Jake A. Walsh

Biography

Jake Walsh is an attorney in Cokinos | Young’s Houston office. His practice focuses on construction law and commercial litigation, with experience assisting in matters involving breach of contract, mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens, business disputes, and construction-related claims.

Jake earned his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law, where he received the High A honors in both Patent Law and LARC 3: Persuasive Communication and was recognized on the Dean’s List multiple times. During law school, he competed on the American Association for Justice Mock Trial Competition Team and the Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition Team, served as a Baylor Law Student Ambassador, was a member of the Baylor Barrister Society, and worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Tang.

While at Baylor for his undergraduate degree, Jake was a member of the Varsity Baseball Team from 2018 to 2020.

Education

  • Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 2025
    • The High A in Patent Law
    • The High A in LARC 3: Persuasive Communication, Section 1
    • Dean’s Academic Honor List
  • Baylor University – B.B.A., Real Estate, Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, 2022
    • Dean’s Academic Honor List

Judicial Experience

  • Judicial Intern for the Honorable Martin Hoffman, 68th Civil District Court, Dallas County

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2025)

Abby D. Cheek

Biography

Abby Cheek is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice primarily focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial litigation. She is also a certified mediator with experience assisting parties in resolving landlord-tenant, debt collection, and business disputes. Abby earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and her J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law.

During law school, Abby mediated cases in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic, served as Symposium Editor for the Journal of the Energy Law Practitioner, was elected Vice President of Student Organizations for the Student Bar Association, and competed on the ABA Client Counseling Team.

Education

  • Texas Tech University School of Law – J.D., 2025
  • Texas A&M University – B.A., 2021.

Publications

  • “Capacity Crisis: The Widening Gap Between Renewable and Dispatchable Resource Capacity,” Journal of the Energy Law Practitioner, Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024)

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Texas Aggie Bar Association

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2025)

Alexis M. Acevedo

Biography

Alexis Acevedo is an associate in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation and construction law. During law school, she held positions on the boards of the Hispanic Law Students Association, Phi Delta Phi, and the Tax Law Society. She clerked for the Honorable Mike Engelhart of the Texas 151st District Court and was a member of the South Texas College of Law Moot Court team, which ranked third in the nation in 2025.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law Houston – J.D., magna cum laude, 2025
    • Construction Law Journal, Student Editor
    • Dean’s Honor List
    • Presidential Fellow
    • Order of the Lytae
  • Trinity University – B.A. Political Science, 2022

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Two-time CALI Excellence Award Recipient
  • Benny and Marina Agosto, Sr., Award

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Member of the National Order of Scribes – The American Society of Legal Writers (Inducted in 2025)
  • Mexican American Bar Association
  • Houston Young Lawyers Association

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2025)

Justin T. Winquist

Biography

Justin litigates all phases of lawsuits in state courts, federal courts, and arbitrations across the country. Whether defending his clients or prosecuting their claims, Justin’s experience on both the defense and plaintiff sides gives him valuable insight into opposing strategies, an edge he uses to anticipate adversaries’ moves, adapt astutely, and maneuver through conflict to victory.

Justin handles a broad range of disputes with the dexterity of a specialist in each one. He has represented clients in commercial disputes, insurance disputes, personal injury cases, and product liability claims, consistently delivering results through strategic, well-reasoned advocacy. With his passion for writing and creative problem-solving, Justin is particularly recognized for his ingenuity and success in handling high-stakes motions and appellate matters.

In every dispute, Justin anchors his approach in client service.  He develops a deep knowledge of his clients’ businesses to assess risks and rewards through his clients’ eyes.  Armed with that knowledge, Justin tells his clients’ stories with zealous advocacy aimed at advancing their immediate and long-term objectives.

Known for his analytical savvy and persuasiveness backed by practicality, Justin is a trusted fighter standing at the ready for his clients, litigating complex and consequential lawsuits.

Education

  • American University, Washington College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2009
  • Northwestern University – B.S., 2005

Memberships & Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association

Admissions

  • State Bar of Colorado
  • State Bar of Montana
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits
  • United States District Court: District of Colorado
  • United States District Court: District of Nebraska

Matthew S. Williams

Biography

Matthew S. Williams is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where he is a member of the Corporate & Real Estate Transactions practice group. Matthew received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2024
  • University of Houston – B.A. Finance, 2020

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • South Texas Law Review, Member
  • Presidential Fellow
  • Dean’s Honor List
  • Dean’s Merit Scholarship
  • Two-time CALI Excellence Award Recipient

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2024)

Mason L.H. Grayson

Biography

Mason L. H. Grayson is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Grayson’s practice covers a wide range of areas from major infrastructure litigation, commercial and residential construction disputes, environmental and natural resource law, energy-related disputes and personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Education

  • Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 2023
  • Baylor University – B.A. History, cum laude, 2020
    – Dean’s Academic Honor List

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas

Samuel T. Pendergast

Biography

Samuel Pendergast is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice primarily focuses on commercial litigation, construction law, and special proceedings related to judicial enforcement and post-judgment remedies. Samuel received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston. During law school, Samuel was selected by his peers to serve as the Executive Editor of the South Texas Law Review, where he assisted in the publication of various academic materials written by judges, law professors, and other legal professionals.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2024
    – Executive Editor, South Texas Law Review
    – Dean’s Honor List
    – Dean’s Merit Scholarship
    – Presidential Fellows
  • Baylor University – B.A., Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, 2021
    – Dean’s Academic Honor List

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Dean Elizabeth Dennis Award for Distinguished Service
  • Two-Time CALI Excellence Award Recipient

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States District Courts: Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas
  • United States Bankruptcy Courts: Southern and Western Districts of Texas

Raymond K. Dennison

Biography

Raymond Dennison is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice primarily focuses on contract disputes, commercial litigation, and construction law.

He received his J.D. and graduated magna cum laude from South Texas College of Law in 2024, where he was a Presidential Fellow, Dean Scholar, and member of the South Texas Law Review. He was inducted into the Order of the Lytae and received the class’ highest mark in Construction Law, Contracts I, International Business Transactions, Legal Research and Writing I, Mediation Practice, Evidence, and Federal Income Taxation.

During law school, he clerked for the Honorable Beau A. Miller of the Texas 190th District Court and was a judicial intern for the Honorable David S. Morales of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Prior to law school, Raymond was the editor-in-chief of Houston Modern Luxury magazine and taught special education at YES Prep Public Schools.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., magna cum laude, 2024
  • Reed College – B.A. English, 2009

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Magna Cum Laude
  • Dean’s Honor List
  • Presidential Fellow
  • Dean Scholar
  • Order of the Lytae
  • CALI Awards for Excellence: Construction Law, Contracts I, International Business Transactions, Legal Research and Writing I, Mediation Practice, Evidence, and Federal Income Taxation.

Judicial Experience

  • Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Beau A. Miller, Texas 190th District Court
  • Judicial Intern to the Honorable David S. Morales, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2024)

Allison R. Miller

Biography

Allison is a trial attorney with a broad range of experience in construction, commercial, personal injury, and real estate disputes across Texas. Allison takes a practical approach to litigation, evaluating all options to obtain the best possible outcomes for her clients, whether that includes a creative settlement, mediation, arbitration, or trial.  Allison has represented a wide range of clients, including individual property owners, mom and pop shops, and a Fortune 100 company, but regardless of the nature of the client, Allison’s focus remains on understanding and achieving client goals.

Education

  • Boston University School of Law –J.D., 2007
    • Dean’s Scholar
    • Public Interest Law Journal- Note Editor
  • University of Houston, –B.A. 2010,
    • Summa cum laude
    • Membership in the Honors College,
    • National Merit Scholarship Recipient

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2026): Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

Representative Experience

  • Obtained six-figure judgment, including award of 100% of attorney’s fees in residential construction arbitration.
  • Successfully voided general warranty due to failure of consideration in Harris County trial and obtained judgment for attorney’s fees.
  • Successfully defended Temporary Injunction in probate/trust dispute seeking more than $2,000,000 in damages and complete freeze of personal accounts.
  • Reduced contested attorney’s fees by half in a limited-issue bench trial in Harris County related to a title dispute over deed restrictions on commercial property.
  • Obtained summary judgment on multiple gross negligence claims, limiting exposure in catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims.

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

  • Damage Control: Understanding and Limiting Damages in Texas, Thompson Coe Webinar – 2019
  • Virtual Depositions; HYLA Zoom CLE -2021

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Houston Bar Association
  • Texas Bar Foundation
  • Former Houston Young Lawyers Association Events Committee

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas, 2010
  • United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts
  • United States Courts of Appeals of the Fifth Circuit

Community Involvement

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Texas

Gregory A. Holloway

Biography

Greg is a Principal in the Cokinos | Young Houston office with 25 years of experience as a trial lawyer trying catastrophic injury and commercial cases to juries for both companies and individuals. He has taken verdicts across Texas in both State and Federal court.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D. 1998
  • University of Houston – B.A. Economics, 1992

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Martindale-Hubbell “AV” Peer Review Rated
  • Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Memberships & Affiliations

  • American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow)
  • American Board Of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
  • Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (TACTAS) – An organization made of only Board Certified Trial and Appellate Lawyers
  • International Association Of Defense Counsel (IADC)
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Texas Bar Foundation (Life Fellow)

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (1998)
  • United States District Courts: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Federal Circuits

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