Duval County Lawyers

Mr.Gilman is licensed to practice law in the state of Texas (since May 2005), and the Southern Federal District of Texas (since October 2005). Mr. Gilman holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M University in 1996. He also possesses a United States Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer’s License (Third Mate, Unlimited Tonnage). After graduating from Texas A&M, Mr. Gilman worked on the waterfront in the Port of Houston, where he served as in-house Port Captain and Stevedore Superintendent for Gulf Stream Marine, Inc., one of the largest break-bulk general cargo stevedores in the Gulf Coast Region....

Tina is passionate about advocacy. Her approach to family law matters is responsive, straightforward and client-focused. Tina possesses all the sincere language, confidence, and zeal you would expect from a litigator raised in a strong Italian family. She deploys these traits at maximum effect. Clients love Tina because she is confident and efficient. She is a family law litigator with an impressive range of experience and knowledge. Tina’s interest in family law and advocacy began during her studies at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she received a Master of Science degree in education. This master’s program focused on educational policy...

I will not take a case unless the person I am helping is truly hurt, has legitimate damages, and truly deserves justice. If you are that person, I would be proud to represent you. While not every case will go to trial, I do not take a case unless I are prepared to take it all the way to trial. Therefore, I limit the number of cases I take. I have a passion for righting a wrong and fighting for the the broken, the poor, those who have suffered catastrophic injures, families of the injured, families who...

T.J. Roberts was born in Austin and raised in Lampasas, Texas. Playing baseball for the Lampasas Badgers earned T.J. a chance to attend Austin College in Sherman, Texas. T.J. graduated with a degree in political science and moved on to the Texas Tech University School of Law. In Law School, T.J. served as president of the Criminal Bar Association, Vice-Chair of The Board of Barristers, and was voted the Board’s most outstanding member. In addition to the Criminal Defense Clinic, where he received an American Jurisprudence Award, T.J. was also a member of several national trial advocacy teams. T.J....

Kaylee Rush grew up in rural east Texas and attended undergraduate university at the University of Texas at Arlington before settling in Houston, where she attended law school at South Texas College of Law Houston. While in law school, Kaylee earned multiple academic honors including the Dean's Merit scholarship and several CALI awards and participated in the Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics. Kaylee also completed a 2-year state district family court clerkship as a law student. Prior to law school, Kaylee discovered her passion for serving her community as a reporter for a small local newspaper, finding that the media we...

Margaret is a family law attorney, passionate about helping her clients shape their future. She understands that when someone hires an attorney, it can be a daunting and emotional experience. Margaret takes the time to explain the process, listen to the client, and then guides them in finding the best possible outcome. As a trained mediator, Margaret has successfully used her powerful negotiation skills to reach strong resolutions outside the courtroom. Mindful that a settlement outside of trial is not always possible, she has experience zealously advocating for her clients in the courtroom to achieve the desired results.

After graduating from...

Rukhsanda Melissa Masoom grew up in Queens, New York before finding her way to Deer Park, Texas, where she attended school. She went on to attend Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Melissa decided to equip herself with the tools necessary to affect social change and seek justice for those in need of help. She matriculated at New England School of Law in Boston, before returning to Houston, her true home. After law school, Melissa has amassed extensive courtroom experience, with a focus on a variety of practice areas, including family law, mass tort litigation and personal injury. She has volunteered...

I provide bankruptcy solutions for consumers and business primarily in the greater Houston area but also in other parts of Texas and the rest of the United States. I also represent clients nationwide in federal appeals.

Heather M. Bachman is a Board-Certified Family Law attorney committed to resolving family issues through collaboration and mediation. Guided by the principle that family relationships should be preserved and protected during crises, Heather prioritizes out-of-court settlements, using the courtroom as a last resort. Her extensive experience includes divorce, child support, visitation rights, enforcement of visitation and child support, collaborative law, and mediation. With a compassionate approach and thorough understanding of the law, Heather offers clients expert legal advice aimed at educating them about legal procedures, exploring solutions, encouraging settlements, maintaining reasonable fees, and protecting their rights when litigation becomes necessary. Her...

Mr. Brashear's legal career began with a tour aboard the U.S.S. Philippine Sea (CG58). While aboard this U.S. Naval vessel, he defended the United States while visiting and taking in the cultural values of many other countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece. After completing his tour aboard U.S.S. Philippine Sea (CG58), Mr. Brashear had the pleasure of working with the Navy Legal Service Office Southeast Jacksonville, Florida; where he processed claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act. While in Jacksonville, he was also stationed with the Trial Service Office Southeast where he...

Laura De La Cruz is the newest attorney at Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris. She joined the firm in 2010 and worked as a legal assistant for managing partner, Matthew Shaffer, until she became licensed to practice law. Laura is an excellent lawyer and has a passion for helping others. Laura believes that the law is meant to serve individuals and their families. Her practice focuses on advocating for injured workers in maritime and other work accidents across the country. She is proud of her experience with the firm, which has given her the knowledge and practical skills to see...

Dustin advises clients about their business-related matters at the federal, state, and international levels with experience in corporate, tax, securities, and related issues. Dustin has experience providing tax and business services, including the reformation and restructuring of large multi-national businesses to achieve strategic tax and business objectives. Dustin works with business owners, corporate officers, and other advisors in structuring acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, and corporate financing arrangements to provide efficient solutions to tax and business issues across a variety of industries. In addition to his business and tax planning experience, Dustin has experience resolving taxpayer issues during IRS examination or collection status,...

Kim Hegwood, born in Bay City, is an Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney based in Houston, Texas. Kim has been a practicing Attorney since she graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1996 and passed the Bar in 1997. After watching her grandparents struggle to maintain their independence as they grew older, trying to navigate the challenges of aging, and deal with the legal, financial, and emotional challenges that our loved ones face in their golden years, Kim dedicated her career to helping families preserve their dignity and protect their assets. Kim started her own law firm in...

Daniel Lazarine is a Criminal Defense Attorney in Houston, TX. Mr. Lazarine is a former prosecutor, and a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center.

Professional Summary
Experienced appellate and criminal defense counsel with accomplished background in State and Federal litigation. Over twenty years of experience in both whitecollar and blue-collar cases ranging from State misdemeanors to Federal felonies.

Education
University of Texas School of Law,
J.D., cum laude – 1995

Academic Publications
Yes: Juries Can and Should Correct the Overly Broad use of Criminal
Sanctions, in W.R. Palacios, P.F. Cromwell, R.G. Dunham, ed., Crime and Justice in America: Present Realities and Future Prospects, Prentice Hall,
2002

Jury Nullification: The Evolution of a Doctrine (Carolina Academic Press, 1998) 334 pages.

Professional...

C.Y.Lee Legal Group, PLLC, has over a decade of experience and loves to serve this great city of HOUSTON and our STRONG citizens. We have built a reputation for being able to communicate and be there for our clients, as well as providing our clients with prompt answers and more than adequate representation. It would be our pleasure and honor to assist in any way we can.

Professional Law Background B.A., University of Houston, 1972 J.D., South Texas College of Law, 1975 Admitted to the bar of Texas, 1975 Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas State Bar of Texas Texas State Bar College The College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Senior Counsel American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Sustaining Lawyer, President’s Club, (Leaders Forum 2003-2008), (National Finance Council, Justice List Committee 2007-2008), (National College of Trial Advocacy Civil and Criminal ; American College of Barristers, Senior Counsel;...

Frank J. Vendt, Jr., has been meaningfully involved with people that work all types of jobs, people that have various social statuses, and people that live with many different issues. This led him to practice family law.

We have all heard that “nothing takes the place of experience.” Mr. Vendt has been through a divorce himself and has shared custody of his child. He is a Richmond divorce lawyer who understands the battles one faces when it is time to end a marriage (money, children, reputation, failure, et cetera).

Outside of law, Mr. Vendt spends time with his family and in the...

Christopher Campbell joined Pless Law Firm in 2023 as Senior Counsel. Based in the Denver office, he specializes in assisting clients with acquisitions, dispositions, equity investments, syndications, fund formation, leasing, capital structuring, financing, 1031 exchange, and tenant-in-common structuring and finance. In his twenty years of practice, Chris has regularly worked with asset management firms, private equity funds, opportunity funds, local and regional owners and operators, investment banks, financial institutions, private lenders, investors, institutional owners, and high net worth investors throughout the country on multifamily, office, hotel, mixed-use, retail and industrial projects. Chris has also successfully represented landlords and tenants in structuring...

Steve Urban is a trial lawyer located in Austin, Texas who is Board Certified in Consumer and Commerical Law. Steve was originally licensed in Michigan in 1998 and in Texas in 2000. He received his Board Certification in Consumer and Commercial Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2008. Steve is former partner in the law firm of Taylor Dunham, L.L.P., where he practiced for nearly 12 years before forming his own firm in 2012. Over the past 14 years, Steve has represented clients in matters involving injuries and death caused by car, truck and motorcycle accidents,...

Ty was born and raised in the heart of the Pineywoods in Longview, Texas. Making his way to Houston to attend law school and ultimately founded Gibson Hill PC in 2013.

While attending South Texas College of Law, Ty personally managed a personal injury docket at a local law firm. This was Ty’s initial exposure to personal injury law, personal injury clients, and the skills necessary to cultivate a good attorney-client relationship, and ultimately a passion for assisting those who have been injured.

Ty handles each client’s case as if it is a mission, knowing that each and every case will have...

Chris Cagle graduated Magna Cum Laude from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. Chris has represented clients in complex injury cases in Federal and State Court cases all over the State of Texas and beyond. Chris has been voted as a Texas "Rising Star" attorney on four seperate occasions. The Cagle Law Firm, P.C. specializes in helping victims of negligence and fraud recoup damages pursuant to Texas Law. Chris helps victims of car wrecks, medical negligence, defective products, and real estate transactions.

Matthew Ploeger is dedicated to serving Sutliff & Stout’s clients with diligence, skill, and commitment. He enjoys the intellectual challenges, but even more importantly, finds great satisfaction in helping people understand and navigate the legal system and championing them in the courts. ———— Matthew Ploeger began his legal career serving as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Nathan L. Hecht, the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. He then joined the appellate practice group at a major law firm, where, for over ten years, he handled all manner of appeals and worked closely with trial teams, providing crucial support...

Angelica is driven to help families navigate difficult journeys, make sound decisions and successfully transition into the next phase of their lives. Her clients include millennials, professionals and their spouses, who value a constructive and intelligent approach to family law. Anglica was named a 2022 Top Attorney in Austin by Austin Monthly, and a 2023 “Ones to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America© in Family Law. Angelica is a past member of the 2019-2020 State Bar of Texas Leadership Class and is a member of the Diversity in the Profession Committee of the State Bar of Texas. She speaks fluent...

Justin D. Pless founded Pless Law Firm in 2009. He dedicates his practice to helping clients navigate complex commercial real estate transactions, development projects, and corporate law matters. Justin divides his time between the firm’s offices in Colorado and Texas. Justin represents a broad range of clients throughout the United States in commercial real estate transactions and development projects including leasing, purchase and sale, financing, construction, and land use matters. Justin’s practice also includes the formation and structuring of business entities and joint ventures. Recognized for his legal acumen, Justin has published numerous articles and has previously taught continuing legal education...

Calleigh Olson joined Pless Law Firm in 2022 and is based in the Firm’s Denver office. Calleigh’s practice focuses on leasing, corporate governance, and development matters.

Carolyn H Young has been a Divorce Attorney and Family Law sole practitioner in central Texas for more than twenty-four years. While delivering highly competent, diligent, and ethical representation, Carolyn provides the personal attention required to meet each client’s individual needs and concerns. Her goal is to offer comfortable access to her clients during a difficult time while ensuring they receive dependable and honorable legal counsel.

Carolyn grew up in Midland, Texas and received her undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee University. Carolyn was accepted into the first class of coeds to attend Washington & Lee University in almost 240 years....

James Twine was born in Fort Hood, Texas, and after a childhood in New Jersey, he settled with his family in Cedar Park, Texas, in 1993. He holds a Leander High School diploma, a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University, a Masters in Public Administration from Texas State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Before embarking on his legal career, James's diverse experiences included proofreading at the Texas State Senate, underwriting for an insurance company, and writing for a local business paper. He also worked as a clerk in the Williamson County District Clerk’s...

Over the decades, Ryan Browne’s representation of victims in car and truck accidents generated hundreds of millions of dollars of settlements and verdicts. Ryan is as comfortable in the courtroom as he is at the office.

Loc Dang is the founder and managing partner of Dang Law Group, PLLC, a firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. He has years of experience and works tirelessly while representing his clients. Utilizing the highest ethical and professional standards, Loc is known for aggressively safeguarding the rights of his clients to ensure the highest probability of successful results. His firm focuses on personal injury and Immigration cases. Dang Law Group handles numerous personal injury cases such as automobile accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, wrongful deaths, and offshore injuries. He and his team have a vast intricate knowledge and understanding of how insurance companies evaluate,...

I primarily do patent preparation, prosecution, strategy and licensing. I also selectively handle trademark, copyright and other general legal matters. I am admitted in Texas and Washington State. I enjoy creatively crafting collaborative solutions to complex problems with minimal expense. Please involve me early in the process!

Having graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Doctorate of Law from St. Mary's University Law School, businessmen and women, attorneys, even judges have relied on Mr. Davis' expertise with language and law. He has focused his practice on Real Estate and is currently a Real Estate Broker and Notary Public; formerly Mr. Davis was a Title Fee Office owner/operator, Escrow Officer, Mortgage Broker and Loan Officer.

Jeremy Krenek was born and raised in Central Texas. Initially, he grew up on approximately 200 acres that was located 13 miles from the nearest gas station. When he was 8 years old, his family moved to north Austin. However, the family ranch was still active usually averaging around 50-head of cattle as well as many other animals including horses, guineas, goats, chickens, and hogs. Jeremy went back often, particularly as his grandpa got older to help maintain the ranch. This is the basis for his strong work ethic. In high school, Jeremy quit playing his high school sports (basketball and...

Patricia Brown has been practicing family law since 1997 in Williamson and Travis counties, with an emphasis on people and families, focusing principally on family law and divorce. Ms. Brown is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Both her paralegals are also Board Certified in Family Law. Having gone through a divorce, and raising 2 children as a single mother, Ms. Brown founded the firm based on her personal philosophy: genuine empathy and compassion for men and women seeking help. She focuses on understanding each client's individual needs, and has the...

Compassionate, comprehensive legal services! Compassionate attorney helping individuals to resolve painful disputes and avoid unnecessary litigation. Focus is on comprehensive, confidential representation to resolve conflict and prevent unnecessary and expensive litigation. Skilled mediator, certified in advanced family law.

Attorney Azam graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, with a B.A. in Political Science, and a minor in Legal Reasoning in 2006. Before attending law school, he served as Director of Operations for an international corporation. He graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2012 and has been licensed with the Texas Bar since then. He is also fluent in Arabic. Mr. Azam's philosophy is always to prepare every case as though it is going to trial. He is a zealous advocate and trial attorney, he is experienced in contract negotiations and drafting, business formation and all...

Joel B. Pardo has dedicated his career to helping those who have suffered, particularly at the hands of a corporation. He joined Ramsey Law Group in 2015, and has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict. He is extremely proud of his role assisting the firm in achieving its landmark $43,600,000.00 verdict in Price v. Walmart Stores of Texas, LLC et. al.

Mr. Pardo began his legal career as the supervising attorney of a class action docket at a personal injury law firm in Houston, Texas. He oversaw a team of twenty lawyers and paralegals and traveled throughout the Gulf Coast, representing...

Ms. Adriana Bello focuses her immigration work on business immigration matters, such as Employment Based Extraordinary Abilities or National Interest Waiver residence petitions, E2 Investors Visas, L1 Intracompany Transferee visas, among others. Due to her strong business background, Ms. Bello has developed a niche in assisting foreign highly qualified professionals and reviewing their business and work opportunities in the United States. As an immigration lawyer she believes that “you’re really trying to tell a person’s story and explain why that person seeks an opportunity to permanently stay in the United States. I’ve always liked the fact that everybody has their...

Daniel E. Sheppard loves what he does and has had the opportunity to assist clients with a variety of personal injury matters in Houston. Daniel fights for the people who need help — the “little guys” who get pushed around by a system that takes advantage of those without resources. Daniel strongly believes that people and corporations should be held accountable for their choices and cannot be allowed avoid the rules, regulations, and responsibility to keep people safe. Daniel takes pride in providing quality service to clients and brings his relentless work ethic into the office and the courtroom. Although a native...