Burnet Business Lawyers

Cenkus Law helps quickly growing and medium-sized businesses with all of their legal needs in Austin, Houston and throughout Texas. Services include forming partnerships, corporations and LLCs, founders’ agreements, partner and founder disputes, raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, contract review and general outside counsel services.

Steve Urban is a trial lawyer located in Austin, Texas who is Board Certified in Consumer and Commerical Law. Steve was originally licensed in Michigan in 1998 and in Texas in 2000. He received his Board Certification in Consumer and Commercial Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2008. Steve is former partner in the law firm of Taylor Dunham, L.L.P., where he practiced for nearly 12 years before forming his own firm in 2012. Over the past 14 years, Steve has represented clients in matters involving injuries and death caused by car, truck and motorcycle accidents,...

I represent both individuals and businesses, in areas such as: - Personal injury (car/truck accidents, DWI, motorcycle, slip-and-fall cases, on-the-job injuries, etc.). - Businesses needing help with corporate formation, protection of intellectual property, contract review, etc. - Litigation on behalf of both businesses and consumers in all types of disputes.

Joshua Massingill is a native Texan and graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law and the Straus Institute, the nation’s top-ranked dispute resolution program. He serves on the Texas State Bar’s Law Practice Management Committee and the Success-Werx Board of Advisors. He mentors young entrepreneurs in Leander ISD’s INCubatorEDU program and is active in his church. He served as Legislative Counsel to a United States Representative in Washington, DC until 2014, when he decided to return to Texas for reasons every Texan will inherently understand. As Counsel to the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, he managed a...

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...

Helping individuals navigate the criminal justice system.

With more than 12 years of experience in private practice, Lisa Thorsen provides sound, practical counsel and local market expertise on business law matters in Texas and California. As outside general counsel, Lisa provides a range of services, from company formations to corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, asset and stock purchases and sales, debt and dispute settlements, company structuring, and licensing matters.

Graham E. Sutliff grew up in San Angelo, Texas in a family of six. From an early age, in this close-knit West Texas town, he learned the value of hard work, determination and fighting for what is right. Graham and his now partner Hank, who became friends at age four, found an early interest in the law by playing in the halls of the Tom Green County Courthouse. As a young man, his interest in the law continued to grow and he set out to find a way to use this passion to help others. At the University of Mississippi, after...

Richard Self joined Pless Law Firm in 2021, bringing six years of expertise in real estate and business transactions. He began his practice working in San Francisco focusing on construction related litigation. Rich went on to receive his masters from the University of Denver in Real Estate Development and then working at a mid-size firm where he provided counsel to real estate clients in a variety of areas including drafting and reviewing purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, lease amendments, and other transactional agreements. He currently centers his practice around assisting clients with business governance documents, negotiation of commercial leases, loan...

William Morton joined Pless Law Firm in 2022 as Senior Counsel with the Firm’s expansion into the Texas market. Based in the Austin office, he specializes in assisting clients with raw land and developed properties, handling due diligence matters, drafting declarations and other restrictive covenants, construction contracts, and retail and office leasing. Additionally, Bill focuses on representing clients in the acquisition and redevelopment of existing office and retail sites. Prior to Pless Law, Bill worked in both large scale multi-disciplinary law firms and smaller boutique firms focused solely on commercial real estate. He has successfully represented developers from the acquisition stage...

We specialize in working with community banks, assisting them in navigating the ever-shifting legal and regulatory environment while recommending strategic business options leading to new and unrealized growth opportunities. We work with small business owners to identify legal strategies that can help strengthen and grow their businesses and protect their personal assets by building more sure legal foundations, protecting branding and business offerings, identifying incentives, protecting revenue, recovering money, preparing to sell, and much more. We also have expertise providing legal services in tax incentives and non-profit organizations, navigating complicated application and regulatory guidelines and identifying legal strategies and solutions that can...

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...

Before starting his own law practice, Don worked for a well-regarded corporate law firm, for a state attorney general, and as a judicial law clerk. He has seen first-hand how the law is made, how it is shaped by court decisions, and how it affects business clients. Don began his legal career with a one-year clerkship at the Texas Supreme Court, which is Texas's highest court and focuses on civil (not criminal) cases. Law clerks help the Court evaluate which of the roughly one thousand petitions filed each year should be granted and help the Justices write their opinions. His private practice...

My job is to help each client achieve their life and legacy goals. I help you protect your family’s current and future financial security through careful planning. I care about this work because so many people either fail to plan or make simple mistakes that endanger their financial stability. As an estate planning attorney, I help clients plan for both the inevitable and the unexpected by: 1) helping clients achieve their personal, family, and business goals; 2) reduce potential risks and expenses; and 3) providing clients with increased peace of mind. Bringing the experience of managing hundreds of millions of dollars from one generation...

William B. “Bill” Gammon was born in Virginia and moved to Texas as a young child when his father went to work for NASA. He attended High School in Clear Lake, Houston and then came to Austin during the 1960’s to complete his under graduate degree at The University of Texas. He ran several successful small businesses both in Austin and in Houston before deciding to attend Law School. He attended UT Law School in Austin and holds the record there for the fastest graduating student. He completed Law School in just twenty two months.

Bill began his solo practice here...

Josh is the Managing Partner and CEO of Phillips Golden LLP and head of its Real Estate Section. Josh’s practice centers on advising and counseling real estate entrepreneurs, investors and businesses through all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions & dispositions, development, leasing (retail, office, industrial, and ground leases, build to suit and telecommunications), purchase and sale agreements, private development agreements, construction contracts, management agreements, and related due diligence matters. A significant portion of his time is devoted to representation of developer equity investors in the formation of pass-through entities (e.g., LLCs, limited partnerships and joint...

Melissa Stone Myers began her career in patent litigation with the Delaware law firm, Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP. After moving to Austin, Melissa and her family planted new roots. Building relationships with a network of growing families, Melissa Stone Myers recognized the need for families to plan for their future and that of their children. Melissa also realized a growing demand for advice and assistance with local small businesses. StoneMyers Law PLLC was formed to help families plan for their future and help small businesses achieve their goals.

Professional Background:
J.D. cum laude, Boston University School of Law (1998)

B.S. Biochemistry...

Jodi Lazar practices family law exclusively and represents clients in both the traditional litigation and collaborative law models, depending on the client’s needs.

Jodi is also an Adjunct Professor in the Advocacy Department at The University of Texas School of Law, where she teaches Intensive Trial Skills and works with the Interscholastic Mock Trial Program.

EDUCATION
The University of Texas School of Law, 1988
The University of Texas at Austin, 1985

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & HONORS
Member, State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section)
Member, Oregon State Bar
Member, American Bar Association (Family Law Section)
Member, Austin Bar Association (Family Law Section)
Member, College of the State Bar of Texas

COLLABORATIVE LAW...

Ms. Crawford represents clients in a variety of commercial and business related matters and litigation. Her primary focus is on first party insurance litigation.

Prior to joining Doyen Sebesta & Poelma, LLLP, Ms. Crawford practiced in the Houston area and gained valuable experience by conducting depositions, successfully resolving cases through mediations, and arguing at the district and county level in contested hearings involving commercial litigation matters. Ms. Crawford successfully first chaired her first trial in the Harris County Civil District Court, gaining a favorable judgment after two days of trial.

Ms. Crawford earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from The...

Ashley obtained her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas, in 2007, where she was a member of the school's Moot Court Team. She earned her bachelor's degree in International Studies with minors in Journalism and History from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas in 2004. Ashley is an experienced litigator with 15+ years of experience in a wide array of litigation matters, including insurance coverage disputes, construction defect issues, products and premises liability claims, personal injury automobile and pedestrian accidents, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims. She has defended nationally-known rideshare companies, homeowners and personal...

Blair Leake is a young attorney with considerable litigation experience and success. His practice thus far has focused on civil and criminal trial work, as well as estate and business planning. Blair attended the University of Texas for his undergraduate degree and received his doctorate of jurisprudence at the University of Houston Law Center.

A practicing trial attorney for over 40 years, Barry Deacon brings a unique perspective to his personal injury and business litigation cases. He has tried lawsuits as counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants, which has given him the insights and experience needed to protect his clients’ interests and anticipate the other side’s legal strategies. Attorney Deacon has also jointly represented thousands of corn farmers from multiple states against a global biotech company that allowed an unapproved genetically modified corn seed trait to be introduced into a foreign market resulting in US corn exports to that country being rejected and turned away....

Rain Minns' litigation experience ranges from international arbitration in Hong Kong to Native American courts to jury trials in the United States. After law school, Rain clerked for Chief Judge George P. Kazen in the Southern District of Texas. She then became an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, where she was recognized for her outstanding work. Rain first-chaired and obtained favorable trial and appellate verdicts in all of her cases, including the highest arbitration award in the history of her division. Rain then spent a few years at a large law firm working on bet-the-company litigation, where...

Katherine is an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas and North Carolina. She holds a B.S. degree in Political Science from The State University of New York at Oneonta and a Juris Doctor degree from Penn State Law. While in law school, Katherine clerked with United States Federal District Court Judge Thomas J.McAvoy and interned with the California Attorney General’s Office.

Katherine currently practices in business and contract law in Texas and North Carolina. Previously, she served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Dallas where she practiced in civil litigation. Additionally, Katherine has diverse experience...

Before opening a law practice, Grover "Pete" Peters served in the military and then served as a healthcare executive. He now offers legal services in several practice areas including Aviation Law, Business Law, Estate Planning, Personal Injury and more.

Pete is a retired U.S. Army Medical Service Corps officer and a former healthcare executive having served as a COO, CIO, and CEO of various healthcare organizations and systems across the United States. In addition to practicing law, Pete has extensive experience in business development. He regularly consults with providers and medical groups developing freestanding emergency departments and micro hospitals. In...

A native Texan, Jessica was born in El Paso and raised in Austin. She graduated from St. Edward's University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. She went on to graduate from Drake University Law School in May 2013 and was admitted to both the Texas and Iowa State Bar shortly thereafter.

In her early legal career, Jessica worked with ASISTA Immigrant Assistance, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting legal and law enforcement professionals navigate the complex realm of immigration law. During this time, she also served as in-house counsel for Trident Research, an engineering company specializing...

My goal is make sure all individuals with legal problems have access to the legal help they need. I offer individuals straight-forward, flat-rate billing options at prices they can afford. No more surprise bills at the end of your representation. If you have a serious legal problem and are worried about having the funds to get help, let me work with you. We can arrange something to make us both happy.

I am not your typical attorney. My journey to the legal field was a strange one. After studying biochemistry and gene therapy, I decided the lab environment wasn't...

Attorney Keith E. Gamel runs the Austin office of Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC and practices in the area of business and corporate law. He has represented clients in the telecommunications and Internet industries, and had a hand in developing significant negotiations between industry leaders. His negotiations are built on Attorney Gamel’s commitment to finding the most beneficial, creative solutions for his clients. Attorney Gamel has been practicing law for over 30 years, lending his considerable skill and commitment to our firm. In addition, he generously donates his spare time to a number of church, school, and charity...

I am an attorney with a practice focused on meeting the legal needs of business owners and real estate owners and investors.

My business planning practice involves advising companies and individuals on business matters, including taxation, mergers and acquisitions, choice of entity and company formation, and corporate governance. I have also been lead attorney on several multi-million dollar business acquisitions in the Southeast.

My estate planning practice involves helping clients pay less taxes and protect their assets through the use of trusts, partnerships, closely held businesses, private foundations, and charitable trusts. I have served in various capacities with the Real Property, Trust...

I have been practicing law in Austin since 1977. After many years of a litigation-focused practice I have changed that focus to Estate Planning and Probate. I am no longer maintaining a downtown office, so I frequently meet at clients’ homes or offices or at other places convenient for the client. I am able to offer services for much less than I did in the past. I hope that my clients will continue to consult me about the important issues in their lives. If I unable to personally assist them I will recommend appropriate professionals.

Tom is married since 1971 to...

Joey Leak has a diverse litigation and business practice, representing clients ranging from individuals and local companies to regional and national firms. His transactional practice includes general business and real estate matters, as well as private equity fund formation and offerings. An experienced litigator, Joey is also able to assist his clients in a broad range of commercial matters, including those involving breach of contract, fraud, embezzlement, property disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, business torts, partnership disputes, and enforcement of intellectual property rights.