Falcon Heights Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

I worked in the Dallas County crime lab (SWIFS) after graduating from college. I worked as a DNA Technologist in the Forensic Biology department. Part of my job included testifying as a Forensic Biology expert in court. After three years of working at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences I decided to attend law school with the purpose of being a lifetime prosecutor. Although I enjoyed being a prosecutor, my work in criminal defense is where I belong. I became part of an elite group of criminal defense attorneys when I became Board Certified by the Texas Board...

David Hodges, founding partner at Hodges & Foty, LLP, was born in McAllen, Texas, and moved to Cypress when he was seven. He attended Cy-Fair Senior High School, and discovered he wanted to go to law school after participating in a mock trial in his senior government class.

After graduation, he joined the Corps of Cadets and attended Texas A&M University where he earned his B.S. degree in 1989. After graduating from Texas A&M University, he was immediately commissioned in the Navy and deployed to the Persian Gulf. When he transferred from active duty to the Navy Reserves, he...

Matthew Ploeger is dedicated to serving Sutliff & Stout’s clients with diligence, skill, and commitment. He enjoys the intellectual challenges, but even more importantly, finds great satisfaction in helping people understand and navigate the legal system and championing them in the courts. ———— Matthew Ploeger began his legal career serving as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Nathan L. Hecht, the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. He then joined the appellate practice group at a major law firm, where, for over ten years, he handled all manner of appeals and worked closely with trial teams, providing crucial support...

With more than 40 years of experience as a dedicated criminal defense attorney, Van Hilley confidently represents individuals from across Texas who have been charged with criminal offenses. He has diligently served as a respected member of Goldstein, Goldstein & Hilley through many complex and high profile cases, ranging from misdemeanor drug crimes to felony white collar fraud offenses. His many awards and leadership roles have made him an esteemed member of the legal community. In addition to practicing law throughout Texas courts, Mr. Hilley also is licensed to appear before the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit and...

Tracy J. Willi focuses on civil, commericial, and intellectual property litigation and appeals in Federal and Texas courts. Having been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1992, Ms. Willi has extensive trial and appellate experience in business law, civil and commercial law, real estate law, patent, copyright, and trademark litigation, and probate litigation, much of which is reflected in numerous published trial court and appellate decisions. Ms. Willi has represented clients at all levels of Texas courts including County Courts, District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the Texas Supreme Court. She has also represented clients at...

Chris Perri is an award-winning criminal defense attorney dedicated to getting the best possible outcomes for his clients. With over 15 years of experience practicing criminal defense in Austin and all over Texas, Chris Perri has successfully helped clients win trials, overturn wrongful convictions, get cases dismissed, and expunge records. He’s had successful outcomes in a variety of areas, including: Appeals, DWI and DUI in Austin, Writs, Assault, Family Violence, Drug Possession, Theft, Expungements, Cyber Crimes, and more.

Through personalized, compassionate, and client-focused service, Chris Perri will protect your rights and prepare a vigorous defense that ensures the best possible...

William B. (“Bill”) Connolly is from Houston, Texas and he has been a family, juvenile, protective services trial and appellate attorney for nearly 40 years. He is Board Certified in Family Law and Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a NACC Child Welfare Law Specialist and is a bar leader in the creation of the newly approved Texas Child Welfare Law Board Specialization. Bill is a former Adjunct Professor of Juvenile Law and has lectured and mentored attorneys, judges, CPS (DFPS) officials, juvenile court officials and healthcare professionals on a variety of subjects including substance...

Rukhsanda Melissa Masoom grew up in Queens, New York before finding her way to Deer Park, Texas, where she attended school. She went on to attend Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Melissa decided to equip herself with the tools necessary to affect social change and seek justice for those in need of help. She matriculated at New England School of Law in Boston, before returning to Houston, her true home. After law school, Melissa has amassed extensive courtroom experience, with a focus on a variety of practice areas, including family law, mass tort litigation and personal injury. She has volunteered...

Beginning her legal career as a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorneyâs Office and as a special prosecutor at the Medina County District Attorneyâs Office, Attorney Kerrisa Chelkowksi has gained invaluable experience. Knowing and understanding how the other side of the courtroom operates provides a tremendous advantage to her overall case defense. Using creative strategies, she is more easily able to protect her clientsâ rights in a way that is both aggressive and strong. Ranked as a 10.0 Superb Avvo rated lawyer by both her peers and past clients, this is the highest possible score that an attorney can...

Professional Summary
Experienced appellate and criminal defense counsel with accomplished background in State and Federal litigation. Over twenty years of experience in both whitecollar and blue-collar cases ranging from State misdemeanors to Federal felonies.

Education
University of Texas School of Law,
J.D., cum laude – 1995

Academic Publications
Yes: Juries Can and Should Correct the Overly Broad use of Criminal
Sanctions, in W.R. Palacios, P.F. Cromwell, R.G. Dunham, ed., Crime and Justice in America: Present Realities and Future Prospects, Prentice Hall,
2002

Jury Nullification: The Evolution of a Doctrine (Carolina Academic Press, 1998) 334 pages.

Professional...

Dinesh Singhal is a seasoned civil trial lawyer with over three decades of legal experience, practicing since 1992 and exclusively in Texas since 1997. As lead counsel, Dinesh has tried over 30 cases and has established himself as a trusted advocate in complex business and commercial litigation. Dinesh focuses on business and commercial disputes involving contractual disputes, partnership disputes, business frauds, real estate disputes, and bankruptcy adversary litigation. Throughout his career, Dinesh has also handled selected serious personal injury matters. His typical clients are individuals and small businesses. Dinesh’s legal expertise spans appearances in civil and federal district courts...

I provide bankruptcy solutions for consumers and business primarily in the greater Houston area but also in other parts of Texas and the rest of the United States. I also represent clients nationwide in federal appeals.

PRACTICE AREAS:

While Shane can handle any personal injury law case, he specializes in auto accident cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents.

Need help? Get in touch today.

PERSONAL LIFE:

A graduate of Whitehouse High School and UT Tyler, Shane McGuire has been in East Texas for most of his life. And he has no desire to ever leave (almost literally, as he doesn’t even care to travel, much less pack up and move).

Shane absolutely adores his bride (“The Fair Tish,” as he often calls her) and their two kids.

In Shane’s off-time, you may find Shane:

—On a date with his wife
—Coaching...

An attorney with more than thirty-four years' experience in domestic and international trademark, copyright, licensing, unfair competition, anti-counterfeiting and mass media law, with a broad legal background, including active practice before state and federal administrative agencies, United States District Courts, United States Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Brandon leads the firm's bankruptcy practice at Tittle Law Group, PLLC ("TLG"), with a focus on corporate reorganization, restructuring, acquisitions and litigation. He has a wealth of experience representing entities in their Chapter 7 and 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings and creditors' committees. His practice also includes extensive general bankruptcy litigation. He has extensive experience managing complex bankruptcy restructuring cases, both on a national and international scale. He provides seamless service to his restructuring clients facing complicated insolvency issues and has experience across multiple industries, including automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, retail, and real estate. As the...

An appellate specialist with a broad base of experience on both sides of the bar, Lance handles matters in State and Federal courts at both the trial and appellate level, including business litigation, insurance coverage, personal injury and complex litigation matters.

Learn more at www.thewhitelawfirm.com.

James P. Whalen is the owner of Whalen Law Office in Frisco, Texas.

James graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in May 1995 and was admitted to the Texas Bar in November 1995 and is admitted to practice in the federal courts of the Eastern, Northern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas, Northern District of Illinois, as well as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. James has been Board Certified in Criminal Law since 2002 and has been Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law since 2017. Mr. Whalen practices exclusively in federal...

Colleen Cornelison is an Intake Attorney at the Innocence Project of Texas (IPTX), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal assistance to individuals who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. Before joining the IPTX team, Colleen spent five years representing criminal defense and family law clients, working alongside Atticus Gill, at the highly respected Gill Law Firm, PLLC. Colleen also previously worked as a criminal defense Associate Attorney at Dunham and Jones, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, one of the largest criminal defense firms in the nation.

Sean Pevsner established this law firm with his best friend, Mark Whitburn. They have been best friends since 1986. Mr. Whitburn assisted Mr. Pevsner throughout these years. This firm is one among many goals which they have accomplished together. For more on their story, please visit our news page. Mr. Pevsner is a University of Texas Law graduate with severe cerebral palsy who operates a motorized wheelchair by the use of head movements. Due to his quadriplegia, he cannot write but must rely on an interpreter or a specialized computer to do...

Attorney Michelle May O’Neil earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1989 from Baylor University Hankamer School of Business, her Juris Doctorate in 1991 from Baylor University School of Law, and her Mediation Certificate in 2003 from Texas Women’s University. Ms. O’Neil has been practicing law for over 30 years, and is the founding partner of the Dallas family law firm, O’Neil Wysocki. Through the use of genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, and her determination to help them maintain their most favorable outcomes, Attorney O’Neil has the ability to assist individuals through complicated matters including divorce, child custody, and...

Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Super Lawyer in Federal and White Collar Law

I am Amie Augenstein, I thank you for considering my firm for legal representation. After living in Dallas for over 15 years, my family and I recently relocated to Corpus Christi. Prior to opening my firm here, I worked as an associate for a Dallas Employment Law Firm I represent both Employers and Employees, which gives me insight into both sides and keeps me sharp from every angle of any legal issue that comes up.

I am experienced in several areas of law, such as Criminal Law, Employment Law, Mental Health Law, Juvenile Law, Contract Law, Family Law, and Guardianship...

After attending both undergraduate and law school at the University of Texas, Corey Young began his legal career as an appellate prosecutor in Montgomery County, Texas.

2025 Super Lawyers Rising Star 2024 Avvo Client Choice Award 2024 Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion - Silver If you would like to discuss a customized approach for your case, call me at (361) 579-2490 or email cole@eckhoffpllc.com. My consultation fee is 300. I represent clients seeking strategic representation for divorce, child custody, child support, modification, enforcement, CPS, adoptions and appeals in family law cases where the Court has abused its discretion or misapplied the law in Victoria, Texas and the surrounding area, including Edna, Ganado, La Ward, Port Lavaca, Seadrift, Point Comfort, Cuero, Yoakum (DeWitt portion only), Yorktown, Goliad, Refugio, and Woodsboro. Learn more at...

Dan focuses on real estate litigation and transactions, estate planning and probate, and general civil litigation matters. He draws on his experience as a former County Court at Law Judge in Hays County handling thousands of civil and criminal matters. He is an AV-Preeminent rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer® (a Thompson Reuters rating service) in the area of General Litigation. He served as law clerk to Justice Davie L. Wilson of the First Court of Appeals in Houston before practicing for several years in the commercial litigation section a large Austin-based law firm. He is...

I’m an Austin criminal defense lawyer that puts in all the effort required of an attorney striving to be recognized as one of the best criminal defense lawyers in Austin. I investigate evidence, hire experts when needed, and locate and interview witnesses on behalf of my clients. Some Austin defense lawyers choose to help the state by coaching a defendant into a plea-deal for the sake of convenience. Unless the circumstances of the case demands it, that’s not how business is done at the Law Office of Jackson F. Gorski. I prefer to fight for the accused. My law firm provides...

Hamp Skelton grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Princeton University in 1978 and from the University of Texas School of Law in 1981. He and his wife, Karen, have three sons, now all in their mid-20s. Hamp has tried lawsuits in Texas for more than 40 years. He began his career at Vinson & Elkins in Houston in 1981, practicing in its commercial litigation section. He moved back to to Austin in 1986, joining Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. He built a litigation section for that office, serving as partner in charge of litigation. His present...

A former Harris County prosecutor, Rosario Stornello has since gone on to become one of Houston's leading criminal defense attorneys. With nearly a decade of experience as a prosecutor, Rosario has a unique insight into the workings of the criminal justice system and he brings this understanding to the table in his work defending clients. His work as a defense lawyer has earned him accolades such as the 10.0 "Superb" score on Avvo and inclusion in the Houstonia Top Lawyers list.

Joseph Watts is an attorney and CEO at The Watts Law Firm, P.C. He has been practicing law in Houston, Texas for nearly 25 years. Before Joseph started practicing law, he was studying to be an attorney at Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating Joseph moved to Houston to start his dream career of being a lawyer. He has spent the past 25 years working within the justice system and along side other experienced attorney's. He continues to use the knowledge he has gained over the years everyday on every case.

Adam Lewis was born in Clear Lake, Texas. Due to his father’s employment in the oil and gas industry, Adam moved to various places such as Louisiana, Nigeria, Scotland, and England. After graduating high school in England, Adam returned to his roots to attend Texas Tech University. While there, Adam pursued History and Political Science before receiving his diploma in 2008. After graduation, he went to Houston, Texas, where he worked in numerous legal industries such as pharmaceutical litigation and litigation support and technology.

Adam’s career choices led him to Park City, UT, where he worked in the legal department of...

Anjali Nigam has experience litigating cases on both sides of the aisle. Anjali has litigation and trial experience in both State and Federal courts across the country. In her career, Anjali has a number of years defending small business in commercial and business claims, as well as working on class action and large antitrust matters. Her training helped prepare her for plaintiffs work as she now takes on defendants like those she used to represent. Anjali has had a decade of experience with a number of plaintiffs firms including The Ammons Law Firm. ...

Jeff Joyce protects the critical business interests of his clients with over 30 years of experience in commercial litigation and the essential ingredients of sound judgment and a tenacious mindset. His representation of loan servicers, loan originators, financial institutions, real estate-based entities, insurance companies, manufacturing and distribution companies, and technology-based enterprises has earned him a strong reputation as a business lawyer. Recognized as a leader in the legal community, Jeff matches his experience and background with the entrepreneurial practice of law and the flexibility that affords his clients the opportunity to reach a reasonable business solution for their legal problems. Jeff...

An experienced trial attorney, primarily focused on criminal defense, child custody, divorce, real estate and business matters. My client selection criteria are based on merits as opposed to finances. I believe that, in decades past, citizens had greater access to representation in the courts, but that, due to changes in the profession and the economy, access to justice has become a problem for many. I try to address that problem by keeping my practice small, focused, selective, and project-based instead of volume-based. It works very well. I have also learned that maintaining credibility inside and outside the courtroom is not...

I handle all types of civil appeals and assist solo and small firm trial counsel with their cases doing briefing, preparation of the jury charge, motions and motions for summary judgment, and motions for new trial. I have orally argued cases before half of the Courts of Appeal in Texas as well as both the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals. Having graduated from the Wharton Business School, my business background is often helpful in my appeal of cases. I like to work with trial counsel in developing the appellate issues and strategy and prefer to...