We give you the leverage you need to make sound decisions when disputes rise to the level of litigation. By quickly and aggressively advancing your interests, we efficiently and effectively move cases toward conclusion, whether by pre-trial settlement, alternative dispute resolution, pre-trial judgment, or trial. Every minute and dime you spend on litigation is time and money taken away from what's important to you. Therefore, we actively prosecute your claims and defenses so that you can focus on what's most important to you.

Kirk G. Smith is a managing partner at Shepherd, Smith, Edwards & Kantas, LLP, a nationally recognized plaintiffs securities litigation law firm. Mr. Smith’s practice is focused exclusively on representing individual and institutional investors against financial institutions such as brokerage firms, banks, and trust companies. Mr. Smith handles cases across the U.S., typically involving issues such as retirement losses, broker and financial advisor misconduct, brokerage firm misconduct, fraud, and financial product failures, Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Smith worked within the financial services industry as an investment advisor for a large brokerage firm as well as a boutique Wall Street firm, gaining invaluable knowledge of the investment processes, strategies, and marketing practices from both ends of the spectrum of firms in this industry. His diverse brokerage background, coupled with over 20 years of legal experience representing investors, enables Mr. Smith to deliver successful outcomes for his clients. Mr. Smith is dedicated to providing personalized counsel and unrelenting advocacy for his clients, working to hold financial institutions accountable for their negligence and misconduct. He believes investors deserve to understand their rights and options when they suspect their lost savings and diminished retirement resources are the result of mismanagement by the brokers, investment advisors, and advisory firms that were trusted. Unflinching and undaunted in the face of financial institutions of any size or reputation, Mr. Smith works tirelessly to help his clients successfully navigate the legal process and recover their investment losses.

When Kurt Arnold represents someone, he’s all in. He’s won billions for his clients. In fact, he has recovered more than $1 billion in a single year multiple times and shattered records with his historic verdicts and settlements. He has helped clients recover losses after major maritime disasters such as the Deepwater Horizon and the El Faro. For Kurt, no fight is too difficult or complicated. He refuses to take “no” for an answer. When something bad happens, Kurt fights for his clients, no matter what. He never backs down, no matter how big the challenge. Kurt co-founded Arnold & Itkin at 25 and has since won more than a dozen jury verdicts and settlements in excess of $100 million, over 100 jury verdicts and settlements in excess of $10 million, more than 1,000 recoveries exceeding $1 million, and multiple nationwide product recalls. Kurt’s record-setting verdicts include a $117 million recovery, the largest in single-plaintiff personal injury verdict in Louisiana. He holds a record in Hawaii after securing a $42 million verdict. He broke a U.S. record when he obtained a $44 million verdict on behalf of a single-leg amputee. He’s won record-setting individual recoveries for clients of $92.7 million, $87 million, $81 million, $78 million, and $72 million. Kurt has also achieved record settlements for workplace accidents of $357.7 million and $171 million. Other record-setting results earned by Kurt include: • Largest settlement for an individual burned at a worksite in United States history. • Largest settlement for a wrongful death case in United States history. • Largest settlement for a man killed offshore in United States history. • Largest settlement for families injured in a plant explosion in United States history. • Largest settlement for an undocumented worker in United States history. • Largest settlement for a worker injured in Texas oilfield. • Largest jury verdict for a single amputee in the United States. • Largest jury verdicts in multiple states throughout the country. Kurt consistently receives the legal industry’s highest honors. He has been named to the top 50 Elite Trial Lawyer list by National Law Journal and was recognized by Lawdragon as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America. He has been named to the Best Lawyers in America® in Admiralty and Maritime Law and Personal Injury Litigation. He was also asked to join one of the most prestigious organizations in the legal profession: The Inner Circle of Advocates. Serious accidents require the best lawyers. When people get hurt or lose someone they love, they call Kurt. To him, every case is personal. He treats his clients like family, fighting hard to get them the result they need to rebuild their lives. Kurt attended the University of Texas, where he graduated with honors at the age of 19. He then attended the University of Texas Law School and graduated in the top 5% of his class. Kurt is licensed to practice in Texas and Pennsylvania, as well as before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Kurt lives in Houston with his wife Tara and their children Jaxon and Isla. Kurt and his family attend St. Paul’s Methodist Church and are founders of the Arnold & Itkin Foundation.

Robert R. Jones, III earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston in 2011. He graduated in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire and in 1994 with a masters degree in English from the University of Houston. During his years of practice, Robert has represented private individuals, small businesses and corporations. His current areas of practice include criminal law, probate law, civil litigation, and family law. While in law school, Robert was a member of the Black Law Students Association mock trial team and participated every summer in the Gerald Treece Summer Mock Trial Academy as an advocate. Robert is a Houston native, a former college English instructor, and a dedicated community servant. Robert currently serves on the Executive Board of the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association. Robert serves as class representative and class agent for the St. John’s School Class of 1985. Robert 's law firm also operates the Texas Freedom Project Homeless Outreach that seeks to help homeless in Texas and put an end to poverty. As such, Robert always offers reasonable rates and payment plans to clients, and from time to time will provide pro bono services to persons in need to legal help.

Carl Ritter is a senior attorney at Bryan Fagan, PLLC, representing clients in family law and estate planning matters. HIs focus areas are contested divorces, child custody disputes, guardianships, and contested wills. Carl doesn’t shy away from the cases involving parties with difficult pasts, or cases involving Child Protective Services (CPS). He is a fierce advocate for clients that are attempting to keep or regain custody of their children, and he also provides assistance to grandparents who are fighting for their grandchildren. He understands that the best interest of the child is always the most important factor in any case. Carl’s representation extends to clients that are interested in estate planning as well as clients that need help with issues of guardianship. Carl has substantial experience in contested probate cases that must proceed through litigation. Litigation and the courtroom have always been Carl’s favorite part of being an attorney. With over 35 years as a practicing attorney, Carl has an extensive background, including serving as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the United States Air Force. His understanding of the nuances of military law, as well as the intricacies involved in military life, combine to make Carl an astute choice for military personnel and their families. He has also spent 10 years as an attorney with the Office of the Attorney General in Texas. Carl and his wife of 25 years recently relocated to Houston to be near their two children who attend school at Texas A&M and Houston Baptist University. Carl enjoys time spent with his family at the beach and in the mountains, where you can find him golfing, swimming, relaxing in lazy rivers, eating fantastic foods, and enjoying the great outdoors.