CRAIN CATON & JAMES - Key Persons
A. Branton Kotch focuses his practice on real estate, estate planning, tax litigation and representing corporate entities.
Alexander ("Alex") W. Cohn is a zealous advocate who is an associate attorney with the firm's commercial litigation and banking and financial services practice groups. He cares deeply about his clients and his unique background has molded him into a strong ally in court.
Alex served as an Assistant District Attorney for more than 5 years with the Harris County District Attorney's Office before joining Crain Caton & James. Here, he gained invaluable experience where he honed his courtroom skills daily, tried dozens of cases to juries and judges, and demanded justice for some the most traumatized victims in the world. While in law school, Alex was named to the Dean's Honor List four times and graduated cum laude. Alex is proud to be a third-generation Houston lawyer following in the footsteps of his grandfather and late father, H. Miles Cohn.
In his spare time, Alex enjoys playing tennis, skiing, and watching Houston's local sports teams.
Lexi Lora-Whitmer assists clients involved in family law disputes. Divorces, child custody battles, and property distributions can be emotionally and financially draining. Lexi walks clients through the process informing them of what is going to happen in the courtroom. She works with clients during discovery, pre-trial planning, document preparation and any other legal task needed by the client.
Prior to joining Crain Caton & James, Lexi focused on the defense of claims arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) and the Defense Base Act (DBA).
While in law school, Lexi was involved in the advocacy program and participated in several moot court competitions. She was named Best Oral Advocate by the Appellate Lawyers Association in their annual moot court competition. Lexi is also an inducted member of the National Order of Scribes Class of 2022 which recognizes law students who excel in legal writing.
Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
Houston Bar Association
An estate planning and probate attorney who assists clients with wealth planning, trusts, and estate administration, Anna Valkovich Kavanaugh realizes clients approach their estate planning in many ways and each plan should be tailored to the client. Her goal is to learn what matters to her clients and develop an estate plan which reflects their values and preserves their wealth. Anna's experience includes the preparation of traditional documents such as wills, trusts (revocable and irrevocable), advance directives, and powers of attorney. She is also skilled at developing sophisticated charitable giving, tax minimization, and business succession strategies, and guides executors and trustees through their fiduciary responsibilities.
In addition to her trusts and estates practice, Anna has advised clients in business matters such as corporate formation and governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities, and real estate. She frequently applies this experience in estate planning and probate administration for high-net-worth families, professionals, and business owners.
Anna is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She was recognized on the Super Lawyers list (Thomson Reuters) for 2024 and was recognized on the Rising Stars List by Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) for 2019 - 2022.
A cellist and the daughter of a Houston Symphony Orchestra violinist, Anna is a strong supporter of the orchestra and local musicians. She also enjoys distance running, and has run the Chevron Houston Marathon and several half marathons.
Affiliations
Texas Bar Association
Houston Bar Association (Probate, Trusts and Estate Section)
Houston Estate and Financial Forum
Houston Business and Estate Planning Council
Attorneys in Tax and Probate
Society of Financial Service Professionals (Past President)
Rice University Lawyer Alumni
Betsy Cooper is a transactional real estate attorney whose goal is to guide her clients through the deal in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible. Clients appreciate her grasp of the big picture, attention to detail, keen sense of closure, and clear and concise communication. Whether the client is an entrepreneur or a company, Betsy's focus is to make the transaction worry-free, accurate, and practical.
Henry Kollenberg represents clients in commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels as well as in arbitration matters. He is often called to handle disputes involving real estate, construction, insurance brokerage, employment, contracts, and other complex issues.
Henry is Board Certified in both Civil Trial Law (since 1985) and Civil Appellate Law (since 1989) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Since graduating from Stanford University and attaining his law degree from Harvard, Henry has been practicing in Houston. For over forty years, he has devoted his professional career to the highest level of commitment and care in helping his clients solve their problems.
Affiliations
Houston Bar Association
With over 40 years of first-chair trial experience, Vance Christopher focuses on commercial and fiduciary litigation including probate and insurance disputes. He is board certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Having tried over 50 civil trials and 40 criminal jury trials, Vance has a deep understanding of how to try a lawsuit. He is a trial lawyer, not merely a litigator. His work as lead trial counsel started as an Assistant District Attorney for the Harris County District Attorney's Office and continued when he moved to Crain Caton & James and began trying civil lawsuits. In addition to trying cases in Court, he has handled arbitrations from beginning to end.
Vance is listed on the Best Lawyers List, a BL Rankings Publication for litigation-trusts and estates, commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation-defendants. He has been listed as a Texas Super Lawyer for business litigation by Thomson Reuters for 20 years in a row.
When appropriate, he can assemble and manage an effective team of trial and appellate lawyers and staff. He can also operate in the "one riot one ranger" mode.
In addition to trying and arbitrating cases, Vance also takes satisfaction in collaborating with clients to resolve their litigation problems before trial. He has found that clients are better able to solve those problems when their lawyer is an experienced and effective trial lawyer. In order to obtain the best results, even in pre-trial settlement, the client should retain a lawyer who is first and foremost an effective trial lawyer who has actually tried cases.
Experience
Trial & Arbitration
Caroline works in the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) section of the firm, and utilizes her corporate and litigation experience to provide transactional, compliance and litigation legal services involving EHS legal matters.
Caroline is part of a team of experienced EHS attorneys who advise a wide range of clients on EHS matters including representing clients in various EHS-related litigation matters, including Superfund cost recovery cases, toxic tort lawsuits, property contamination cases, and various administrative law cases before governmental agencies. Caroline conducts and oversees EHS compliance audits to help companies secure immunity from administrative enforcement and provides advice on questions involving regulatory interpretations. Caroline handles air permitting and related compliance issues, as well as those involving solid and hazardous waste, underground storage tank, wastewater, and remediation issues.
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel / Real Estate
Charles Maynard possesses more than forty-five years of experience as a transactional lawyer advising and assisting clients in general business, real estate and energy matters. He has been a shareholder of Crain, Caton & James, PC since 1987.
Charles's transactional practice has included the acquisition and divestiture of direct interests in real estate and energy assets and the formation, governance, financing, acquisition and sale of business operating and investment vehicles. He has assisted in the financing, construction and leasing of many different real estate projects including high rise structures in the central business district of Houston, Texas and wind and solar power projects throughout the state of Texas. Charles's experience also includes the negotiation of a variety of oil and gas and other energy related assets and transactions involving construction, chartering and sale of offshore drilling vessels and acquisition, development and sale of onshore and offshore leases in both federal and state waters.
Charles developed his verbal and writing skills as an undergraduate student of literature and history, as well as in law school and while clerking for a judge on the Arkansas Supreme Court, and careful attention to negotiation and drafting of legal relationships and documentation. He has also authored articles published in nonlegal media. He has significant experience in business litigation that enables him to foresee and address issues and remedies that, if not adequately addressed in contractual arrangements, can lead to disputes and costly litigation and best position his clients should business disputes arise. Consequently, most of his clients have sought his services and advice for many years.
Charles's experience has been reflected in his certification in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which he maintained from December 31,1985 through December 31, 2020. He served as law clerk for the Honorable John Fogleman, Associate Justice on Arkansas Supreme Court, in 1975 and 1976.
Charles has also devoted much time and service to a variety of nonprofit organizations over many years, has traveled extensively throughout the world and is proficient in Italian and French.
Experience
Counseled and represented start-up businesses and business owners on operations, mergers, acquisitions and sales;
Organized the investment vehicles and financing for the construction of high-rise structures in the central business district of Houston as well as the underlying real estate, construction and leasing transactions;
Drafted tunnel connection, construction and operating agreements related to such high-rise buildings resulting in a major extension of the unique underground tunnel and over-street pedestrian bridge connection system in downtown Houston;
Job Titles:
- Associate / Banking and Financial Services
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law
- Member of the Firm
- Shareholder and Mediator
Darlene Payne Smith is a member of the firm's Fiduciary Litigation Group and the firm's Probate, Trust and Guardianship Administrative Group. She also mediates two cases per month.
Her practice is focused on individuals who have experienced a loss or are facing the issue of a loved one who is becoming incapacitated or suffered a traumatic injury that rendered them incapacitated and individuals and trust companies who serve as fiduciaries. Darlene fights to uphold the wishes of those who have established valid estate plans and she defends fiduciaries wrongfully accused. She also seeks justice against fiduciaries who have wronged their beneficiaries.
Darlene is an adjunct professor at South Texas College of Law. She is a co-author of the Texas Jury Charge publication for Probate and Trust and a sustaining member of the Pattern Jury Charge Committee. She is also a mediator of probate, trust, guardianship, and related matters.
Dave Polsinelli focuses his practice on commercial litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. He regularly handles disputes involving contracts, real estate, oil & gas, construction, and trade secrets. Dave has worked on several appeals and jury trials with successful results. While Dave takes pride in achieving victories for his clients in court, he also enjoys helping clients find solutions that do not require litigation. Dave's work has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), as he was named a Rising Star for the years 2019-2023-an accomplishment that is afforded to no more than 2.5% of lawyers in the State of Texas.
Dave received his law degree from South Texas College of Law. While at South Texas College of Law, he competed in numerous moot court competitions around the country-winning a national championship, along with several brief writing and speaking awards. He also participated as an assistant instructor in the Langdell Scholar program, a Case Note Editor for the Corporate Counsel Review, and a Member of the South Texas Law Review.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Banking and Financial Services
Frank G. Harmon, III is one of the most experienced attorneys in the commercial litigation section.
Frank started his career in law by working as a former Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, Texas from 1973-1980. From there, he dedicated himself to the private sector, helping individuals and businesses sort through complex legal issues.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in the Fiduciary Litigation
Trey Gifford is an associate in the Fiduciary Litigation and Probate, Trust and Guardianship Practice Areas. He recently completed the Guardianship requirements to practice Guardianship law in this state. While taking classes in trial advocacy and wills, trusts and estate law, he realized his passion for trial litigation and probate. This journey led him to join the UHLC Mock Trial Team and Alternate Dispute Resolution Team and participate in the Civil Practice Clinic, where he represented clients seeking civil remedies, drafted wills, wrote motions for summary judgment, and examined witnesses in ad litem capacity. At the recommendation of a law school professor, Trey decided to join Crain Caton & James.
While in law school, Trey was a court intern for Judge Christopher Morales, Fort Bend County, County Court No. 1, where he handled probate, criminal and civil issues. He was also a legal intern for the Fort Bend District Attorney's Office, where he researched and wrote memoranda on fines, vehicular stops, and other related matters.
In 2016, Trey achieved the Eagle Scout award, which is given to individuals who demonstrate leadership skills, persistence, and character. He is conversational in German and plays the saxophone and piano.
Affiliations
Houston Bar Association (HBA)
HBA Membership Committee, 2023-
HBA Historical Committee, 2023-
Houston Young Lawyers Association, 2023-
Houston Young Lawyers Association, Leadership Academy, 2023-2024
Greg DeVries is an experienced banking and financial institutions litigator. He frequently advises clients in matters involving the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), as well as suits based on alleged violations of the Texas Constitution's provisions on home equity lending, and other Federal and State statutes. He also assists banks needing counsel on UCC 3.4 and 4 matters. Greg represents financial institution clients including national banks, mortgage lenders and servicers, auto finance companies, and other consumer financial service providers in state and federal courts.
His prior positions, including a Clerkship with the Texas Attorney General's General Litigation Division, allowed Greg to acquire experience in corporate and contract law, employment law, and real estate law.
While in college, Greg was a sportswriter, sports editor, and editor-in-chief for The Baylor Lariat.
Job Titles:
- Committee Board, Race Director Emeritus
With over 30 years of dedicated legal experience, Steve Green is an experienced attorney concentrating in fiduciary litigation, trust, probate, and guardianship matters. Steve is known for his deep understanding of complex legal issues and his commitment to advocating for clients in court.
Steve's practice focuses on navigating the intricacies of fiduciary duties, ensuring that the rights and interests of beneficiaries are protected. He represents clients in disputes involving wills, trusts, and estates, guiding them through the often emotionally charged and challenging landscape of probate litigation. His extensive knowledge of state and federal laws, combined with a strategic approach to conflict resolution, allows him to achieve favorable outcomes for his clients.
In addition to litigation, Steve is experienced in guardianship proceedings, helping families secure the appropriate care and protection for loved ones who are unable to manage their own affairs. His empathetic approach and strong advocacy skills make him a valuable ally during difficult times.
His ability to mediate and resolve disputes in contested matters has made him a reliable advisor for those facing the challenges of inheritance disputes. Steve is committed to providing personalized legal solutions that reflect the unique needs of each client.
Experience
In Re Estate of Arndt, 187 S.W.3d. 84 (Tex.App.- Beaumont 2005)
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Professional Who Provides Expert
Jim Hudson is a seasoned professional who provides expert guidance to a broad spectrum of clients, from individual inventors to multinational corporations, in safeguarding intellectual property (IP) assets and defending against competitor claims. His work goes beyond simply understanding the technicalities of the law; it requires a thorough understanding of his client's business model, operations, and long-term strategic objectives, especially as they relate to investments in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Through collaboration with corporate leadership, Jim devises tailored strategies to maximize the return on such investments.
James (Jim) Smith principally focuses on environmental and safety matters including defense of enforcement actions, compliance counseling, and supporting transactions. He also has experience in intellectual property matters and is registered before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent attorney. His degree in chemical engineering combined with his legal experience enable him to bring a unique perspective as he represents refining, petrochemical and other resource related industry clients.
Jeff served his community as a board member and officer of the West University Place Planning and Zoning Commission, and with other private and non-profit organizations.
He is board certified in commercial real estate law and residential real estate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Experience
Real Estate
Jennifer Varadi focuses her entire legal practice on family matters, including but not limited to, high net worth divorces, child custody and child support matters. Additionally, she has valuable experience in complex property issues and preparing premarital agreements and post-marital agreements, which help her clients determine their rights regarding property and support when the marriage ends by death or divorce. She is adept at litigation, but as a certified and experienced mediator, her approach is to resolve cases using the best strategies possible and she understands that the best results may be reached without stepping into a courtroom, including child custody arrangements personalized to the individual family and a division of assets and liabilities that set the client on a path for future success.
As a family law attorney, Jennifer takes pride in building trusting connections with her clients and takes a personalized approach. As a creative problem solver, she strives to help families resolve their disputes, big or small; working with the parties to determine what best meets their needs and will fit into their lives. She explains that she is tough when she needs to be but there is more than one way to litigate a case; and, there are other concerns to consider during a case, including cost efficiency, reducing the emotional distress of divorce on the parties, the need for privacy, and most importantly the effects of protracted litigation on children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Firm 's Probate, Trust
- Shareholder and Mediator
Jessica Guobadia is a member of the Firm's Probate, Trust, and Guardianship and Fiduciary Litigation Groups. She is an attorney and mediator dedicated to assisting individuals, and their families, to navigate the guardianship, probate, and mental health commitment processes.
As a mental health and guardianship attorney, Jessica advocates for individuals to ensure that their rights are protected, while also helping families and caregivers to navigate these processes. She enjoys working with her clients to ensure that the best outcome is reached in each case, with the hope that each individual is allowed to reach their fullest potential and enjoy a fulfilling life.
Jessica also handles probate matters, including heirships and probate of wills. Although navigating the probate process can be difficult, Jessica strives to provide her clients knowledgeable, compassionate counsel during this time. Jessica also enjoys assisting clients to craft their own estate plan to ensure that their wishes are followed.
Jessica has served as applicant's counsel and/or court appointed attorney ad litem, guardian ad litem, administrator, and guardian of the person and estate, as applicable, in various matters, including: probate administration, guardianships, personal injury matters, involuntary mental health commitments, and emergency removal proceedings. Her experience on all sides of these matters allows Jessica to more fully understand the full implications of decisions involving guardianship and mental health treatment options, permitting her to advise her clients from a wholistic point of view. It also allows her to serve as an effective mediator in guardianship and probate matters.
Jessica is admitted to practice in Texas and California*. She has represented clients in state and federal courts, as well in various appellate matters before the Texas Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal.
Jessica received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where she was a member of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society, participated in moot court and appellate advocacy, and served as a clinical student at the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy. She graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Minor in Latin American Studies.
Jessica grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Texas in 2009, after a brief stay in the Los Angeles area for law school. Jessica currently resides in The Woodlands with her husband, three daughters, and their goldendoodle. In the past, Jessica has volunteered with mental health advocacy groups; veterans and first responders on a variety of legal issues, including estate planning.
Jolie S. Lenz - Chief Legal Officer, Shareholder
Jolie S. Lenz provides legal counsel in the firm's banking and financial services section. She has extensive experience representing banks and other financial services providers ranging from local community banks to national financial institutions and finance companies.
Jolie's practice emphasis centers on helping clients resolve the legal minutia that can slow down and hamper a real estate transaction. Jolie works with banking institutions to dig into title, structure transactions in the most efficient way possible and stay ahead of the ever-evolving changes in banking law.
Jolie also has extensive experience in representing clients in a very broad range of general real estate matters, including residential, multifamily and commercial transactions. Finding solutions to the myriad of problems that can arise with commercial transactions is her area of proficiency.
Jolie has authored numerous articles on real estate topics and has made numerous presentations to financial institutions on a variety of topics from development loans to loan documentation.
Experience
Represented financial institutions and financial services providers in all relevant areas, including the structuring and documentation of commercial loans and residential and commercial real estate loans, work outs and foreclosures, compliance and regulatory issues, and form creation, standardization and compliance
Represented individuals and companies in general real estate transactions, including preparation and negotiation of leases, purchase and sale agreements and construction contracts, and review and cure of title and survey issues
Represented utility districts and municipalities in general real estate transactions, including easement and site acquisitions and coordination of condemnations
Job Titles:
- Library Preservation Partners, Organizer and past Board Member
Keith Taylor's practice primarily includes probate, trust and guardianship litigation and real estate.
Keith's experience includes all aspects of the probate administration process from admitting a will to probate, determination of heirs, inventorying estate assets, distributing estate assets to the beneficiaries, and closing the estate. Keith decided in law school to focus his practice on probate, trusts and guardianships, excelling in two probate legal clinics and all available probate courses at South Texas College of Law. After graduating law school, Keith continued his passion in probate law, helping individuals with probate administrations and estate planning. Keith also has estate planning experience, which includes drafting wills, powers of attorneys, and trusts. This probate administration and estate planning background are critical to Keith's success now in probate, trust and guardianship litigation.
For several years, Keith represented some of the nation's largest financial institutions and mortgage lenders with their real estate and debt collection problems, within the probate context. During this time, Keith mediated and resolved cases throughout the State of Texas which involved foreclosures, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Federal Debt Collection Practices Act and Texas Deceptive Collection Practices Act. His extensive experience representing creditors now helps individuals, trusts and estates protect their valuable assets.
Keith and his wife have two small children and spend their spare time snowboarding, traveling to National Parks, spoiling their two dogs and cheering on all Houston sports teams.
Affiliations
Texas State Bar, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
Inns of Court - Texas Probate Law
Kelly D. Brown has practiced environmental, health, and safety (EHS) law since 1991, and is a shareholder in the firm's EHS Section. Kelly's legal practice is a broad-based one as he handles EHS-related litigation, transactional matters, remediation projects, and compliance counseling.
Kelly defends corporate clients in various personal injury and toxic tort lawsuits and administrative proceedings brought by governmental agencies including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and represents both plaintiffs and defendants in environmental cost recovery litigation and property damage lawsuits. Kelly also advises a nuclear power plant on a variety of issues, including those before the Texas Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission.
Kelly works with the firm's corporate and real estate attorneys to allocate risk in various mergers and acquisitions and real estate transactions. Kelly coordinates all HSE aspects of the due diligence in these transactions, provides contract language to properly allocate risk, and oversees related remedial work resulting from such risk allocation.
Kelly advises corporate clients on a variety of EHS issues both in Texas and throughout the United States. Kelly handles air permitting and related compliance issues, as well as those involving solid and hazardous waste, underground storage tank, wastewater, and remediation issues. Along these lines, Kelly conducts and supervises HSE compliance audits to help companies secure immunity from administrative enforcement, and provides advice to corporate clients on questions involving regulatory interpretations.
Kelly has overseen numerous remediation projects through the TCEQ's Voluntary Cleanup Program, and has secured multiple Municipal Setting Designations (MSD) for clients as a practical and inexpensive remedial option to contaminated groundwater.
Kelly has represented companies throughout his career in various Superfund-related matters, including the following sites: Bayou Sorrell (Louisiana), Brio Refining, CES Environmental, Devils Swamp (Louisiana), French Limited, Gulf Metals Industries, Gulfco Marine Maintenance, Jones Road Groundwater Plume, Malone Services Company, Marine Shale (Louisiana), Petro-Chemical System (Turtle Bayou), RSR Corp., Sandoval Zinc (Illinois), Stoller (South Carolina), and U.S. Oil Recovery.
Kelly is a past chair of the Houston Bar Association's Environmental Law Section and has been selected to the Best Lawyers in America list 2009-2025 and named Lawyer of the Year in 2015 and 2025 for Litigation - Environmental. Best Lawyers in America is a registered trademark of BL Rankings. He is also listed in Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) for Environmental in 2023-2024. Kelly is also licensed as a professional engineer by the State of Texas (presently on inactive status).
Experience
Acted as common counsel and represented three large multinational corporations in prosecuting CERCLA cost recovery claims for costs arising out of a federal Superfund Site
As a commercial litigator focusing on bank litigation, Kim Dang brings extensive experience to her clients. With a practice that spans representing clients in both state and federal courts, her portfolio of clients encompasses a diverse range of financial institutions, from lenders to credit unions, and various other entities in the financial sector. Kim is sought after by clients to navigate through cases involving fraud, violations of wire transfer laws and procedures, and infringements of the Federal Credit Reporting Act. Her experience extends to guiding banking and finance clients through litigation arising from specific loans, transactions, agreements, or financial products.
Kim represented clients in a myriad of civil litigation, including banking, environmental, commercial, personal injury, and insurance defense. Her experience includes cases involving wire fraud, election challenges, breach of contract, partnership disputes, commercial construction, and other complex litigation. She can oversee the entire litigation cycle from initial client consultation to case resolution. Kim is known as a zealous advocate for her clients.
When Kim is not at work, she is traveling, cooking, or spending time with her rescue dog named Butters.
Affiliations
Houston Bar Association
Asian American Bar Association of Houston
Houston Young Lawyers Association
As the oldest of her generation in a very large Italian family from Brooklyn (who got to Texas as quickly as she could), Kimberly learned early that to be heard, you have to get into the action, make your point quickly, and be ready to defend it. Kimberly puts this experience to use in her practice by dealing with her clients openly and frankly.
Kimberly began her legal career as a briefing attorney to Judge Margaret Garner Mirabal on the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas. That experience helped her to identify what it takes to preserve a record at trial and what judges look for in appellate briefing.
Kimberly's representative employment law experience includes successfully defending employers in FLSA wage actions and Title VII litigation. She has also effectively represented employees and employers in matters related to covenants not to compete and fiduciary duties. Additionally, Kimberly has successfully defended her clients, from Fortune 500 companies to sole proprietorships, in products liability matters including toxic tort defense and appeals. In the area of premises liability, Kimberly won victories for Fortune 500 companies, such as Walmart and Home Depot, in state and federal appellate courts.
Kimberly knows that the key to a good settlement is strong trial preparation. She prides herself on building lasting and solid relationships with her clients so she can anticipate their needs and guide them to the best decision, whether it is to compromise or go the distance.
An important part of Kimberly's practice is helping her clients avoid litigation altogether through reviewing contracts, examining trade secret and confidential information protection, conducting self-audits to ensure regulatory compliance, and assisting clients with best practices training and compliance.
In her employment practice outside the courtroom, Kimberly handles all varieties of employment disputes, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and employment-related torts. She drafts, evaluates, and updates personnel handbooks, workplace policies, employment contracts, and severance agreements.
Kimberly has defended numerous clients in matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Texas Workforce Commission, and the Department of Labor, as well as other state and federal agencies, resulting in dismissals.
Experience
Obtained decision from Texas Workforce Commission that national assisted living provider was not engaged in payrolling resulting in a dismissal and refund of hundreds of thousands of dollars in paid and unpaid alleged unemployment taxes
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel / Real Estate
Larry George focuses his practice in the areas of corporate and tax planning, estate planning, trust, and probate law.
He works with individuals, families, privately owned companies, and charitable organizations in the U.S. and abroad with tax planning and business planning. He frequently teams with other lawyers at Crain Caton & James, utilizing their knowledge and experience to best serve the needs of the client.
His valued counsel includes helping clients identify and mitigate the issues that arise concerning the transfer of wealth to the next generation and the related tax and estate planning issues. Additionally, Larry has considerable experience advising entrepreneurs and executives on the formation and operation of multi-owner and family-owned companies.
Larry was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2014-2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings) in the area of tax law and trusts and estates.
Larry has been named by his peers as one of the top lawyers in Houston by H Texas Magazine for 2005-2007, and again for 2013-2017. Thomson Reuters has named Larry to the Super Lawyers list from 2006-2024. Only five percent of the lawyers in Texas were selected. Additionally, Larry is an AV Preeminent® Top Rated Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell.
Experience
Estate Planning
Job Titles:
- Shareholder / Banking and Financial Services / Real Estate
With a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved, Lisa Loewenstein excels in crafting both simple and intricate wills, trusts, and related documents. From the initial engagement to the final signing, Lisa ensures that every detail aligns with her clients' unique wishes. Recognizing the complexity of family dynamics, Lisa provides personalized attention to develop tailored plans that address the specific nuances within each family.
Lisa has experience in resolving family estate disputes. While her primary objective is to proactively prevent such conflicts, Lisa stands firmly by her clients when faced with these challenges, guiding them through the entire process with unwavering support and legal knowledge.
Affiliations
Texas Bar
Houston Bar - Probate, Trusts and Estate Section
Michael "Mike" Caton brings over 30 years of real estate experience in the shopping center industry having served as in-house counsel to a national regional mall shopping center developer and general counsel to national and regional strip shopping center developers. This experience allows Mike to think like an owner and provide practical solutions to complex leasing and development issues.
Mike advises landlord clients on a variety of real estate matters focusing primarily on commercial leasing with national and regional retail tenants, ground leases and office leases. Mike has also handled the purchase and sale of commercial real estate in multiple jurisdictions from the preparation and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements through the closing of the transaction, as well as acquisition and construction financing and a myriad of operational issues. Mike's attention to detail and efficiency allows him to provide timely and cost-effective representation to his clients.
Michael represents the interests of employers regarding labor and employment issues in a broad spectrum of industries, including energy, health care, construction, banking, and many other areas of business and commerce. As a young attorney, Michael was intrigued by the passing of "new" laws like ADA, FMLA , and the amended Title VII, and viewed them as shaping the future of employment law. In 1997, he became Board Certified in Labor and Employment by the Texas Board of Specialization and 25 years later continues to assist clients with their employment and labor matters.
Routinely, Michael advises clients on state and federal laws and regulations affecting businesses, including employer/employee disputes and issues. He has extensive experience with counseling clients on employment and legal compliance policies, procedures, and related best practices. In 1995, Michael started representing nursing home owners with employment and health care related matters and now devotes a substantial part of his practice to assisting similar health industry organizations in every aspect of long-term care.
Just as Michael has spent his legal career practicing labor and employment, and health care law, he has spent his entire life playing tennis. Life is good when you hear the thump of a tennis ball or the music of a live Texas Americana band!
Experience
Labor and Employment Law
Mindy Riseden focuses her practice on commercial litigation, with particular emphasis on the trial level.
Mindy has spent more than 18 years avidly representing clients in the courtroom. Her practice is focused on commercial litigation, with emphasis on the trial level. She has provided counsel to individuals, local businesses, national corporations, and multinational organizations in disputes involving construction litigation, partnerships, insurance brokerage, real estate, and contracts. Regardless of the nature of the dispute, Mindy enjoys working with people, and she finds that during the litigation process the best method to help the client reach their goals consists of working diligently and persistently while also maintaining flexibility as issues and disputes are always evolving.
Mindy believes balance is important to any activity. Prior to graduating law school, Mindy studied and lived abroad in Mexico, Spain, Chile, and Hong Kong. While in law school, Mindy served as a Senior Articles Editor for the SMU Dedman School of Law's Computer Law Review & Technology Journal. She was also elected as a Barrister and received the Southern Methodist University's McGuire Fellowship Award for Ethics & Public Responsibility (2001). Mindy is conversational in Spanish and enjoys meeting and working with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. When not consumed with areas of commercial litigation, Mindy enjoys working with pro bono clients, especially children needing a voice and guidance through the legal system.
In addition to interning for Federal and State judges, Mindy served as a Briefing Attorney to the Honorable Justice Catherine Stone of the Court of Appeals of the Fourth District of Texas, 2003-2004.
Experience
Represented clients in the energy industry, both local and international, on issues involving eminent domain, contract disputes, partnership disputes, and personal injury defense
Job Titles:
- Shareholder / Real Estate
Noelle McCullough is a family law associate, with a background in drafting legal documents across all phases of divorce proceedings. Noelle provides comprehensive support to her clients by analyzing financial statements and marital estates, ensuring that every aspect of her clients' situations is thoroughly considered. Noelle is adept at conducting detailed legal research, drafting motions, preparing for both trial and mediation, and crafting memorandums that highlight relevant statutory and case law. She has completed both a 40-hour mediation training course and a specialized mediation training course in family law, further enhancing her ability to facilitate constructive resolutions for her clients.
Her passion for family law is deeply personal; as a child of divorce herself, Noelle understands the emotional complexities that children of divorce face. She is committed to providing empathetic, knowledgeable support to her clients and their families during challenging times. Noelle's blend of professional ability and personal insight positions her as a compassionate advocate in the field of family law.
While in college, Noelle studied abroad in Rome, Italy and Norwich, England. While in law school, Noelle was a constitutional law teaching assistant for two professors.
Affiliations
Texas Bar Association
Houston Bar Association - Family Law Section
Houston Young Lawyers Association
Peter feels comfortable and confident in the courtroom. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Peter spent 15 years as a public school teacher, where he developed strong and persuasive public speaking skills, which help when presenting a case to a judge and jury. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Peter also coached football, basketball and cross country while a teacher, and those competitive experiences help in the courtroom as well.
When not practicing law, Peter enjoys reading and exercising, including jogging, walking and lifting weights.
Experience
Samuel and Shawn Calvillo, et al v. Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, et al; 487 S.W.3d 626 (Tex. App. - El Paso 2015, pet. denied)
Preservation Houston (formerly the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance), ex-officio board member and former president
Sarah Sokol Clark is passionate about helping individuals and families plan for their future. Her primary practice focuses on client counseling and drafting comprehensive estate plans, including simple and complex wills and trusts, as well as powers of attorneys, medical directives, and other ancillary instruments. Sarah assists clients in a wide variety of estate planning, probate and administration, trusts, and guardianship matters.
Asset distribution is only one part of the wealth planning process. Family structures and relationships can be complicated. So, deciding who becomes the power of attorney, executor, guardian, or health care representative, can be stressful decisions. Sarah's background and training in psychology and sociology are extremely valuable as she helps clients navigate through this phase of the estate planning process.
Sarah enjoys living near the water in Taylor Lake Village with her Doberman, Walter. She is captivated by midcentury modern home design and is always looking for her next renovation project. Growing up overseas for her formative years, Sarah developed an ardent appreciation for international cultures and travel. Being passionate about marine life and committed to ocean conservation, she particularly enjoys destinations with the possibility of whale watching. Sarah also enjoys photography, wandering through local art and natural science museums, and supporting her Longhorns during football season.
Affiliations
The College of the State Bar of Texas, Probate and Trusts Section
Houston Bar Association - Probate, Trust and Estates Section
American Bar Association, Section of Real, Property, Probate and Trust
Houston Attorneys in Tax and Probate (ATP)
Job Titles:
- Shareholder / Employment & Labor Law
Stacie A. Moss assists clients who are navigating legal matters related to family issues. Her primary focus is on cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and property division. She works closely with clients to understand their unique circumstances, provide legal guidance, and help them navigate the complexities of family law. Stacie conducts legal research, drafts legal documents, leads the discovery process, represents clients in court proceedings, negotiates settlements, and mediates property settlements. She assists in deciding the best strategy to protect the client's interests and achieve fair resolutions in emotionally charged situations.
Stacie is a native Texan who has a passion for helping others. She is an advocate for those who need help and guidance at a very difficult point in their lives. In her free time she can be found cycling, baking, and volunteering with the Special Olympics.
Experience
Managed docket of roughly 25 cases by drafting all petitions and motions throughout the length of the case
Determined to safeguard the wishes and assets of her clients and their loved ones, Suzanne D. Perry is a litigator who makes it her daily goal to assist individuals and families in navigating the probate process. Suzanne began her career representing clients in a wide range of general litigation and transactional matters, garnering an extensive insight into Texas law. Suzanne also has experience counseling clients on estate planning matters, including preparation of wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other related documents. The unique combination of Suzanne's broad legal knowledge and years of focused practice in the areas of probate, trusts, and guardianships allows Suzanne to skillfully analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each case and zealously advocate for her clients in heirship matters, will contests, and fiduciary litigation.
Suzanne also specializes in guiding clients through both the legal process and emotional anxiety of obtaining guardianship over incapacitated family members and ensuring their ongoing performance is in the best interest of the incapacitated loved one.
In her free time, Suzanne enjoys playing in sand volleyball leagues, snow skiing, and spending time with her family.
Experience
Represented clients in independent administrations and dependent administrations of decedent's estates
Thomas M. Kennerly received no formal legal education, but taught himself the law by reading numerous law books. He apprenticed for a judge in Giddings, Texas before passing the Texas state bar exam at 19. In 1931, he was appointed United States District Judge, affecting Texas jurisprudence for generations to come.
When you need a litigator to defend your bank, William (Pat) Huttenbach is the attorney who should be at your side. He has successfully defended banks from lawsuits totaling over $100,000,000; answered over 210 lawsuits involving UCC sections 3, 4 and/or 4A issues; and personally, answered over 2,000 garnishment lawsuits. Because of his extensive experience on issues concerning UCC sections 3, 4 and 4A, Pat is frequently asked to act as an expert witness and develop articles and presentations on the topic. Pat routinely handles many other types of lawsuits against banks including: lender liability claims, FCRA claims, FDCPA claims, Texas Finance Code claims, and other alleged wrongful debt collection claims. Clients seek his advice on construction lending litigation.
Pat has experience with complex commercial litigation, including tortious interference claims, insurance claim litigation, fidelity and surety insurance coverage, DTPA claims, injunctions, employment law, landlord-tenant disputes, probate matters, property disputes, real estate tax litigation, breach of contract, business torts, construction law disputes, defamation, libel and slander, and other general business matters. In addition to banks and financial institution, he has represented many other types of businesses, including hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and various other businesses.
Pat has represented clients in state courts, federal courts, mediations, arbitrations, and other federal and state agencies, including responding to OCC complaints and discrimination claims presented to the EEOC and the City of Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission. He has also written briefs and argued before the Texas Courts of Appeals. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Western, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
If you are worried about a threatened or pending lawsuit, please reach out to Pat for a complimentary consultation. Pat prides himself on the reasonableness of his rate.
Experience
Defended the United States of America Chess Federation against a $25,000,000.00 lawsuit by some board members against other board members for defamation, libel and slander, tortious interference and various other claims
Job Titles:
- Shareholder / Banking and Financial Services