Zavalla Business Lawyers

I represent individuals and small-to-midsize businesses in a variety of litigation matters, with a primary emphasis on contract and construction disputes.

Summary Statement Matthew E. Yarbrough is a renowned expert in digital discovery. He has 20 years legal and investigative experience working both as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and in private legal practice. He is a trial lawyer with extensive jury trial experience in both civil and criminal matters. The Yarbrough Law Group focuses on complex business litigation, including intellectual property, cybercrimes, government investigations, internal investigations, financial fraud, and technology-related litigation. Mr. Yarbrough served as head of the Cybercrimes and Criminal Intellectual Property Task Force for the Department of Justice and was tapped by former Texas Attorney General John Cornyn to be...

Tiara A. Thomas is an attorney, speaker, and philanthropist. Throughout her career, she has helped her clients get the justice they deserve for being injured in both commercial and non-commercial vehicle crashes. In addition to personal injury, Tiara has represented clients in complex civil litigation claims, including breach of contract claims, civil fraud claims, Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims, & more! In 2022, she was selected as a “Top 40 Under 40 Attorney,” an honor given to only the top 40 under 40 African American lawyers in each state or region with reputations for providing excellent legal representation in their...

I devote my practice to family law and business litigation matters, both in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, especially when these two areas of law collide. My unique experience includes navigating clients through family and business law disputes involving complex divorce and property issues, child custody, and CPS matters, as well as breach of contract cases, high-stakes securities and fiduciary matters, shareholder and insolvency litigation, malpractice lawsuits, real estate matters, and labor and employment disputes.

With more than 30 years of experience, Mr. Finley has worked with hundreds of clients to develop estate plans, wills, trusts, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies, powers of attorney, and other ancillary documents. He advises clients on critical structural and business formation issues, and provides counsel to clients involved in federal tax controversies and disputes with the IRS.

Sylvia Mayer is an arbitrator, mediator, and attorney with over 30 years of legal experience in courts nationwide. As a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and a TMCA Credentialed Advanced Mediator, Sylvia Mayer serves on several arbitration and mediation rosters. While Sylvia Mayer has served as neutral in a wide variety of disputes, she frequently serves as mediator or arbitrator in disputes involving bankruptcy, business separations, complex commercial litigation, contracts, corporate governance, energy, fiduciary duties, healthcare, oil and gas, personal injury, and consumer issues. An experienced mediator and arbitrator, Sylvia Mayer has served as neutral in...

Attorney L. Hayes Fuller is President of Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC, and leads the Waco location of the firm. His personal practice encompasses both litigation and mediation (alternative dispute resolution). Litigation covers a broad range of focuses, but his practice includes all civil trial types, including vehicular/premises/insurance/product liability, personal injury, torts, and wrongful death cases. His most recent work has been defending multiple parties in a complex class action case, as well as toxic tort cases involving asbestos. As his practice continues to grow in scope, the businesses and individuals of Waco, Texas can depend on President/Attorney...

I am the Managing Partner of Litigation at Porter Law Firm, where I lead the firm's litigation section with a dedication to excellence, innovation, and client-focused advocacy. With over twenty years of legal experience, I am recognized as a trusted advisor and accomplished trial attorney. I manage the firm's commercial litigation and construction defect matters, while also promoting a culture of collaboration and success. I am known for my strategic insights and unwavering commitment to my clients, having successfully represented individuals and businesses in a diverse array of legal issues, including construction defects, commercial disputes, toxic torts, product liability, personal injury,...

I, Robert A. "Rob" Swofford, was raised in Nassau Bay, Texas, and completed my high school education at Clear Creek High School in 1983. I pursued my undergraduate studies at Baylor University before earning my law degree from South Texas College of Law in May 1994. During my law school years, I was honored with numerous academic awards. Immediately after graduating, I began my career working alongside the renowned criminal defense attorney Dan Cogdell. In 2006, I was recognized as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers in the field of Criminal Defense. My career has allowed me to personally try cases to...

Mark Correro is one of the founding members of Correro & Leisure, P.C handling civil litigation cases. He is also a partner at the Houston criminal defense firm Stornello & Correro Law Firm, PLLC. He earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law. During this time, he served as assistant articles editor for the South Texas Law Review and editor for the Texas State Bar’s Construction Law Journal. He has published fourteen scholarly articles in a variety of prestigious publications. In 2013 and 2015, he was selected for inclusion in the list of Texas Super Lawyers®, an honor...

The Buchanan Law Office, P.C. is a personal injury law firm committed to protecting and enforcing the rights of those who have been injured by the negligence of others. The firm was founded to provide its clients with access to legal services and the level of representation they deserve when seeking compensation for their personal injuries. Byron was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but was raised in the Houston area. Following his graduation from high school, Byron spent over a decade working as a refinery operator on the Houston Ship Channel. During that time, he earned a degree from the University...

If you are looking for a trustworthy Texas civil litigation lawyer in the Houston area, you should look no further than The Brennan Law Firm, LLC. It is critical that you know where you can turn to receive the help you need for matters pertaining to business law and litigation. Mr. Brennan has experience with intellectual property disputes, restrictive covenants ("noncompetes"), trademark disputes and partnership disputes and is prepared to take on your case and fight for your rights. In addition, it is absolutely critical that you receive the help you need for matters pertaining to creditor rights and real...

Anthony Choueifati graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in Psychology in 2002 and from South Texas College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 2005. His 19+ years of experience plays a significant role in advising clients, whether that involves forming business entities, complex partnership agreements, contract drafting and negotiation, estate planning, or mergers and acquisitions. Anthony enjoys meeting business owners of all types and strives to form long-lasting relationships with his clients. Anthony is married, has two children, and enjoys golf and traveling.

Thomas H. Smith III was born and raised in Arlington, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. He then attended the University of Houston Law Center where he served as an Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of International Law. Tom began working at Roger G. Jain & Associates as a clerk in February 2004. When he graduated from UH Law Center in 2005, he continued here as an attorney, where he has worked through today. He is a trial lawyer, whose insight, analysis, and attention to detail have...

Roger G. Jain earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in 1987 with a degree in accounting. After becoming a licensed CPA, he managed private corporate clients for PriceWaterhouse. Roger enrolled in Baylor Law School in 1990 and graduated in 1993. After graduation, he worked as a criminal prosecutor for the Montgomery County Attorney's Office where he gained significant trial experience. In January 1996, he started his law practice which continues to grow. His practice is dedicated to representing individuals and family owned businesses in a variety of civil matters. Roger's background as a criminal prosecutor allows him...

Steven Tuan Pham has practiced law in the area of business transaction and commercial litigation, immigration and naturalization law, real estate law, landlord tenant law, and divorce. Specifically, Mr. Pham has extensive experience in the areas of immigration and naturalization law, including having the opportunity to travel to Pakistan to assist in providing US. Immigration Seminars and Consultations. In addition, in 2007, Mr. Pham participated in several high-level discussions with various non-profit organizations and the USCIS in the Houston District Office and in Washington D.C., and effectively advocated for changes regarding immigration and naturalization issues, such as N-648 Medical...

Serving North Texas: Clients throughout North Texas can rely on Jeanne Duke to provide expert counsel for estate planning and probate law, as well as other general legal services. Representing Texas nonprofit and religious organizations: Nonprofit and religious organizations and congregations throughout the state of Texas can benefit from Jeanne Duke’s dual credentials as both pastor and attorney to provide legal services for congregations from formation to dissolution. She brings a pastor’s heart to the practice of law.

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...

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.

Pamela Hailey-Petty is an experienced attorney and owner of Hailey-Petty Law Firm, PLLC. She has legal offices in both Austin and San Antonio. Since 2014, Mrs. Hailey-Petty has helped numerous Texans organize their futures through her knowledge and expertise in estate planning law. She also regularly provides legal counsel to clients navigating the probate process and to those interested in business formation.

Prior to her career as an attorney, Mrs. Hailey-Petty worked for the Governor of Texas. During her time at the Governor’s office, she served as the Investment Manager and Deputy Director of the 300-million-dollar Emerging Technology Fund.

Mrs....

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...

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...

I graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law. I have been practicing law for 14 years. As a labor and employment attorney for Bailey & Galyen, we represent only employees. We can help you with a variety of employment case. We handle wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, failure to hire or promote, whistle blower cases, disability discrimination, FMLA, and wage and hour litigation. If you have experienced a workplace action, I urge you to contact us today for a consultation.