ASSOCIATES
Kyle Thomas Barry, born 1993; admitted to bar, 2021, Texas. Preparatory education, Lenoir-Rhyne University (B.A., Economics, 2015); legal education, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville (J.D., 2019). Member: State Bar of Texas. Municipal Law; Municipal Prosecution. E−Mail: Kyle Thomas Barry
Courtney Goodman-Morris, born 1967; admitted to bar, 2003, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, Texas A&M University (B.S., Animal Science, 1989); legal education, Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D., 2003). Associate, Underwood Law Firm, 2004-2008. Assistant City Attorney, City of Amarillo, 2008-2013. City Attorney, City of Denison, 2013-2016. Representative Cases: Thrasher v. City of Amarillo, 709 F.3d 509 (5th Cir. 2013). Member: State Bar of Texas; Texas City Attorneys Association. Municipal Law; Civil Litigation; Municipal Prosecution. E−Mail: Courtney Goodman-Morris
Hunter W. Mattocks, born 1995; admitted to bar, 2020, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, University of Oklahoma (B.A., 2016); legal education, University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 2020). Member: State Bar of Texas. Municipal Law; Civil Litigation; Administrative Law; Employment Law; Municipal Prosecution. E−Mail: Hunter W. Mattocks
John D. Oliver, born 1992; admitted to bar, 2018, Texas. Preparatory education, Butler University (B.A., History, 2014); legal education, SMU Dedman School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2018). Member: State Bar of Texas. Municipal Law; Municipal Prosecution; Eminent Domain. E−Mail: John D. Oliver
Kaleb Russell Smith, born 1991; admitted to bar, 2019, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, Texas Christian University (B.B.A., Real Estate Finance, 2013); legal education, University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 2019). Member: Dallas Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Texas City Attorneys Association. E−Mail: Kaleb Russell Smith
PARTNERS
David M. Berman, born 1958; admitted to bar, 1984, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, State University of New York at Stony Brook (B.A., 1981; M.S., 1981); legal education, Southern Methodist University School of Law (J.D., 1984). Instructor, Business Law, El Centro College, 1985-1994. Member: State Bar of Texas. Municipal Law; Planning and Zoning; Contracts; Public Works and Procurement; Open Government; Condemnation and Inverse Condemnation; Employment Law; Personnel Matters; Litigation. E−Mail: David M. Berman
Joseph J. Gorfida, Jr., born 1970; admitted to bar, 1999, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. Preparatory education, University of South Carolina (B.A., Political Science, 1992); legal education, University of Tulsa College of Law (J.D., 1998). Assistant City Attorney, City of Plano, Texas, 1999-2001. Faculty, Texas Municipal Courts Education Center. Lecturer: "Regulating Sexual Oriented Businesses," The Center for American and International Law; "New Uses in Residential Areas," Land Use Planning Conference, University of Texas, 2013; "Regulating Pay Day Lenders," Annual Conference, Texas Municipal League, 2014; "Payday Lenders: Update on Municipal Regulation," 102nd Annual Conference, Texas Municipal League, 2014; "Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Provisions and Pitfalls," Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA), September 2014; "Zoning: The Saga Continues," Hot Topics on Zoning that Continue to Challenge Local Government Update on Regulation of Pay Day Lenders, E-Cigarettes and Boarding Homes, The Land Use Conference, University of Texas Law School, 2014. Member: Dallas Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Texas City Attorneys Association. Municipal Law; Employment Law; Zoning and Land Use. E−Mail: Joseph J. Gorfida, Jr.
Robert E. Hager, born 1952; admitted to bar, 1978, Michigan; 1979, Texas; 1980, Florida; also admitted to practice before U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas; U.S. Tax Court. Preparatory education, Michigan State University (B.A., with honors, 1974); legal education, Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1978); Southern Methodist University School of Law (LL.M., 1984). Order of Barristers. Member: Ingham County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; State Bar of Texas; The Florida Bar; Texas City Attorneys Association; Texas Municipal Human Resource Association. Research Fellow: The Center for American and International Law. State and Federal Litigation; Appellate Practice with emphasis in State and Local Government Law; Civil Rights; Constitutional Law; Employment Discrimination; Personnel Matters; Construction Litigation; Zoning and Land Use. E−Mail: Robert E. Hager
Kevin B. Laughlin, born 1960; admitted to bar, 1985, Texas; 1989, Oklahoma; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Northern and Western Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, Southern Methodist University (B.A., English/Political Science, 1982); legal education, Southern Methodist University School of Law (J.D., 1985). First Assistant City Attorney, City of Midland, Texas, 1989-1996. City Attorney, City of Kerrville, Texas, 1996-2002. Seminar/Conference Lecturer, Texas City Attorneys Association. Representative Cases: Helen O'Neal v. Ector County Ind. Sch. Dist. 221 S.W.3d 286 (Tex.App.-Eastland 2006); Odessa Tex. Sheriff's Posse v. Ector County, Tex., 215 S.W.3d 458 (Tex.App.-Eastland 2006, pet. den.). Member: Ector County Bar Association; Midland County Bar Association; Oklahoma Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Texas City Attorneys Association (Former President). Municipal Law; Real Estate; Probate; General Business. E−Mail: Kevin B. Laughlin
Braden W. Metcalf, born 1981; admitted to bar, 2006, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. Preparatory education, Southern Methodist University (B.B.A., Real Estate Finance, 2003); legal education, University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 2006). Member: Dallas Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Texas City Attorneys Association (Associate). Municipal Law; Ad Valorem Taxation. E−Mail: Braden W. Metcalf
Peter G. Smith, born 1952; admitted to bar, 1977, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Western Districts of Texas; U.S. Court of Military Appeals. Preparatory education, Texas Tech University (B.A., 1974); legal education, Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D., 1976). Honor Society: Pi Sigma Alpha. Member: State Bar of Texas; American Bar Association; Texas City Attorneys Association; Texas Association of Assessing Officers; Texas Association of Appraisal District; Texas Municipal League. Research Fellow: The Center for American and International Law. (Capt., JAGC, U.S. Army, 1977-1981; Lt. Col., JAGC, Texas Army National Guard, 1981-2002). State and Federal Litigation; Appellate Practice with emphasis in State and Local Government Law; Civil Rights; Constitutional Law; Zoning and Land Use; Personal Injury; Ad Valorem Taxation; Municipal Law. E−Mail: Peter G. Smith
Victoria W. Thomas, born 1958; admitted to bar, 1988, Mississippi; 2007, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi and Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, Millsaps College (B.S., 1983); legal education, Mississippi College School of Law (J.D., 1988). Senior Assistant City Attorney, Dallas, Texas, 2007-2010. Member: Dallas Bar Association; Mississippi Bar; State Bar of Texas; American Bar Association. Municipal Law; Civil Litigation and Appeals; Constitutional and Federal Discrimination Litigation. E−Mail: Victoria W. Thomas