Vinton Employment Lawyers

Ty M. Sheaks is a partner with McCathern and is the go to “fixer” for McCathern’s most difficult and high-exposure litigation matters. He has a unique and diverse background counseling business partners in a variety of civil and commercial litigation matters on a national level. Prior to joining McCathern in 2013, Mr. Sheaks served as national trial counsel for a multi-national corporation handling all aspects of defending toxic tort and product liability claims in state and federal courts nationwide.

Mr. Sheaks heads up McCathern’s Retail, Restaurant, and Hospitality Section, but has extensive experience and a successful track record in...

David Hodges, founding partner at Hodges & Foty, LLP, was born in McAllen, Texas, and moved to Cypress when he was seven. He attended Cy-Fair Senior High School, and discovered he wanted to go to law school after participating in a mock trial in his senior government class.

After graduation, he joined the Corps of Cadets and attended Texas A&M University where he earned his B.S. degree in 1989. After graduating from Texas A&M University, he was immediately commissioned in the Navy and deployed to the Persian Gulf. When he transferred from active duty to the Navy Reserves, he...

With over 44 years of experience, Stephen Kaplan is able to provide clients with comprehensive advice and counsel in a wide variety of areas of legal practice. Our entire firm is client-centered and strives to tailor the representation we offer to suit our clients' needs and goals. He is AV ® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Areas of Practice: Administrative Law Banking & Finance Law Business & Commercial Law Contracts Business Organizations Construction Law Employment Law -- Managerial and Executive Employees Employment Law -- Employer Estate Planning Government Agencies & Programs Labor Law Litigation & Appeals...

Shawn’s practice includes a wide variety of civil litigation including: intellectual property litigation (patent, trademark, and trade secret), commercial litigation, personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights, and employment law. This broad practice has given him experience in many different aspects of litigation including: case assessment and research, discovery, motion practice, trial preparation, hearing presentation, and trial presentation. Shawn has tried multiple jury trials to successful verdict as lead trial counsel and has been selected by Thomas Reuters as a Rising Star in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Levi G. McCathern, II is widely recognized as one of the premier litigation lawyers in Texas. He is Board Certified in both Civil Trial Law and Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a double certification held by only 26 of the 87,000 attorneys in Texas.

Mr. McCathern specializes in catastrophic damage litigation and is frequently summoned to defend specialized, high-damage claims, including all types of commercial litigation. In addition, he has served as lead counsel for numerous jury trials and is regularly called upon to provide legal consultation to companies throughout the country.

Mr. McCathern serves as...

Ms. Crawford represents clients in a variety of commercial and business related matters and litigation. Her primary focus is on first party insurance litigation.

Prior to joining Doyen Sebesta & Poelma, LLLP, Ms. Crawford practiced in the Houston area and gained valuable experience by conducting depositions, successfully resolving cases through mediations, and arguing at the district and county level in contested hearings involving commercial litigation matters. Ms. Crawford successfully first chaired her first trial in the Harris County Civil District Court, gaining a favorable judgment after two days of trial.

Ms. Crawford earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from The...

Kenichi Yagi is an experienced corporate transactional attorney for Adair Myers Stevenson Yagi. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation and advises domestic and international clients in corporate matters, intellectual property disputes, personal injury, premises liability, products liability, insurance coverage, family law, real estate, employment law, and debt collections. Mr. Yagi was born in Japan and moved to the United States when he was a teenager. He graduated high school in the United States and attended the University of Massachusetts at Lowell where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mr. Yagi graduated magna cum laude and was a member...

Geoffrey Berg is a partner and founder of Berg Plummer Johnson & Raval, LLP. His areas of practice include Business Litigation, Employment Litigation, General Civil Litigation, Government/Private Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense. Geoff has handled every kind of case from representing corporations in complex multi-million dollar commercial disputes to employment matters, arguments over oilfield trade secrets, government and corporate investigations.

Throughout his career, Eddie has had the opportunity to take on the largest defendants. After graduating from law school, Mr. Rodriguez he honed the writing skills that he utilizes today to win for his clients working for various appellate court judges. Mr. Rodriguez served the Great State of Texas as the Chief Committee Clerk of the Human Services Committee in the Texas House of Representatives where he managed over one hundred pieces of legislation during the tumultuous 78th Legislative Session. He has represented petrochemical and construction workers in their personal injury claims. Eddie mastered his...

Paul Grinke is Managing Partner of McCathern’s office at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Mr. Grinke has broad experience on a national level, litigating complex commercial and catastrophic event claims from both sides of the docket. He has successfully litigated commercial breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and employment covenant claims. In addition, Mr. Grinke prosecutes and defends claims involving personal injury, wrongful death, and disastrous property damage arising from construction defect, product defect, trucking, and liquor liability.

Mr. Grinke leads McCathern’s Construction Defect, Product Liability and related Fire Litigation practices. He has particular expertise in counseling institutional clients involved in tragic...

Kalani Hawks Villafranca practices U.S. immigration law because she believes everyone deserves to feel like they belong in their home and with their families. She loves helping her clients live the life they want to live, wherever they want to live, with the people who matter most to them.

Abogada Kalani has over a decade of experience as an attorney and for several years was the managing attorney for the Texas Here to Stay/Texas No Nos Vamos coalition. She helped bring free legal clinics to communities throughout Texas and provided guidance to thousands of immigrants seeking to renew their DACA...

Scott D. Smith is a seasoned trial lawyer who has obtained favorable verdicts for clients on both sides of the docket. Mr. Smith has experience in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the United States, including resolving a broad array of business and commercial disputes, as well as having extensive experience representing financial advisers and financial institutions in financial services litigation in FINRA and AAA arbitration proceedings. He frequently represents financial advisers and financial institutions in employment disputes, securities enforcement actions, as well as regulatory and compliance matters, and assists his clients...

Diego J. Peña currently serves as a full-time arbitrator and mediator. He began his practice in San Antonio, Texas as a commercial and business litigator. As an attorney for more than 36 years, Mr. Peña has represented individuals, small to medium businesses and Fortune 500 corporations in state and federal courts. He has litigated cases involving consumer disputes, contracts, personal injury, wrongful death, insurance claims and disputes, federal and state constitutional law claims, civil rights, labor & employment claims, religious discrimination, sexual harassment and hostile work environment, real estate disputes, oil and gas disputes, environmental issues and...

Darren Harrington is a shareholder whose principal area of practice is focused on representing local, national, and international corporations and their officers in cases involving trade secrets, non-compete agreements, union issues, personnel, and government regulatory matters. He has been recognized as one of the premier Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defense counselors in the country, and is regularly called upon by employers to enforce and defend against restrictive covenants such non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, as well as defend against claims under the various anti-discrimination in employment statutes, the minimum wage and overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act...

Robert Cowan is a partner at Bailey Cowan Heckaman, PLLC where he oversees the firm’s award-winning trial and appellate briefing team. He is involved in all types of cases at BPB, including mesothelioma litigation, drug and medical device injuries, FLSA claims, dangerous products, and commercial litigation. Robert is a graduate of South Texas College of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Juris Doctorate.

Philip Robert Brinson is an experienced trial lawyer who possesses unique skills derived from experience outside of the legal fields that have made him not only a trusted advocate for his clients, but also a formidable adversary in the courtroom. Mr. Brinson has extensive legal experience in a variety of practice areas, including hospitality and dram shop, entertainment, premises liability, products liability, professional liability, employment, oil field services, and business and commercial litigation. Mr. Brinson has litigation experience on both sides of the docket in handling infringement actions in copyright and trademark actions in the entertainment and hospitality industries, including...

Houston employment attorney Melissa Moore is the founder of Moore & Associates, a law firm dedicated to advocating for the rights of employees. She is a confident advocate with 15+ years of experience under her belt, and she has obtained numerous favorable outcomes for clients. Ms. Moore has been included in H Texas Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Labor and Employment Attorneys for the past five years in a row, and she has been selected for inclusion in the 2012 Edition of Texas Super Lawyers®.

Attorney Jacques Leeds practices Employment Law (with a specialty in severance agreement review), Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Law. Attorney Leeds has been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 2014. Attorney Leeds has been licensed by the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas since 2015.

Daniel B. Ross Austin, Texas phone (512) 474-7677 fax (512) 474-5306 Daniel B. Ross was born in Harvey, Illinois, in 1956 and grew up in Longview, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A. in the Plan II Honors Program with High Honors in May 1978. Upon graduation, he operated several successful businesses in Austin, Texas. After his career as an entrepreneur, Mr. Ross attended the University of Texas School of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctor in 1994. Mr. Ross was Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review, and was a...

Deontae D. Wherry is a trial attorney in the Dallas office of Rob Wiley, P.C. Prior to joining our firm, Mr. Wherry worked as a litigation attorney, zealously advocating for clients in civil, criminal, and family law cases. Mr. Wherry currently focuses on representing employees in employment and labor disputes. He is devoted to ensuring that justice is served for his clients.

Mr. Wherry is a proud Red Raider. Mr. Wherry graduated from Texas Tech University, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Later, Mr. Wherry received both his Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Business Administration from Texas Tech...

Attorney Joshua A. Verde is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by SuperLawyers from 2016-2022 and is consistently top rated amongst Labor & Employment attorneys in Houston, Texas. The Verde Law Firm, PLLC was founded in 2012 by managing member Joshua A. Verde with the goal of bringing cost-effective legal representation to individuals and businesses who value competent, results-driven service. We represent individuals and businesses in labor and employment cases including wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, unpaid overtime (FLSA), and employment/severance agreements. In addition to...

Front Range Injury Attorneys helps people across Colorado get compensated for personal injury claims caused by someone else's negligence. We help clients with car accidents and other auto collisions, slip and fall injuries, product liability claims and workers' compensation. Visit our website to learn more about how we can help you.

Galvin Kennedy, founding partner at Kennedy Hodges, LLP, was born in the Chicago, Illinois, area. His parents divorced when he was young and he was influenced by watching his mother work to support her four children. When he was ten years old, his mother moved her family to Houston, Texas. After graduating from high school, Mr. Kennedy attended Northern Illinois University on a full scholarship as the captain of the university's prestigious national debate team. During his time on the debate team, he was awarded dozens of regional and national speaker awards. He graduated magna cum laude in 1992 with a...

John Freeman's primary areas of practice are employment law, civil litigation and related areas of business litigation. He regularly advises clients regarding employment law practices, non-competes, discrimination and other employment related matters.

Mr. Freeman was born in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1945. He received his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1967, and served in the United States Navy from 1967 – 1969 as a Supply Officer aboard the USS Duval County, LST-758. He attended law school at the Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he was an Associate Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review in 1972 and 1973, and from which...

Kevin M. Jones & Associates is a general practice law firm focused on the needs of small businesses and the individuals who run them. We are highly experienced in the specialized area of Intellectual Property concerns as well as contract negotiation and drafting. We aid and guide our clients in securing Intellectual Property (IP) protection, forming business structures to leverage their IP, brand their business and product lines, and handling contracts for sales, marketing and manufacturing of their products.

Tyler motivates as a dedicated advocate, dynamic presenter and determined visionary. He brings exceptional speaking and negotiating skills along with a high level of focus, creativity and value to every case.

The Houston attorney handles a wide range of legal issues in the areas of business, commercial, contract, employment law, and personal injury. Mr. Boyd also serves as Staff Counsel for Houston Baptist University and General Counsel of Beechnut Street Inc. He is a member of the Houston Bar Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA).

Tyler graduated from Texas Southern University, Cum laude, where he received his...

Jennette E. DePonte is a Partner at the McCathern office in Frisco, Texas. Mrs. DePonte has an extensive litigation and trial background, having tried numerous cases in state and federal courts in Texas. Her practice focuses on litigation involving employer-employee relations. Specifically, she has litigated tort and non-subscriber claims, employment-related torts, ERISA claims, discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, wage and hour claims and collective actions, and civil rights claims under state and federal law.

Mrs. DePonte has defended national and regional employers in a wide range of employment-related issues, represented employers before numerous federal and state agencies, and handled trials and...

Kalandra N. Wheeler is a trial lawyer with Wiley Wheeler, P.C. representing employees in Houston, and surrounding areas. Ms. Wheeler is dedicated to protecting the rights of employees and helping individuals understand what is often a confusing and stressful process. Ms. Wheeler represents employees with various types of claims, including those brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Ms. Wheeler also represents employees in governmental administrative proceedings, including those held before the...

PRACTICE AREAS:

While Shane can handle any personal injury law case, he specializes in auto accident cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents.

Need help? Get in touch today.

PERSONAL LIFE:

A graduate of Whitehouse High School and UT Tyler, Shane McGuire has been in East Texas for most of his life. And he has no desire to ever leave (almost literally, as he doesn’t even care to travel, much less pack up and move).

Shane absolutely adores his bride (“The Fair Tish,” as he often calls her) and their two kids.

In Shane’s off-time, you may find Shane:

—On a date with his wife
—Coaching...

I am a dynamic and highly strategic corporate attorney with over 9 years of commercial contract expertise and a proven track record of balancing legal and business priorities to facilitate purposeful growth. I work with owner operated businesses from start-up to sale. I guide businesses through entity formation, contract package formation, contract review and negotiation, employment policy formation, hiring practice formation, employee categorization, employee termination, and eventual sale. I earned my Juris Doctorate degree in 2013 from The University of Colorado Law School and my Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communication, as well as a Business Foundation Certification, from The...

Jake McDonald was born and raised in Houston, Texas. His desire to practice law developed at a young age, as both of his parents were lawyers. As an undergraduate, he studied psychology and was published for his research in the field of human perception. He later applied this unique insight to the study of law and representation of clients. Prior to starting his own legal practice, Jake worked at multiple litigation firms in the Houston area where he gained practical experience in the fields of personal injury law, family law, and civil litigation. He developed a reputation with his...

I focus my practice in the areas of employment discrimination, family, and immigration law. On the employment front, I passionately and aggressively represent employees with claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, retaliation, and/or unfair wage practices against employers. It is unfortunate, but the reality is that, sometimes, employees still face discrimination and other unfair and unlawful employment practices. I believe that employers who violate employees' legal rights should be punished. I believe that employees should be treated equally and without regard to their race, age, gender, religion, pregnancy-status, or national origin. I also believe an employee should not be...