COBB MARTINEZ WOODWARD - Key Persons
Andrew Willard represents individuals and businesses in matters including construction litigation, commercial litigation, architect and engineer defense, directors and officers litigation, and other insurance defense matters. Andrew's ability to achieve desirable outcomes for his clients and his enthusiasm for the practice of law have made him a successful litigator.
Prior to joining the firm, Andrew practiced with a firm in Fort Worth and effectively defended numerous clients in courts throughout Texas. Andrew is admitted to practice before all Texas State Courts, and he has represented clients in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas and the Southern District of Texas.
Andrew earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and graduated with honors from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was one of six recipients of the University's Litigation Specialization Certificate.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Architect & Engineer Defense
Job Titles:
- Associate Editor
- Technical Editor
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Business Es and Professionals
Daniel Ortega represents business es and professionals in a broad range of litigation, including insurance defense, premises liability, commercial litigation, personal injury defense, professional liability defense, and landlord-tenant dispute s. In each matter, he focuses on the client's objective s and goals and strives to achieve the best result. Daniel earned his law degree from New England Law-Boston and his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation
Gillian Malone is an associate who defends clients in professional liability litigation, focusing on legal malpractice and defense of professionals in the construction industry, including architects and engineers.
Prior to joining Cobb Martinez Woodward, Gillian worked as a Hearing Officer adjudicating unemployment benefit appeal hearings on behalf of the State of Texas.
Gillian earned her law degree from The University of Illinois Chicago John Marshall Law School and her undergraduate degree from Penn State University. During law school, Gillian served as President of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society and participated in Moot Court Honors Council where she won the Best Oralist award and placed as a competition semi-finalist.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Architect & Engineer Defense
Jeff Nicodemus focuses his practice on professional liability defense, commercial litigation, products liability, and general tort litigation. His clients see him as a problem solver, keeping their goals as a priority while striving to achieve an outcome that is reasonable and practical. They particularly value his honest opinions and analysis about what might be the strengths and limitations of their case from the perspectives of the court or jury.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Architect & Engineer Defense
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Associate
Jennifer Smiley is an associate whose practice centers on professional liability defense and employment law. She represents lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects, and other professionals and businesses in state and federal courts.
Jennifer graduated cum laude from SMU Dedman School of Law, and, prior to joining the firm, served as a term law clerk for the Honorable David B. Fannin in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. As a law clerk, she gained extensive experience through analyzing a variety of cases from initial filing through final judgment.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Architect & Engineer Defense
Jessica Chapa is an associate who defends businesses and professionals in personal injury, premises liability, and employment matters.
Jessica earned her law degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. During law school, she served as a Clinic Chief for the Judge Elmo B. Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Prior to law school, she received her undergraduate degree from Baylor University.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Labor & Employment
Jonathan LaMendola is a seasoned litigator with broad experience in providing legal counsel to health care professionals and facilities in litigation and before regulatory boards and agencies, He has successfully represented entities in state and federal courts involving commercial disputes, complex litigation, environmental exposure and toxic torts, enforcement of covenants not to compete, defense of wrongful termination claims and other employment matters.
Whether representing defendants or plaintiffs, Jonathan's litigation strategy is grounded in a clear understanding of his client's goals and objectives, business relationships outside the confines of the lawsuit, and how the litigation might affect the client's business reputation, staff, and management. By effectively balancing what his client seeks to accomplish with what's driving the case from the other side, he deals effectively with opposing counsel.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation
Josh Villarreal is an associate who focuses his practice in the areas of insurance defense, personal injury, premises liability, and professional liability. Known for his preparation and attention to detail, Josh works closely with the firm's partners, clients, and their insurers in developing litigation strategy and achieving favorable outcomes.
Katherine Elrich devotes her practice to handling post-trial and appellate matters in both state and federal court, as well as providing related support at all stages of litigation. Katherine's abilities as an appellate lawyer are enriched from her years in trial practice and her first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced in litigation.
As a seasoned writer, Katherine's abilities to analyze the details of procedural and substantive issues enable her to develop persuasive briefs and motions. She presents her client's arguments in a logical, organized, and sound manner, focusing attention on the key issues that effectively present her client's position. Her oral arguments are built on a practical, common-sense approach that keeps the client's ultimate goals and needs as the priority.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Appellate
EDUCATION
Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas
J.D., magna cum laude, 1998
Honors: Order of the Coif,
Business Manager of the Executive Board of the Texas Tech Law Review
University of Texas, Arlington, Texas
B.B.A., cum laude, 1995
Lance Travis focuses his practice on the defense of utility companies, health care providers, insurance carriers, and retailers in cases involving personal injury and property damages. His primary expertise is in cases involving catastrophic injury, death, and exposure to punitive damages. Lance is known for his ability to simplify complex issues, his effective communication with judges and juries, and his attention to detail. He has also successfully authored and argued numerous appeals before the Texas Appellate Courts.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation
Landon J. Dutra is an associate attorney defending businesses and professionals in a variety of civil litigation matters, focusing on medical malpractice, insurance defense, and energy litigation. He began his career at Burford & Ryburn, L.L.P. which joined with Cobb Martinez Woodward in 2023.
Landon graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. During law school, he served as the Online Articles Editor of the SMU International Law Review and was an advocate on the Mack Kidd Administrative Law Moot Court team. He was awarded the SMU Law Pro Bono Honor Roll for his pro bono work while in law school.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science cum laude from Baylor University. He also was an honors college student within the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core program. At Baylor, he was actively involved in student government and served as an Associate Justice of the Baylor University Student Court. He was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Student in Political Science Award.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation
Larry Johnson focuses his practice on the defense of design professionals in state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings. He also provides contractual negotiation assistance for his clients, assist ing them in managing future risk and providing early resolution of potential legal issues. Larry seeks a reasoned approach to litigation that balance s strategy and action based on the individual claim and the client's objectives.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Architect & Engineer Defense
Lindsey Wyrick devotes her practice to professional liability defense and commercial litigation. She is best known for her representation of lawyers, CPAs, and other professionals in all aspects of litigation and administrative proceedings. Lindsey also assists her clients with ethics issues, professional regulations, and risk management, including on emerging technology and cybersecurity issues.
Lindsey Rattikin Comstock is an associate who focuses her practice in the area of professional liability. In addition, Lindsey represents clients in a variety of other commercial litigation matters.
Job Titles:
- Businesses and Professionals
Michael Smith focuses his practice on professional liability defense, premises liability, commercial litigation, and general tort litigation. Michael has substantial experience in insurance coverage litigation and advises businesses and individuals on a variety of related matters, including policy interpretation, bad-faith disputes, and compliance with the Texas Insurance Code. This work extends to counseling clients on insurance coverage and indemnity issues that regularly arise in drafting, evaluating and negotiating business contracts, vendor agreements, or general dealings between property owners and managers and their business partners.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation
Nicole Tong is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Nicole focuses her practice on the counsel and defense of employment law matters, the pursuit of prompt pay and breach of contract claims on behalf of health care clients, the defense of premises liability claims, and the defense of legal malpractice claims.
Nicole also counsels her corporate clients in business transactions, including negotiation, drafting, and review of contracts and other documents. She has assisted her clients in the formation and maintenance of corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation
Price Anderson is an associate who focuses on professional liability, catastrophic personal injury, and appellate matters. An experienced legal writer with an eye for detail, Price has assisted in drafting successful motions for summary judgment and dismissal in both state and federal courts.
Prior to joining Cobb Martinez Woodward, Price worked in the litigation section of a large, international law firm, where he gained experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants from the onset of litigation to the end of the appellate process.
Price graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 2019. He is also a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Davidson College, where he received honors as the top history student in his class. During law school, he clerked for the Dallas Public Defender's Office and the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. While at the University of Texas, Price was awarded Staff Editor of the Year as a member of the American Journal of Criminal Law.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Appellate
Sarah is an Associate whose primary practice areas include employment law, premises liability, prompt pay, and insurance defense.
Simon Whiting provides in-depth counselling and civil litigation services for solving all manner of employment-related issues and claims. A dedicated client advisor, Simon's practice emphasizes the prevention and amicable resolution of all classes of employment matters from hiring to firing and beyond. He works hand-in-hand with corporate directors, officers, management, human resources and staff to provide training, guidance, procedures and employment agreements, and excels in troubleshooting to avoid potential liability.
When conflicts cannot be resolved and the stakes are high, Simon leverages his extensive courtroom experience to position his clients for optimal outcomes. Elected to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates, Simon has successfully tried over 40 cases in various courts. His experience extends to arbitration, administrative proceedings, and appellate representation. In a nutshell, Simon works to keep his clients out of trouble and litigates for them when trouble is unavoidable.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation
Stacy Bruce is someone whom employers and business owners turn to for the issues they face, including counsel on employment practices, general liability claims, premises liability claims, product liability claims and landlord/tenant issues. Known for her dedicated and resourceful advocacy, Stacy is valued for her honest and straightforward approach with her clients, fully explaining the strengths and weaknesses of the case and keeping them informed at each step of the process. Whether performing investigations, providing counseling, seeking an early resolution or heading to trial, she keeps the focus on her client's business objectives.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Directors & Officers Litigation
With her knowledge and experience in different industries and practice areas, Stacy is a resource of information, expertise and guidance for companies of all sizes. She has represented clients in state and federal courts across Texas and regularly handles claims before the Texas Workforce Commission, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and other administrative bodies.
Stacy has successfully resolved numerous claims through informal settlement negotiations and mediations to avoid disruptive and protracted litigation. In cases that were not resolved through negotiation, Stacy has obtained summary judgments or dismissals on the merits in a variety of areas in which she practices, including lawsuits involving employers, health care professionals, title companies, childcare centers, officers and directors, mortgage brokers, and landlords and tenants. In recent years, Stacy's practice has primarily focused on assisting employers and defending businesses against personal injury claims.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Professionals
Virginia Cox focuses on the defense of professionals in the construction industry, successfully resolving disputes that often involve multi-party claims of negligence, breach of contract, breach of warranties and indemnification issues. In addition to securing favorable settlements and early dismissals of lawsuits on behalf of surveyors, engineers and architects, Virginia works closely with her clients to examine processes and documentation and identify means to reduce future litigation risks and increase liability protection.
Her litigation experience includes obtaining favorable settlements and summary judgments in defense of numerous property damage and premises liability claims.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Architect & Engineer Defense
Bill Cobb is known as a strong, authentic, and personable courtroom advocate. A strategic thinker, he brings to each engagement an ability to persuasively simplify the complicated while relentlessly mastering the details. Bill is sought after for his defense of lawyers and law firms, as well as other professionals in insurance, accounting, real estate, and financial services. He represents professionals in Texas state and federal courts, in arbitrations, as well as in administrative disciplinary proceedings.
Best Lawyers' named Bill the Dallas/Fort Worth region's "Lawyer of the Year" for Legal Malpractice Defense in 2017 and again in 2019. Texas Lawyer named him one of seven "Go-To" lawyers whom Texas attorneys would choose to defend them against legal malpractice claims.
Bill also represents businesses, product manufacturers and distributors in commercial litigation and products liability matters. Best Lawyers' named Bill the Dallas/Fort Worth region's "Lawyer of the Year" for Products Liability Defense in 2015 and again in 2022.
A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Bill has been included among the "Texas Top 100" Super Lawyers more than a dozen times, as one of the "Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Region" Super Lawyers sixteen times, and among the "Texas Super Lawyers" every year since 2003.
"Best Lawyers in America" has included Bill for more than a decade and among its 2023 designees for Legal Malpractice Law, Professional Malpractice Law, Commercial Litigation, Products Liability Litigation, and Bet the Company Litigation.
PRACTICE AREAS
● Commercial Litigation