CHAD T - Key Persons
Chad T. Wilson adminwilson 2022-10-29T10:00:36-05:00
Chad T. Wilson grew up in Southeast Texas, graduated from Port Neches Groves High School with honors and, after receiving a congressional appointment, attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. He was one of only twelve midshipmen who successfully completed a dual Bachelor of Science program in marine engineering and marine transportation/nautical science. He spent two six-month semesters at sea aboard ocean-going ships, as both a deck and engine cadet, with more than two dozen international ports of call.
Mr. Wilson was aboard one of the first merchant vessels to restock military supplies in Kuwait after The First Gulf War and made numerous trips to U.S. military bases in the Far East to replenish their jet fuel reserves. Mr. Wilson successfully passed both the U.S. Coast Guard License exams for Third Mate-unlimited gross tonnage / any ocean and Third Assistant Engineer-unlimited horsepower, steam or diesel. Upon graduating, Mr. Wilson was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy as part of the Strategic Merchant Marine Ready Reserve and was promoted to O-3 lieutenant during his time of service.
Mr. Wilson has 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, having worked on every type of offshore drilling rig in every capacity and managed engineering projects and operations. After gaining hands-on experience, he was tasked with multi-million dollar contracts and business development and attended the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business Executive Sales Management program and later attended South Texas College of Law at night.
After graduating from South Texas College of Law, Mr. Wilson accepted a two-year deal with an oil and gas super-major to secure and manage contracts for their offshore development in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and served as a liaison among the legal, procurement and drilling clients.
Upon returning to the United States, Mr. Wilson founded the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm and has focused his experience and education into helping people with issues concerning all types of contracts.
Mr. Wilson is currently licensed in the practice of law within Texas and has been admitted to the state bar of Colorado. Mr. Wilson is also admitted to practice in the following federal courts:
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Mr. Wilson's other notable achievements include earning Eagle in the Boy Scouts of America, Four year letter recipient USMMA Division I Sailing Team, U.S. Olympic Sailing Team - Trials Qualifier, Laser 2000 and 2004.
Chris Garcia was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and received his associate degree in the Arts from HCC. He has over 7 years of customer service experience and is excited to use this to provide an excellent experience for clients at the firm. Mr. Garcia is passionate about being able to help people in any way he can; while building client relationships.
Job Titles:
- Scheduling Coordinator at the Chad
Crystal Watkins is the scheduling coordinator at the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm. She has over 10 years of experience in customer service and has primarily worked in the Houston and surrounding areas. Crystal got her start with insurance claims in 2010, working for International Risk Control (a public adjusting firm) where she was educated in representing clients and assisting them in the recovery process.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children, going to concerts with friends, and riding her bike on the neighborhood trails. Occasionally she also likes to volunteer on Houston and Pasadena rodeo committees when time permits.
Job Titles:
- Senior Managing Paralegal at Chad
Devan Bullock is the Senior Managing Paralegal at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm and has been with the firm since 2018. She has over 13 years of experience working in various areas of law. Devan obtained her Certification in Paralegal Studies from the Paralegal Program at the University of Houston in 2016 and has since served as a mentor for the program. Devan is affiliated with the Houston Associate of Legal Professionals (HALP).
Devan enjoys making memories with her two children and spending time in the garden.
Job Titles:
- Chad T. Wilson Law Firm As an Assistant
Erica joined Chad T. Wilson Law Firm as an assistant in April of 2022. Since 2014, she has helped her husband run their family business by performing administrative and invoicing duties while simultaneously working as an independent education consultant.
Jason is a native of Alvin, Texas. He has always dreamed of working in the legal profession. Jason attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Jason is currently working on an MBA at Houston Baptist University and plans to pursue a law degree after completing his Master's. Before joining our team Jason worked for several years in criminal defense law.
In his free time, Jason is an avid reader and writer, he writes for a Texas Tech sports page, Guns Up Nation, and the Alvin Advertiser.
In 2017, Angelica Hernandez started her career in the legal field employed as an administrative assistant and intake. Angelica grew up in Kemah, Texas. Her hobbies include being outdoors, playing soccer, exercising, and spending time with her nieces. She is a big fan of soccer and enjoys watching the Houston Dynamos. Angelica is currently enrolled at San Jacinto College and is moving towards completing her Associate's Degree.
Job Titles:
- Member of the State Bar of Texas
Jay has been a member of the State Bar of Texas since 1998 and is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern Districts of Texas, as well as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Kaitlyn is a Paralegal that has been with the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm since 2021. She has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, an Associate of the Arts in Liberal Arts, and is currently working on her Paralegal Certification. Kaitlyn's experience includes one year of experience as a Legal Secretary, two years of experience as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal, and one year of experience as a Marketing Assistant.
Karen Cooper was raised in Southeast Texas and graduated from Dickinson High School. During and after her high school career, her focus was participating in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps and was honored with several medals. In 2013, she started to practice animal medicine for over three years in an animal hospital that would specialize in exotic medicine and stem cells.
In 2016 she started her career in the legal field as a paralegal and is currently continuing her studies at Houston Community College.
Karen is the mother of one daughter and a sister to two brothers. Her hobbies include reading and automotive performance.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant at the Chad
Kristin Bennett is the Executive Assistant at the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm and has 8 years of experience with property claims handling for insureds, as well as 10 years of experience with customer service and office management. She obtained an associate's degree in business office management from Remington College in 2011 and is dedicated to using her knowledge and experience with property claims to assist policyholders on the road to recovery.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two Siberian huskies, renewing old furniture, wandering plant nurseries, and attending car shows. When she is able, she fosters dogs from local animal shelters giving them a better chance at finding a permanent home
Mandy Flores is the executive assistant to Ken Horne and Chad Wilson at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm. She brings over 11 years of administrative experience to the table with expertise in scheduling and correspondence. She has shown excellent attention to detail and has effectively represented the firm as the receptionist for the past 3 years. Working in close coordination with the attorneys, Mandy has proven to be an asset to the firm in organizing scheduling and managing schedules and resources while innovating successful projects to improve office support.
Patrick Connell McGinnis is a Board Certified trial lawyer, licensed in Texas and Oklahoma, who has been trying lawsuits for 25 years. Patrick got his start representing injured claimants in personal injury cases. Since Hurricanes Rita and Ike hit the Texas coast, Mr. McGinnis has focused on representing primarily residential and commercial property owners against the largest domestic and foreign insurance companies. Patrick is completely passionate about representing policyholders.
Patrick is now sought out by large commercial property owners in Texas, Oklahoma, and all over the United States to handle their wind, hail, fire, water damage, and vandalism claims. Patrick is handling, or has handled, policyholder cases in all parts of Texas as well as Oklahoma, Nebraska, Florida, Colorado, Iowa, North Carolina and Louisiana.
Patrick was named to H-Texas Magazine's 2011 list of Top Houston Attorneys and also the magazine's 2011 list of Top Houston Professionals. Patrick helped organize and spoke at various "Know Your Rights" seminars in Houston following Hurricane Ike and has been a featured speaker at a meeting of the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.
In 1995, when Patrick was only 30 years old, the Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, then Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, appointed Patrick as the Diocesan Attorney for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont. At that time Mr. McGinnis was one of the youngest Diocesan Attorneys in the United States. In conjunction with his representation of the Diocese of Beaumont, Patrick is nationally known for his expertise in large commercial construction contracts. He has been a featured speaker at the annual meeting of the National Diocesan Attorney Association in Washington, D.C. as well as the Texas Diocesan Attorneys Association in Austin, Texas, on the topic of construction law contracts between religious owners, architects and contractors. Patrick has consistently represented churches of all denominations that have suffered damages from by hurricane, hail, wind, fire, and vandalism as well as construction defect cases.
Before going into private practice, McGinnis served as Senior Briefing Attorney to the Honorable Joe J. Fisher, Chief Judge Emeritus of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Patrick is married to Sharon, has two beautiful daughters, and lives in The Woodlands.
Paul Holroyd is originally from Central Texas and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University. After moving to Houston in 2008, he worked in retail and international travel before completing an associate's degree in Paralegal Technology from Houston Community College. He is especially proud of his commitment to customer service, going above and beyond whenever possible, and keeping open lines of communication with his clients.
Paul is a fan of Houston, all of its sports teams, live music, and incredible food opportunities. When not out dining at the latest restaurant, he tries not to overwater his plants.
Sara Donahoo is a paralegal with 8 years of experience in various areas of law including Criminal and family. Sara is currently attending UH for her business degree. Sara resides in Pearland, Texas with her husband and son. She loves her french bulldog and cat.
In her free time, Sara enjoys watching her son at his baseball games and driving sports cars on the weekend.
Job Titles:
- Bookkeeper and Billing Specialist
Shannon LeBlanc is a Bookkeeper and Billing Specialist and is currently assisting with all bookkeeping, closeout activities, and preparations for successful claim dispersal. She has been working in accounting since 2010 and started out in the Oil & Gas Industry. Shannon made her move to Legal and Trust Accounting in 2017.
Shannon resides in League City, Texas, and is a proud mother of three and grandmother of one. She spends her free time crafting, baking, and learning new recipes. She considers her family to be her greatest achievement.
Shannon Smith received her paralegal certificate in 2019 after attending the Paralegal Certificate Program at the University of Houston. She started at Chad T. Wilson as an intern in November 2019 and joined the firm in June 2020 as a Legal Intake Specialist. She was born and raised in League City, Texas.
She likes to play the violin and spend time with her dog when she is not working.
Traci Tate is a Paralegal with over 15 years of experience working in various areas of the law including Family, Criminal, Personal Injury, and Probate. She has an Associate of Arts degree from the College of the Mainland. Traci joined the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm in 2022.
Traci lives in Dickinson, Texas with her husband and two daughters. She loves enjoying a family beach day with her dog Penny in her hometown, Galveston.