Amanda Ornelas Arreguin earned her BBA in Business Management from May’s Business School at Texas A&M University in 2017. She then attended St. Mary’s University School of Law, graduating in 2020. During law school, Amanda was actively involved in the Hispanic Law Student Association, the Women’s Law Association, and the Society of Oil and Gas Law Students. She has represented clients across South Texas in various areas of law, including real estate, oil and gas, estate planning, landlord/tenant disputes, and commercial litigation.
Education
Mary University School of Law – J.D., 2020
Texas A&M University, May’s Business School – BBA Business Management, 2017
Recognitions & Distinctions
Scene in S.A. Magazine Rising Star (2023)
Representative Experience
Real Estate – Transactional and Litigation
Estate Planning and Probate
Landlord/Tenant Disputes
Commercial Litigation
Memberships & Affiliations
San Antonio Bar Association
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas (2020)
United States District Court Western District of Texas (2022)
Andrew is an associate in the San Antonio office. His practice focuses primarily on construction and real estate. He served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Ricardo H. Hinojosa of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, assisting primarily with hail damage and construction defect disputes between homeowners, insurers, and contractors.
Prior to practicing law, Andrew spent over twenty years in the real estate and construction industries working in practically every role from drilling rig-hand to Director of Project Management. He worked for various subcontractors, specialty contractors, general contractors, and real estate developers throughout Texas and New Mexico in virtually every industry segment encompassing federal, state, and private projects. Andrew acquired in-depth knowledge and understanding of construction risks and practices through his broad experience, and he leverages this understanding to help clients form and implement strategies to proactively avoid issues and solve problems. His proficiency in real estate, development, and construction enables him to comprehensively advise and advocate for his clients.
Not licensed in the state of Texas.
Education
Southern Methodist University – LL.M, Taxation, 2017
Southern Methodist University – J.D., 2016
University of Texas – Pan American – M.B.A., 2013
Texas A&M University – B.S., 2002
Memberships & Affiliations
New Mexico Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of New Mexico
United States District Court: District of New Mexico
United States District Court: Southern and Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Judicial Experience
Judicial Intern for the Honorable Ricardo H. Hinojosa, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division
Community Involvement
Associated Builders and Contractors South Texas – Workforce Development Committee (2019-2022)
Real Estate Council of San Antonio Leadership Development Program (2018)
University of Texas San Antonio, Construction Industry Advisory Council (2019-2020)
Leadership Boerne Graduate (2019)
Kendall County Jr. Livestock Association Volunteer
Marshall Swanson is a San Antonio native and commercial litigation associate in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. Since 2015, Marshall’s practice has focused on complex civil, general business, and construction litigation. Marshall’s experience covers a variety of areas including mechanic’s liens, contract and payment disputes, partnership litigation, personal injury defense, post-judgment collections, formation of business entities, and industry contract negotiations for businesses in the construction and maritime sectors.
Education
University of Houston – J.D., 2015
Texas State University – B.A. History & Political Science, 2012
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas Bar Association
San Antonio Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas 2015
United States District Court: Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
Community Involvement
Jewish Community Center of San Antonio, Board of Directors
Jade Misenhimer is a commercial litigation associate in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. Jade has experience analyzing complex commercial construction defect issues, as well as both prosecuting and defending residential construction defect claims. Jade has had great success in settling nonpayment disputes and works diligently to get clients efficient results. Jade graduated cum laude from St. Mary’s University School of Law. During law school, Jade served as an Associate Editor for The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice, in which she was also published. Jade also competed on St. Mary’s National Moot Court Team, where she and her team won the Mack Kidd Administrative Law Moot Court Competition and she was named Best Oralist. Jade also won various brief writing awards in her time on the team. During law school, Jade also served as President of the Juvenile Jurisprudence Association, a Peer Court program that focuses on reformative justice for underprivileged teens through constructive sentencing.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2023
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi – B.A. Political Science, 2019
Recognitions & Distinctions
Graduated Cum Laude from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
Mack Kidd Administrative Law Moot Court Competition, Champion (2021)
Mack Kidd Administrative Law Moot Court Competition, Best Oralist (2021)
National Online Moot Court Competition, Best Runner-Up Brief (2022)
Judicial Experience
Judicial Intern to the Honorable David S. Morales, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Publications
Innocent Until Proven Incompetent, 25 Scholar: St. Mary’s L. Rev. on Rac. & Soc. Just. 197 (2023).
Community Involvement
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Go Rodeo Committee Volunteer
Rachel Moreau-Davila has extensive experience in representing clients across state and federal courts in Texas and Colorado, including government agency practice, with many years of trial litigation experience.
Prior to joining Cokinos | Young, Rachel practiced in corporate immigration representing companies and individuals before government agencies. She advised large, multinational companies in business and investment immigration matters such as employment visas (H-1B, H-2B, TN, E-2, L-1, J-1), consular processing, permanent residency (including PERM Labor Certification, Multi-National for Managers/Executives), and naturalization; Provide strategic international employment solutions for international and domestic companies in various industries. Advise on all business visas such as H-1B, L-1A/L-1B, TN, Advise on business investment visas E-1/E-2; Advise on all immigration-related workplace compliance matters with the U.S. Department of Labor; Research and write formal legal memoranda and federal court pleadings on complex governmental regulatory issues; Represent corporations in talent acquisition and entire employment visa process (including H-1Bs, L-1As & L-1Bs, Es, E-2s, TNs). Represent companies in immigration employment matters with the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as represent clients in litigation against the U.S. Department of State.
Additionally, Rachel has lived and worked abroad. Including having worked directly with leading international human rights attorney Jia Ping, the Chief Executive Director and Founder of China Global Fund Watch Initiative. She has conducted extensive legal research in the field of international law, specifically referencing Non-Government Organizations worldwide (NGO’s). She has collaborated in the past on drug reform policy for China and has met with international leaders in the NGO community in China.
Rachel has also lived internationally for many years and has met with international leaders both politically and in the NGO community in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish and French.
Rachel is licensed to practice law in State and Federal court in Texas and Federal court in Colorado. She is based in San Antonio, Texas.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2014
University of the Incarnate Word – B.A. Psychology of Organizational Development, Summa Cum Laude, 2005
Recognitions & Distinctions
Alumnus of Gerry Spence National Trial Lawyers College
Elected Honorary Member of Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society
Institute on World Legal Problems at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, 2012; with Distinguished Jurist: United States Supreme Court Justice Antonio Scalia
Institute on Chinese Law and Business at Beihang University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 2013
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
E2 Business Visa & Entrepreneur Investments webinar – October 2021
Principle Speaker for MCLE Conference for SABLA, Introduction to Immigration Concepts – July 2022
Community Involvement
THRU Project Nonprofit Organization, Former Board Member and Committee chair
San Antonio Bar Association, Community Justice Program’s Veteran’s Clinic, volunteer
Johnathan Bailey is a former name and founding partner in the firm Bailey & Bailey, P.C. where over 25 years of practice he built a reputation for knowledge and excellence in representation of construction, service, IT and manufacturing companies seeking to do business with the numerous agencies of the federal government and the State of Texas. Now Johnathan has brought that 25 years of knowledge and experience to Cokinos | Young.
Johnathan has litigated more than 250 bid protests involving billions of dollars in federal contracts before the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Johnathan has also prepared, negotiated and litigated hundreds of Contract Disputes Act claims with dozens of federal contracting agencies and litigated before all existing (and previously existing) Boards of Contract Appeals and the FAA’s Office of Dispute Resolution.
Coming from a small firm environment, Johnathan has extensive experience in representation of small business federal contractors, including especially socio-economic programs administered by the US Small Business Administration including the 8(a) Business Development, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business and HUBZone programs.
The wide range of challenges faced by federal contractors has also given Johnathan many years of experience in range of federal contracting matters including Department of Labor (Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon Act) compliance, suspension and debarment proceedings, and qui tam litigation under the federal False Claims Act.
Education
St. Mary’s University – J.D., 1996
University of Texas at Austin – B.A. Government, 1991
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
First Organizer and Presenter, FBA National Government Contracts Symposium 2014
Presenter, SBT 2021 Annual CLE for Board Certified Construction Lawyers
Memberships & Affiliations
Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society
Federal Bar Association Public Contracts Law Section
San Antonio Bar Association Construction Law Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States District Court: Northern, Southern, & Western Districts of Texas
United States District Court: Northern District of Florida
United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth & Federal Circuits
Kristin Zachman is a government contracts lawyer and litigator with over a decade of experience providing legal advice and representation to commercial businesses operating in the federal procurement arena. Kristin counsels government contractors on Small Business Administration certification programs and compliance including the SDVOSB, WOSB, 8(a), and HubZone programs, Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian programs, and the All Small Mentor Protégé program. She provides guidance on solicitation reviews as well as representation on bid protests before GAO and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Kristin is adept at handling Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA), Contract Dispute Act (CDA) claims, and appeals. She also handles ancillary matters such as Miller Act claims between prime and subcontractors and EEOC, DOL, and NLRB proceedings.
Education
Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 2011
Trinity University – B.A., 2008
Recognitions & Distinctions
Named as Rising Star in Government Contracts by Thomson Reuters (2021 & 2022)
Representative Experience
Successfully represented protesters before GAO resulting in re-evaluation of proposals and award of attorney fees.
Successfully defended client’s $7 million contract award from protest by unsuccessful offeror before GAO and thereafter the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Successfully defended client’s $100 million aircraft refueling contract from protest by unsuccessful offeror before GAO.
Areas of Industry Represented in Protests and Government Contract Disputes: Healthcare Services, IT Services, Food Vendor and Cafeteria Service, Waste Disposal, Aircraft Refueling, Aircraft Washing, Base Operations Services, Custodial and O&M for Federal Buildings, Grounds Maintenance, Ambulance Services, Design-Build Construction, Construction and Construction Repairs.
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
San Antonio Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Northern, Southern, & Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Federal Claims
Practice Before
United States Comptroller General (GAO)
Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals
Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals
Federal Aviation Administration Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition
Christopher Burwell is a principal at the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. Since 2009, Christopher has represented general contractors and subcontractors with respect to commercial private and public works, both at the state and federal level. Christopher’s practice particularly focuses on drafting, filing and defending construction claims against public entities as well as private commercial entities, and preparation of mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens on a public and private commercial project level. Christopher continually advises and educates clients as well as assists in filing and prosecuting claims against private and public payment and performance bonds at the state and federal level. Finally, a good portion of Christopher’s work focuses on review, comment and interpretation of public and private commercial contracts, pre- and post- procurement and commencement. Christopher has been board certified in Texas Construction law since 2016 and has held office for the Construction Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association. As a son of a public school teacher and farmer, Christopher uses his experience and small town upbringing to provide a hardening, resilient, analytical, yet common sense approach to his practice and his clients’ everyday legal issues.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2009
Syracuse University at Utica – B.A. Government & Politics, magna cum laude, 2006
Recognitions and Distinctions
Past chair of the San Antonio Bar Associate Construction Section
Memberships and Affiliations
Texas Bar Association, Member
San Antonio Bar Association, Construction Section (past chair)
Board Certified by the Texas Legal Board of Specialization in Construction Law (inaugural year)
American Bar Association, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
Texas Construction Law Association, Member
Texas Young Lawyers’ Association, Member
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Northern, Southern & Western Districts of Texas
Board Certified by the Texas Legal Board of Specialization in Construction Law (inaugural year)
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Matthew J. Longoria is an attorney with both trial and transactional experience. Prior to joining Cokinos | Young, Matthew was a municipal attorney representing governmental entities where he provided legal guidance on a wide range of issues including complex land use and zoning decisions, personnel and employment matters, and water and wastewater utility disputes. In his municipal prosecution practice, Matthew was lead attorney on more than two dozen jury and bench trials that resulted in successful verdicts.
A San Antonio native, Matthew has a diverse background and experience in both creative and legal fields making him adept at addressing a variety of legal issues. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Media from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2008 and his Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2016. Additionally, he studied intellectual property law at Beihang University in Beijing, China, with a focus on emerging Chinese copyright and trademark law.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2016
University of California – B.A. Film and Digital Media, Production, 2008
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2025: Litigation – Construction
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Newly Elected Officials Workshop (June 2021)
– Balancing Enforcement with Compliance in Municipal Court
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Workshop for Planning and Zoning Commissioners and Elected Officials (April 2021)
– Special Zoning Tools: Special Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Planned Development Districts
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Newly Elected Officials Workshop (December 2020)
– A Roadmap of CARES Act Relief Funds
Alamo Area Council of Governments – Newly Elected Officials Workshop (July 2020)
– Navigating Religious Based Zoning Protests
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas State Bar
– Litigation Section
– Government Law Section
– Administrative and Public Law Section
San Antonio Bar Association
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Texas City Attorney Association
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Western District of Texas
An aggressive and tactical litigator, Chance Decker focuses on resolving high-stakes disputes for businesses in the energy, pipe and steel distribution, construction and real estate industries. Chance also represents clients in a variety of employment litigation matters, including non-competition and trade secret disputes. He enjoys working on cases with challenging issues and helping his clients navigate the legal system in a bold and efficient manner.
Education
University of Houston Law Center – J.D., 2009
Texas A&M University – B.S. Geography: GIS Specialization, 2006
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America 2025: Commercial Litigation
Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Business Litigation by Thomson Reuters (2024). Each year, no more than 5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor.
Named a Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters company) as published in Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers magazines (2018 – 2023)
Named a Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer in Houston (2018 – 2020)
Representative Experience
Obtained dismissal of interstate pipeline company from lawsuit seeking twelve million dollars in engineering fees under an alter-ego and common law partnership claim.
Obtained favorable settlement in dispute over allegedly fraudulent purchase orders issued for over twelve million dollars of steel tubing.
Successfully defended a Houston energy brokerage firm at trial alleging discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act by a former employee.
Successfully defended a commercial flatbed trailer manufacturer in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit by its Chinese supplier.
Successfully defended two Houston area automobile dealerships in multi-million dollar lawsuits by their former floorplan finance providers.
Played pivotal role in obtaining a jury verdict on behalf of Jani-King International, Inc. in a suit against a New York franchisee.
Obtained summary judgment and case dismissal for home builder accused of race discrimination, violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and breach of construction contract.
Successfully defended a commercial tenant in a multi-property eviction and tortious interference case.
Obtained a complete judgment on behalf of a major oilfield services manufacturing company for the nonpayment of several hundred thousand dollars of unpaid equipment.
Obtained a favorable judgment against former employees of a Houston energy brokerage firm who breached the non-competition and non-disclosure provisions of their employment agreements.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
“Executive Rights: Texas Outfitters v. Nicholson”, TexasBarCLE Oil, Gas & Mineral Title Examination Course (June 19, 2020)
“Top 10 Texas Oil & Gas Cases of 2019”, East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen (January 16, 2020)
“Concerning Self-Interest: The Executive Duty After Texas Outfitters v. Nicholson”, Energy Law Institute (August 28, 2019)
“Top 10 Cases of 2018”, Fort Worth Association of Professional Landmen (February 28, 2019)
“Top 10 Cases of 2018”, East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen (January 17, 2019)
“Top 10 Cases Texas Energy Cases from the Past Twelve Months”, Dallas Bar Association’s Energy Law: Review of Oil & Gas Law XXXIII (August 2, 2018)
“Top 10 Texas O&G Cases of 2017 (So Far)”, Lunch and Learn Series with Next Generation Landmen (DAPL) & Young Professionals in Energy (December 4, 2017)
“Top 10 Texas O&G Cases of 2017 (So Far)”, AAPL Southwest Land Institute (September 25, 2017)
“The Slow Death of the Handshake: Best Practices from a Litigator’s Perspective”, National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors 2017 Summer Conference (June 15, 2017)
Publications
“OSHA’s New Guidance for the Energy Arena”, ALTAPL Register (September 1, 2020)
“OSHA’s New Guidance for the Energy Arena”, Houston Association of Professional Landmen Newsletter (August 2020)
“OSHA’s New Guidance for the Energy Arena”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (July 22, 2020)
“Top 10 Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2019”, Landman Magazine (March/April 2020)
“Top 10 Texas Oil & Gas Cases of 2019”, Various publications (2020)
“Top Ten Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2018”, Texas Association of Defense Counsel Magazine (Summer 2019)
“Top Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2018”, Landman Magazine (January/February 2019)
“Top 10 Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2018”, Various Publications (2018/2019)
“Texas Court Divides On Offset Well Case”, The American Oil & Gas Reporter (August 2018)
“Must an Offset Well Clause be Reasonably Calculated to Prevent Drainage? Not in the Eagle Ford, According to the Texas Supreme Court”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (June 28, 2018)
“Show Me the Money!”: Who is a “Payor” Under the Texas Natural Resources Code?”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (May 25, 2018)
“Top 10 Texas O&G Cases in the First 11 Months of 2017”, Landman Magazine (January/February 2018)
“Top 10 Texas Oil and Gas Cases of 2017”, Various Publications (2017/2018)
“Texas Supreme Court Ruling Requires Careful Analysis of Mineral Deeds”, Gray Reed Legal Alert (August 9, 2017)
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
– Litigation Section
Houston Bar Association
American Bar Association
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court: Southern & Western Districts of Texas
Community Involvement
Calf Scramble Committee Member, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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