La Vernia Business Lawyers

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...

Tyler George’s practice involves representing both individuals and corporate clients in a range of legal matters including, Business Transactions, Estate Planning, Public Finance and Real Estate. Prior to joining Naman Howell, Tyler served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force, representing the Air Force in civil and criminal matters.

My law practice resides at the intersection of corporate finance, business law, and technology/IP. I serve as private counsel, advising clients about business strategy & financial opportunities. I frequently sit at the right-hand of company founders, CEOs and investors. My approach is bespoke - requiring me to help clients navigate specific legal issues in the moment while remaining mindful of the broader business landscape. I hold myself to a professional standard, centered around: attention detail, candid advice & running my law firm efficiently. In short, I solve difficult important problems with high-stakes outcomes.

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...

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....

Dan focuses on real estate litigation and transactions, estate planning and probate, and general civil litigation matters. He draws on his experience as a former County Court at Law Judge in Hays County handling thousands of civil and criminal matters. He is an AV-Preeminent rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer® (a Thompson Reuters rating service) in the area of General Litigation. He served as law clerk to Justice Davie L. Wilson of the First Court of Appeals in Houston before practicing for several years in the commercial litigation section a large Austin-based law firm. He is...

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...

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...

Louis Leichter practices administrative, health, and criminal law, focusing on the area of licensure and license defense. Mr. Leichter advises clients on disciplinary actions and misconduct allegations that may affect their professional licenses. Mr. Leichter also represents clients on related issues that are divergent from the receipt of a disciplinary order within a healthcare practice. Peer review and medical staff privileges, practitioner data bank disputes, network agreements, contract negotiations, and license renewal questionnaires are important to medical and other health care professionals who are involved in disciplinary action. Prior to starting a private practice, Mr. Leichter prosecuted criminal cases as an...

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...

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...

Helping individuals navigate the criminal justice system.

Jeff is licensed to practice in all state courts, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. He currently is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Austin Bar Association, Austin Business Executives League (ABEL), and Business Networking International (BNI). Jeff’s legal practice focusses primarily on business & commercial litigation, collections, business transactional law, business entity formations, mergers & acquisitions, contracts, wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate. Jeff is also a certified Mediator. He mediates legal disputes in family, business, and civil law.

Jeff graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA...

I bring an unusually wide range of both legal and business experience that bring a unique depth and breadth the services that I provide, including, but not limited to, real estate, contracts, commercial law, and banking. My business background prior to law school provided me with many unique insights and a greater appreciation of the many interrelationships between the law and business.

My career actually began in community banks and savings and loans in Arlington and Houston. I ultimately served as the president of a newly-chartered national bank during its organization and start-up phases.

After fifteen years in business, I...

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...

We are top notch law firm with decades of experience and with a focus on small business and individuals. Your attorney will be your advocate and your counselor in your legal matters at Sander Law Offices. Our broad base of general, civil legal experience will help you determine what is the best, most cost effective, and expedient path to the results you desire. We know that taking legal action can sometimes be overwhelming. We are dedicated to providing you help in language that you can understand and we will work to find a tailored and targeted approach that suits...

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...

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...

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...

Attorney Wes Hazen comes from a working class family and strives to serve as a role model not only within the legal community but more importantly, his local community in South Austin. For many, the assistance of "quality" legal services is often correlated with the pedigree of an attorney, the prestige of the firm they work with, or the sheer experience a particular practitioner may possess. All fine attributes to possess, but not entirely what truly matters in the practice of law. The true measure of greatness in practicing law, I believe, boils down to three relatively simple principles. First...

Mary Kate Brown is a dedicated attorney committed to providing exceptional legal representation and advocating for her client's best interests. She earned her undergraduate degree from Concordia University in Austin, Texas. Her passion for the law led her to pursue her Juris Doctor from St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio, where she honed her legal analysis and advocacy skills. While at St. Mary’s she served as a Staff Writer and an Executive Board Member for the Law Review. During her studies, she gained valuable experience by interning at the Hays County District Attorney’s Office and the Third Court...

As a seasoned Intellectual Property attorney, I bring a dynamic blend of litigation expertise, strategic advocacy, and a passion for client success. With a career spanning federal and state courts, the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and cross-border legal landscapes, I focus on safeguarding my clients' interests and work tirelessly to resolve complex disputes with precision and integrity. Whether it involves safeguarding creative and innovative assets—such as trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets—or defending against claims of infringement, unfair competition, or trade secret misappropriation, I work diligently to address each challenge. My approach centers on understanding each client’s unique goals, crafting...

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.

Alex Shahrestani is the managing partner of Promise Legal PLLC, a law firm dedicated to providing cutting-edge legal solutions for tech startups and emerging businesses. With a background in computer science and law, Alex specializes in intellectual property, data privacy, and startup law, leveraging his technical expertise to deliver innovative, client-focused legal strategies. A thought leader in the tech-legal space, Alex has contributed to key industry conversations through roles at SXSW, EFF-Austin, and the State Bar of Texas. At Promise Legal, he spearheads the integration of technology into legal practice, offering efficient and cost-effective solutions to empower innovators and drive...

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...

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...

Mr. Moster heads the Firm’s Oil & Gas Law Practice at our office in Midland – Odessa at the Claydesta Center (pictured below) in addition to its Intellectual Property practice with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence. He has represented top computer scientists in the field. Mr. Moster’s experience over 33 years as an AV-rated lawyer is multifaceted. He commenced his practice as a business and litigation attorney for the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Reagan and Bush administrations focusing on industrial projects in excess of $1 Billion. He has represented Oil & Gas companies in diversified areas from production to...

Jason Anderson is an attorney and owner of Anderson Law PLLC, a remote-first business law firm based in Austin, TX. Anderson Law acts as more than a legal advisor. Over fifteen years of experience in management consulting, law and tech supports a multi-perspective advising approach focused on identifying your goals and assisting you in making sound decisions that help you achieve them.

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...

Divorce/Custody/Child Support, Real Estate and Business Litigation

Keesha is an attorney with years of experience helping people through high conflict divorces, child custody and related family law matters. Her caring, compassionate, and nonjudgmental style of practicing continually draws new clients to request her representation and her no-nonsense approach to solving her client’s legal issues ensures she maintains lasting client relationships.

Keesha also has twelve years of commercial real estate, investment, business development and contract negotiations experience. She advises new and established business owners through real estate transactions, commercial lease agreements, local area investment opportunities and contract disputes.

Keesha prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases...

Law practice concentrating on financial and business law in Texas with particular emphasis on Business Entity Formation and Administration, Business, Commercial and Real Estate Transactions, Litigation, Mediation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Probate and Guardianship, Serious Injury and Wrongful Death. Protecting and serving businesses, families and estates throughout Central Texas and the Highland Lakes (including the Burnet, Blanco, Llano and Western Travis County areas).

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...

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...

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...

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.