Biography

Chris Ross focuses his practice on construction and commercial litigation in both federal and state court. Chris also has experience with a wide array of other matters including products and premises liability, business litigation, real estate, employment matters, and personal injury litigation. Chris assists clients throughout all phases of litigation from file to trial and aggressively pursues the best outcome for his clients.

Chris earned his J.D. from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, where he served as associate managing editor of the SMU Law Review and externed at the Northern District of Texas. Chris also competed in several moot court competitions while in school and was a student attorney for the SMU Civil Clinic.

Originally a Houston native, Chris enjoys all things Texas hill country, from running around town lake to hiking along the Pedernales River.

Education

• SMU Dedman School of Law –J.D., 2018
• Houston Christian University –B.A. History, 2015

Memberships & Affiliations

• Texas Young Lawyers Association
• Austin Bar Association
• Austin Young Lawyers Association

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (2018)
• United States District Court: Southern, Western, Northern, Eastern Districts of Texas

Biography

Holton has experience assisting individuals and businesses in a wide range of matters, including commercial litigation, construction claims, employment matters, oil and gas litigation, insurance defense, and fiduciary litigation.  Holton’s state and federal court experience spans across multiple states, including Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Holton grew up in a small town outside of Fort Worth, Texas before attending Texas Tech University. While in school, Holton played an active role in several organizations, including the Texas Tech Administrative Law Journal and Student Government Association. While in school, Holton served as a law clerk for multiple district court judges.  

Before moving to Austin, Texas, Holton Westbrook practiced across West Texas, representing clients in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. In his free time, Holton enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, running, and playing sports. 

Education

• Texas Tech University School of Law – J.D., 2019 
• Texas Tech University – B.S. Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2016 

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Texas Bar Foundation Fellow

Community Involvement

• Legal Aid of Northwest Texas Board of Director 
• Rodeo Austin Committee Member 
• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Scholarship Committee Member 

Memberships & Affiliations

• American Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division, District 25 Representative
• Texas Young Lawyers Association, Board Liasion
• Austin Bar Association 
• Austin Young Lawyers Association 

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (2020)
• State Bar of New Mexico (2020)
• Oklahoma Bar Association (2023) 
• United States District Court: Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
• United States District Court: District of New Mexico  

Biography

Lina is a results-driven, strategic litigator with experience in commercial, construction, employment, personal injury, and products liability matters. She has experience representing companies, who manufacture, sell, and market prescription and over-the-counter medications, personal care products, and vaccines in mass tort litigations and defending catastrophic personal injury cases. Lina represents self-insured and insured, individuals and corporate clients in state and federal courts. She has extensive experience with the day-to-day management of cases, claim evaluation, pretrial motion practice, assisting company witnesses with deposition preparation, document management, and trial preparation.

Lina values counseling her clients on the various options they have in resolving their claims, and then navigating them through whatever process they choose, whether it be litigation or alternative dispute resolution. Lina also enjoys mediating cases.

Education

• Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 2002
• University of Texas at Austin – B.A., 1999

Representative Experience

• Obtained summary judgments on behalf of product manufacturers, including claims for alleged product defects, negligence, breach of warranty, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees
• Obtained dismissal of claims against directors in multi-million dollar case, involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy
• Obtained Rule 91a dismissal of claims on behalf of a court-appointed forensic psychologist
• Obtained dismissals on behalf of product manufacturer across the U.S. based on lack of personal jurisdiction
• Successfully and efficiently resolved personal injury, employment discrimination, residential construction, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and other commercial disputes through alternative dispute resolution
• Served as a member of regional and national counsel teams, defending companies in mass tort litigations, involving pharmaceutical and personal care products

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (2002)
• United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas

Biography

Jesse focuses his practice on construction, personal injury, products liability, and complex commercial litigation matters. He has also successfully represented licensed professionals before various state boards and agencies and at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Whether handling a transactional matter, a pre-litigation claim, or an active lawsuit, Jesse is a fierce advocate who works tirelessly to serve the best interests of his clients. He has been involved in all phases of litigation and is no stranger to the courtroom, having achieved wins and favorable verdicts for his clients at pre-trial hearings and at trial.

His experience as a litigator has also equipped him with a deep understanding of risk management, dispute resolution strategies, and contract enforcement mechanisms, enabling him to anticipate potential issues and better advise his clients in business matters.

Jesse was born and raised in south Texas and is a proud graduate of UT-Austin and St. Mary’s University School of Law, where he graduated cum laude and served as Editor in Chief of St. Mary’s specialty law review.

When he is not working, you can find Jesse hanging out with his wife (Jacqueline), his two sons (Jesse and Julian), and his Basset Hound (Mika). He also enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, music, movies, and sports.

Education

• St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2017
  • Editor in Chief, St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice (2016-2017)
  • Staff Writer, St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice (2015-2016)
  • Best Brief for Section, Eric Reister Family Award Winner
  • Dean’s Scholarship Recipient
• University of Innsbruck, Austria, Summer 2015
• University of Texas at Austin, B.A. Government, 2012

Representative Experience

• Represented subcontractor in workplace injury case and obtained summary judgment based on exclusive remedy defense
• Represented residential contractors in defect claims and obtained voluntary dismissals after discovery
• Represented industrial services company in motor vehicle accident case and obtained summary judgment on multiple causes of action
• Part of trial team who obtained defense verdict in Travis County District Court in motor vehicle accident case
• Represented contractor in public works construction project and obtained summary judgment in personal injury suit arising from accident on the construction site

Publications

• Navigating the Post-Shelby Landscape: Using Universalism to Augment the Remaining Power of the Voting Rights Act, 19 SCHOLAR 217 (2017).

Community Involvement

• Texas Appleseed, Mentor in Diversity Legal Scholarship Program

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas
• Austin Bar Association
• Austin Young Lawyers Association
• American Bar Association
• Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society—San Antonio Tarlton Inn Chapter
• Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
• Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (2017)
• United States District Court: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas; Texas Northern Bankruptcy Court, Texas Southern Bankruptcy Court

Biography

Jim Ewbank is a (mostly retired) civil trial lawyer and outside counselor who has tried a wide variety of civil cases, both Plaintiff and Defense, including over 125 jury trials. Jim has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for both Civil Trial and Personal Injury Trial Law since 1987. He was elected as an Advocate by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2000. In addition to his talents in the courtroom, Jim is a decorated expert in the legal community as a respected author, speaker, and professor. In 1982, Jim was bestowed the Outstanding Law Review award by the Texas Bar Foundation, having co-authored with Hon. Bob Shannon, and in the years of 2003, 2004, 2009-2020, Jim has been named a Business Litigation Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in Texas Monthly.

Jim is consistently looked to as an expert in the areas of civil trial techniques and substantive areas of civil litigation and employment law and is frequently asked to speak at State and local seminars for a variety of related topics. In addition to sharing his valued knowledge with the legal community, Jim is a popular speaker and preeminent expert on risk management for fraternities and sororities nationwide. He has handled most of the major high profile cases involving fraternities since 1990.

Jim places great value on strong legal education as well as using his experience to pay it forward. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law, teaching Trial Tactics from 1986 – 1998 as well as coaching their National Mock Trial teams to multiple championships. For the last fourteen (14) years, Jim has served on the faculty of multiple NITA courses on “Building Trial Skills” and TADC Trial Academies. He was an original member of the Robert Calvert Inn of Court in 1987.

Jim has served as outside General Counsel for a large number of small to medium size businesses and Public Housing Authorities for the last 25 years, providing advice and guidance on a wide range of legal matters.

Education

• Baylor Law School – J.D., 1980
• Southwestern University – B.A. Social Science, 1977

Memberships and Affiliations

• Elected Advocate to the American Board of Trial Advocates since 2000
• Barrister, Robert Calvert Inn of Court
• Member of the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Sections of the State and Austin Bar Associations; member of Housing Development Law Institute
• State Bar of Texas
• Austin Bar Association
• Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (1980)
• United States District Court: Eastern, Southern, & Western Districts of Texas (1995 – present)
• United States Courts of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (2000 – present)
• 15 States as Pro Hac Vice

Recognitions and Distinctions

• Lifetime Achievement Recognition from the Edgewater Forum
• Named a Super Lawyer (2003 – 2020, excluding 2019) by Thomson Reuters

Appeals

Smith v. Delta Tau Delta, 9 N.E.3d 154, (Ind. 2014).  Successful Amicus Brief for North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

STOP/TABCC, et al v. City of New Braunfels, “not reported in S.W.3d, 2013 WL 692446 (Tex.App.-Austin, February 21, 2013) [denial of Plea to Jurisdiction affirmed]

City of New Braunfels v. WWGAF, et al, 2012 WL 423919 (Tex.App.-Eastland 2012, petition denied) [Commercial litigation – MSJ for Plaintiff/Client affirmed]

Towers of Town Lake Condominium Association, Inc. v. Rouhani
296 S.W.3d 290 (Tex.App.- Austin 2009) [Slip & Fall – review denied March 12, 2010 – $1.8 million jury verdict in favor of Plaintiff/Client affirmed]

THPD v. Continental Imports
260 S.W.3d 593 (Tex.App.–Austin 2008) [Commercial fraud case – mixed jury verdict reversed in favor of Defendant/Client]

Murff v. Pass
249 S.W.3d 407 (Tex. 2008) [Medical negligence–brain damaged baby –jury verdict for Defendant/Client affirmed]

Brown v. Wills
2004 WL 3383447 (Tex.App.–Austin, 2004) [Medical negligence – fatal overdose of pain medications – jury verdict for Defendant/Client affirmed]

McIntyre v. Ramirez
109 S.W.3d 741 (Tex. 2003) [Good Samaritan – OB Rescue – Motion for summary judgment for Defendant/Client affirmed]

Moritz v. Preiss
121 S.W.3d 715 (Tex. 2003) [Failure to diagnose kidney disease – Medical Negligence – jury verdict for Defendant/Client affirmed]

Waddill v. Phi Gamma Delta
114 S.W.3d 146 (Tex.App.–Austin 07/24/2003) [Organizational liability for Fraternity – Motion for summary judgment for Defendant/Client affirmed]

Forrest v. Danielson
77 S.W.3d 842 (Tex.App–Tyler, 2002) [Medical negligence – Expert report – Motion for summary judgment for Defendant/Client affirmed]

City of Stephenville v. Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.
940 S.W.2d 667 (Tex.App.–Austin, 1996) [Administrative law – Ex parte contact – bench trial decision for Plaintiff affirmed]

Barstow v. Travis County
1998 WL 670225 (Tex.App.–Austin 1998, no writ) [Ingress & egress easement at Lake Travis – jury verdict for Travis County/Client affirmed]

St. John v. Pope
901 S.W.2d 420 (Tex. 1995) [Physician-patient relationship – Motion for summary judgment for Defendant/Client affirmed]

Closs v. Goose Creek ISD
874 S.W.2d 859 (Tex.App.–Texarkana, 1994) [Employment / due process / termination – verdict for Defendant/Client affirmed]

Presentations/ Publications

TRIAL TACTICS

• University of Texas School of Law Product Liability and Personal Injury Seminar, “Panel Discussion – Hot Tips for Litigators”
• University of Texas School of Law Product Liability and Personal Injury Seminar, “Limitation of Damages in Catastrophic Injury Cases”
• University of Texas School of Law Product Liability and Personal Injury Seminar, “Inadvertent Disclosure of Privileged Documents”
• University of Texas Law School Trial Tactics Seminar – “Brevity in Presentation of Evidence”
• Austin Bar Association Bench Bar Conference – “Jury Selection”; “ Spoliation in Texas”; Evidence in Texas”
• Austin Bar Association Civil Litigation Section – “Ultimate Trial Notebook”
• Austin Young Lawyers Association/Travis County Bar Association Litigation Seminar, “Effective Use of Experts”
• Austin Young Lawyers Association/Travis County Bar Association Voir Dire Seminar – “Voir Dire – Defendant’s Perspective”
• Austin Young Lawyers Association/Travis County Bar Association Litigation Seminar – “Duties and Dilemmas of Insurance Defense Counsel”
• Housing and Development Law Institute (HDLI) Conference 2008, “Effective Jury Selection in PHA Cases”
• National Academy of Neuropsychology 26th Annual Conference, 2006 – “The Neuropsych as Expert – Retention Through Deposition”
• Capitol Area Paralegal Association Litigation Seminar: “The Role of the Advocate in Mediation”
• County and District Attorneys Seminar on Trial Tactics – “Conduct of a Trial – Voir Dire Through Appeal”
• Council of School Attorneys Seminar, “Effective Motions for Summary Judgment”
• Litigation Counsel of America – “Use of AI in the Practice of Law,” “Voir Dire and Challenges for Cause”
• Risk Management Seminar, Texas Hospital Insurance Exchange – “Texas Tort Claims Act”
• Speaker, Texas Association of School Boards Risk Management Conference, (1996 – 1999)

OTHER

• TADC Law Office Managing Partners Forum – “The Joy of Dealing with Management Issues”
• HDLI General Counsel Forum

LEGAL PUBLICATIONS

• “The Texas APTRA Since 1976 – Selected Problems”, 33 BAYLOR L. REV. 393 (1981). Co-authored with Honorable Bob E. Shannon, voted Outstanding Law Review Award by Texas Bar Foundation in 1982.

TEACHING POSITIONS

• Faculty, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) (2010 – 2020), “Building Trial Skills”
• Adjunct Professor, University of Texas School of Law
  “Trial Tactics,” (1986 – 1998), four hour intensive trial advocacy course for third year law students
• Faculty, University of Texas Law School Trial Advocacy, “Winning at Trial – Nine Day Intensive Trial Advocacy Course,” (1986 – 1995)
• Texas Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy Faculty

Biography

Kristen Maloney is an attorney in the Austin office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation, representing residential, commercial, and industrial construction clients. She also regularly navigates employment related disputes, safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees in cases involving non-competition and trade secret issues, wrongful termination, retaliation, and discrimination.

Kristen received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2022. While in law school, she served on the executive boards for the UH Law Center’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Team and the International Law Society. She also worked as a judicial intern for U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr. and for former Judge Gregg Costa for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Additionally, she interned with the Texas Attorney General’s office in the Consumer Protection Division.

Prior to law school, Kristen was a 4^th grade ESL teacher in Spring Branch ISD for two years while serving as a Teach for America Corps member.

Education

• University of Houston Law Center – J.D., 2022
  – Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy
  – Alternative Dispute Resolution Team, Executive Board
  – International Law Society, Executive Board
• Texas A&M University – B.A. Political Science, 2017

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

• HR Houston General Meeting: Texas’s Enhanced Sexual Harassment Laws: Nearly One Year Later

Publications

• An Adequate Shift from Inpatient Care or a Kick to the Curb: The Need to Shift Hospitals’ Discharge Criteria from Hospital-Focused to Patient-Driven, HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL’Y 1 (2023).

Judicial Experience

• Judicial Intern to the Honorable Ewing Werlein, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• Judicial Intern to the Former Judge Gregg Costa, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States District Court: Southern District of Texas
• United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Community Involvement

• Bellaire Ducks Unlimited – Past Chairman
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest – Contestant Supervisor
• St. Thomas’ Episcopal Young Alumni Board

Biography

Bianca Cedrone focuses her practice on defending personal injury claims including, catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims. She has extensive experience in defending: trucking and commercial motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction site injuries, construction defects, automobile accidents, and Texas Non-Subscriber claims. Bianca believes in taking an efficient approach to litigating cases, being responsive to clients, and putting forth an aggressive defense in a cost-efficient manner.

Bianca has represented numerous businesses and individuals in wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims, including premises owners, product designers and manufacturers, general contractors and subcontractors, trucking companies, and hotels. Bianca has defended cases involving road construction, electrical system installation, HVAC and plumbing work, and construction defect claims. Other cases include defending businesses from subrogation or contribution claims in property damage situations and claims against nonsubscription employers.

Education

• South Texas College of Law – J.D., 2012
  – Law Review Journal
  – Dean’s Merit Scholarship
  – CALI Award for Excellence in Study of Comparative Family Law
• University of Texas at Austin – B.A., 2008

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America (2024 – 2025): Litigation – Construction and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Representative Experience

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of retail client in premises liability case.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client in defamation case.
• First chair in Zoom trial resulting in favorable defense verdict for client.
• Second chair in trial resulting in complete defense verdict for trucking company and its driver.
• Obtained summary judgment on claims of premises liability, negligent activity, negligence and gross negligence on behalf of client.
• Obtained dismissal of all claims on the date of trial by successfully demonstrating Plaintiff’s lack of standing and damages to the court.
• Successfully defended claims brought against an auto body shop for alleged property damage and conversion in consumer arbitration, obtained a monetary award on behalf of client, and further defeated the claimants’ attempts to modify said arbitration award.
• Obtained a summary judgment in Western District Court on behalf of national retail outlet for premises liability claim.
• Obtained summary judgment in dog-bite case.
• Obtained favorable ruling on a federal Motion to Remand to State Court based on diversity.
• Obtained voluntary dismissals of parties in multiple cases as a result of filing Motions for Summary Judgment.
• Arbitrated non-subscriber premises liability claim.
• Negotiated favorable settlement terms in numerous lawsuits involving personal injury and related claims.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client in fatality case.

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

• Premises Liability – The Concept of Duty and Obvious Conditions Since Austin v. Kroger (Thompson Coe webinar – 2019)

Memberships & Affiliations

• College of State Bar Member
• The Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Austin Bar Association
• Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (2013)
• United States District Court: Southern & Western Districts of Texas

Biography

Clients embroiled in bet-the-company appeals and high-stakes litigation call on Dana for the type of broad and deep experience a savvy appellate lawyer can bring. A board-certified appellate specialist and a Fellow of the by-invitation-only American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Dana is recognized as one of the premier appellate practitioners in the state, with particular expertise before the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of Texas. A former Law Clerk for the Fifth Circuit and a former Staff Attorney at the Supreme Court of Texas, Dana is equally fluent in both state and federal appellate matters.

Because of her extensive appellate expertise, the Texas Board of Legal Specialization appointed Dana to its Civil Appellate Examination Commission—the committee that writes and grades the state’s specialization exam. Dana has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law where she taught Appellate Advocacy for many years.

A sought-after CLE speaker on appellate practice, Dana is also a contributing author for the Texas Practitioner’s Guide to Civil Appeals (Texas Lawyer Books 2019).  And on the national stage, the American Bar Association selected Dana as the Editor in Chief of the two-volume multi-jurisdictional appellate practice guide, the Appellate Practice Compendium.

During her 30-plus years of practice, Dana’s wide-ranging experience in appellate advocacy and complex legal issues covers a diverse range of substantive law. Known for her ability to weave creative problem-solving with the meticulous analysis the appellate process demands, she often works with trial counsel on strategy, key discovery disputes, legal motions, crafting and arguing the jury charge, and error preservation during and after trial to achieve an early litigation victory or lay the groundwork for a successful appeal or mandamus.

Dana entered private practice with the Houston office of Vinson & Elkins LLP and was a partner for 15 years with the Austin office of the appellate boutique Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP where she was the managing partner. She has been Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1995 and is ranked for appellate in Chambers. Dana was recently named one of the “Top 10 Most Influential Texas Appellate Litigators.”

Education

• University of Texas School of Law – J.D., with honors, 1990
  – Texas Law Review (1988 – 1990), Executive Editor (1989 – 1990)
• University of Texas at Austin – B.A., with high honors, 1987

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers—the premier organization for appellate specialists in the United States
• Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1995 – present)
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Law Clerk (1990 – 1991)
• Supreme Court of Texas, Staff Attorney (1996 – 1998)
• Appointed by the State Bar of Texas and the State Board of Disciplinary Appeals as Special Assistant Disciplinary Counsel on Appeal (1994 – 1996)
• Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Civil Appellate Examination Commission (2004 – 2010)
• University of Texas School of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law, Appellate Advocacy (2000 – 2007, 2022 – 2023)
• Chambers USA: Ranked Lawyer in Texas Litigation: Appellate (2022 – present)
• Best Lawyers in America: Appellate Law (2008 – present)
• Selected for inclusion in Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Texas in Appellate Practice (2003 – present)
• Named one of the “Top 10 Most Influential Texas Appellate Litigators” (Business Today 2023)

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

• Stays and Emergency Relief in Federal Appellate Courts, in STATE BAR OF TEX., ADVANCED APPELLATE PRACTICE COURSE (2024) (speaker & author)
• Under-Utilized Procedural Tools—How to Make Use of Rule 166(g) Motions, Rule 62.1 Indicative Rulings, and Rule 54(b) Judgments, in UNIV. OF TEX. 33RD ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2023) (speaker & author)
• Jury Charge in Construction Cases, in State Bar of Tex., Prof. Dev. Program, 35th Annual Construction Law Conference (2022)
• Certification of Questions to State Courts, in Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit (2021) (panel moderator)
• Seeking Rehearing: Don’t Banc on It, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., HANDLING YOUR FIRST (OR NEXT) FIFTH CIRCUIT APPEAL (2020) (co-presenter with Fifth Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod & author)
• Federal Court Certification of State Law Questions:  Lessons from Other Circuits, in UNIV. OF TEX. 26TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2020)
• Interview with Fifth Circuit Judge Don Willett, in UNIV. OF TEX. 28TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2018)
• Fifth Circuit Panel & En Banc Rehearing: Strategies & Voting Patterns, in UNIV. OF TEX. 27TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2017) (co-presenter)
• Fifth Circuit En Banc, in UNIV. OF TEX. 26TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2016) (co-presenter with Fifth Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod)
• From Volkswagen to Crystal Power to RadMax: The Changing Landscape of Mandamus in the Fifth Circuit, in UNIV. OF TEX. 24TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2014) (speaker & author)
• Federal Interlocutory Appeals and Mandamus, in UNIV. OF TEX. 23RD ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2013) (speaker & author)
• Fifth Circuit Voting Patterns, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROGRAM, 20TH ANNUAL ADVANCED CIVIL APPELLATE PRACTICE COURSE (2011) (speaker & author)
• Panel Roulette: Fifth Circuit Voting Patterns, Dallas Bar Ass’n Appellate Section (2010) (speaker)
• Competing Visions of the Role of an Appellate Court: Internal Struggle at the Fifth Circuit, Houston Bar Association Appellate Section Luncheon (2009) (speaker)
• Preserving Error for Appeal, AUSTIN BAR ASSOCIATION,ULTIMATE TRIAL NOTEBOOK SEMINAR (2009) (panelist)
• Anatomy of an Appeal Part 2: Persuasion, ABA/YLD TELECONFERENCE (2009) (co-presenter)
• Oral Argument: Anticipating and Handling the Tough Questions at the Supreme Court of Texas, in UNIV. OF TEX. 18TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS APPEALS (2008) (co-presenter)
• How to Make Yourself Indispensable at Trial, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROGRAM, 20TH ANNUAL ADVANCED CIVIL APPELLATE PRACTICE COURSE (2006) (panelist)
• For the Record: Judicial Notice on Appeal, in UNIV. OF TEX. 16TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2006) (co-presenter & co-author)
• Fifth Circuit Clerk’s Rules and Procedures You Should Know, But No One Ever Told You, in UNIV. OF TEX. 15TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2005) (co-presenter with Clerk of the Fifth Circuit, Fritz Fulbruge)
• Jury Charge and Other Error Preservation Hot Topics, in AUSTIN BAR ASSOCIATION ULTIMATE TRIAL NOTEBOOK SEMINAR (2005) (panelist)
• Fifth Circuit Internal Operating Procedures Beyond the I.O.P.s, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROGRAM, 18TH ANNUAL ADVANCED CIVIL APPELLATE PRACTICE COURSE (2004) (speaker & author)
• Interlocutory Appeals and Mandamus in Federal Court, in UNIV. OF TEX. 14TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2004) (speaker & author)
• Threshold Forum Issues, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., 26TH ANNUAL ADVANCED CIVIL TRIAL COURSE (2003) (speaker & co-author)
• The Supervening Decision Doctrine, in UNIV. OF TEX. 13TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2003) (speaker & author)
• Permissive Interlocutory Appeals in State Court, in TRAVIS COUNTY BAR ASS’N BENCH–BAR CONF. (2003) (speaker & author)
• Interlocutory Appeals, in TRAVIS COUNTY BAR ASS’N BENCH–BAR CONF. (2003) (speaker)
• Permissive Interlocutory Appeals in State Court, in UNIV. OF TEX. 12TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2002) (speaker & author)
• Briefing to the Intermediate Courts of Appeals: State and Federal, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG.,NUTS & BOLTS OF APPELLATE PRACTICE (2001) (speaker & author)
• Fifth Circuit Internal Operating Procedures Beyond the I.O.P.s, in UNIV. OF TEX. 11TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2001) (speaker & co-author)
• Federal Interlocutory Appeals and Mandamus, in UNIV. OF TEX. 10TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (2000) (speaker & author)
• Preparing and Preserving Error in the Jury Charge, in UNIV. OF TEX. CONF. ON PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE (2000) (speaker & author)
• Practice Before the Third Court of Appeals, in TRAVIS COUNTY BAR ASS’N BENCH–BAR CONF. (2000) (panel moderator)
• Cases Pending Before the Supreme Court of Texas, inTRAVIS COUNTY BAR ASS’N CIVIL APPELLATE SEMINAR (1999) (speaker & author)
• Ten Things You Ought to Know About Practicing in the Fifth Circuit, AUSTIN BAR ASS’N CIVIL APPELLATE LAW SECTION LUNCHEON (1998) (speaker & author)
• Perfecting the Appeal and Appellate Motion Practice, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., APPELLATE PRACTICE INSTITUTE (1998) (speaker & author)
• Practice Before the Supreme Court of Texas, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., APPELLATE PRACTICE INSTITUTE (1998) (speaker & co-author)
• A Comparison of State and Federal Appellate Practice, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., APPELLATE PRACTICE INSTITUTE (1998) (speaker & co-author)

Publications

• Editor-in-Chief, Appellate Practice Compendium (ABA 2012)
• Author, Appellate Practice Compendium (ABA 2012)
• Author, Texas Practitioner’s Guide to Civil Appeals, Mandamus Chapter (ALM 2d ed. 2019)
• Comparison of State and Federal Appellate Practice, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., APPELLATE BOOT CAMP (2009) (co-author)
• A Comparison of State and Federal Appellate Practice, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., APPELLATE BOOT CAMP (2008) (co-author)
• Insider’s Guide to Fifth Internal Procedures, in Fifth Circuit Ultimate Practice Guide: What Every State-Court Practitioner Needs to Know About Practicing in the Fifth Circuit, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., APPELLATE BOOT CAMP (2005) (author)
• Nuts and Bolts of Fifth Circuit Practice, in UNIV. OF TEX. 9TH ANNUAL CONF. ON STATE AND FEDERAL APPEALS (1998) (co-author)
• Texas Supreme Court Update, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., 14TH ANNUAL LITIGATION UPDATE INSTITUTE (1998) (co-author)
• Interlocutory Remedies in State Court, in UNIV. TEX. 21ST ANNUAL PAGE KEETON PRODUCTS LIABILITY AND PERSONAL INJURY LAW CONF. (1997) (co-author)
• Fifth Circuit Update, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROGRAM, 10TH ANNUAL ADVANCED CIVIL APPELLATE PRACTICE COURSE (1996) (co-author)
• The Court’s Charge, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., 16TH & 15TH ANNUAL ADVANCED CIVIL TRIAL COURSE (1993 & 1992) (co-author)
• Jury Charge in State and Federal Court, in STATE BAR OF TEX. PROF. DEV. PROG., 9TH ANNUAL ADVANCED PERSONAL INJURY LAW COURSE (1993) (co-author)

Memberships & Affiliations

• American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
  – Fellow (by invitation only), Appellate Rules Task Force (Chair), Planning Committee (Member)
• American Bar Association
  – Council of Appellate Lawyers, Judicial Division
  – Publications Committee (Editor of Appellate Practice Compendium) (2008 – 2014)
  – Rules Committee, Member (2008 – 2014)
• Texas State Bar
  – Appellate Practice & Advocacy Section
  – Section Member (1991 – present)
  – Interaction with Judges Committee (2018 – 2019)
  – Appellate Advocate, Editor (2019 – 2022), Associate Editor (1996 – 1997, 2003 – 2006)
  – Electronic Publications Committee, Member (1996 – 1997)
  – Annual Meeting Planning Committee, Member (2003)
  – Pattern Jury Charge Committee, General Negligence and Intentional Personal Torts, Member (2004 – 2006)
  – Plain Language Committee, TYLA Liaison (1994 – 1995)
  – Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow (1995 – present)
  – Texas Bar Journal, Editorial Board (1995 – 1998)
  – Texas Bar Journal Committee, Member (1995 – 1998)
• Austin Bar Association
  – Appellate Section, Chair (2003 – 2004)
  – Austin Young Lawyers Association: AYLA Board of Directors (2003 – 2004); Treasurer (2002 – 2003); Secretary (2001 – 2002); Director (2000 – 2001)
  – Austin Lawyer, Editor of AYLA Section (1999 – 2003)
  – Judicial Affairs Committee, Co-Chair (1998 – 2003)
  – Publications Committee, Co-Chair (1999 – 2003)
  – Supreme Team Committee, Co-Chair (1998 – 1999)
  – VoTexas Committee, Member (1998 – 1999)
  – Nominated for Outstanding Young Lawyer of Austin (2000)
• University of Texas Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals:
  – Planning Committee Member (2002 – present)
  – Presiding Officer (2003, 2005 – 2007, 2010)
• Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit

Admissions

• United States Supreme Court
• United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth & Eleventh Circuits
• United States District Court: Northern, Eastern, Southern, & Western Districts of Texas
• State Bar of Texas