Germer continually strives to be one of the premier firms in Texas based on the experience, integrity, and professionalism of its principals, attorneys, and staff. The firm's accomplished and experienced litigators have successfully defended suits of all sizes and numerous subject matters throughout Texas and elsewhere. Similarly, the firm's attorneys possess the depth and breadth of experience that enable them to assist business organizations in transactions of all types and provide professional counsel and advice to individuals, businesses, and governmental entities.
The quality of representation provided by attorneys at Germer is reflected by the recognition and honors bestowed on the firm and its attorneys.
Practice Areas Administrative Law Appellate Law Business Organizations and Transactions Civil Litigation Class and Collective Actions Commercial Litigation Constitutional Law / Civil Rights Construction Law Creditors Rights / Bankruptcy Employment Law Environmental Law Estate Planning and Probate Family Law Financial Institutions Health Law Insurance Law Intellectual Property Law Maritime Law Mediation / Arbitration Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Defense Premises Liability Products Liability Professional Malpractice Defense Public Law and Financing Railroad / FELA / Transportation Real Estate Torts Toxic Torts / Chemical Exposure Transportation and Trucking Litigation
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z ALL A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Senior Trial Counsel
Christy Amuny
Christy Amuny is an experienced trial lawyer who has tried over 100 cases to verdict. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas (B.A. 1986) and attended Texas Tech School of Law (J.D. 1990). Christy is a native of Southeast Texas.
Missy K. Atwood is a principal in the Austin office at Germer, PLLC. She has over 25 years of experience in civil litigation, healthcare law and administrative law. She has tried more than 40 cases to verdict as first-chair trial counsel in State District Courts and Federal Courts. She represents clients in a wide variety of complex civil litigation, as both lead counsel and local...
Mark T. Beaman
Mark T. Beaman is an experienced trial attorney and administrative lawyer. He has been with the Firm since 1998. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Since 2005...
Karen R. Bennett
Karen R. Bennett, managing principal with the firm, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from the University of Texas at Arlington. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Texas Tech University, where she…
Chris A. Blackerby
Chris Blackerby has successfully tried cases in both federal and state courts across Texas. Chris graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma in 1989 with a degree in Philosophy. He received his law degree from the…
Robin N. Blanchette
Robin represents a wide variety of clients and companies who are based locally, nationally, and internationally, and whose industries include retailers (premises liability, general negligence, premises security, products, DTPA), oil and gas…
Gregg R. Brown
Gregg R. Brown is an accomplished trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience in a wide range of matters, focusing principally on construction litigation, product liability, long term exposure claims and wrongful death claims, as well as…
Ryan C. Bueche
Ryan Bueche graduated from Trinity University in 2003, where he earned a B.A. with a dual major in Political Science and Philosophy. Ryan earned his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in 2008. While in law school, he excelled in moot court…
Thomas M. Bullion III
Thomas M. Bullion III graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working for several years as an engineer, he went to law school at the Southern Methodist…
Kaitlin L. Carrillo
Kaitlin L. Carrillo joined Germer as an associate attorney in 2017. Kaitlin was born and raised in the west Texas town Sweetwater. She graduated with Highest Honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
Chad J. Castille
Chad Castille is a Principal in the Houston office of Germer and concentrates his practice on complex civil litigation. Chad has tried more than a dozen cases before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA").
Gary W. Coker
Gary W. Coker, a principal with the firm, is a native of Jasper, Texas. He graduated with highest honors from Lamar University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance. Gary then attended the University of Texas…
Scott C. Crutchfield
Scott C. Crutchfield is a principal in the firm's business section, and his practice includes: Representation of developers, lenders and business enterprises in commercial transactions, and in advising clients on the formation,…
J. Stephen Dillawn
Steve Dillawn, a principal with the firm, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1979, and worked as a petroleum engineer until 1986. He received his law degree from the University of…
R. Chad Geisler
Chad Geisler is a principal in the Austin office at Germer, PLLC, having joined Germer in 2004. He is a trial lawyer with 25 years of experience in civil litigation and has tried over three dozen cases to verdict in state...
Lawrence L. Germer
Larry Germer is a trial lawyer who has defended clients in major cases in all areas of litigation. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1966, he received his law degree from the…
Charles W. Goehringer, Jr.
Charles W. "Charlie" Goehringer, Jr. joined GERMER in 2001. Charlie graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont with a Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering degree in 1980. He received a Masters of Business Administration…
Guy N. Goodson
Guy Neil Goodson graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1973, and then attended law school at Southern Methodist University, graduating in 1976. Guy began his…
Richard H. Grafton
Richard H. Grafton has extensive experience in products liability, personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, and construction defect litigation. For over 20 years, Rich has defended and tried cases in both federal and state courts throughout the…
Barbara L. Hachenburg
Barbara L. Hachenburg, an AV-rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, received her Bachelor of Science in Management degree in 1986 and Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1989 from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. In law school, she…
Jeff Hawkins
Jeff is a proud alumnus of both Texas A&M University and The University of Texas. Prior to joining Germer in 2017, he practiced law in San Antonio for 33 years, most of that time with the firm of Prichard, Hawkins and Young.
Rett Holidy
Rett Holidy has been a principal with the firm since 2003. Rett is a native of Navasota, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and then from Baylor University…
Franklin Hopkins
Board Certified in Administrative Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Franklin represents physicians before the Texas Medical Board, where he previously worked as a Staff Attorney. That experience gives Franklin insight into the…
Gregory M. Howard
Gregory Howard is a litigation attorney with Germer PLLC. Greg is a proud native Houstonian, with undergraduate and graduate business degrees from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Since…
Jason L. Hughes
Jason L. Hughes is a native of Beaumont, Texas. He graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1993. After graduation, Jason started his career as a patrolman, then detective with the…
Mark D. Lambert
Mark D. Lambert is a trial attorney with experience litigating across Texas in both state and federal court. He is certified and often appointed by courts as an Attorney Ad Litem. In 1999, he graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance with a Minor in...
Christopher D. Leavins
Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law and Residential Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2016-Current).
Kate K. Leverett
Kate K. Leverett is a native of Beaumont, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2009. Kate earned her law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2012 where…
C. Scott Mann, Jr.
C. Scott Mann, Jr. is a business lawyer with over 25 years of experience in representing developers, lenders and business enterprises in complex real estate transactions, business acquisitions, sales, and in advising clients on the formation,…
Matt McCracken
Matt McCracken is licensed to practice law in Texas and New Mexico. He has more than twenty-five years of trial, appellate and administrative law experience representing medical, legal, insurance and other professionals as well as product...
W. Paul Miller
W. Paul Miller graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in Mathematics. Paul graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law, and also briefly studied law at…
Toby F. Nash
Toby F. Nash is a native of Beaumont, Texas who began his legal career at GERMER in 2005. He graduated magna cum laude from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting in 2002. Toby graduated in…
Chris Pearson is a principal at GERMER in Austin, Texas. Chris has over 25 years of experience as a trial attorney with special emphasis in products liability defense, the defense of manufacturers in suits filed under the Texas…
Collin D. Shellenberger
Collin D. Shellenberger is a trial lawyer. He was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, and he is familiar with the courts of Southeast Texas and the surrounding counties. Collin's practice is primarily focused on litigation…
Larry J. Simmons
Larry J. Simmons, Jr., a principal in the firm, has tried dozens of cases as lead attorney in a variety of commercial, employment, civil rights and personal injury lawsuits. Larry is one of only twelve Texas attorneys double Board Certified as a…
J. Mitchell Smith
J. Mitchell Smith has been a principal with Germer since January 2002. Mitch graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from The University of Texas at Austin. He received a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law in 1991.
G. Robert Sonnier
G. Robert Sonnier has significant experience representing clients in litigation throughout several states in both state and federal courts with an emphasis in products liability, premises liability, toxic tort, trucking, and general civil…
Roy A. Spezia
Roy A. Spezia has focused his practice in the area of products liability for over twenty years. Roy is regional counsel for an automobile manufacturer for all of its products liability matters in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Additionally,…
Paul Byron Starr
Paul Byron Starr, a principal with the firm, was born and raised in San Antonio and graduated cum laude from Baylor University in 1995 with a double major in Marketing and Business Statistics. He received his J.D. from Baylor School…
Troy A. Williams
Troy A. Williams represents a wide variety of clients and companies who are based locally, nationally, and internationally, and whose industries include retailers (premises liability, general negligence, premises security, products, DTPA), oil and gas…
Benjamin Zinnecker
Ben Zinnecker was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He attended Texas A&M University, where he received a B.A. in Philosophy in 2005. In 2008, Ben earned his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law, where he enjoyed success in pretrial, mock trial, and moot court competitions.
Stephen P. Bega
Stephen has represented individuals and businesses throughout the State of Texas, including Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, Waco, Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley.
Paula H. Blazek
Paula H. Blazek, has been Board Certified in both Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1990 and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. An…
Adrian Ciechanowicz
Adrian Ciechanowicz joined Germer in 2020. As a member of the firm's litigation section, Adrian represents clients in all stages of the litigation process in state and federal courts.
Serena D. Harmon
Serena D. Harmon is a trial attorney with experience litigating in both state and federal courts. In 1992, Serena earned her law school degree from South Texas College of Law. Prior to attending law school, Serena worked several years working in city government and earned a Master in Science from Carnegie Mellon University. Since law school, Serena has practiced several...
Sandra C. Howard
Sandra C. Howard is a Golden Triangle native who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Lamar University in 1993. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law in…
Valerie Ly
Born in Houston, Texas, Valerie Ly graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2004 with a degree in Finance. She then received her J.D. from SMU in 2007. While at SMU, Valerie received First Place at the National Entertainment…
Laura O'Toole
Laura O'Toole was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. She earned her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1991 and has practiced in Austin since 1994. Laura is the co-author of Betting Booze & Brothels, Vice, Corruption and Justice in Jefferson County, Texas from Spindletop to the 1960s published by...
Chelsie Ramos
Chelsie Ramos is an Attorney in the Houston and Beaumont offices of Germer. Prior to joining the firm, she served as Associate Judge for the 246th District Court, and she has worked as an attorney handling complex litigation matters for nearly 20 years.
Carmen Jo Rejda-Ponce
Carmen Jo Rejda-Ponce ("CJ") focuses on a broad range of labor and employment litigation, including, discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation, disability accommodation, wage and hour laws, and unemployment benefits…
Christopher Smith is a trial attorney with over 20 years' experience representing clients in a wide variety of litigation matters. Before joining Germer in 2019, Christopher primarily represented individuals injured by the negligence of others.
Kelli B. Smith
Kelli B. Smith graduated magna cum laude from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance in 1994. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law in…
James A. Tatem
James A. Tatem, senior trial counsel with the firm, is a graduate of the University of Texas where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1989. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas…
William N. Wilson II
William is a seasoned trial attorney with over 30 years of experience litigating claims involving personal injury, medical malpractice, professional negligence, products liability, motor vehicle collisions, deceptive trade practices, premises liability, property/casualty losses and insurance coverage.
Yanet Benitez
Yanet M. Benitez was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Yanet graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Yanet attended law school at the University of Houston Law Center and received her J.D. in May of 2014. While in law school, Yanet...
Debra Bradberry
Debra has represented and advised clients ranging from Fortune 50 organizations to nonprofits in all phases of litigation before state and federal trial and appellate courts.
Shaunté M. Collins
Shaunté M. Collins is a native Austinite and joined Germer in 2020. She graduated from Duke University in 2009 with a decree in Political Science and certificate in Politics, Philosophy & Economics
Hunter Davidson
Hunter Davidson is a native of Beaumont, Texas. He earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2015 where he was a member of the Phi Delta Phi honor fraternity, receiving the Top Grade Award in Criminal Procedure and…
Julie DeWeese
Julie DeWeese is a summa cum laude graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing and Rhetoric in 2009.
Sonny E. Eckhart
Sonny Eckhart began working for Germer in 2015. Previously, he served as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney for Polk County, Texas, where he worked as a prosecutor and represented the county as its general legal counsel. Sonny has tried a…
Sophia George
Sophia George is a native Houstonian and joined Germer in 2018.
Lauren N. Herrera
Lauren N. Herrera graduated from Texas A&M University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. While in law school, Lauren served as President of the South Texas Student Bar Association. She was inducted into the Order of the Lytae and the Phi Delta Phi legal...
James B. Hicks
James Hicks graduated from Duke University in 2007, where he earned a B.A. in Public Policy Studies and worked as Chief Operations Officer of a food delivery business. He then served for two years as a policy analyst under Mayor Michael…
Zaid S. Husain
Zaid Husain was born and raised in Houston Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2009 with a degree in Government.
Austin Jones was born in Lubbock, Texas and raised in Austin, Texas. Austin earned a bachelor's degree in geography from The University of Texas at Austin in 2013.
Barbara Jordan
Prior to joining Germer in 2019, Barbara Jordan spent over twelve years serving as a prosecutor on behalf of Texas regulatory agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and State Board of Dental Examiners.
Payne Keinarth
Payne Keinarth attended the University of Texas School of Law, where he graduated with honors.
Ian Lancaster
Ian Lancaster has successfully represented clients in the automotive and insurance industries, and also represented the State of Texas as a lawyer with the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Valerie Lewis
Valerie Lewis is a Beaumont, Texas native. After graduating from Rice University in 2008, she taught English in two high schools in rural France for a year...
William E. Lighty
William E. Lighty is a native of Beaumont and joined Germer in 2018. William attended Southern Methodist University where he graduated in three years, receiving a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in history. William earned his law degree from The Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University
Roswill (Rose) Mejía
Roswill is an experienced business lawyer, who joined the Austin office of Germer in February 2019.
Katherine Mendiola
Katherine served as a Judicial Intern for the 13th Court of Appeals under Justice Dori Contreras and the United States Bankruptcy Court under Judge Eduardo Rodriguez.
Nadine Ona
Nadine Ona is originally from Houston, graduated from Texas Tech, and joined Germer in 2017. While at Tech, she served as editor for the Business & Bankruptcy Law Journal and the Texas Bank...
Adam P. Simmons
Adam was born and raised in Mexia, Texas, but now calls Austin home. Adam started his career as a Certified Public Accountant with a Big Four accounting firm for four years before attending law school. Adam still maintains his CPA license with the State of...
Harrison E. Tatum
Harrison E. Tatum is a native of Southeast Texas and joined GERMER in 2017. Harrison attended Lamar University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2013. Harrison earned his law degree from...
Alexis M. Vigilante-Filley
Alexis M. Vigilante-Filley is an attorney in the Austin office of Germer, where she focuses on health law, representing hospitals, physicians, and healthcare providers.
Stephen Forman
Stephen H. Forman has over 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer, first chairing a variety of personal injury and commercial lawsuits.