Wharton Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

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...

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...

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...

I was born and raised in Northeast Texas and after graduating from East Texas State University in 1996, I worked as a paralegal for Foley & Coley until December of 2000 when I relocated to Houston to attend South Texas College of Law. While in law school, I worked full time for Crain, Caton & James, a large law firm in downtown Houston. In December of 2005, I graduated from South Texas College of Law and passed the Texas Bar in February 2006. I was licensed to practice law by May of 2006. I had a successfully practice in...

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...

Kevin graduated from the University of Houston- Downtown Campus after serving in the U.S. Army where he received several decorations and awards. While working full time at O'Quinn & Laminack, a major plaintiff's law firm, Kevin attended South Texas College of Law, graduating in May 1992. After being licensed in November 1992, Kevin practiced law at O'Quinn & Laminack for over 5 1/2 years, focusing on consumer and commercial disputes, wrongful termination, medical malpractice, personal injury, premise liability and toxic tort cases. In July 1997, Kevin joined Davis & Shank, P.C., a well-respected defense firm. At Davis & Shank, Kevin's...

Sarah Springer began her career in law in 1980 after earning her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. In her many years of practice, Sarah has worked as a litigator, mediator, and judge. She served as the state district judge in Mississippi where she covered family law and probate cases, as well as juvenile crime cases. After this, she moved to Katy, Texas and continued to dedicate to herself to clients as a skilled family law attorney – with her experience behind the bench serving as a valuable resource for her clients.

Sarah practices all aspects of...

Eduardo Amesty is a seasoned attorney with over 23 years of combined experience representing clients in Venezuela and the U.S. in criminal cases, corporate and international arbitration cases. As a native of Venezuela, Eduardo is well-versed in the social culture, business protocols, and legal systems of Venezuela and across Latin America. With this knowledge, he serves as a bridge to his North American and international clients in navigating dual legal systems. Eduardo has bilingual fluency in speaking, writing, and translating English and Spanish. ...

Ramesh Raghuthaman has been practicing law & representing clients for over 15 years. Growing up in Sugarland, Ramesh graduated high school from Strake Jesuit College Prep as part of the Class of 1994. After high school, Ramesh went on to attend college at Case Western Reserve University. Ramesh graduated with honors in Political Science and a minor in Communications. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor Degree from Washington University School of Law. Ramesh is an active member of the legal community and belongs to a number of professional organizations. Additionally, Ramesh teaches an ethics course to aspiring students...

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...

Jeff Jansen is an experienced, successful business and trial attorney. For the past 25 years, Jeff has represented individuals and businesses of all sizes - from sole proprietorships to Fortune 100 corporations - helping them pursue or protect their legal interests. Jeff is a 1984 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and is a former Air Force officer. While in college, he was a member of Air Force Academy's nationally ranked debate and speech team, winning many competitions throughout the United States during his college years. He attended law school at the University of...

In 1995, Sherrie founded Travers & Travers in Katy, Texas following a successful teaching career. Sherrie is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She specializes in complex family law matters, including issues of divorce, property characterization, child support, and issues involving children. Sherrie is also an experienced mediator and collaborative law facilitator. Board Certification: Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1996 to present Education: B.S., Mathematics, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, 1968 Summa Cum Laude M.S., Mathematics, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, 1969 Magna Cum Laude B.S.,...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

• 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...

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...

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...

Siomara ("Sio") Ramirez Pitre is an experienced litigator with several years of experience both in the courtroom and in negotiating good and fair settlements for her clients. Sio grew up in California, and attended college there. She attended law school in Houston, and is proud to call the Houston area home. Sio handles all types of family law, including child support, modifications of support and visitation, and adoption. She is also a trained Texas Family Law Mediator. Sio is fluent in Spanish.

Experienced and recognized Austin attorney James (“Jimmy”) Evans has practiced law since 1995, and since 2010 has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. At his law firm, Evans Family Law Group, Jimmy handles a full range of family law cases, including divorce, agreed and uncontested divorce, divorce and custody litigation, child custody, child support, adoption, mediation and collaborative law, and grandparents’ rights (to name a few). For Jimmy, the preparation, pains, and persistence that each case demands of him is small when compared to the reward: a legal outcome that, with a minimum...

The Law Office of Shelly A. Merchant represents individuals in Deer Park, Pasadena, La Porte, Houston, and surrounding areas in a wide range of general practice matters including family law, bankruptcy, probate and much more. We are a small firm in a small-town suburb of Houston providing clients with a friendly atmosphere and personalized service in addressing their legal concerns. We listen to your needs and work to understand your individual legal situation to help you through a difficult situation. Our attorneys are more than willing to tackle the unique challenges your case presents and to determine and execute the...

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...

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...