Dennis Spurling is a native of Southern California. He is a graduate of Grambling State University, (B.S. 1997), The Southern University Law Center (J.D. 2000) and the Tulane University School of Law, (LL.M. 2001). He began his legal career as an associate at a small Plaintiff oriented personal injury firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. where he has been licensed to practice law since he was sworn in October 2000. Mr. Spurling is a plaintiff’s oriented civil litigation attorney focused on serious injury claims resulting from motor vehicle, 18-wheeler, motorcycle wrecks, along with dog bite and trip and fall cases. Mr. Spurling now is the owner of a multi-jurisdictional civil litigation firm based in Houston, Texas. He is licensed to practice law in multiple states and jurisdictions, including Texas, Illinois, New York & Louisiana. He is also admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States of America, The United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, The United States Southern District of Texas, The United States Middle District of Louisiana, The United States Western District of Louisiana, The United States Eastern District of Louisiana, The United States Southern District of New York and The United States Eastern District of New York.

Meet Byron Shaw, Our dedicated attorney with a distinguished legal career spanning over 24 years, Byron Shaw brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. Licensed to practice law in both Ohio and Texas, he has dedicated over two decades to serving clients in family law and criminal law. After four impactful years as a prosecutor in CPS cases, Byron transitioned into private practice, where he has skillfully navigated complex divorces, custody disputes, enforcement actions, CPS cases, and criminal defense matters. In addition to his practice in Texas and Ohio, Byron is a proud member of several prestigious bars, including the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Bar, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Bar. His commitment to justice and advocacy for his clients is evident in every case he takes on, making him an invaluable asset to our team.

With over 27 years of expertise in family law and a Board Certification under her belt, Dessiray is equipped to assist men, women, grandparents and other individuals with their individual family legal matters. As an avid learner in the field of family law, Dessiray remains up-to-date by consistently attending seminars and conferences for relevant information that she can use to provide the most effective assistance possible. Her areas of practice include divorces, child custody disputes, enforcements as well as adoptions - all within the scope of family law. Not only does Dessiray represent children in court cases as an amicus attorney, but she also genuinely loves interacting with her clients and provides them with her personal cell phone number to ensure that they can always connect with her when needed. Though there's no way to guarantee a particular outcome for any case, at the very least you can be certain that each issue taken on by Dessiray and her firm will receive 100% of their effort and dedication. To schedule your free consultation with the Houston Family Law Attorney, visit online or call 713-650-1866.

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.

Ruth M. Willars is a Partner in the Labor & Employment practice group at Monty & Ramirez LLP, where she represents employers and businesses in employment law, business law, regulatory compliance, workplace investigations, and commercial litigation. Ruth advises companies across a variety of industries on complex workplace and operational matters, delivering practical legal strategies designed to reduce risk, resolve disputes, and protect business interests. Ruth has extensive experience defending employers in litigation, administrative proceedings, and government investigations involving workplace and business-related disputes. She has successfully represented clients in matters involving discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, breach of contract disputes, workplace safety issues, and other complex employment-related litigation. Ruth also has strong trial experience and is recognized for effectively advocating for clients in high-stakes disputes and achieving favorable outcomes. In 2025, she represented a plaintiff in a jury trial that resulted in a judgment entered in the plaintiff’s favor following the jury’s verdict, and subsequently handled post‑trial and enforcement proceedings arising from that judgment. Her practice includes conducting internal investigations and advising employers responding to investigations by government and regulatory agencies, including OSHA, the U.S. Department of Labor, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). She regularly counsels employers on OSHA compliance, workplace safety investigations, employee discipline, harassment and discrimination investigations, retaliation claims, wage and hour compliance, and employment policy enforcement. In addition to her employment law practice, Ruth advises businesses on commercial contracts, business disputes, and day-to-day operational matters. She regularly assists clients with contract drafting and negotiation, breach of contract claims, regulatory compliance issues, and business risk management strategies. Her combined experience in employment and business law allows her to provide comprehensive counsel to employers navigating legal challenges affecting both their workforce and overall business operations.

Sarah D. Monty-Arnoni is a partner and leader of the immigration practice group of Monty & Ramirez and Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She counsels employers in all aspects of employment-based immigration, including nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, permanent residency, citizenship, policy development and compliance with the ever-increasing regulations applicable to both U.S. employers and the foreign nationals whom they employ. Sarah’s clients include families, investors, emerging and mid-sized businesses and large corporations in a variety of industries, such as energy, health care, IT consulting, oil and gas, financial services and the import and export of consumer goods. She also assists clients in performing “immigration due diligence” in preparation for corporate restructures and merger and acquisition transactions. Sarah is passionate about immigrant education issues due to her previous experience as public school bilingual education teacher serving at-risk youth in El Paso, Texas. Sarah has also taught English as a Foreign Language in Spain from 1985-1992 as well as the El Paso Community College from 1992-1995. As an attorney Sarah has served as a law instructor at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, San Jacinto Community College and the University of Houston Small Business Development Center. In May 2013, Sarah was appointed to sit on the Texas Southern University Board of Regents.

For over two decades, Jacob Monty has successfully practiced at the intersection of immigration, labor, and employment laws. A nationally recognized authority on issues facing employers with large Hispanic workforces, Jacob has written not one, but two books on the topic and speaks regularly in English and Spanish on navigating labor and employment matters in industries with heightened immigration scrutiny. His clients include professional baseball teams, grocery store chains, single establishment and chain restaurants, and leading companies in the construction and facility maintenance fields. Jacob has been interviewed by major media outlets such as Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC regarding national immigration concerns. Jacob founded Monty & Ramirez LLP to offer an integrated approach to dealing with Hispanic workforces. He and his bilingual partners address all the critical aspects of employer advocacy, from immigration to union matters, workplace safety, and employment disputes. Jacob’s practice extends nationwide; he has represented employers in courts and government investigations in California, Illinois, New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and throughout Texas. Jacob has held presidential and gubernatorial appointments to the University of Houston Board of Regents, the Texas Private Security Board, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, and the North American Development Bank. Jacob is also active in civic and professional leadership. He serves as Outside Counsel for the Mexican Consulate in Houston, and chairs the Center for Latino Jewish Relations.

Daniel “Danny” Ramirez strategically represents public and private employers in labor, employment, and immigration matters. Danny’s successful track record includes providing sound advice to businesses on HR issues, representing employers during government investigations, and strategically defending companies, government agencies, and education institutions in litigation, arbitration, and appeals. He also regularly represents companies during high-stake ICE raids and helps them implement Form I-9 best practices. Danny’s clients include numerous McDonald’s, Walgreens, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Lone Star College, Houston Community College, and many small, mid-size and large privately-owned companies. As an alumni of The University of Texas Law School, Danny is a Board Certified Labor & Employment attorney that has been repeatedly honored with the title of Super Lawyer. Danny’s unique skill set allows him to aggressively defend his clients in litigation, while maintaining a strategic focus on the client’s best interests. Danny understands that litigation can create a substantial expense and distraction for many of his clients. Danny’s client-centric approach allows him to promptly identify his client’s needs and work towards obtaining swift, favorable dismissal of the case or resolution when necessary. Clients value that Danny is an experienced litigator that is able to offer proactive counseling and cost-effective solutions. As a 2nd generation U.S. Navy service member, Danny’s professional life and community activities reflect his commitment to service and hard work. Danny previously chaired the Harris County Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission and served as president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston, where he continues as a Board Member. Danny currently is a commissioner of the City of Houston’s Civil Service Commission. Danny has been awarded a Certificate of Special U.S. Congressional Recognition for his work on behalf of military families. He is an alumni of Leadership Houston and is often coaching his son in soccer.

Maricela Ventura Alvarado is a Partner in Monty & Ramirez LLP’s immigration division focusing on Business Immigration. Her experience includes a variety of employment-based and family-based immigration matters including nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, permanent residency, and citizenship. A majority of Maricela’s practice falls under the areas of employment and investment immigration representing small to large private and public businesses, private to public healthcare providers, primary, secondary and higher education institutions and more in their immigration and employment compliance issues. Maricela attended the University of North Texas and earned a degree in Economics in 2012. While attending college, Maricela was drawn into the nonprofit sector and decided to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service of America), a national service program designed to alleviate poverty. As a VISTA, Maricela worked with a nonprofit in Tarrant County serving Homeless Families and Victims of Domestic Violence. Once completing her year of service as a VISTA, Maricela moved to Houston, TX to continue working in the nonprofit sector for a local charity and attend South Texas College of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2017. Maricela obtained her Juris Doctor working full-time in the nonprofit sector for her first 2 years of law school. She later joined Monty & Ramirez as a law clerk for the remaining time of her law school career. Her time as a law clerk in our Immigration division developed her skills and understanding in immigration law and her experience in the nonprofit sector further developed her compassion and civic mindedness in the profession

Megone Trewick is an associate attorney with Bryan Fagan, PLLC, and focuses her practice on Estate Planning and Probate Law issues, and Family Law matters. She approaches her cases with a passionate belief that it is her duty and privilege to provide her clients with personalized advocacy. While she currently represents clients in both Family Law and Estate Planning matters, she is focused on expanding her Estate Planning practice. She enjoys utilizing her experience to ensure her clients receive the legal tools they need to protect themselves and their loved ones should the unexpected happen. Megone has more than 14 years of experience in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Family Law, and Probate Law. She is a graduate of the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida, and has continued her education by pursuing certifications in Environmental Law and Land Use as well as International and Comparative Law. Outside of the office, Megone enjoys spending time with her ridiculously handsome husband and three children. Faith is an important part of Megone’s life, and she prioritizes being active in her home church. She is also an avid singles tennis player, although a torn ACL has her contemplating spending more time playing doubles.