Kent G. Rutter

Joe Roden grew up in Liberty, Texas and attended the University of Texas as an undergraduate, where he graduated in 1988. He then went into the U.S. Marine Corps. Joe attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was a decorated officer in the Marine Corps during Desert Storm, the first Gulf War. After leaving the Marine Corps, he graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with honors and then clerked for Justice Murry Cohen on the First Court of Appeals. After clerking for the Court of Ap...

Juan F. Vasquez, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Juan F., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Juan F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For over 22 years, Marrick Armstrong has practiced personal injury, commercial dispute, and labor and employment law. He has represented clients proceeding as defendants and plaintiffs. His clients have been individuals, small and family-owned businesses, large publicly traded companies, multi-national corporations and governmental agencies. Marrick has extensive experience in claims, litigation, arbitrations, mediations, and trying cases to bench awards and jury verdicts in federal and state...

Chris Dove is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Chris, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Chris is a board-certified appellate specialist with nearly 25 years of experience representing clients in high-stakes, complex disputes...

Allen H. Rustay is a partner at Hicks Thomas LLP and has over 20 years of experience in litigation in Texas State and Federal courts. He has extensive experience in commercial litigation including matters involving commercial disputes, energy, oil and gas, and maritime disputes on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. He has also litigated theft of trade secrets, breaches of fiduciary duty, and business torts. Formerly affiliated with a large international law firm, Mr. Rustay has been with Hi...

Wanda Fowler was a Justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals for almost 14 years before joining Wright Close & Barger, LLP as a partner. While on the Court she authored approximately 1900 opinions and decided approximately 3,800 more cases. In 2001, the other members of the Court elected her Acting Chief Justice for five months pending an appointment of a new chief justice and, in 2003, the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists voted her Appell...

Michelle Scheffler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. Michelle, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For more than 25 years, Tim Hassinger has represented companies and insurers in personal injury, commercial, and insurance coverage litigation. He uses a targeted, strategic approach—from early case assessment to trial—to control and efficiently resolve litigation. Tim is AV-Preeminent rated, a Louisiana Super Lawyer®, and serves as Liaison Counsel in complex class actions. He teaches Admiralty at Loyola Law School and presents internationally on injury and contractual claims....

Lisa M. Kaufmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Railroad Law and Transportation Law. Lisa M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard is a trial lawyer. He has tried and arbitrated complex personal injury, commercial and intellectual property cases all over the state. From patent and trade secret litigation in northeast Texas to multiple death and burn cases along the Texas-Mexico border, to massive coverage cases in Beaumont, he and his trial team have handled the difficult assignments. He has tried state and national class actions, medical device, oil & gas, nursing home, insurance coverage and intellectual pro...