Wharton Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

We Have a History of Winning trials! We are different from other criminal defense firms because of the stellar record of success of Paul Looney who has tried 60 criminal defense jury trials since 1995 with ZERO final convictions.

We have a very high success rate when it comes to preventing criminal accusations from turning into formal charges as well as shutting down criminal investigations. We are able to do this because we move quickly, and never stop working.

With us on your side, you are not alone. You have effective support throughout the entire process...

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.

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...

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.

Gail Friend is a masters prepared RN who realized how progressive infiltration of the law was altering clinical practice, and health care delivery. She entered South Texas College of Law, graduated cum laude with Order of Lyte honors and was offered employment with an internationally recognized law firm, (currently Rose Norton Fulbright). Eventually she became a partner in Friend & Associates where she continues to successfully practice health care risk management consulting, medical malpractice and administrative health law in Texas. She has represented nurses, physicians, facilities/entities in medical malpractice, OIG investigations, peer review proceedings, before...

Christina Wanies-Guirgis studied government and politics at St. John’s University in New York, New York, and received her law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. As a Houston native, Christina has a personal connection to the community, and her loyalty is reflected in her representation. She served as an Article and Note Editor for Currents: International Trade Law Journal, and holds memberships in several esteemed organizations, including: Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) Houston Bar Association (HBA) State Bar of Texas

BOARD CERTIFIED & FORMER CHIEF PROSECUTOR Brian Foley is a former prosecutor in Brazos County, Texas and is Board Certified in Criminal Law. As a prosecutor Brian Foley was a member of the vehicular crimes team specializing in DWI cases that involve serious bodily injury or death and a member of the domestic violence unit that focuses on Assault Family Member cases. FREE CONSULTATION Time may be working against you as some crimes have important deadlines that occur only 15 days after arrest and before your first court date. Brian offers a free consultation so we can start defending...

• Very experienced litigator (over 100 jury trials) who teaches trial skills to lawyers and law students o Representation in False Claims Act cases; Business and Commercial Litigation cases; Health Care Fraud cases; Environmental cases; Securities law cases; Tax cases; Trade Fraud cases; and other complex litigation matters o Representation in Internal Investigations o Representation in Corporate Governance matters • Part-time academic and widely published • Editor-in-chief of two legal treatises: one about pharmaceutical and medical device law; the other about corporate criminal liability • Past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section • Past Chief of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas • Past Section Chief of the Financial Crimes...

Susan Clouthier graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 2007 and has been licensed over fifteen years. Susan Clouthier, along with her associates, have handled numerous appellate matters in all different practice areas including civil, criminal, and family law. The firm has notable success in both State and Federal courts of appeals due to Susan's high standard of excellence and ability to unravel even the most complicated cases. Susan is passionate about helping her clients overturn unfavorable verdicts, she stays in communication with her clients, and she fights hard for justice. Since she practices exclusively appeals, and she...

Lifetime native of Conroe and Montgomery County & 1989 Graduate of Conroe High School.

Brent Mayr is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and that has been named to Super Lawyers featured in Texas Monthly for multiple years in a row. He has represented individuals and organizations charged or placed under investigation in a number of high profile cases and has obtained numerous dismissals and acquittals. He represented an individual charged with Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering as part of a scheme involving the Zeta drug cartel and the American Quarter Horse Racing industry. His client was the only one out of multiple defendants who was acquitted of...

After growing up overseas (in India, Thailand, and Germany) Mark Bennett moved to Houston to go to Rice University, and stuck. On his graduation with honors from University of Houston Law center in 1995, he opened up his own practice defending people accused of crimes. Since 1995 Mark has earned a reputation as a compassionate, tenacious, and brilliant advocate for his clients, and has been honored by both the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association for his work in Houston and statewide. Mark has a low-volume trial, appellate, and postconviction practice, giving him plenty of time...

At the Houston, Texas law firm of Abraham Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, firm partner Brant J. Stogner consistently tries cases to verdict, successfully trying 12 cases in his first three years at the firm. Today, he exclusively represents plaintiffs, focusing his practice on catastrophic personal injury matters, product defect cases, gas explosions, drownings, 18 wheeler and commercial auto accidents. Brant is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury trial law and received this certification within the first five years of legal practice. In 2009, Brant won the largest verdict in Texas...

Barletta Law, PLLC, focuses on civil, criminal, and family law appellate matters, writs of habeas corpus, family law litigation, and general civil litigation. Natalie is also a credentialed mediator. She has drafted briefs and motions filed in Texas state and federal courts, achieving favorable results for clients at both the trial and appellate levels. She was the second chair member of an arbitration trial team that defended a lawsuit where the plaintiffs claimed $500 million in damages and judgment was rendered in favor of her client on all counts. During law school, she was a national champion moot court advocate,...

Robert Chisholm's law practice focuses on representing disabled veterans in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert has been representing disabled veterans since 1990. During his extensive career, Robert has successfully represented veterans before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Robert is a founding member of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association and served as President of that organization for the year 2002-2003. Mr. Chisholm served as the President of the...

Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Texas Supreme Court and all inferior Texas state courts, the Northern District of Texas and the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Admitted to the State Bar of Texas November 3, 1990.
Have won appeals, trials, and a probation revocation in Texas state courts, have undone criminal convictions with Texas state post-conviction writs of habeas corpus.
Former Matagorda County Assistant District Attorney, Section Chief of State Counsel for Offenders for appeals and Sexually-Violent-Predator Civil Commitment and also former criminal trial lawyer at State Counsel for Offenders.
Lifelong domiciliary of Texas,...

After working at Houston mega-firms, Corpus Christi and Victoria mid-size firms, and two different Courts of Appeals, Leslie A. Werner opened her own firm in Victoria, TX, in 2007 under The Soliz Law Group, her then-married last name. Leslie has taken what she learned from her variety of experiences and has not only become a well-rounded attorney but created a firm that has embodied the best attributes of her previous workplaces. Her experience at the 1st and 13th Court of Appeals and her association with the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for Civil Appeals has allowed her to be the...

Ms. Walter is an experienced trial lawyer, with a practical, business-oriented approach to handling cases. Her practice focuses on business litigation matters, including contracts, leases, construction, real estate, collections and Deceptive Trade Practices case and business owners' disputes. It Feels Good to Prevail!

1997 to Present President, Walter Law Firm, P.C., Houston, TX

2011 to 2012 Burleson, LLP, Houston, TX
Senior Counsel. Business litigation matters, including contracts, leases, collections, construction, real estate title, DTPA, fraud. Preparation of oil and gas title opinions.

1991 to 1996 Whittington, Pfeiffer & Vacek, Houston, TX
Associate Attorney....

Sean’s years of experience as an active-duty US Army Captain in the selective and prestigious US Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps are a valuable asset to Tully Rinckey PLLC’s military law practice group. Having served his country honorably at the largest military installation in the world in Fort Hood, Texas as a Judge Advocate from 2009 until 2013, Sean is an aggressive and tenacious advocate for all service members facing legal issues. He is able to pull from his significant and diverse experience as an active-duty attorney in the Army JAG Corps, and as a civilian military law attorney,...

John T. Floyd is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is rated as a Super Lawyer by the prestigious rating service of Thomson–Reuters, distinguishing him as a lawyer who has attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Mr. Floyd takes great pride in leading his premier criminal defense litigation firm, which focuses exclusively on successfully defending Individuals and businesses accused of serious crimes in Houston, throughout the State of Texas and in Federal Court across the United States. Mr. Floyd’s experience, determination, and talent has also earned him...

As the managing shareholder of Hendershot Cowart P.C., I look out for the best interest of our clients by utilizing our many years of combined experience practicing business law, business litigation, health law, and regulatory compliance. Our tagline is: "Your Attorneys. Your Team. Your Law Firm for Life." And that's true. It's my approach to client service, and it lays the foundation for our collaboration – now and into the future. My decision to practice law was inspired by the strong work ethic of my father and grandfather. Being a successful attorney requires dedication and experience. Whether reviewing an employment contract or...

Ky Jurgensen is an experienced business and probate litigation attorney with an additional focus on estate administration. "I was attracted to probate work because, for many clients, it’s the first time they’ve worked with an attorney. They are going through a difficult personal loss and, in the midst of that, they must also complete a reckoning of their loved one’s estate. It is a complicated process. As an attorney, I can help people through that process and make it more manageable. Personally, that is very rewarding." Ky has advised and assisted numerous estate executors and beneficiaries through probate disputes, from contested wills...

About Our Firm
For more than 30 years, Sacks Law Firm has helped people who couldn't help themselves to solve vexing legal problems. Civil appeals have made up a large portion of the law practice. Business litigation, business transactions and general litigation are also significant areas.

Attorney David J. Sacks, the founder and operator of the firm, is Board Certified in the area of Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Learn more about his background through this link:

David J. Sacks
Sacks Law Firm Exists For Clients: Individuals, Companies And Law Firms Seeking Consulting Services
Each client's challenges and goals drive the direction...

I practice criminal defense in both state and federal court throughout Texas state courts and in federal courts all over the United States. I handle all criminal cases from misdemeanors to serious and complicated felonies at both the trial court level and post conviction. We handle trial cases, appeals, writs and parole as well as personal injury matters. As a former prosecutor, I can offer valuable insight and an aggressive defense in criminal cases and real experience in front of juries in all trial cases. We try cases when so many lawyers are at a disadvantage because they...

Robert Sirianni, Jr. is Managing Partner at Brownstone Law Firm, focusing on Federal appeals nationwide. The attorneys at Brownstone provide aggressive strategies in your industry or business, and exceptional resources and representation to best serve your needs. https://www.brownstonelaw.com

John S. “Jack” Edwards, Jr. handles a wide variety of civil matters in state and federal courts throughout the country. He has represented clients in antitrust, contracts, copyright, ERISA, fraud, insurance coverage, product liability, securities, trade secrets, toxic tort, and wrongful death cases. Many of his cases involve highly technical industries, such as vehicle manufacturing or radio-communication systems. Others involve representing victims of financial fraud, whether in single-plaintiff actions or in class actions under ERISA or securities law. He has tried cases in Texas and Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Bennett, armed with a background in English and Law and well-versed in accounting, is the editing, accounting, and administrative arm of the Bennett & Bennett legal duo. Born and raised in the Houston suburbs, Jennifer Bennett proudly graduated from Dulles High School in Sugar Land, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Houston, and later continued her education at the University of Houston Law Center, where she not only received her law degree but also kindled a romantic relationship with Mark Bennett. Jennifer also dedicated her time to studying accounting at the University of...

In an award-winning legal general-practice, Mr. Howard Glass, Esq. and his legal Team of Professionals provide and assist clients with a "vast & various range of legal topics, matters, & cases." Skilled & experienced, Mr. Glass was again recognized several times during this year, including his induction into the College of the State Bar of Texas & the Texas Bar's Pro Bono College & "Client Satisfaction" awards by both the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys & the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. Mr. Glass' downtown Houston-based firm not only practices virtually "every 'traditional' area of Texas State...

Abogado Hispano con mas de 20 años de experiencia y autorizado a litigar casos Estatales y Federales. Atendemos principalmente casos Criminales, Inmigración, Familia y Apelaciones. Tenemos gran experiencia defendiendo casos de alcohol, abuso sexual y defensa de insanidad mental, entre otros. Bilingual attorney admitted to practice Law in Texas, the U.S. Federal Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. For the past years, I have been litigating and providing advice in the areas of Criminal law, Immigration, Appellate, and family law. I have strong experience litigating DWI, mental...

Fred Dahr is a Houston-based criminal lawyer who represents clients in criminal litigations from misdemeanors and felonies to appeals, writs of Habeas Corpus, and clearing record cases in state and federal courts. He has won dismissals or acquittals for clients charged with different assault cases, aggravated robbery, driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, theft, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

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...

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...

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...

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...