Tornillo Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Professional Summary
Experienced appellate and criminal defense counsel with accomplished background in State and Federal litigation. Over twenty years of experience in both whitecollar and blue-collar cases ranging from State misdemeanors to Federal felonies.

Education
University of Texas School of Law,
J.D., cum laude – 1995

Academic Publications
Yes: Juries Can and Should Correct the Overly Broad use of Criminal
Sanctions, in W.R. Palacios, P.F. Cromwell, R.G. Dunham, ed., Crime and Justice in America: Present Realities and Future Prospects, Prentice Hall,
2002

Jury Nullification: The Evolution of a Doctrine (Carolina Academic Press, 1998) 334 pages.

Professional...

After attending both undergraduate and law school at the University of Texas, Corey Young began his legal career as an appellate prosecutor in Montgomery County, Texas.

James P. Whalen is the owner of Whalen Law Office in Frisco, Texas.

James graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in May 1995 and was admitted to the Texas Bar in November 1995 and is admitted to practice in the federal courts of the Eastern, Northern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas, Northern District of Illinois, as well as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. James has been Board Certified in Criminal Law since 2002 and has been Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law since 2017. Mr. Whalen practices exclusively in federal...

I work with clients to help them succeed, whether this involves setting up a new business, working with them to understand and comply with complicated federal and state laws, developing their estate plan and preparing the necessary documents, or helping them resolve their firearm legal issues.

I can work with you by providing the following legal services:

(1) Business Law: Work with businesses owners to plan their organization, develop the legal documents necessary to get their business started, and address their ongoing legal concerns

(2) Regulatory Compliance: Work with business owners to help them understand and comply with statutory and regulatory requirements so...

I enjoy aggressively working for my clients, ensuring them zealous, proactive representation. I understand that the legal system may seem daunting, a confusing maze for many; some may be entering this arena for the first time. As a Texas lawyer, I am sworn to the highest duty in guiding you, and fighting for you.

To that end, I treat all my clients with the same seriousness, from the CDL holder who can ill afford a suspension on her driver’s license, to the father who raises his firearm in defense of his home, from that college student caught with a couple joints,...

Attorney Jesse Hoffman joined McCathern, PLLC in 2011 from the Texas Attorney General’s Office and now has a thriving business litigation and appellate practice with McCathern, PLLC.

Mr. Hoffman represents some of the most promising and successful businesses in the nation, and is routinely recognized for his accomplishments by both clients and respected legal publications. He specializes in Civil, Business & Employment Litigation, and serves as Outside General Counsel for corporate clients. Mr. Hoffman is licensed to practice in all Texas State Courts, all Federal District Courts in Texas, and in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Hoffman earned his bachelor’s...

A former Harris County prosecutor, Rosario Stornello has since gone on to become one of Houston's leading criminal defense attorneys. With nearly a decade of experience as a prosecutor, Rosario has a unique insight into the workings of the criminal justice system and he brings this understanding to the table in his work defending clients. His work as a defense lawyer has earned him accolades such as the 10.0 "Superb" score on Avvo and inclusion in the Houstonia Top Lawyers list.

John M. Groce, Jr. was born in Waco and raised in Colleyville before he started working as a young paralegal with his father and grandfather. John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992 from Baylor University, with a major in English and a minor in Rhetoric & Argumentation before attending Texas Tech University School of Law, where he graduated in 1995 with a Juris Doctor degree. John was later admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1995. During his time as an attorney, he has had extensive trial experience in personal injury law.

An appellate specialist with a broad base of experience on both sides of the bar, Lance handles matters in State and Federal courts at both the trial and appellate level, including business litigation, insurance coverage, personal injury and complex litigation matters.

Amy Tabor represents clients in complex cases, including class actions, commercial litigation, and antitrust matters. She practices at the nationally recognized class-action firm, Caddell & Chapman. She is licensed to practice in both Texas and California.

Adam Lewis was born in Clear Lake, Texas. Due to his father’s employment in the oil and gas industry, Adam moved to various places such as Louisiana, Nigeria, Scotland, and England. After graduating high school in England, Adam returned to his roots to attend Texas Tech University. While there, Adam pursued History and Political Science before receiving his diploma in 2008. After graduation, he went to Houston, Texas, where he worked in numerous legal industries such as pharmaceutical litigation and litigation support and technology.

Adam’s career choices led him to Park City, UT, where he worked in the legal department of...

Sean Pevsner established this law firm with his best friend, Mark Whitburn. They have been best friends since 1986. Mr. Whitburn assisted Mr. Pevsner throughout these years. This firm is one among many goals which they have accomplished together. For more on their story, please visit our news page. Mr. Pevsner is a University of Texas Law graduate with severe cerebral palsy who operates a motorized wheelchair by the use of head movements. Due to his quadriplegia, he cannot write but must rely on an interpreter or a specialized computer to do...

I handle all types of civil appeals and assist solo and small firm trial counsel with their cases doing briefing, preparation of the jury charge, motions and motions for summary judgment, and motions for new trial. I have orally argued cases before half of the Courts of Appeal in Texas as well as both the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals. Having graduated from the Wharton Business School, my business background is often helpful in my appeal of cases. I like to work with trial counsel in developing the appellate issues and strategy and prefer to...

I have been involved in the planning, trial and appeal of complex business litigation matters for the past 30 years. I have represented a wide variety of clients in complex business litigation in state and federal courts throughout Texas and the United States. My practice has involved trials and appeals in such diverse litigation areas as corporate reorganization and bankruptcy, securities and business fraud, white collar-business criminal cases, anti-trust, real estate, construction, oil and gas, insurance disputes, civil rights, First Amendment issues, defense of civil and criminal contempt matters, and defense of individuals in NCAA Infractions Committee hearings. I maintain an...

We Help Recover Denied Long Term Disability/Accidental Death/Life Insurance Benefits/ERISA. IT'S ALL WE DO! FORMER Insurance Company Attorney. NOW 100% Helping People Get Benefits. Click our website link for my FREE Claim Guide your insurance company doesn't want you to read! LOUISIANA BASED 30+ Years. I BEGAN practice as an insurance company attorney defending AGAINST personal injury and wrongful death accidents, from automobile and truck and eighteen wheeler accidents to offshore, maritime and Jones Act accidents. After leaving the insurance defense practice to serve as a Louisiana felony prosecutor for a few years, I founded McNamara Law Offices to fight against...

An experienced trial attorney, primarily focused on criminal defense, child custody, divorce, real estate and business matters. My client selection criteria are based on merits as opposed to finances. I believe that, in decades past, citizens had greater access to representation in the courts, but that, due to changes in the profession and the economy, access to justice has become a problem for many. I try to address that problem by keeping my practice small, focused, selective, and project-based instead of volume-based. It works very well. I have also learned that maintaining credibility inside and outside the courtroom is not...

Attorney Jason Horton has been a trial lawyer in Texas and Arkansas since 2003. He earned his B.A. with honors from Texas Lutheran University, where he was also the starting running back on the football team, and obtained his J.D. with honors from Texas Tech School of Law.
Jason started his legal career as an associate attorney at a civil law firm in Texarkana, where he handled a wide range of cases, from criminal law and personal injury to business litigation and class action lawsuits. In 2010, he formed Jason Horton Law.
Jason has successfully handled cases in state and federal courts...

Byron L. LeFlore, Jr. practices in the areas of corporate law and business litigation. He has served as lead counsel in mergers and acquisitions, private offerings and public issuances, and other transactions in the financial services sector. His expertise also extends to entity formation and governance, negotiating and structuring complex transactions and contracts, and advising on commercial and business disputes. Mr. LeFlore’s experience also includes over 30 years of practice in state and federal courts. Focusing primarily on business and commercial litigation, his areas of concentration include insurance, tort defense, contract disputes, unfair competition, trade regulation, creditors’ rights, and labor law....

Experienced business and employment litigator. Also advise and handle construction and business matters. Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Employment Law. Handle state and federal cases in Texas and in other jurisdictions. Admitted to practice in all federal districts in Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court.

Comprehensive Family Law Practice including divorce, custody, and support matters Trained and experienced in collaborative law process and mediation but also willing and able to litigate those cases where necessary. Principal office in Rockwall County. Dallas office by appointment only. As the founder of the Eaker Law Firm, Rockwall attorney David M. Eaker provides legal counsel in divorce and a variety of family law situations. Since 1999, he has been licensed to practice law in the state of Texas. Mr. Eaker’s work over the years has led to him being recognized by his peers with...

In an award-winning legal general-practice, Mr. Howard Glass, Esq. and his legal Team of Professionals provide and assist clients with a "vast & various range of legal topics, matters, & cases." Skilled & experienced, Mr. Glass was again recognized several times during this year, including his induction into the College of the State Bar of Texas & the Texas Bar's Pro Bono College & "Client Satisfaction" awards by both the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys & the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. Mr. Glass' downtown Houston-based firm not only practices virtually "every 'traditional' area of Texas State...

We are tough and practical regardless of the type of case that you bring to our office. In more than one consult, we find other attorneys or law firms offering services that the law simply doesn't allow, or that the client may not actually need. We pride ourselves on helping client's find practical, cost effective solutions. However, we are always ready to take a case to trial when needed. It is this balance of tough, but fair, that allows us to assert effective advocacy for all of our clients. We proudly serve clients in Kaufman...

With more than 40 years of experience as a dedicated criminal defense attorney, Van Hilley confidently represents individuals from across Texas who have been charged with criminal offenses. He has diligently served as a respected member of Goldstein, Goldstein & Hilley through many complex and high profile cases, ranging from misdemeanor drug crimes to felony white collar fraud offenses. His many awards and leadership roles have made him an esteemed member of the legal community. In addition to practicing law throughout Texas courts, Mr. Hilley also is licensed to appear before the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit and...

Bonnie Sudderth, former Chief Judge of the Fort Worth Municipal Courts, was first elected to the 352nd District Court bench in the March 1996 primary. (She had no opponent in the November general election.) Although her term was scheduled to commence on January 1, 1997, the bench was vacant at the time of her election. Consequently, shortly after the primary, Texas Governor George W. Bush appointed her to fill the vacancy for the remainder of 1996. Having continuously served that court until January 7, 2015, Judge Sudderth was the longest-serving judge in the history of that court. Since January 8,...

Chris Perri is an award-winning criminal defense attorney dedicated to getting the best possible outcomes for his clients. With over 15 years of experience practicing criminal defense in Austin and all over Texas, Chris Perri has successfully helped clients win trials, overturn wrongful convictions, get cases dismissed, and expunge records. He’s had successful outcomes in a variety of areas, including: Appeals, DWI and DUI in Austin, Writs, Assault, Family Violence, Drug Possession, Theft, Expungements, Cyber Crimes, and more.

Through personalized, compassionate, and client-focused service, Chris Perri will protect your rights and prepare a vigorous defense that ensures the best possible...

David Scoggins was born in Dallas, Texas and has been a lifelong Texan. He graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and thereafter graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. He immediately obtained his license to practice law from the Supreme Court of the State of Texas and shortly thereafter was licensed in the Federal Courts of the United States. In 1981, David Scoggins commenced the practice of law in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex and has resolved over 6,000 criminal cases. He has represented citizens accused in...

Attorney Michelle May O’Neil earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1989 from Baylor University Hankamer School of Business, her Juris Doctorate in 1991 from Baylor University School of Law, and her Mediation Certificate in 2003 from Texas Women’s University. Ms. O’Neil has been practicing law for over 30 years, and is the founding partner of the Dallas family law firm, O’Neil Wysocki. Through the use of genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, and her determination to help them maintain their most favorable outcomes, Attorney O’Neil has the ability to assist individuals through complicated matters including divorce, child custody, and...

William B. (“Bill”) Connolly is from Houston, Texas and he has been a family, juvenile, protective services trial and appellate attorney for nearly 40 years. He is Board Certified in Family Law and Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a NACC Child Welfare Law Specialist and is a bar leader in the creation of the newly approved Texas Child Welfare Law Board Specialization. Bill is a former Adjunct Professor of Juvenile Law and has lectured and mentored attorneys, judges, CPS (DFPS) officials, juvenile court officials and healthcare professionals on a variety of subjects including substance...

Paul Grinke is Managing Partner of McCathern’s office at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Mr. Grinke has broad experience on a national level, litigating complex commercial and catastrophic event claims from both sides of the docket. He has successfully litigated commercial breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and employment covenant claims. In addition, Mr. Grinke prosecutes and defends claims involving personal injury, wrongful death, and disastrous property damage arising from construction defect, product defect, trucking, and liquor liability.

Mr. Grinke leads McCathern’s Construction Defect, Product Liability and related Fire Litigation practices. He has particular expertise in counseling institutional clients involved in tragic...

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).

My practice is focused on cases that require my individual attention, through analysis of my clients facts, and then using my skill, effort, strategy and wisdom to work with my client to obtain the best results.

I do not do a high volume of cases. Instead I like to work with my clients on a one on one basis so that I can help them in a difficult time in their life. I cannot do this is I and handling 10 cases in Court day, or am 3 weeks behind on returning client's phone calls.

Instead I work...

Chris is an experienced trial and appellate attorney respected throughout the State of Texas who is frequently called on to handle high-profile matters. He served as Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and has worked to reform and standardize custody and possession rules statewide. Chris is well known for his appellate experience and deep understanding of marital property laws. He is especially adept at dividing business ownership and ensuring value and security for the non-owning spouse. Dual Board Certified in Family Law and Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Chris...

Dan concentrates on helping people with trial and appeal of criminal cases from all trial courts in Texas, including his home county of Kaufman. Dan also helps clients with postconviction writs. Dan graduated from Baylor Law School in 1986 and began his career in the Kaufman County District Attorney's office and then moving into private practice in the 1990's.

Frank Sellers is a trial and appellate attorney, who focuses on representing citizens and businesses facing criminal investigations and prosecutions. Frank maintains an active criminal trial practice, and he has earned a reputation as a knowledgeable, skilled trial lawyer. In addition to trial work, Frank focuses a smaller portion of his practice on criminal appeals and writs of habeas corpus.

Since beginning his practice, Frank has represented people charged with all types of offenses and from all professional backgrounds, including doctors, lawyers, and even a district judge. He has won Not Guilty verdicts in cases ranging from DWI (both breath...

Matthew Ploeger is dedicated to serving Sutliff & Stout’s clients with diligence, skill, and commitment. He enjoys the intellectual challenges, but even more importantly, finds great satisfaction in helping people understand and navigate the legal system and championing them in the courts. ———— Matthew Ploeger began his legal career serving as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Nathan L. Hecht, the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. He then joined the appellate practice group at a major law firm, where, for over ten years, he handled all manner of appeals and worked closely with trial teams, providing crucial support...