Troy A. Williams represents a wide variety of clients and companies who are based locally, nationally, and internationally, and whose industries include retailers (premises liability, general negligence, premises security, products, DTPA), oil and gas (employment, personal injury, OCSLA, DOHSA), construction liability (worksite accidents, contractual indemnity, OSHA), products liability (manufacturing defects, design defects, marketing defects, DTPA, warranty, distribution), property management companies / owners, and restaurants. Troy has achieved an AV Preeminent Martindale Rating while representing three nationally known retailers in hundreds of cases over the course of the last twenty years. Additionally, he handles general liability cases involving motor vehicle accidents, premises incidents, wrongful death, survival, dram shop, construction defect, statutory violations, deceptive trade practices, and contractual disputes. After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army, Troy graduated from the University of Houston (BBA ’90) and South Texas College of Law (JD ’93). Troy’s biography includes: Board of Advocates; Order of the Barristers; Order of the Lytae. National Champion: Craven National Moot Court Invitational, Chapel Hill, N.C. (1992). National Champion and Best Brief: John Marshall National Moot Court Invitational, Chicago, IL (1993). Brief For Petitioner, The Eleventh Annual John Marshall National Moot Court Houston Young Lawyers Association, Competition in Information and Privacy Law, VI Software l.J. 115, 1993; Representative cases include Shell Oil Company v. Khan, 138 S.W.3d 288 (Tex. 2004); Allstate Insurance Co. v. Spellings, 2012 WL 2452051, No. 01-11-01065- CV (Tex. App. – Hou [1st Dist] June 28, 2012); Rehabilitative Care Sys. v. Davis, 43 S.W.3d 649 (Tex. App. – Texarkana, 2001); Lampasas v. Spring Center, 1999 WL 161008 (Tex. App. – Houston (14th Dist.) 1999); Member of Houston Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Defense Research Institute, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Texas Bar Foundation, and Houston Bar Foundation.

Arthur Schechter (1939-2026) was one of the nation’s most respected trial lawyers and maritime advocates, dedicating more than six decades to representing injured individuals, seamen, and their families throughout the United States and around the world. Beginning his legal career in 1964, he helped thousands of clients successfully resolve their cases and rebuild their lives through his tireless advocacy, compassion, and commitment to justice. Over the course of his distinguished career, Arthur represented clients from local seamen’s unions, the National Maritime Union, the Indian Seaman’s Union, the Pakistani Seaman’s Union, and individual mariners across the globe. His reputation for extraordinary client service and courtroom success earned him the admiration of colleagues, clients, and the broader legal community alike. As the founding partner of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, Mr. Schechter helped build one of the nation’s premier maritime and personal injury law firms. He served the firm for decades as Senior Counsel and lead litigator in complex personal injury and maritime matters. In addition to his legal practice, he served as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from 1998 to 2001, Chairman of Houston METRO, and a partner in a major national litigation firm. Mr. Schechter received numerous honors throughout his career for his legal accomplishments, civic leadership, and public service. Among his many recognitions, he received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the United States Coast Guard, earned Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Rating, and was repeatedly recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine. H Texas magazine also named him among Houston’s “Top Lawyers for the People.” Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Schechter devoted substantial time and energy to charitable, educational, and civic organizations throughout Houston and beyond. He served in leadership roles with Congregation Beth Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, the American Jewish Committee, SEARCH Homeless Services, the Houston Holocaust Museum, Career and Recovery Resources, and numerous other philanthropic and community organizations. His public service and humanitarian efforts earned recognition from organizations including the NAACP, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Customs Service, Baylor College of Medicine, and many others. Mr. Schechter was admitted to practice in Texas in 1964 and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He earned his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1964 and his B.A. from The University of Texas in 1962, where he participated in the Honors Program and served on both the Dean’s Council and President’s Council. His practice focused extensively on personal injury and maritime law, including Jones Act claims, offshore and maritime accidents, trucking and motor vehicle accidents, railroad accidents, wrongful death claims, products liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, and complex commercial and insurance litigation. Arthur Schechter’s legacy of advocacy, leadership, and public service continues to influence the firm, the legal profession, and the countless individuals and families whose lives he touched. Mr. Schechter received numerous awards for his work, including the highest civilian award given by the United States Coast Guard. He was also been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, an honor only given to 5% of Texas attorneys. H Texas magazine also recognized him as one of the Top Lawyers for the People.

Lance has probably sued and deposed more attorneys than any other single lawyer in Texas. Lance’s career into legal malpractice began more than 20 years ago. During law school, Lance served as Editor-in-Chief of the law review and had the distinction of interning for the Texas Supreme Court and the First Court of Appeals. After graduating from law school with honors, Lance served as Briefing Attorney for the First Court of Appeals. The First Court of Appeals has jurisdiction to review cases from the state district and county courts from 14 counties in and around Harris County. There, Lance reviewed appeals and prepared draft and final opinions with the justices assigned to the cases. These cases encompassed every aspect of Texas State law including legal malpractice. Lance had the opportunity to review trial court error, as well as errors made by lawyers handling cases at the trial court level. Subsequently, Lance left the Court of Appeals to enter private practice in Houston, Texas, where he concentrates solely on plaintiffs’ legal malpractice cases. Lance has personally handled and worked on well over 2,000 legal malpractice cases and has handled numerous appeals involving legal malpractice issues. Lance has represented clients from all over the nation, including Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Virginia and, of course, Texas. Lance has spoken at a number of legal seminars and writes articles involving various aspects of legal malpractice and legal ethics. Though not every case is a multi-million dollar legal malpractice case, Lance has handled many such cases and maintains a consistent record of success, some of which are located here https://kassab.law/news/. Lance is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys in Legal Professional Liability. Professional liability falls within the umbrella of Legal Malpractice. The Diplomate designation is about competence, character and commitment; three terms that define professionalism and exemplify the high standards the ABPLA sets for all of it Diplomates. Lance has been given an “AV” rating from his peers and the judiciary on Martindale-Hubbell, which means he was deemed as having the highest ethical standards and preeminent legal ability. Lance is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which are two of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorney’s who have won a million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. There are over 5,000 members throughout the country. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. Lance is a member of the State Bar of Texas and is licensed to practice before all Texas state courts and various federal courts, including the United State District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, the United State Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

David was born in Houston and raised in the Northwest. After high school, David enlisted in the military with the Army National Guard. Prior to his junior year of college, David was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait in Operation Iraqi Freedom III with Task Force Liberty of the 42nd Infantry Division. While deployed, David completed eighteen college credits and was able to sustain a 4.0-grade point average during this period, ultimately earning him academic honors for his personal scholarly endeavor as well as an Army Achievement Medal for his logistical support in the war. After returning state-side and completing his undergrad, David returned to Texas and was admitted into South Texas College of Law Houston. While attending law school, David clerked full-time at The Kassab Law Firm, gaining extensive experience in civil litigation, while focusing almost exclusively in legal malpractice, attorney breach of fiduciary duty claims and legal ethics. During his third year of law school, David obtained his Temporary Trial Card and argued several motions and hearings in court while under the supervision of an attorney. After graduating law school and passing the Texas Bar Exam in 2010, David continued his employment with The Kassab Law Firm as a licensed attorney. Here, David combines his prior military experience with his formal legal and business training, allowing him to work efficiently and effectively under pressure, all in an effort to better serve our clients. While clerking for the Kassab Law firm and since his licensure, David has assisted in the resolution of several high-dollar legal malpractice cases, and has successfully litigated these legal malpractice cases to their resolution against some of Texas’ largest and most prestigious law firms. David has handled legal malpractice cases in Texas State and Federal Courts and has arbitrated cases before the American Arbitration Association. David is licensed to practice law in all Texas courts as well as the federal courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas. David is also licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri. David belongs to several professional organizations and is a member of the Texas Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, the American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, and Houston Young Lawyers Association. David is a published author in the American Bar Association’s Lawyers’ Manual on Professional Conduct, writing on the effects and impact of mandatory legal malpractice insurance link: https://www.bna.com/avoiding-accountability-rise-n57982093773/.

Gregory Howard is a litigation attorney with Germer PLLC. Greg is a proud native Houstonian, with undergraduate and graduate business degrees from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Since graduating law school in 2005, Greg has spent the better part of his legal career as a litigator and advocate in such areas as commercial litigation, real estate, personal injury, and insurance defense, while consistently maintaining a broad exposure to many other facets of business law, property, and contracts. As a highly motivated individual, Greg takes great pride in performing high-quality work and appreciates practicing in a dynamic legal environment.

Tiffany Pham is a Principal at Germer’s Houston Office, where she represents clients across Texas in labor, employment, and civil rights matters. Her practice encompasses the full spectrum of employment law, including discrimination claims, hostile work environment cases, wage disputes, and wrongful termination suits. She represents both public and private employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. She also advises and represents governmental entities and elected and appointed officials in civil rights matters. She has successfully defended cases involving First Amendment retaliation, excessive force, wrongful arrest, jail assaults, and jail death matters. Tiffany analyzes each case’s unique circumstances to develop tailored solutions that advance client interests while minimizing risk. She consistently delivers practical, results-oriented counsel that helps clients navigate legal challenges efficiently and effectively. She has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star, a Thompson Reuters publication, in 2025.

Larry J. Simmons, Jr., a principal in the firm, has tried dozens of cases as lead attorney in a variety of commercial, employment, civil rights and personal injury lawsuits. Larry is one of only seven Texas attorneys double Board Certified as a Specialist in Labor & Employment Law (2005) and Personal Injury Trial Law (1999) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Larry is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer”, a Thompson Reuters publication, in 2007, 2010-2020, and 2022-2025. In 2015, he was recognized in the Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers List, a Thompson Reuters publication. Larry is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is also listed in the 2010-2022 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, by BL Rankings. Larry represents dozens of public and private sector employers in a variety of matters, ranging from consultation to trial work, including general litigation, discrimination, wrongful termination and wage & hour class action cases. Larry also represents public sector clients in a variety of civil rights matters, including defending excessive force, inmate medical care and jail death cases, many of which have received national media attention. Larry graduated in the top five percent of his Baylor Law School class, receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, cum laude. While in law school he held several positions with the Baylor Law Review including Executive Editor, Research & Topics Editor and Notes & Comments Editor. He was elected to the Baylor Order of Barristers. He was selected as a Top Ten Speaker in Moot Court and was awarded an Academic Merit Scholarship. Prior to law school, Larry obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from Lamar University and a Masters degree in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University. Larry is an active member of the local business community, currently serving on the state and local boards of multiple employer associations. He is also a member of the State Bar of Texas Labor & Employment Section, and Texas Association of Defense Counsel. He is admitted to practice before Texas courts, and the United States District Court for the Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Larry has been a principal with Germer since January 1997.

Robin N. Blanchette represents a wide variety of clients and companies who are based locally, nationally, and internationally, and whose industries include retailers (premises liability, general negligence, premises security, products, DTPA), oil and gas (employment, personal injury, OCSLA, DOHSA), construction liability (worksite accidents, contractual indemnity, OSHA), products liability (manufacturing defects, design defects, marketing defects, DTPA, warranty, distribution), property management companies / owners, and restaurants. Robin is admitted to practice in Texas state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern, Northern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, and Houston Bar Association. Robin was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, a Thompson Reuters publication, from 2012-2016.

Carmen Jo Rejda-Ponce (“CJ”) is a Principal in Germer’s Houston office, but her practice takes her all across Texas. She regularly counsels and defends both private and public sector clients on matters involving employment issues and civil (constitutional) rights. She handles matters from the pre-claim and pre-suit stage, through litigation, and through appeal. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. CJ focuses on a broad range of labor and employment litigation, including, discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation, disability accommodation, workers’ compensation retaliation, on-the-job injuries, and wage and hour issues. She has represented private and public sector clients in employment-related disputes before federal and state courts, federal and state administrative agencies, and arbitrators. CJ counsels private and public sector employers on labor and employment concerns, including, addressing medical leave, developing and revising workplace policies and procedures, investigating and addressing employee complaints, conducting employee disciplines and terminations, drafting employment, separation, and other agreements, and determining proactive solutions to workplace problems while avoiding litigation. CJ also defends public sector clients —including counties, cities, and law enforcement officers— in a variety of civil rights matters, including defense of first amendment retaliation, excessive force, wrongful arrest, inmate medical care, and jail death matters. Many of these civil rights matters involve qualified immunity issues for law enforcement officers. Through her civil rights defense work, CJ has gained appellate experience. She has handled multiple federal and state appeals. She has successfully argued for her clients twice before the Fifth Circuit, and is looking forward to more opportunities. CJ also has experience with personal injury litigation, including on-the job-injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and negligence claims against public entities. CJ’s private practice experience includes Baker Botts LLP and Reed Smith LLP. CJ also previously served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Houston in Labor, Employment, and Civil Rights Division. She was also a registered lobbyist during the 2013 Regular Session of the Texas Legislature.

For over 20 years, Jonathan Sol Harris has exclusively handled all types of personal injury cases, with an emphasis on auto accidents and 18-wheeler truck accidents. Jonathan began his legal career working on the dark side as the lawyer hired by insurance companies to defend cases. By working for insurance companies, Jonathan gained invaluable knowledge on how insurance companies defend and value personal injury cases. For the last 17 years, Jonathan has exclusively represented the injured person in personal injury cases. Jonathan is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law. To be board certified, a Texas lawyer must pass a six-hour exam, provide references from peers, provide references from judges and have tried at least 10 personal injury cases as lead counsel. Within his first five years of practicing law, Jonathan became board certified in Personal Injury Trial, an honor achieved by less than 2% of attorneys in the State of Texas. Before becoming a lawyer, Jonathan had a long history of being a hard worker. As a teen, he mowed yards, washed windows, bagged groceries, delivered newspapers, flipped burgers at Wendy’s and even worked as a as a magician at children’s birthday parties. During college, he was a hotel bellman and began working as a legal secretary. Jonathan went to college at the University of Texas at Austin where he got a business degree. Jonathan went to law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston. Jonathan believes that hard work gets the best results, and is never going to lose a case because another lawyer worked harder than he did. Jonathan’s became a lawyer to help people. He is passionate about being able to provide legal representation against powerful insurance companies and huge corporations to good people who may not be able to pay up front for the best lawyer. According to Jonathan, “Being able to hire your lawyer and wait to pay him from your recovery really levels the playing field for the average person living from check to check.” Jonathan gets to know his clients. He many times will visit a client’s home to learn how a catastrophic accident has changed their lives. Many of Jonathan’s clients have become life-long friends. Jonathan encourages people looking for the right lawyer to read the lawyer’s reviews and even ask for a reference from former clients. Jonathan says, “who knows better how you will do in court than a client that has been there and experienced you doing the job.” Jonathan is a firm believer in employing cutting edge techniques to gain a strategic advantage. One example of this is the focus groups Jonathan does monthly. The focus groups are presented cases and deliberate just like a real jury. “Why would any lawyer want to learn how average people view a case for the first time at the court house” says Jonathan. In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys any type of fishing, but his passion is saltwater fly fishing. Jonathan also enjoys spending time with his two sons watching and supporting the Astros, Texans and Rockets.