS
Member, State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section)
Member, Oregon State Bar
Member, American Bar Association (Family Law Section)
Member, Austin Bar Association (Family Law Section)
Member, College of the State Bar of Texas

COLLABORATIVE LAW...

Houston Attorney Pete Patterson has been practicing law in the state of Texas for over 25 years, with a focus on oil and gas law, business litigation, and personal injury cases. Mr. Patterson was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990 after receiving his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, where he was inducted into the prestigious Order of the Barristers. In his legal career, Mr. Patterson has amassed over $150 million in verdicts, settlements, judgments, and recoveries for his clients. He maintains membership in a number of respected associations, including the American Board of Trial...

Former Justice, 13th Court of Appeals Visiting Judge, 5th Administrative Region EDUCATION: • St. Mary's University School of Law, JD, 1987 o Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Fraternity. o Sr. Associate Editor of St. Mary's Law Journal (published). o Tie for American Jurisprudence Award in Contract Law. o American Jurisprudence Award in Police Misconduct-Civil Rights Litigation. • University of Texas at Austin, BA in Zoology, 1983. CERTIFICATIONS: o Basic and Advanced (Civil & Family) Mediation Certificates - Mediators & Arbitrators of America. o Basic and Advanced Arbitration Certificates - Mediators & Arbitrators of America. o TMCA Credentialed Mediator by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. o National Judicial College’s Advanced Skills for Appellate Judges...

EDUCATION Ms. Lesinski graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a B.A. in political science and a minor in criminal justice. She then attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale School of Law and received her J.D. degree. She was an associate editor for the Journal of Legal Medicine. Ms. Lesinski was awarded the W. Eugene Basanta Award for her professionalism from SIU. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Ms. Lesinski has a broad understanding of civil litigation as a result of her experience as a paralegal and trial attorney. Ms. Lesinski is well versed in construction law and has represented a wide range of clients from...

JASON J. JAKOB, ESQ. Mr. Jakob is a Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Diaz Jakob, LLC. His practice is focused on business and corporate litigation, commercial transactions, constitutional law, family law and civil litigation. Mr. Jakob received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from University of Houston Law Center, and his Bachelor's degree from University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude. After attending law school he served as a General Counsel of Core Funding Group, L.P., until starting his own law firm in 2006. As General Counsel, Mr. Jakob managed the legal department of the company....

For the last 15 years, Dan spent his time helping San Antonio small businesses and real estate investors achieve their dreams. “An attorney is a small business,” said Burke. “That’s why I take real pride in helping my clients grow. We’re all on the same team.”

After working with large law firms and companies, Dan found that helping small businesses improve their processes, grow and thrive was his calling. He now enjoys providing San Antonio with personal and affordable legal services for business, real estate and probate needs.

Trent Nichols is a 7th generation Texan born and raised in rural Central Texas. When it came to work, he learned and adopted the values that run deep through the people this great state was built on: Work Hard. Work Smart. Work Honest. Those same values define the approach to legal representation at the Law Offices of Trent Nichols. Trent has dedicated his career to serving, supporting, and fighting for his clients, relying on his wealth of knowledge and experience in business and a tenacity to achieve results. Trent focuses his practice on what he knows best: Business Law, Civil...

Practicing in San Antonio and South Texas.

Attorney J. Philip Collier has been influential attorney in the construction arena in South Texas. Established in 1991, his firms has in-depth knowledge of commercial construction practices, positive trial experiences, and a commitment to consistently provide favorable solutions to his clients problems. Philip Collier has been nominated by his peers as one of the best construction litigation attorneys in San Antonio for the years 2009 and 2010. S.A. Scene Magazine. Philip Collier began his career working for general contractors who built Wal-Marts and Taco Bell restaurants in multi-state venues. His ability to blue prints, and his understanding of the construction contract...