Merkel Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

Tara Gilmore-Low has worked in the field of personal injury law in Abilene, Texas for several years. Prior to law school she was a paralegal in the same field for nearly 10 years, also in Abilene, Texas. She was raised in the small town of Clyde, Texas just a few miles outside of Abilene. When deciding where to pursue her legal career she had the choice of going to a big city firm or returning to her small town roots to be with her family and the people she loved. She returned to Abilene and has...

Full-time mediator for all areas of family law (divorce, custody, child support, paternity, modification, family disputes, assistance in working with elderly parents, etc.) for 20 years. Licensed Texas attorney for 30 years. Member of many mediation groups including the Association of Attorney-Mediators (AAM), Texas Association of Mediators (TAM), the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA), State Bar of Texas and Austin Mediators Association (AMA). I serve on the boards for the Marble Falls Rotary, Highland Lakes Bar Association & I'm President-elect for 2023 for Texas Association of Mediators. I do in person and on-line mediations. Rates - $400 per side for 4...

Education St. Mary’s School of Law, San Antonio, Texas, J.D. – 2012 Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, B.A. – 2007 Awards/Recognitions 2021 Top Family Lawyer- Scene In S.A. Magazine 2021 Best Female Lawyer- Scene In SA Magazine 2020 San Antonio “Best Family Law Attorney” & “Arbitrator/Mediator” by Scene Magazine 2020 Best Litigation Attorneys in San Antonio by Expertise 2019 Stars of Texas Bar Award for Series of Articles- Substantive Law 2019 San Antonio Top Criminal Defense Lawyer by Scene Magazine 2019 Best Litigation Attorneys in San Antonio by Expertise 2017 San Antonio Best Family Law Attorney by Scene Magazine (Under 5 years) 2017 Nominated by YMCA of Greater San Antonio for the...

My firm proudly helps people throughout East Texas with various types of legal matters. Our attorneys handle:

Personal Injury, Car Accidents, and Trucking Accidents

Family Law, Custody, and Divorce

Mediation and Arbitration

We offer flexible fees and reasonable cost legal services.

Attorney Boe Bowen is a native Texan. He was born and raised in Texas and the first in his family to receive a post-secondary education when he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University at Huntsville, Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and History. In 2010 Boe began his legal career by entering the class of 2013 at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas.

During his tenure in law school, Boe remained extremely active by working as a research assistant, tutor, and participated in the mock trial program. Boe graduated Magna Cum...

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...

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...

An experienced family law, appellate, and litigation attorney who prides himself on delivering practical legal solutions and individual attention, John works closely with his clients to help them overcome some of their most serious challenges. John is a passionate advocate for his clients inside and outside the courtroom. He is equally at home advocating for a better deal at the negotiation table, clinching a closing argument to ensure the best possible verdict, and distilling complex issues into a clear brief for appellate review. He represents individuals in a full range of family law matters with a particular emphasis on unusual and complex...

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,...

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...

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.

Every day, people come to our law firm on their personal or professional darkest day. Generally speaking, this sense of dread is simply due to being overwhelmed by the situation before them. As a lawyer, being able to shoulder our client's burdens and guide them through the litigation process is extremely rewarding. A native of Fort Hood, Texas, I have built a national litigation practice based on my deep Texas roots. Practicing since 2013, I represent clients across Texas and nationwide facing complex business and intellectual property litigation, including non-compete violations, breach of contract matters, and fraud and misrepresentation. Whether it's...

Kelly Ausley- Flores focuses on complex family law cases involving complicated property divisions, family businesses, spousal maintenance above guideline child support, customized possession schedules when parents work irregular hours, and child issues without marriage. She recognizes that every family situation is unique and approaches each situation as an opportunity for creative problem-solving. Kelly is committed to helping individuals regain their voice and confidence so they can successfully move forward with their lives after divorce. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White,...

Aric J. Garza Law PLLC provides quality, results-oriented legal services to business and individual clients throughout Texas. Since 2002, we have provided worked hard to attain our clients' goals and zealously advocate for their interests. We assist clients in general litigation, real estate law, probate/estate planning and commercial/business matters. Aric is also a nationally recognized ADR expert, serving as a panelist for the American Arbitration Association (Commercial, Employment and Consumer Panels), FINRA, the CPR Institute and the AHLA. He is the Co-Chair of the Arbitration Committee of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas ADR Section (Treasurer) and the San...

Mike Massey JD, MBA, MPA just might be the 195th most interesting person in Texas. He has 4 college degrees and he's working on a 5th: BBS Accounting; MPA Master's in Professional Accounting; JD Law Degree; MBA Master's in Business Administration; BBS in Biblical Studies (in progress). Mike is a dedicated family man with a wife of 14 years and 6 children (4 on earth and 2 in heaven). He spends most of his personal time with family, playing games in the yard with his kids, cleaning up with his kids, cleaning up some more with his kids,...

Michael F. Pezzulli is a seasoned attorney with the experience and track record clients trust. He is a powerful advocate in court for clients facing high-conflict divorce, complex asset division, and every kind of civil trial matter. Pezzulli leverages deep knowledge of the law and decades of experience with judges and courts across Texas to fight for his clients. His passion for taking a strong case to court for a jury to decide, when settling would yield a fraction of its potential, has produced highly favorable results for many.

Pezzulli understands the emotional and financial toll of taking legal action...

Brian Elliott - Austin Business Lawyer - is an experienced business and technology attorney based in Austin, Texas. Brian focuses his law practice on business transactions, intellectual property, cybersecurity and data privacy, finance and real estate. In addition to private practice of law, Brian has spent many years as an in-house general counsel in private equity, software, cloud technology, eCommerce and fashion and apparel sectors. In addition, Brian has represented his in-house and private practice clients in offensive and defensive commercial and complex civil litigation matters, including patent infringement, patent misuse, misappropriation of trade secrets, anti-trust, deceptive trade...

Originally from New Orleans, Kathy E. Roux graduated from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. While in law school, she was elected Freshman Class Representative and appointed Ombudsman for LSU’s Student Government Association. She won 1st place for the Southern Region in the Frederick Douglass Moot Court competition, and was chosen to represent LSU in the National Moot Court competition.
After graduation, she began working for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services in New Orleans, practicing poverty law. While there, her practice areas included Consumer Bankruptcy, Consumer Protection, Housing Law, and the Low...

Spolin Law P.C.’s founder, Aaron Spolin, is a former prosecutor and award-winning criminal appeals attorney. He has achieved successful outcomes on hundreds of criminal cases, including numerous dismissals of major felony cases; non-criminal resolutions to complex fraud and insurance fraud defense cases; successful appellate outcomes from various appellate courts; and multiple not-guilty jury verdicts at trial. Innocent Spolin Law clients wrongfully accused of murder and other serious crimes are now free because of his work. Aaron is the recipient of various awards for his advocacy, including the American College of Trial Lawyer’s Medal for Excellence in Oral Advocacy as well as...

A professional arbitrator, mediator with extensive trial experience, Stanley Santire is a highly experienced with advanced training in Alternative Dispute Resolution. As a panel member of the American Arbitration Association, he is dedicated to assisting lawyers and their client in resolving disputes. His several decades of experience includes construction, employment matters, non-compete-agreements, trade secrets, and business transactions. With an extensive background as a trial lawyer active in State and Federal Courts he understands the risks and issues that confront litigants. He is credentialed as an Advanced Mediator by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. Prior to...

Alex Hunt is a trusted family lawyer with experience in a wide range of family law matters, including complex child custody disputes, high-asset property divisions and divorces, and enforcements and modifications of existing court orders. He prides himself on providing ethical, responsive representation to all of his clients. His goal is to always ensure clients' rights and assets are protected, while keeping costs low and stress at a minimum. Alex's goal is to always provide client-focused representation. He is passionate about protecting important assets and rights. Clients will receive sound counsel that guides them through the legal process and helps...

Laura D. Heard has practiced law in San Antonio, Texas for her entire career, spanning more than 3 decades. She is known for her motto: "Justice Flows from Truth, Compassion, Wisdom & Persistence." She is a Family Law Mediator, Divorce Attorney, Wills and Probate Attorney. Laura is tenacious and experienced, and also a great listener. She has handled hundreds of cases in Bexar County and the surrounding counties. She can help with child custody cases, property division disputes, alimony, child support, adoptions, executing new Wills, creating trusts, and probate after death. Laura is a family law Mediator...

Scott is a Member at Payne, Malechek, Scherr, Campbell & Moore, P.C., and has been trying lawsuits throughout in State and Federal Courts, and in arbitration proceedings since 1992. He started his legal career trying cases in Dallas, Texas. Scott is currently admitted to practice before all Texas State Courts, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the Southern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the US Courts of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas...

I am a board certified family law attorney practicing in Austin, Texas. I have been licensed and practicing in Austin since 1994 and I have been board certified in family law since 2000. My firm has 3 associate attorneys, all working toward board certification, but also practicing exclusively family law, and I have 3 paralegals, all board certified in family law, with an average career of over 25 years. We pride ourselves in helping our clients navigate this difficult time in their lives and to work toward unique solutions for their unique families. We have all...

During law school, Simon interned with the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) where he assisted families with release from detention centers, visa applications, and removal proceedings. Simon interned as a Certified Legal Intern for the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association and Florida A&M University College of Law Legal Clinic as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing the best interest of children inside and outside of the courts. Simon also interned with a boutique law firm in Dallas, assisting their clients with commercial real estate, intellectual property, social media, tax planning, employment law, and...

Attorney Charles H. Peckham was born in Farmers Branch, Texas, and raised in Dallas and Denton. In 1988, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Three years later, in 1991, he would earn his law degree from the South Texas College of Law. A Board-Certified attorney in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is also an “AV” peer-reviewed attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and has a “Superb” AVVO rating of 10. Charles has authored many legal articles and seminar papers, and has been a speaker at many legal...

Bryan T. Forman is a licensed Texas attorney with offices in Austin, Texas and Tyler, Texas. He has been engaged in the private practice of law since 1987, and has spent the majority of his career in the brokerage industry, serving as Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel for brokerage firms which he founded. Concurrently, he gained experience in the private equity field, founding a private equity hedge fund whose strategy was private equity investments into public companies. His legal practice is focused on representing public investors and market participants in the securities industry. Mr. Forman received his Juris Doctor...

Kathryn has established a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer and tenacious negotiator for individuals facing complex family law issues relating to divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, premarital and post-marital agreements, and enforcement or modification of orders.

She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinguished mark of practice area knowledge and experience that is held by less than 1% of all lawyers in Texas. She has been recognized by Texas Monthly as a Super Lawyer each year since 2011, and has been included in Best Lawyers in America for...

Multi-State Barred Attorney, Scott F. Lemanski began practicing law in the Corpus Christi area in 2005. Scott served as an assistant district attorney exlusively in County Court at Law No. 5, handlng all aspects of juvenile prosecutions. During his tenure with the district attorney's office, Scott handled certifications, pleas, bench trials, and jury trials, with an attention to hard work and a belief that his work was making a difference in the lives of victims, juveniles and the community. Scott is well educated in the legal requisites regarding guardianship law. All this experience has provided Scott with a firm foundation...

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...

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...

As a member of the Texas Bar College, my legal practice is focused on federal and cross-border legal matters, including litigation, import/export, and nearshore business projects. Additionally, I have extensive experience with international telecommunications law. I have been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since May 25, 1995, and am also licensed by the Department of Homeland Security as a United States Customs Broker. My firm specializes in legal matters in the USA/Latin America context, representing foreign clients within the US legal system, as well as managing outbound legal matters for US-based clients. The Ahlgren Law Firm provides strategic...

Yanine Krohn is an attorney who has been practicing civil litigation in the Greater Houston area for over 8 years. Yanine has successfully represented clients in both jury and bench trials involving various complex litigation matters. Yanine has experience with all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, legal research, case management, discovery, oral depositions, mediations, settlement negotiations, arbitrations, and trial. In addition to her trial work, Yanine has successfully litigated matters before the Texas First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals. Despite the varied complexity of issues that may arise, Yanine’s goal is always the same – to navigate clients through their...

Don Philbin is an innovative and tenacious mediator with a demonstrated history of resolving complex disputes. Recognized as a thought leader in Chambers USA, Who’s Who Legal, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers, Don is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Civil Trial Mediators and International Academy of Mediators. He has served as chair of the Texas Bar ADR Section, is a teacher, author, and developer of Picture it Settled®, a pioneering software tool akin to “Moneyball” for negotiation.

As the former Judge of the 224th District Court, Bexar County, Texas, Judge Rene Diaz applies his 28+ years of civil litigation experience as well as his judicial experience and his training as a certified mediator/arbitrator to help guide cases to the best resolution possible. Judge Diaz has achieved a peer reviewed, AV Preeminent Rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating for ethical standards and legal ability. He actively handles mediations and arbitrations of a wide variety of cases, including commercial litigation, personal injury, employment law, and family law, including divorce, child custody and child support cases....

My law practice is devoted to Family Law, Collaborative Law, and Mediation. We offer highly personalized, discreet service and strive for creative solutions to each client's needs. I have been working on family law cases for 34+ years and have been Board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1992. Amicable resolution of cases through mediation or the collaborative process is our goal in family law cases.

Ms. Londergan represents clients in all areas of family law. Her practice includes extensive experience in negotiating and litigating issues involving divorce, contested child custody, high net worth asset division, visitation rights, geographical restrictions, spousal and child support, prenuptial agreements, and modification and enforcement actions. She also handles matters of paternity, support, and custody of non-marital children.

Ms. Londergan is a skilled and detail oriented negotiator who believes that most family matters should resolve swiftly and out of court. She recognizes, however, that some facts and circumstances require decisive action through litigation, and she prides herself in her ability to...

• 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...