SUTLIFF & STOUT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Education Background / University of Houston
- Paralegal
Andrea Reyes is a paralegal for Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm. She assists attorneys and clients throughout the entire personal injury process - from filing a claim to settlement funding.
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Andrea helps Sutliff & Stout's Spanish-speaking clients feel at ease throughout the duration of the legal process.
Bringing 10 years of professional experience and a degree in international business to the table, Andrea made the decision to pursue a career in the legal field because of a strong passion to help others in her community. A lifelong Houstonian, Andrea spends her free time enjoying an active lifestyle, which often includes running in 5k races to benefit local charities.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Education Background / University of Mississippi
Graham E. Sutliff, a Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney, grew up in San Angelo, Texas in a family of six. From an early age, in this close-knit West Texas town, he learned the value of hard work, determination and fighting for what is right. Graham and his now partner Hank, who became friends at age four, found an early interest in the law by playing in the halls of the Tom Green County Courthouse. As a young man, his interest in the law continued to grow and he set out to find a way to use this passion to help others.
At the University of Mississippi, after receiving his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and graduating summa cum laude, Graham went on to pursue a law degree. His commitment to his studies paid off once again as he graduated from law school, summa cum laude, at the top of his class.
Upon graduating, Graham began his legal career in the Austin litigation section of Vinson & Elkins. There, he represented a diverse client base ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses to private citizens. His practice included personal injury, securities issues, contract disputes, and everything in between. While at Vinson & Elkins, Graham had the privilege of practicing law among some of the top litigators in the United States.
In 2008, Graham and Hank co-founded Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm to protect the rights of individuals facing the daunting task of litigating against big insurance companies and corporations. Throughout his career, Graham has remained committed to upholding the values instilled in him from an early age - hard work, determination and fighting for what is right.
Graham has successfully tried jury and non-jury trials in both state and federal court. On a daily basis, he sees the physical and emotional impact that others' carelessness has on his clients and their loved ones. Graham's greatest satisfaction comes from ensuring that his clients and their families get the representation, and ultimately, the justice they deserve.
Graham is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and has been selected as a Texas Monthly Super Lawyer since 2012.
Outside of work, Graham enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Education and Professional Background / South Texas College of Law
Hank Stout co-founded the Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm with a simple goal. Help real people with real problems. From his roots in small-town West Texas, Hank was taught the value of community, hard work, determination, and fairness from a young age. He continues that legacy through his professional life, representing diverse clients across the Lone Star state.
Since becoming a board-certified personal injury lawyer, Hank has spent the last two decades helping people by navigating them through a complicated legal field. Hank specializes in significant accidents, including 18-wheeler-involved collisions, motorcycle crashes, wrongful death situations, and dozens of niche car accident types.
Every year since 2012, Hank has been named as a Super Lawyer, a distinguish that he wears as a badge of pride. Super Lawyer distinguishment is only awarded to the top 5% of lawyers in each state. Having consistently made the list for over a decade now, the award helps demonstrate Hank's quality as a lawyer.
Additional recognitions include features by H Magazine and Houstonia Magazine as one of Houston's top personal injury lawyers. Recognition as a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Elite Lawyers, and a perfect 10.0 rating from AVVO are just a few of the other distinguishments Hank has earned.
While Hank appreciates of this recognition, he is most proud of what his former clients have to say about him and how he has been able to help them in their time of need.
Through the successful opening of this firm, and the successful outcomes of hundreds of cases locally and state-wide, Hank remains committed to giving back to his community. Each year, Hank and the firm promote an anti-DUI initiative, offering cab/ride-share rides for community members on holidays. The firm has also sponsored and given to various regional charities and organizations over our years of operation.
While not representing his clients in the court of law, or preparing for a case, Hank is at home with his wife and children, whom he loves dearly.
Honors and Awards
Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law
Texas Super Lawyers - Thomson Reuters - 2014 - 2023
Texas Super Lawyers (Rising Stars) - Thomson Reuters - 2012, 2013, 2014
"Superb" Rating by Avvo - 2013 - 2023
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Houston Top Lawyers - H Magazine - 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Houston Top Lawyer - Houstonia Magazine - 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Board Member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Member, Houston Trial Lawyers Association
Member, Houston Bar Association
Law Review Member, South Texas College of Law
Member, Best Attorneys of America
If you would like to see the types of results Hank has been able to obtain for his clients, please click here.
If you would like to see what Hank's former clients have to say, feel free to check out the reviews on Avvo, Google, and Facebook.
Job Titles:
- Show and Rodeo ( Committee Member since 2010 ) Member: Best Attorneys of America
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Education / University of Texas
Jaime I. Perez comes from a hardworking immigrant family, which gave him a unique yet relatable experience that he carries with him into the field of law. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, but raised in Houston, Texas, Jaime is proud of this cultural blend that honed his identity and shaped his character. He witnessed early the vulnerability of those who needed legal help and saw the consequences of not getting it firsthand. This experience cultivated within him strong principles of fairness and justice, to which he dedicated himself in the pursuit of his legal career.
After graduating from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Jaime attended South Texas College of Law - Houston, where he graduated cum laude, near the top of his class in 2018. During his time at STCL, he served as a legal intern for the Fort Bend District Attorney's office, the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office, and as a law clerk for a prestigious Houston immigration firm.
Upon graduation, Jaime fulfilled a childhood dream when he took and passed the Texas bar exam that same year. He immediately entered the field of personal injury litigation and worked under some of the state's best plaintiff personal injury attorneys. Jaime is bilingual in English and Spanish and has used his cultural background to represent a broad spectrum of people who have been hurt or had a loved one hurt or killed because of the negligence or recklessness of others. Jaime has also litigated cases on behalf of consumers under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Jaime strives to be the fixed point for his clients, offering guidance to help them regain control of their lives after the events that follow a motor vehicle collision. However, his greatest satisfaction is helping his clients reach the best resolution possible in their cases while working with an outstanding legal team. When not working, Jaime enjoys spending time with his family and close friends, exploring the city, trying new restaurants, and traveling as much as possible.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal for Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm
Jeannette Acosta is a paralegal for Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm. She assists our attorneys throughout the personal injury process.
She is proficient in Spanish and English and brings valuable language skills to her role, facilitating effective communication with clients.
With a degree in psychology and criminal justice and a paralegal studies certificate from Southern Methodist University, Jeannette is committed to providing dedicated support to ensure clients' needs are met to make a positive impact in their lives after their accidents. Jeannette has recently settled in Austin, immersing herself in the city's vibrant music scene and diverse culinary offerings.
Job Titles:
- Education Background / University of Texas at Austin
- Paralegal
As a paralegal at Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm, Jenna Brooks plays an integral role in developing case information, supporting trial proceedings, and maintaining client contact. A Dallas native, Jenna's interest in law began back in high school when her school's exclusive Professional Internship Program placed her at a law firm specializing in personal injury, family law, and criminal defense.
Her specific interest in personal injury grew as she was exposed to trucking accident and dog bite cases. Jenna continued to work as a legal assistant for the same law firm during summer breaks while in college.
Jenna began work as a legal assistant for a high traffic criminal law firm in downtown Austin.
She shortly transitioned back to personal injury work after joining firms in Austin and San Antonio where she excelled and grew into the paralegal she is today.
The former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer enjoy dancing, cooking, and 4-wheeling when she is not assisting Graham in his pursuit of justice.
Katy Easley is a Paralegal for Sutliff & Stout. Katy is passionate about helping clients navigate the challenges of personal injury. With an unwavering commitment to supporting our attorneys and ensuring the seamless progress of every case, Katy plays a pivotal role in assisting clients throughout the personal injury process.
With seven years of experience in personal injury law and obtaining her certification in Paralegal Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, Katy has a deep understanding of the legal process and procedures.
Outside the office, Katy enjoys her free time exploring Austin and spending time with her family, friends, and her three dogs.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Education Background / South Texas College of Law
Kelly M. Walne was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After graduating from The Kinkaid School as a Commended National Merit Scholar and four-year letterman, Kelly went on to double-major at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was Chairman of the Student Events Center Board.
Thereafter, he attended South Texas College of Law, where he was a Dean's Scholar, named to the Dean's List, received multiple AmJur awards for excellence in the classroom and, ultimately, participated in the school's esteemed Moot Court advocacy program. As a brief writer, Kelly won multiple Best Brief awards at both state and national competitions, including Second Best Brief at the Moot Court National Championship.
After graduating near the top of his class, Kelly went to work for a large Houston firm, where he joined the firm's Technical Litigation Group, which primarily handled the firm's most complex commercial litigation matters.
For a number of years, Kelly gained invaluable experience aggressively representing corporate clients in what could only be called "high-stakes" litigation, practicing alongside some of the best firms and attorneys in the State of Texas, if not the nation; however, Kelly is a full-time father before he is a lawyer.
As a result, in October 2015, he decided to relocate his practice to Marble Falls, and in doing so, Kelly and his son, Jackson, were not only able to get out of the Houston routine of rushed breakfasts and miles of traffic, but Kelly could also start doing what he loves most-zealously advocating on behalf of individuals, and their families, against big corporations and insurance companies.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Education Background
Matthew Ploeger is dedicated to serving Sutliff & Stout's clients with diligence, skill, and commitment. He enjoys the intellectual challenges, but even more importantly, finds great satisfaction in helping people understand and navigate the legal system and championing them in the courts.
Matthew Ploeger began his legal career serving as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Nathan L. Hecht, the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. He then joined the appellate practice group at a major law firm, where, for over ten years, he handled all manner of appeals and worked closely with trial teams, providing crucial support by handling summary judgments and other pre-trial motions, jury charges, and post-verdict motions. With this experience, Matthew opened his own appellate law practice.
As his educational background indicates, Matthew has long been interested in law and the ways we resolve disputes. Before attending law school at Stanford, Matthew studied sociology of law and criminology at the University of Texas, ultimately earning a Ph.D. Throughout his time at UT, Matthew had the privilege of being the research assistant for the Consumer Bankruptcy Project, with Professors Teresa Sullivan, Jay Westbrook, and (now Senator) Elizabeth Warren.
Throughout all of this study and practice, Matthew's love of the law has never waned. He continues to enjoy the intellectual challenges, but even more importantly, finds great satisfaction in helping people understand and navigate the legal system and championing them in the courts. He is dedicated to serving Sutliff & Stout's clients with diligence, skill, and commitment. In 2021, Matthew was honored as a Super Lawyer.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal for Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm
Monica Veer is a paralegal for Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm. She assists the attorneys and clients throughout the personal injury process, from filing a lawsuit to going to trial and/or settlement funding.
With over 20 years of experience in the legal field and fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Monica has dedicated her time to assisting clients throughout the process of their cases and getting them the results they deserve. Monica is very grateful to have the opportunity to see the impact it makes in our clients' lives.
Monica has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas San Antonio and a paralegal certificate. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 9-year-old daughter.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Community
- Education Background / University of Nevada
Ryan serves as the Director of Marketing & Community Outreach at Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm. Ryan works directly with Hank & Graham to coordinate digital marketing efforts and assist in other roles as asked.
Earning his BA in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno, Ryan is passionate about writing, advertising, and media. Beyond his own duties, Ryan is prepared to help the firm when needed.
When he is not in the office, Ryan enjoys fishing and photography. Before joining the firm, Ryan worked as a sports reporter, which is where he discovered his love for photography.