HARTLINE BARGER - Key Persons
Alana is a recent cum laude graduate, receiving her J.D. from Texas Southern University-Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2024. There, she was a member of the Mock Trial Program's national trial team for two years. Alana also earned a CALI award in Civil Rights Legislation and Enforcement.
Before law school, Alana received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Alana's multi-disciplinary education has nurtured a unique understanding of, and heightened ability to, thoroughly work on behalf of those that need legal representation.
Alex Nunnery is a native Houstonian. She was born and raised in the Kingwood area. She received her bachelor's degree in political science from Spelman College. Alex graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2017.
Alex has experience managing a high volume docket in every aspect of civil litigation, from answer through trial. She has had great success in evaluating liability and potential exposure for legal strategy on commercial policies, and primarily works on large loss cases including amputees, traumatic brain injuries, and fatalities.
Whether working for District Attorneys or global corporations, Alex has enhanced her trial skills at every juncture, making her the ultimate client advocate.
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel
- Senior Counsel / Houston
Allison Ballentine is a Senior Counsel in the firm's Houston office. Her practice focuses on personal injury defense and insurance defense. Allison has experience representing clients in state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and before administrative agencies in a variety of matters including personal injury and insurance litigation.
Prior to attending law school, Allison worked as a registered nurse in a large nephrology practice. Her practice comprised treating patients with kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney transplants, and fluid and electrolyte abnormalities. Additionally, Allison assisted her patients in navigating regulations with respect to the management of healthcare for chronic diseases, which led to her interest in law.
Allison graduated from Tulane Law School where she was a member of the Moot Court Board and competed in and coached numerous moot court competitions.
Amanda Saputo is a litigator focused on product liability, trucking & transportation, and premises liability. Her experience includes handling the initial investigation of significant incidents and representing clients in state court, federal courts, arbitration, and multi-district litigation. Amanda's product liability practice predominantly focuses on the design of various parts of trucks, while her trucking & transportation practice ranges from minor vehicle accidents to multi-fatality collisions. The majority of her premises liability matters concern slip and fall accidents and assaults. Amanda enjoys taking the time to learn about the specific needs and priorities of clients, whether this includes resolving cases through favorable settlements or representing clients through trial.
Amanda also spends a significant portion of her time advising clients in a multitude of areas that arise in the day-to-day needs of companies. She takes a proactive approach by helping companies develop and implement practices and policies that promote safety and provides practical legal advice aimed at mitigating against risk for future litigation. In this consulting role, Amanda helped establish nationwide practices for a technology company. She also particularly enjoys providing legal advice within the beverage industry.
She presented "The Changing Face of Spoliation in Texas," co-presented "Your First Petition: Essential, but Untaught Basics," and was published in the bi-annual compendium for ALFA International regarding statewide updates for construction law. DRI's For The Defense also published "Spoliation: Remedies in Manufacturing-Defect Cases Without the Key Product," which Amanda co-authored. Amanda was selected as a 2022, 2023, and 2024 Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a distinction awarded annually to 2.5% of Texas' attorneys.
Andrew Pratka is a native Houstonian and graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in 2011. Since beginning his legal career, Andrew has managed a high-volume state and federal litigation docket. He has extensive pleadings and motions practice, and has handled matters related to civil litigation, insurance defense, personal injury, construction, and trucking/transportation.
Angela has worked on a variety of litigation and appellate matters with the firm's Dallas and New Mexico offices and manages the firm's New Mexico offices. With a wide-ranging practice, she handles appeals, class actions, product liability litigation, insurance defense litigation, including premises liability and trucking, and has also defended lawsuits filed against governmental entities. Angela has broad experience across all counties in New Mexico, including successfully obtaining dismissals in cases involving international tire manufacturers, international automobile manufacturers, local city governments, and other clients. She was recently part of the trial team that obtained a defense verdict in a two-week product liability trial in eastern New Mexico.
Ashley is a partner in the firm's Houston office. She defends individuals and companies in a variety of civil litigation matters, including claims involving property damage, personal injury, and wrongful death.
Ashley graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2017 (Go Blue!), and from Emory University in 2014 with a dual degree in International Studies and Spanish. After law school, Ashley completed a legal fellowship with the Honorable Jason B. Libby in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division. Prior to law school, Ashley worked in the Mohegan Tribal Government in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C.
Job Titles:
- Lead Articles and Research Editor
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Dallas
Brianna Weis handles complex litigation matters including personal injury, breach of contract, and breach of warranty/consumer complaint. She works on a diverse range of matters for a variety of industries including manufacturing, trucking, and commercial/business enterprises.
Brianna earned her JD summa cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law, where she was a published member of the Texas Tech Law Review. Brianna is involved in several legal associations-including the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Young Lawyer's Committee. She is a committee member for the Women Mentoring Circles committee in the Dallas area which supports mentorship for women lawyers through Dallas Women Lawyers Association and Dallas Young Lawyers Association.
Caden Tague has a background in family and criminal law, but focuses her practice on civil litigation. Caden has represented a diverse group of clients in matters related to personal injury, trucking accidents, construction defects, and Property Owners' Association disputes.
Caden earned her JD from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 2021. Outside of the practice of law, Caden enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, and reading.
Casey is a trial partner in the Firm's Corpus Christi office who handles cases throughout the State of Texas with a special concentration in South Texas. He has extensive experience defending clients in a wide range of practice areas including: trucking and transportation accidents; oilfield and refinery incidents; construction related claims; products and premises liability claims; insurance defense; dram shop litigation; real estate litigation; wills, trusts, and estates litigation; and fiduciary litigation matters.
Casey joined the firm in 2014 after starting his career at a large, global law firm. He received his undergraduate degree from the United States Naval Academy and his law degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. While attending law school, Casey served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth, Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia.
Prior to beginning his legal career, Casey served in the U.S. Navy as a S-3B Naval Flight Officer.
Job Titles:
- Course Instructor for State Bar of Texas
Since joining the firm, Colin has represented product manufacturers, transportation companies, and other businesses both small and large in complex and multidistrict litigation and has first--and second--chair trial experience in both commercial and personal injury cases. In 2011, Colin graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Baylor University. While attending law school, he won numerous awards for his impressive efforts in mock trial competitions and was the winner of the 2013 Bob and Karen Wortham "Top Gun" Fall Practice Court Mock Trial Competition. Colin uses his experience in trial advocacy to help teach the next generation of trial lawyers by coaching interscholastic mock trial teams at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Fellow
- Senior Partner / Houston
A trial lawyer for more than 50 years, Darrell is a partner in the firm's Corpus Christi and Houston offices. He has been Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1985. Darrell has tried more than 500 civil cases for a variety of large corporate clients, as well as many smaller businesses and individuals. His extensive experience, track record of success and aggressive approach to litigation make him a formidable opponent in the courtroom. Clients, colleagues, and judges know that Darrell possesses the kind of expertise that consistently produces results, especially in high-stakes cases.
Darrell's accomplishments as a trial lawyer have been recognized by his peers, who have elected him as a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. The Academy is a group of truly elite trial lawyers representing both sides of the Bar. While the majority of the Fellows come from the U.S., the Academy includes lawyers from more than 30 countries. Fellowship is by invitation only, and trial lawyers are invited to become Fellows only after an extremely careful vetting process. As to U.S. Fellows, the Academy's bylaws limit Fellowship to 500 active trial lawyers under the age of 70. Most recently, Darrell was awarded the Texas Bar Foundation Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year 2022 and the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists - Lifetime of Excellence in Advocacy in 2023.
Darrell is also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. The American College of Trial Lawyers honors those who have distinguished themselves in trial practice for at least 15 years and who are recognized leaders in their local communities. The College looks for lawyers who are considered by other lawyers and judges to be the best in their states or provinces, lawyers whose ethical and moral standards are the highest, and lawyers who share the intangible quality of collegiality.
Prior to starting his law practice, Darrell served his country as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner / Dallas
David Estes began his career with the firm's Dallas office in 1999, representing automotive and heavy truck manufacturers in product liability and warranty litigation. Over the years, his practice has broadened to include premises liability, as well as asbestos, benzene and other toxic tort cases. David also represents trucking carriers in litigation resulting from catastrophic accidents, and he devotes a portion of his practice to the representation of creditors in collections matters against individuals and business entities.
David regularly appears in both state and federal courts, obtaining successful outcomes for the firm's clients. His expertise has gained him recognition among The Best Lawyers in America® by Woodward/White, and Super Lawyers® Texas Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Houston
David Green is a partner in the Houston office. After graduating from Baylor Law School, David began his career in the Trial Section of the San Antonio City Attorney's Office, gaining valuable experience in the defense of personal injury and death claims arising against municipalities. He practiced with a prominent San Antonio law firm before moving to Corpus Christi 1989, where he continued to practice for many years before moving to the Houston office in 2013.
Over his 40+ year career David has expanded his practice to include the defense of product liability, personal injury and premises defect claims, fire litigation, dram shop liability, pharmaceutical litigation, insurance coverage and related litigation. In the commercial litigation arena, David has handled the defense of complex breach of contract claims involving fraud, misrepresentation, deceptive trade practices, and breach of fiduciary duty.
David is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, is a member of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, and in addition to litigation, handles legal and appellate issues at the pretrial, trial and post-judgment, and appellate stages-including briefing and arguing appeals in the Texas intermediate appellate courts, and the Texas Supreme Court, and in the federal Fifth Circuit.
David has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell.
Aside from the practice of law, he is active in his church and community, and grateful for his wife, children, and two grandchildren.
Named in The Best Lawyers in America® as the 2025 "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Santa Fe, Don DeCandia draws on more than 35 years of experience in zealously representing clients at both trial and appellate levels. He is proud to have joined the Hartline team in 2019, leading its expansion into New Mexico and the opening of its Albuquerque and Santa Fe offices. Don has spent his entire career practicing in New Mexico Courts and focuses primarily on the areas of products liability, tort and personal injury. He has litigated complex commercial cases and class actions and has a depth of experience in appellate work. Don believes that listening and attention to detail are key components of a successful practice. He maintains close communications with client contacts to ensure that informed judgment guides key decisions. Don has achieved the highest rating possible from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Southwest Super Lawyers®. Best Lawyers in America® lists Don in three categories of law.
Don has handled scores of products liability cases in the vehicle context, including the defense of several tire manufacturers in tire failure litigation. His most recent trial (in 2022) for a tire manufacturer resulted in a complete victory for the defense. He has also represented building product and power tool manufacturers, and his practice includes insurance bad faith cases and premises liability matters. Many of his cases involve claims for wrongful death and serious personal injury.
Eric Freedman joined the Hartline Barger team in 2025 as a senior litigator specializing in trucking and transportation cases. Eric also has extensive experience handling wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, having spent seven years after law school defending healthcare providers in complex medical malpractice cases. Prior to joining the firm, Eric spent time managing and counseling a fuel transportation company in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which makes him particularly well-suited to meet the needs and demands of his clients.
Frank Sedita brings extensive experience in civil litigation, focusing on insurance defense, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability, first-party property claims, and general business litigation. Over the years, he has successfully defended major corporations in complex, high-stakes litigation while also gaining valuable experience as a plaintiff's attorney, handling countless personal injury matters.
Having worked on both sides of the courtroom, Frank offers a strategic and well-rounded perspective that allows him to anticipate challenges and craft effective legal strategies. His deep understanding of both defense and plaintiff litigation enables him to navigate complex disputes with precision and provide insightful counsel to his clients.
As a trusted advocate, Frank is committed to delivering practical, results-driven solutions tailored to his clients' needs.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Associate / Houston
Hannan Alkhalifa is an associate in the firm's Houston office. Her practice primarily focuses on defending individuals and corporations in civil litigation matters, including commercial, trucking & transportation, insurance defense, and personal injury.
Hannan obtained her law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL) in 2019 and her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 2016. Prior to joining Hartline Barger, Hannan worked with insurance and other national companies resolving personal injury and premises liability claims brought against them.
Outside of work, Hannan enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and exploring local shops and restaurants with her husband.
Job Titles:
- Youth Leadership Corporate Board Member ( Texas Capital Area )
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Corpus Christi
Jason Lester joined the firm in 2019. His practice focuses on personal injury defense with a passion for environmental law. Prior to law school, Jason worked for three years in the psychology field and then launched and operated a small outdoor business for another three years. Having the opportunity to become a sixth-generation attorney and with an interest in the legal field, Jason began another journey and was accepted to Baylor Law in 2016.
Jeff Bell is a dedicated attorney with a robust background in complex commercial litigation. He earned his Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, where he was an active member of the Mock Trial Team.
Jeff began his legal career with a strong foundation in political science, having graduated with a Bachelor of Administration from Texas Southern University's Barbara Jordan - Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. During his undergraduate years, he demonstrated leadership as the Team Captain and a member of the Player Leadership Committee for the university's football team.
Jeff has been the primary attorney on numerous defense cases, managing a diverse docket that includes premises liability for a national restaurant chain and defending intricate commercial litigation from inception to trial. Jeff has second chair trial experience in high-stakes cases involving severe injuries and multiple expert testimonies.
Jeff is known for his meticulous preparation and effective presentation of fact witnesses, experts, and corporate representatives. He regularly advises clients on liability and damages exposure and has considerable experience preparing and arguing motions.
Judge Ben Hardin (Martin Benjamin Hardin, Jr.) was born on August 13, 1947, in the Dow Hospital in Freeport, Texas to Martin Benjamin Hardin and Emily Clyde Sims Hardin. The Hardin family lived in Lake Jackson, Texas where Hardin's father worked in the Dow Chemical Company's engineering department as an estimator. The family included the Judge's older half-sister, Clinta Ann Rayburn Steele, who lived in Sacramento, California. She died in 1995 shortly after he took office.
Judge Hardin's father died of heart disease in March, 1955. Beginning that same year, his mother went to work at Sharon Insurance Agency in Lake Jackson, which was owned by James F. Crews and John T. Suggs. Mrs. Hardin managed the agency until after Judge Hardin left for college.
He graduated from Brazosport High School in 1965, having been named a National Merit Scholarship finalist during his senior year. During high school, Judge Hardin was active in the band, winning a gold medal in clarinet competition his sophomore year at the State UIL solo contest in Austin.
Julia was born and raised in Allen, Texas. Julia obtained a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in history from Texas Woman's University. For law school Julia attended Texas Tech University School of Law and graduated in May 2023. She has experience in a wide variety of practice areas, but has directed her focus on construction defect and personal injury.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Associate / Houston
Justin Click is an associate in the firm's Houston office. Justin defends individuals and companies in matters involving personal injury, insurance defense, transportation law, and wrongful death. He has experience in all phases of litigation and has represented clients in state and federal courts.
Justin graduated Cum Laude from South Texas College of Law - Houston in 2019 and from Texas A&M University in 2013. After law school, Justin represented Plaintiffs in personal injury matters before joining Hartline Barger in 2020.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Houston
Kelly McKee is litigator focused on bringing his real-world experience and knowledge to create positive outcomes in his client's litigation. Prior to law school, he worked as a management professional for one of the largest independent grocers in Texas. He also assisted energy companies and the fortune 500 to recover monetary resources as an account payable auditor. Since being licensed in May of 2019, he has assisted clients in a wide variety of cases that have been focused on construction defect issues, products liability issues, catastrophic personal injury, insurance coverage, and complex commercial litigation.
Kelly focuses on a practical approach to the law, where he seeks to find resolutions based on what makes sense for the client's business or industry. Kelly believes that understanding a client's business and industry is a key component of successful representation. Using this approach, Kelly has taken numerous cases from inception to resolution.
Kelly is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, the Northern/Eastern/Southern/Western Federal Districts of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
One of the founding partners of the firm, and a long-time managing partner, Larry is now Of Counsel in the Dallas office. He has represented clients throughout the State of Texas and the nation in a variety of cases, including wrongful death suits, insurance coverage and commercial disputes, product liability suits, dram shop litigation, wrongful termination, and employment claims, as well as general negligence actions. Along with representing automotive, motorcoach, truck and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers, Larry has obtained successful outcomes for various retailers and suppliers in a wide range of industries. He has also served on defense steering committees in mass tort litigation.
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel / Santa Fe
Lisa graduated with a B.B.A. in Finance from Southern Methodist University and received her J.D. from University of San Diego Law School. Throughout her career, Lisa has primarily focused her practice on personal injury litigation, gaining both Plaintiff and Defense experience. She also worked as In-House Defense Counsel at both State Farm and Liberty Mutual, giving her a well-rounded perspective to her practice.
In her free time, Lisa enjoys exploring Santa Fe on her scooter, playing golf, and long-distance backpacking.
With over 20 years in practice, Elizabeth "Lisa" Massey brings a wide array of experience and principled advocacy to her complex civil litigation practice in both state and federal courts. She represents clients in catastrophic personal injury cases and wrongful death claims, premises liability, premises security, products liability, and commercial litigation matters. Lisa's clients include national and multinational quick-service food chains and brands, department stores, automotive services, trucking and logistics companies, and energy and oilfield services companies. Throughout her years of practice, Lisa has gained extensive experience in assessing and creating compliance and training programs for her clients and provides strategic advice on conducting risk and workplace safety assessments.
Lisa was born and raised in Naples, Italy, where she lived until she moved to the United States to attend Baylor University. Between college and law school at South Texas College of Law, she worked for an international advisory and consulting network in Naples where she gained invaluable cross-border and problem-solving experience which enables her to effectively advocate for her clients in each case.
Lisa's diverse background and experience allow her to remain dedicated to guiding a diverse group of clients through every stage of high-stakes litigation by resolving disputes early, finding innovative resolutions, and zealously advocating for them in the courtroom. Because of this, she is a highly sought-after advisor known for her ability to effectively communicate and advance her clients' interests.
In her free time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and two Italian Greyhounds, cheering for her little gymnasts, running, and cooking dishes from around the world. Lisa is fluent in Italian.
Job Titles:
- Dean 's List, Order of the Coif
Maria Cristina Carson focuses her practice on researching and drafting complex motions, responses, memos, and appellate briefs to defend companies and individuals in both state and federal court actions.
In her spare time, Cristina enjoys sightseeing, listening to music, and taking walks with her husband.
Maryse Rodriguez was born and raised in Del Rio, Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor's Degree in Population Health & Society and a Minor in Sociology. She obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center.
During her time in law school, Maryse served as the Vice-President for the Hispanic Law Students Association, Senior Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy, SBA Mentor for First-Year Students, and had her comment selected for publication in the Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy. Maryse also clerked for various law firms throughout her time in law school. Maryse began her legal career working at an insurance defense firm handling a variety of cases, including personal injury, premises liability, and product liability claims.
During her free time, Maryse enjoys running, traveling, and hanging out with her husband and two bernedoodles.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Houston
Job Titles:
- Litigation Partner in the Santa Fe Office
- Partner / Santa Fe
Matthew Armijo is a litigation Partner in the Santa Fe office of Hartline Barger, LLP. His practice is focused on insurance defense, products liability, and complex litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Matthew began his career at a respected plaintiffs' firm in Dallas, where he gained experience in dram shop liability, workplace injury, and trucking accidents. After returning to New Mexico, Matthew joined the litigation section of a prominent Santa Fe firm, where he successfully represented clients in a range of practice areas, including environmental litigation, oil and gas disputes, real estate, construction defects, and personal injury.
A native Santa Fean, Matthew completed his undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico with a B.A. in Economics summa cum laude. He then went on to attend the SMU Dedman School of Law, graduating cum laude. Matthew is licensed to practice in New Mexico and Texas.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel / Corpus Christi
Michael Terry has been a personal injury trial lawyer for more than 30 years, Michael has tried virtually every type of personal injury case, including a personal injury class action. Based out of the firm's Corpus Christi office, he has represented corporations, insurance companies, and individuals, both as a defense attorney and as a plaintiff's attorney. Michael's accomplishments as a trial lawyer have been recognized by his peers on many occasions, distinguishing him with numerous professional honors.
Morgan Trenary was born and raised in Washington state and attended the University of Idaho where she majored in Political Science and Sociology. She graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2021. During her time at Gonzaga, Morgan served as an articles editor for Gonzaga Journal of International Law and she graduated with a Certificate for Human and Civil Rights. Prior to joining the firm, Morgan worked for an insurance defense firm where she represented individuals in personal injury, trucking and transportation, construction defects, and premises liability.
Noah V. Andel graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in
Agriculture Economics and an option in Policy and Economic Analysis. Noah earned his J.D. with a Business Law concentration from Texas Tech University School of Law, where he was a published member of the Texas Tech Law Review.
While attending law school, Noah was honored to receive the Pro Bono Honors and U.V. Jones Excellence in Legal Writing awards.
Patrick J. Stoia is a trial attorney in the firm's Houston office. His practice focuses on representing individuals and businesses of all sizes in a wide array of litigation matters, including personal injury defense, oil & gas, premises liability, trucking & transportation, products liability, insurance defense, and commercial litigation. Patrick utilizes his knowledge and experience to handle a caseload of complex legal issues and takes pride in working closely with clients, keeping clients informed of legal developments, and exceeding their expectations when it comes to delivering an aggressive legal defense.
A native Texan, Patrick was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and attended Louisiana State University. Patrick inevitably returned to Houston where he graduated from South Texas College of Law. While at South Texas he was selected to represent the school as a Varsity Advocate in the school's nationally ranked Advocacy Program and began refining his skills as an advocate by competing against the best mock trial law students in the country. Since that time, Patrick has had success resolving matters through negotiations, both pre-suit and during litigation, while always being able to provide his client the confidence and ability to take the matter to trial when required.
Peter C. Blomquist is a civil litigator. In addition to commercial disputes of all kinds, Peter routinely handles the defense of large, catastrophic losses on behalf of all sizes of corporations including but not limited to transportation and logistics companies. Peter understands the importance of conducting rapid response pre-litigation activities in these matters, frequently traveling to the scene of accidents and directing investigations from the moment the loss occurs through trial. Peter handles OSHA investigations and provides pre-suit investigative services across the state. Peter is the primary Texas counsel for multiple transportation companies, and he has tried multiple cases to verdict throughout the State of Texas. He also handles a large number of labor and employment cases from inception (filing of EEOC complaint) through litigation. Peter's practice includes matters involving construction defect litigation, products liability, directors' and officers' liability defense, and related fiduciary litigation. He also defends premises liability cases in industrial and routine commercial settings in addition to chemical exposure cases.
Prior to joining Hartline Barger LLP, Peter was a partner at another highly respected Texas firm where he opened and managed their Houston office for 11 years and directed the firm's Emergency/Rapid Response Team.
Peter is a member of the DRI Trucking Committee as well as a member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association, Transportation Lawyers of America, Texas Motor Transportation Association, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, among others. He is a frequent speaker at client events and seminars and recently lectured on strategic considerations when handling retaliation claims. In 2022 he had the honor of being inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. ABOTA and its members are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He is also a member of the ABOTA Foundation as well as a sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Houston
Rachel was born and raised in Houston. She graduated from University of Houston Downtown with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. Rachel obtained her JD from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. During her free time, she enjoys solving puzzles, traveling, cooking, and hanging out with her husband and their two dogs.
Richard Crews has been actively engaged in a varied and extensive trial practice for more than 50 years. His general civil litigation experience of over 150 trials not only includes the defense of personal injury claims, but also the trial of commercial and business disputes, defense of fiduciary claims, representation of automobile manufacturers, defense of designers and manufacturers of seat belts, airbags, child seats, brake manufacturers, tire manufacturers, and other automotive components. He has also defended pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, doctors, hospitals, and attorneys in professional liability claims. He has tried cases involving wills and estates, oil and gas disputes, and represented banks and trust companies.
Throughout his career, Richard has been both active in his profession and recognized by his peers. As a young lawyer, he was recognized as Nueces County's "Outstanding Young Lawyer." Having been repeatedly selected for listing in The Best Lawyers in America®, he was selected as 2018's Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" in Corpus Christi. He is an Advocate in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and twice served on that organization's National Board of Directors and twice served as President of the Corpus Christi Chapter. He was appointed to serve on the Attorney Admissions Committee for the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Texas, serving as the committee's chairman for six years. He has been named to Texas Super Lawyers® for over 20 consecutive years, is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been selected for membership in the Litigation Counsel of America. Further, he has been named to America's Top 100 Attorneys®, South Texas Region, and was selected as a Master of the Reynaldo Garza Chapter of American Inns of Court. He is a Life Fellow of the State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association, and the Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He remains active in numerous civic and professional organizations, maintains an active trial practice, and serves as the firm's managing partner.