Honors and Awards:

• Rated 10.0 Superb by AVVO.
• Rated AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 by Martindale Hubbell.
• Listed as one of the top lawyers in Texas by Newsweek Magazine in December 2010., Top Lawyers in Texas, Newsweek Magazine, 2010
• Listed as one of the best lawyers in Dallas in 2011 by D magazine.  Issue to be published June 2011., Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2011

Special Licenses/Certifications:

• Commercial pilot ratings in fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters.

Bar/Professional Activity:

• Licensed to practice in Texas (1997), New York (2004) and California (2009).  Also admitted in the following courts: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York U.S. District Court, Central District of California U.S. District Court, Northern Northern of Texas Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Member of the Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys Association of Southern California, and Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Make-A-Wish Foundation Big Brothers / Big Sisters U.S. Navy League

Scholarly Lectures and Writings:

• Chrysler and General Motors recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  Both proceedings were among the speediest in U.S. history, especially considering the sizes of the companies and the complexities involved.  The reorganization plans for each were also controversial because they arguably circumvented important provisions in the bankruptcy code.  This article takes a broad look at the two proceedings focusing particularly on the devastating effects that each had on injured consumers with claims against the companies., Left Behind: How Consumers Became the Biggest Losers of the Chrysler and, Advocate, Journal of Consumer Attorneys Associations for Southern California, Southern California Bar
• Cases involving amateur-built aircraft are difficult.  Finding an appropriate defendant is challenging.  Even when a lawyer can identify the wrongdoer, chances of recovery are slim given the scant insurance coverage available., Amateur-Built Aircraft Litigation Risky for Plaintiffs Attorneys, Texas Lawyer, Texas Bar
• When a Navy fighter pilot was shot down over Iraq after a faulty radar system misidentified his plane as an enemy missile, his family's case against the manufacturer was stymied by the state secrets privilege.  Pending legislation could ensure that never happens again., Harsh Realities of the State Secrets Privilege, Trial Magazine, American Association For Justice
• A discussion of the origin and operation of the September 11, 2001 Victim Compensation Fund., The September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, Texas Bar Journal, January 7, 2002., Texas Bar, 2002
• A discussion of whether Congress intended for the Federal Aviation Regulations to have a preemptive effect in the context of general aviation crash cases. , Field Preemption and the Federal Aviation Regulations, SMU Airlaw Symposium, February 2003., National Aviation Litigation Symposium, 2003
• Monroe v. Cessna was a significant win for plaintiffs defending against field preemption arguments in the context of general aviation crash cases.  This article discusses the arguments and case law upon which that victory was based., Plaintiff Thwarts Cessna’s Preemption Arguments in Monroe v. Cessna, AAJ Aviation Section Newsletter, Vol. 14, No. 2, Winter 2007, Aviation Section Of AAJ, 2007
• There is currently no legal requirement for pilots, aircraft owners or aircraft maintenance facilities to carry third-part liability insurance.  Simply stated, there should be. , The Need for Mandatory Aviation Insurance, AAJ Section Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 2, Winter 2008 , Aviation Section Of AAJ, 2008
• Various types of caps on damages affect plaintiffs in different ways, and lawyers must carefully consider the potential cost and benefit before agreeing to take on a case that involves caps., Author, Dealing With Low Ceilings, Trial Magazine, American Association For Justice, 2012

Verdicts and Settlements:

• Obtained confidential, six-figure settlement for the family of a student pilot killed in the crash of a Piper PA-23 aircraft in Arizona.
• Obtained confidential, six-figure settlement for the family of a pilot killed in an experimental airplane crash near Sherman, Texas.
• Obtained confidential, six-figure settlement for the family of a man killed in the crash of a Piper PA-32 aircraft in Louisiana.
• Obtained confidential, six-figure settlement for the family of an American businessman killed in the crash of a chartered Cessna 206 airplane in Zambia.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, seven-figure settlement for the family of a crew member killed in the crash of a Robinson R-22 helicopter in Israel.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, seven-figure settlement for several families of victims killed in the crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2 airplane in Utah.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, seven-figure settlement for the family of a pilot killed in the crash of a Raytheon (Beech) A-45 airplane near Houston, Texas.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, seven-figure settlement for the family of a pilot killed in the crash of a Bell OH-58 helicopter in California.
• Obtained several multi-million dollar Victim Compensation Fund awards for families of the victims of September 11, 2001.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, mulit-million dollar settlement for the family members of one of the victims of the crash of American Connection Flight 5966 near Kirksville, Missouri.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, multi-million dollar settlement for two surviving victims of the crash of a Marine Corp UH-1 helicopter in California.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, multi-million dollar settlement for the families of three crew members killed in the crash of an Agusta A119 medical ambulance helicopter in Colorado.
• Part of team that obtained a confidential, eight figure settlement for a client who was severely burned when his Piper PA-28 aircraft crashed as a result of an engine failure shortly after taking off from a Connecticut airport.
• Obtained confidential, multi-million dollar settlement for the families of two people killed in the crash of a Cessna 172 airplane near McKinney, Texas.
• Obtained significant settlement for individual severely injured in an airplane propellor strike accident., 2011
• Obtained several six figure settlements for people severely injured by rifle misfire incidents., 2011
• Obtained confidential seven figure settlement for the families of three people killed in an airplane crash in Arkansas., 2011

Representative Clients:

• Individuals and family members of people injured or killed as a result of defective products and negligence, with a particular emphasis on aviation-related accidents.  

Educational Background:

• B.A., Texas Tech University, 1984
• J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 1997