THE MORALES FIRM, P.C. - Key Persons
Mr. Shipman's practice focuses on the resolution of complex business disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. Prior to entering law school, Mr. Shipman received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, and worked for five years in the private sector as an engineer. As a result, Mr. Shipman's practice emphasizes the representation of clients engaged in construction, manufacturing, engineering and other technical disciplines.
His recent representations include:
Representing clients in the construction industry in construction defect claims, lien/bond claims, back charge and bid disputes, and collection actions.
Representing clients in the engineering industry in design defect claims, negligence and/or breach of warranty claims, contract negotiations, and easement disputes.
Representing both industrial facilities and property developers in land use and zoning disputes.
Representing a major industrial operation in a common law nuisance lawsuit brought by an adjoining community.
Mr. Shipman also has extensive experience representing clients in disputes related to the enforcement of covenants not to compete.
Charles Shipman is not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Practice Areas
Construction Counseling and Litigation
Kayla Dietrich received her Bachelor's degrees in English and Biology from the University of San Antonio in 2010 and 2012. She received her Master's in Health Science and Public Health in 2014 and 2018. After completing three years of medical school at Meharry Medical School in Nashville, TN, Ms. Dietrich changed direction and attended Baylor University School of Law in Waco, Texas, graduating in February of 2023.
During her time in law school, Ms. Dietrich gained valuable experience through family law internships and independent studies in family law and property. She also was President of the Moot Court Society and the Student Wellness Organization. Ms. Dietrich concentrates her practice in the areas of Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Contempt, Adoption, and CPS cases. She also manages Guardianships, Heirships, Administration of Estates and Probates Wills.
Job Titles:
- Presents Social Media Evidence Paper at Advanced Personal Injury Law Seminar
Lawrence Morales II is a seasoned trial attorney, who has obtained tens of millions of dollars in verdicts, judgments, and settlements on behalf of his clients. Lawrence is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a labor and employment law specialist and is an Adjunct Professor of Employment Law at Baylor Law School. Lawrence was also the 2021-2022 President of the San Antonio Bar Association (San Antonio's largest and oldest bar association) and serves on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Texas.
Lawrence has successfully represented individuals and companies in complex employment law and business litigation matters involving non-compete agreements, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, fraud, unfair competition, hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, unpaid minimum wages and overtime, breach of contract, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
In addition to his experience in the courtroom, Lawrence also counsels individuals and companies concerning issues involving employment and business matters. For example, Lawrence has substantial experience representing companies when their wage and hour practices are audited by the Department of Labor, and reviewing and negotiating severance agreements for employees. Moreover, Lawrence counsels employers involving policies and complex employment decisions.
Prior to attending law school, Lawrence was a financial analyst for Kimberly-Clark. He graduated at the top of his Baylor Law School class, and was an award-winning member of Baylor's Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams. Lawrence also served as an Executive Editor of The Baylor Law Review. After law school, Lawrence served as a law clerk to the Honorable Priscilla R. Owen of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
After completing his judicial clerkship, Lawrence practiced in the Labor and Employment Section of the international law firm of Haynes and Boone, LLP for six years in San Antonio, Texas.
Lawrence is a frequent author on employment law and litigation topics, and has been published in The Texas Bar Journal, The Advocate, The San Antonio Lawyer, and The Essentials of E-Discovery. Lawrence has also served on numerous boards and committees, including with the San Antonio Bar Association, the San Antonio Bar Foundation, the American Bar Association, the San Antonio Human Resources Management Association, and the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association. Lawrence also served as a Grievance Panel Chair for the State Bar of Texas.
Lawrence also frequently lectures on employment law and litigation topics, and has served on the teaching faculty of continuing legal education seminars presented by the American Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the State Bar of Texas, including programs on Advanced Civil Trial Law, Advanced Evidence and Discovery, Advanced Consumer and Commercial Law, Employment Law, Wage and Hour Law, Advanced Personal Injury Law, and Electronic Discovery.
Practice Areas
Labor Law
Melissa has been practicing law since 1998 and has wide-ranging experience in employment and labor litigation. Melissa began her legal career as an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Dallas Attorney's Office. After serving as a Prosecutor, she quickly promoted to the Employment and Labor Section where she defended the City of Dallas and its elected officials and employees in cases involving all aspects of employment discrimination, retaliation, civil rights and other Federal and State employment statutes. Melissa was also responsible for handling administrative trial board and Administrative Law Judge hearings of which she first-chaired numerous such hearings.
Upon leaving the City of Dallas, Melissa became an associate with a law firm defending municipalities in all aspects of employment litigation, land use matters and constitutional violations. Subsequently, Melissa was hired by a major Dallas Law Firm, formerly known as Godwin Gruber LLP, where she again handled all forms and aspects of employment litigation. In 2004, Melissa made her way back to her home town, San Antonio, and began working as Staff Counsel for State Farm Insurance Company. While working in this capacity, Melissa again first chaired District Court trials and numerous County Court trials. In 2010, eager to return to the practice of employment law, Melissa joined Goode Casseb Jones Riklin Choate & Watson where she primarily handled employment law litigation and consulting. In 2013, Melissa made the decision to join forces with her father and brother. Melissa is Of Counsel to The Morales Firm, P.C. and continues to litigate and provide consultation to employers and employees in all aspects of employment law.
Job Titles:
- Lawyers Association, Member
Job Titles:
- Chairman, 2021 to Present