ASSOCIATES
Mario A. Castillón, born San Benito, Texas, 1993; admitted to bar, 2018, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.A., cum laude, 2015); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 2018). Honor Societies: Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Kappa Phi. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas (International Law Section); American Bar Association (Business Law Section); Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association. Fellow: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (2018-2019). Languages: Spanish. General Transactional Law. E−Mail: Mario A. Castillón
Meredith D. Helle, born Plano, Texas, 1992; admitted to bar, 2017, Texas. Preparatory education, Texas A&M University (B.S., cum laude, 2014); legal education, Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2017). Honor Society: Phi Delta Phi. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas (Sections: Litigation; Construction Law; Women and the Law); Texas Association of Defense Counsel. General Litigation. E-Mail mhelle@atlashall.com
Bryan T. Ramirez, born McAllen, Texas; admitted to bar, 2021, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas-Pan American (B.B.A., Finance, 2015); St. Mary's University of San Antonio (M.B.A., 2017); legal education, University of Tennessee College of Law (J.D., 2021). E−Mail: Bryan T. Ramirez
Paul T. Serafy, born Brownsville, Texas; admitted to bar, 2015, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. Preparatory education, St. Joseph Academy (2004); University of Notre Dame (B.A., 2008); legal education, Baylor Law School (J.D., Health Care Law, 2015). Order of Barristers. Executive Editor, Baylor Law Review. Recipient, Charles S. Petty Memorial Award for Law and Medicine, Baylor Law School. Assistant Coordinator, Veterans Clinic, Baylor Law School. Aide to: Senator John Cornyn, Washington, D.C.; Governor Rick Perry, Austin, Texas. Law Clerk to Hon. Ed Kinkeade, Dallas Division, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. Selected, "One to Watch," Best Lawyers in America®. Board of Trustees, Guadalupe Regional Middle School. Board of Directors, Proyecto Juan Diego. Languages: Spanish (Fluent); French. (Resident, Brownsville, Texas Office). E−Mail: Paul T. Serafy
Elizabeth M. Vela, born McAllen, Texas, 1993; admitted to bar, 2018, Texas. Preparatory education, Texas A&M University (B.A., cum laude, 2014); legal education, University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 2018). Honor Society: Phi Beta Kappa. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas (Sections: Litigation; Labor and Employment Law; Women in the Law); Texas Association of Defense Counsel. General Litigation. E−Mail: Elizabeth M. Vela
MEMBERS
Frederick J. Biel, born Bremond, Texas, 1950; admitted to bar, 1973, Texas. Preparatory education, Baylor University (B.B.A., 1973); legal education, Baylor Law School (J.D., 1973). Board Certified, Commercial Real Estate Law, Residential Real Estate Law and Farm & Ranch Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers®, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2003-2019. Board of Directors, Southwest Association of Bank Counsel. Member: American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Sustaining Life Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Real Estate Law; Banks and Banking Law; Business Law. E−Mail: Frederick J. Biel
Brent A. Bishop, born Manassas, Virginia, 1971; admitted to bar, 1996, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Arizona (B.A., summa cum laude, 1993); legal education, University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1996). Honor Society: Phi Beta Kappa (University of Arizona). Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association; American Bar Association; Texas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute (DRI™); Southwest Association of Bank Counsel; Texas Bar Foundation. Languages: Spanish. Civil and Commercial Litigation. E−Mail: Brent A. Bishop
Adriana H. Cardenas, born Brownsville, Texas; admitted to bar, 1997, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.A., 1994); legal education, University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1997). Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers® 'Rising Star' editions, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2005-2012; Texas Super Lawyers®, 2013-2020. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association (Former Director, 1999-2001; 2004-2006); State Bar of Texas (Advertising Review Committee, 2005-2009; Vice-Chair, 2010-2011); Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association (Director, 1999-2001); Texas Association of Defense Counsel; American Board of Trial Advocates (Secretary, 2020-). Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation. Languages: Spanish. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Commercial Litigation; Insurance Defense; Personal Injury Law. E−Mail: Adriana H. Cardenas
A. Kirby Cavin, born Wichita Falls, Texas, 1952; admitted to bar, 1976, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.A., with high honors, 1973); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1976). Honor Society: Phi Beta Kappa. Associate Editor, Texas Law Review, 1974-1976. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Real Estate Law; Corporate Law. E−Mail: A. Kirby Cavin
Stephen L. Crain, born San Antonio, Texas, 1955; admitted to bar, 1981, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.B.A., with honors, 1977); legal education, Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D., 1981); Levin College of Law, University of Florida (LL.M., Taxation, 1982). Fraternity: Delta Theta Phi. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Member: State Bar of Texas (School Law Section); Texas Association of School Boards Council of School Attorneys; Texas Bar Foundation. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Local Government Law; Real Estate Law; Corporate Law. E−Mail: Stephen L. Crain
Joshua A. Cummings, born Denton, Texas, 1980; admitted to bar, 2006, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, Baylor University (B.A., 2003); legal education, Baylor Law School (J.D., 2006). Board Certified, Property Owners Association Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Order of Barristers. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association (Director, 2011-2015; President, 2015-2016); Texas Bar College (2011-); American Bar Association; Community Associations Institute (2018-). Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation (2015-). Homeowner's Association Law; General Transactional Law; Banking Law; Real Estate Law; Probate and Estate Administration; Bankruptcy Law. E−Mail: Joshua A. Cummings
Debra L. Goetz, born New York, New York, 1963; admitted to bar, 1989, New York; 2003, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Chicago (B.A., with honors, 1985); legal education, Cornell Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 1988). Order of the Coif. Articles Editor, Cornell Law Review, 1987-1988. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association; State Bar of Texas (Sections: Business Law; Government Law; School Law; Women and the Law); New York State Bar Association; American Bar Association. Corporate Law; Governmental Law; Business Law; Local Government Law. E−Mail: Debra L. Goetz
Daniel G. Gurwitz, born McAllen, Texas; admitted to bar, 1993, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.A., 1990); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1993). Former Chairman, Rio Grande Valley Partnership. Former District Nomination Co-Chairman, Texas Bar Foundation. Former Executive Committee member, University of Texas School of Law Alumni Association. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers® 'Rising Star' editions, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2004-2008; Texas Super Lawyers®, 2013-. Member: State Bar of Texas (Past member, Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Committee). (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Litigation. E−Mail: Daniel G. Gurwitz
Gary R. Gurwitz, born San Antonio, Texas, 1935; admitted to bar, 1959, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.B.A., 1958); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (LL.B., with honors, 1959). Fraternity: Phi Delta Phi. Order of the Coif (Honorary). Associate Editor, Texas Law Review, 1958-1959. Board of Trustees, South Texas College, 1993-; Chairman, 1996-1998; 2008-2010. Former Vice-President, Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism. Former member, Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals. Recipient: Lifetime Achievement Award, Hidalgo County Bar Association; Man of the Year, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 2014; Humanitarian of the Year, Easter Seals-Rio Grande Valley, 2014; Muscular Dystrophy "Night of the Stars" Award. Member: State Bar of Texas (Board of Directors, 1984-1987; Former member and Co-Chairman, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Committee); Texas Association of Defense Counsel (Vice-President, 1988); International Association of Defense Counsel; Association of Community College Trustees (M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award, 2012). Fellow: American Bar Foundation; American College of Trial Lawyers. Sustaining Life Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Litigation. E−Mail: Gary R. Gurwitz
Joseph M. Habbouche, born Ohio, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Ohio; 2006, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. District Courts, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Michigan and Northern District of Illinois. Preparatory education, University of Michigan (B.A., cum laude, 2001); University of Toledo (M.A., summa cum laude, 2002); legal education, University of Illinois School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2005). Honor Society: Delta Epsilon Iota, University of Michigan. Named in, Texas Super Lawyers® 'Rising Star' edition, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2019. Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation (2013-2020). Languages: French; Arabic; Japanese. General Transactional Law; Business and Real Estate Law. E−Mail: Joseph M. Habbouche
O. C. Hamilton, Jr., born Harlingen, Texas, 1933; admitted to bar, 1960, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. Court of Federal Claims; U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.A., 1955); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (LL.B., 1960). Recipient: Naval Scholarship (Naval Intelligence School, 1959). Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Member: State Bar of Texas (Court Rules Committee, 1991-2005; Chair, 1995-2005); Texas Association of Defense Counsel (1962-); Defense Research Institute (DRI™, 1970-); Supreme Court of Texas (Advisory Committee, 1995-2017). (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). (Lt., U.S. Navy, 1951-1958; U.S. Naval Reserve, 1958-1961). Litigation (Business/Commercial, Construction, Real Estate); Toxic Tort; Trespass to try Title/Adverse Possession; Insurance Defense. E−Mail: O. C. Hamilton, Jr.
Rex N. Leach, born Houston, Texas, 1950; admitted to bar, 1977, Texas. Preparatory education, Sam Houston State University; Abilene Christian University (B.S., summa cum laude, 1971); legal education, Baylor Law School (J.D., 1977). Honor Society: Alpha Chi. Former County and District Attorney, Limestone County, Texas. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers®, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2009-2018. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Medical Malpractice; Media Law; Governmental Defense; Labor and Employment Defense. E−Mail: Rex N. Leach
Mike Mills, born McAllen, Texas, 1950; admitted to bar, 1976, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.A., with honors, 1973); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1976). Honor Society: Phi Beta Kappa (University of Texas). Fraternity: Phi Delta Phi. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers®, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2005-. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association (Chairman, Pro-Bono Project, 1988-1995; Director, 1988-1990; President, 1990-1991); State Bar of Texas (Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals, 2015-); Texas Association of Defense Counsel (Director, 1994-1996); American Board of Trial Advocates (Advocate). Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury Law; Insurance Defense. E−Mail: Mike Mills
Charles C. Murray, born Lubbock, Texas, 1946; admitted to bar, 1972, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.A., 1968); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors, 1972). Order of the Coif. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers®, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2005-2018. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association; Texas Association of Defense Counsel (Former Director and Vice-President); Texas Law Review Association. Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation; American College of Trial Lawyers. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Commercial Litigation. E−Mail: Charles C. Murray
Eduardo R. Rodriguez, born Edinburg, Texas, 1943; admitted to bar, 1968, Texas. Preparatory education, George Washington University (B.A., 1965); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1968). Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Selected: Extraordinary Minorities in Texas Law, The Texas Lawyer, 2009; 25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter Century, The Texas Lawyer, 2010. Recipient, Professionalism Award for the Fifth Circuit, American Inns of Court, 2017; University of Texas Distinguished Alumnus, 2019. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers®, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2013-. Member: State Bar of Texas (President, 2004-2005); American Bar Association (House of Delegates 1991-1995; 2003-2012; State Delegate, 2007-2012; Representative, Texas-Florida Board of Governors, 2013-2016); Texas Association of Defense Counsel; International Association of Defense Counsel (Faculty, 2002); American College of Trial Lawyers; Supreme Court of Texas (Rules Committee, Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals); Texas Bar Foundation. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Litigation. (Resident, Brownsville, Texas Office). E−Mail: Eduardo R. Rodriguez
Michael Rodriguez, born Austin, Texas, 1967; admitted to bar, 1994, Texas. Preparatory education, The College of William & Mary (B.A., 1990); legal education, University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1994). Chair, Bond Oversight Committee, Brownsville Independent School District, 2007. Board of Directors, Texas Appleseed, 2008-. Named in, Texas Super Lawyers®, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2013-. Member: Cameron County Bar Association (Board of Directors, 2012); Texas Association of Defense Counsel; International Association of Defense Counsel; The University of Texas Law Alumni Association (Executive Committee, 2012). Languages: Spanish. Criminal Law; Complex Litigation; Products Liability Defense. (Resident, Brownsville, Texas Office). E−Mail: Michael Rodriguez
Vicki M. Skaggs, born Abilene, Texas, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas (B.S., summa cum laude, 1979); legal education, University of Houston (J.D., cum laude, 1981). Fraternity: Phi Delta Phi. Order of the Barons. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Named in: Texas Super Lawyers®, Texas Monthly/Law & Politics Magazines, 2013-. Author: "Navigating Bankruptcy After Judgment: Post Judgment Bankruptcy Blunders to Beware," Litigation Section Report, The Advocate, Vol. 64, State Bar of Texas (Fall 2013). Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association (Former Director); State Bar of Texas (Bankruptcy Law Section, Loan Modification Subcommittee, 2017); Rio Grande Valley Bankruptcy Bar Association (Former President); Texas Young Lawyers Association (Former Director, District 15); Texas Bar Foundation (Life member). (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Bankruptcy Law; Commercial Litigation. E−Mail: Vicki M. Skaggs
Susan Sullivan, born Bryan, Texas; admitted to bar, 1990, Texas; also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Preparatory education, University of Texas at San Antonio (B.A., 1984); legal education, St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D., 1989). National Order of Barristers. Board of Advocates. Listed in, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association (Former Director/Secretary; Chairman, Civil Trial Law Section, 2009-2013); State Bar of Texas (Litigation Section; Administration of Rules of Evidence Committee, 2010-2014; Pattern Jury Charge Committee, General Negligence, 2015-2018); Texas Association of Defense Counsel (TADC); Defense Research Institute (DRI™); American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation. (AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence). Products Liability; Insurance Defense; Catastrophic Injury Law; Personal Injury Law; Employment Law; Transportation Law; Trucking Law; Toxic Torts. E−Mail: Susan Sullivan
J. Joseph Vale, born Arlington, Texas, 1986; admitted to bar, 2012, Texas. Preparatory education, Baylor University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2009); legal education, Baylor Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2012). Board Certified, Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Honor Society: Phi Beta Kappa. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association (Director, HCBA; Co-Chair, Appellate Section); State Bar of Texas (Civil Appeals Section); Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association (Director; Former Secretary). Civil Appeals; Civil Litigation; Commercial Litigation. E−Mail: J. Joseph Vale
Rick A. Zuniga, born Mather Air Force Base, California, 1986; admitted to bar, 2012, Texas. Preparatory education, Texas State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2008; M.A., 2009); legal education, St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D., 2012). Fraternity: Phi Delta Phi. Court Clerk to: Justice Eva Guzman, Supreme Court of Texas; Justice Emilio Garza, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; Chief Justice Rogelio Valdez, Texas Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Member: Hidalgo County Bar Association (Board of Directors, 2018-2019; Litigation Section); Texas Association of Defense Counsel; Hidalgo County Bar Foundation (Board of Directors, 2018-2019). General Litigation. E−Mail: Rick A. Zuniga