Manvel Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

With over 15 years of legal experience, Gratia goes to great lengths to ensure that every one of her clients, no matter the challenges they face, receives the compassion and respect they rightfully deserve. She is committed to personally guiding you through your legal journey, infusing it with her distinctive personal approach, empathy, and unwavering values. Gratia has assisted numerous clients in crafting their Trusts & Estate Plans, adeptly represented them in both uncontested and contested Probate cases, and provided invaluable support in matters such as Divorce, Paternity, Visitation, Child Support, and Adoption cases. Furthermore, Gratia boasts extensive experience as a...

Mary E. Ramos is a highly respected divorce attorney licensed to practice law in the great State of Texas. With over 18 years of experience, she has built a reputation as a knowledgeable and compassionate family law attorney, dedicated to representing her clients with integrity and expertise. Mary started her legal career by interning at the 312th Family Court before earning her license to practice law in 2004. She has handled thousands of cases while practicing family law in Texas. She became Board Certified In Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction earned by only the top...

I am a highly trained, experienced, full-time mediator focusing on complex commercial disputes.

For over 22 years, I have primarily represented businesses when they are involved in lawsuits, both as a plaintiff and defendant. This background gives me insight into how people make decisions.

I arrive at each mediation prepared to facilitate settlement, and I pay careful attention to the people, their interests, and emotions while discussing the facts and legal arguments.

Sam Edwards is a partner at SSEK and has developed a wide-ranging practice representing individuals and institutions from the United States and almost every continent in the world in investment and financial disputes. Over the last decade, that representation has included hundreds of clients who range from retirees that have lost their life savings, to community banks and credit unions who have been defrauded by Wall Street in investment schemes or bad products, to states and municipalities defrauded by investment banks. The cases Mr. Edwards has worked on include claims for unsuitable investment recommendations, churning, misrepresentations and outright fraud. The investments...

• 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...

John Schmude is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law. As a former Presiding Judge of the 247th Family District Court of Harris County, Texas, he disposed of more than 13,000 cases in every area of family law, including complex divorce cases, modifications, custody actions, adoptions, paternity suits and enforcements. While on the bench, he presided over more than 400 contested family law bench trials, numerous jury trials and thousands of hearings in every area of family law.

Prior to his election to the Bench, John Schmude served as the President of Schmude...

• Dallas Office Chair. Professional liability litigation group, including the defense of architects, engineers, design professionals, lawyers, insurance brokers/agents, medical, and other miscellaneous professionals. • Counsel and represent attorneys on ethics and grievance ir. matters. • Represent defendants and corporate plaintiffs in complex construction and business litigation. • Defend product liability, premises liability, trucking, and auto insurance defense claims. • Outside legal consultant for OmniSure Consulting Group, LLP, a national risk management and loss control consulting group assisting national insurance carriers in the A&E and allied health professionals space. • Represent and consult with college-level coaches in contract negotiation, hiring & firing matters, internal compliance, corporate...

As a partner at Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP (SSEK Law Firm), Kirk G. Smith focuses his practice on securities law. Representing individual and institutional investors against banks, brokerage firms and trust companies, Mr. Smith generally handles cases involving issues such as retirement losses, broker and brokerage firm misconduct, investment derivatives, fraud and financial product failures. He serves clients throughout the U.S.

Before earning a Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law Houston, Mr. Smith attended Loyola University New Orleans. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Previously working as an investment advisor for a large brokerage firm and...

Judith Meyer is a partner in the Houston office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2017 and focuses her practice on securities litigation, broker litigation, breach of contract matters, business disputes, mediation and arbitration, construction defect litigation, premises liability and toxic tort defense, employment torts, and commercial real estate matters.

Judith is a qualified mediator for general civil disputes under the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Act and has served as a volunteer mediator for the Harris County Dispute Resolution Center.

Judith earned her B.S., magna cum laude, from Louisiana State University in 1979. She earned her J.D. in 1985 from...

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...

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...

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...

It’s no secret that litigation can be stressful, complicated and expensive. That’s why business owners appreciate Amanda’s candid, no nonsense approach to litigation. Always mindful of the big picture, Amanda tailors strategies specific to her client’s goals, and confidently navigates cases as efficiently as possible so her clients can get back to what is most important to them – running their business. Amanda represents companies of all shapes and sizes in litigation involving contract claims, business torts, real estate disputes, residential and commercial defects, mechanic’s and materialman’s liens and bond claims, commercial and consumer collection, and foreclosures. Amanda is also a...

Jim Hall is a partner in the Houston office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2017 and focuses his practice on commercial, products, and premises liability litigation. An accomplished trial lawyer, he has handled numerous matters before state and federal appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court.

Jim is a certified mediator and was primary counsel in a nationwide “early look program” designed to resolve claims before suit was filed. He earned recognition from Thomson Reuters among the Texas Super Lawyers in civil litigation defense in 2006-2007. Jim is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubble.

- Mediator since 1993 - Mediated over 1,300 disputes (family, personal injury, employment & others) - Mediated & taught negotiation for U.S. Air Force, Army, & Navy. - Published author of over 100 articles and book reviews - Frequent speaker (local & int’l) on dispute resolution, negotiation, diversity & law. - Former editor of The Texas Mediator - Former Editorial board member of the Texas Bar Journal ...

Scott D. Smith is a seasoned trial lawyer who has obtained favorable verdicts for clients on both sides of the docket. Mr. Smith has experience in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the United States, including resolving a broad array of business and commercial disputes, as well as having extensive experience representing financial advisers and financial institutions in financial services litigation in FINRA and AAA arbitration proceedings. He frequently represents financial advisers and financial institutions in employment disputes, securities enforcement actions, as well as regulatory and compliance matters, and assists his clients...

Esteban Leccese is an experienced attorney admitted in civil-law and common-law jurisdictions, specialized in handling complex international litigation and arbitration, including commercial and investment claims under the rules of major international arbitration institutions such as the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and ad hoc arbitrations under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Arbitration Rules.

Esteban’s relevant matters include high-profile cases involving a broad range of industries, such as the energy, oil and gas, mining, airlines, construction and infrastructure under different applicable laws. He also advises clients on strategic...

Fort Bend Attorney Travis L. Shaw is a killed litigator at Bibby McWilliams & Kearney, PLLC. He focuses his practice on construction, business, commercial, and can also help clients throughout the Texas area with devising and drafting their business formation and transactional needs. Throughout his years in practice, he has gained a broad range of experience in a number of complex matters. He is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal solutions in order to protect your business, your assets, and your livelihood.

Sylvia Mayer is an arbitrator, mediator, and attorney with over 30 years of legal experience in courts nationwide. As a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and a TMCA Credentialed Advanced Mediator, Sylvia Mayer serves on several arbitration and mediation rosters. While Sylvia Mayer has served as neutral in a wide variety of disputes, she frequently serves as mediator or arbitrator in disputes involving bankruptcy, business separations, complex commercial litigation, contracts, corporate governance, energy, fiduciary duties, healthcare, oil and gas, personal injury, and consumer issues. An experienced mediator and arbitrator, Sylvia Mayer has served as neutral in...

Martin C. Law is an associate in the litigation section of Patout & Shaw, PLLC. His primary practice areas are arbitration, mediation, oil and gas, commercial law, real estate litigation and development, construction law, and consumer transactions. While in law school, Mr. Law was awarded the Lawrence C. Hoff Jr. Memorial Scholarship and the Dean’s Scholar Award. Mr. Law actively participated in the school’s award winning advocacy program, which culminated in a first place finish at the 2013 FINRA/St. John’s Securities Dispute Resolution Competition. He was an active member in the Oil and Gas Law Society, the Environmental Law...

Victoria is a business attorney and licensed mediator with over 24 years of experience in Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Liens and Collections, Contract Preparation and Negotiation, Corporate Governance, and Risk Management. Serving clients in Texas and Utah, she provides expert legal services and business mediation. Victoria has managed legal affairs and operations for both private and publicly traded companies, domestically and internationally. Since 1999, she has helped hundreds of businesses improve efficiency and reduce legal risks. As the managing member of our firm, she works directly with clients to develop best practices that align with their goals, cutting...

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Criminal Justice, University of South Alabama, Magna Cum Laude, 2002
Juris Doctor (JD), General Practice, Solo and Small Firm, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Cum Laude, 2006
Master of Laws (LLM), International Law, University of Houston Law Center, 2008.
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Western Governors University, 2013.

LAW LICENSE
Ms. Imobioh is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. She obtained her law license in May 2006.

FEDERAL COURTS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
US District Court, Southern District of Texas
US Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
US DIstrict Court, Northern District of Texas

MEDIATION
Ms. Imobioh is a trained mediator trained in basic and...

Focusing on the LGBT & Queer community, deborah lawson, Attorney at Law, p.l.l.c., is a boutique law firm championing the often forgotten middle class, providing answers to legal questions without getting stuck in the financially burdensome labyrinth of litigation. deborah’s mission is to offer alternatives to the costly archaic legal system that emphasizes fight over flight, equipping her clients to soar through life legally protected.

Derek Lisk is a TMCA Credentialed Mediator who is skilled at helping people resolve disputes. He is qualified to mediate disputes under the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures Act and is a listed ADR provider for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. An expert at negotiation and litigation strategy, Derek has mediated disputes and represented parties in many different types of litigation, including contracts, employment, personal injury, commercial, construction, insurance, product liability, toxic tort, and environmental litigation. Derek has achieved the Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, which indicates the height of professional excellence and the highest levels of...

Board certified specialist in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Wide ranging experience of practicing law in different areas of law, including mediation, trials, appeals and representation of client before boards, as well as experienced in lobbying. Licensed in to practice law in Texas, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and the United States Supreme Court. Experienced in practicing law in Federal District Courts as well as State Courts.
Graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 1973 and started practicing law in 1974. Experienced as a former Deputy County Attorney, as well as a City Counsel Member.