Bill Abbott leads his team of aggressive workers’ compensation lawyers at Abbott & Associates. Although he has handled many different kinds of cases (including personal injury, employment law, maritime offshore injury cases, longshore claims, and more) Bill focuses his firm and practice primarily on representing injured Texas workers. Bill Abbott was raised for most of his life in the Houston, Texas area. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin before attending law school at Texas Tech University. Since 1998 Bill has been licensed to practice in all Texas courts. In 1999, Bill joined the established Ogletree Law Firm, where after becoming a partner, helped grow the firm’s workers’ compensation practice into the largest claimants’ representation firm in the whole state. Bill is the proud husband of Sally Abbott, and father of two sons, Cory and Drew Abbott. He is an active supporter and participant of many youth programs, and stays busy throughout the year overseeing the day-to-day operations of his law firm.

Brant Stogner grew up in El Campo, Texas – a small town about an hour southwest of Houston. In high school, Brant excelled at both athletics and academics. Brant graduated in the top ten percent of his high school class; in sports, Brant and the Ricebirds won six district championships in football and baseball during his three years starting on varsity. Brant earned all-district honors all three years in both sports while also participating in theater and the National Honor Society. Despite a knee injury and subsequent knee surgery in his senior year of high school, Brant accepted a full scholarship to the University of Houston to play linebacker for the Cougars under former head coach Kim Helton. In college, Brant’s academic success continued. In his freshman year at the University of Houston, Brant earned the 1997 Conference USA Academic Excellence Award, earning the highest grade point average (GPA) of all football players in the conference. After playing two seasons, and having three surgeries in as many years, Brant decided to hang up his football cleats and transfer to Texas A&M University to complete his business degree. In College Station, Brant’s scholastic accolades continued to mount. Brant was a member of numerous honor societies and graduated in the top ten percent of his class with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. After graduation from Texas A&M University, Brant moved back to Houston to attend law school at South Texas College of Law Houston. In law school, Brant quickly became a member of the law school’s nationally ranked mock trial and moot court program under Dean T. Gerald Treece. Following just his third semester in law school, Brant won the Intramural Summer Academy Mock Trial Competition and received the Best Speaker Award. Ultimately, Brant competed as a varsity advocate in 15 mock trial and moot court competitions across the country. In addition to numerous individual speaker awards, Brant won a state tournament championship, a regional moot court tournament championship, two regional mock trial tournament championships, and, ultimately, a National Championship in mock trial at the ATLA National Trial Competition in his final semester of law school. Brant graduated law school in May of 2006 in the top fifteen percent of his law school class, was admitted into the Order of Barristers, and received the 2006 Dean’s Outstanding Student Advocate Award. Following graduation from law school and after taking the bar exam, Brant accepted an associate position at Houston law firm, Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering (now named LeClair Ryan) while waiting for bar results. In November of 2006, Brant received his license to practice law from the State Bar of Texas while working at Hays McConn. As a licensed attorney, Brant continued to work with multiple partners on a wide range of cases in civil litigation, representing primarily defendants in personal injury and business disputes. Brant worked as a lawyer during the day and as a law professor at night while he coached South Texas College of Law Houston mock trial teams for his alma mater. After learning the ropes at Hays McConn for nearly two years, Brant accepted an associate position with Abraham Watkins in August of 2008. Brant has been with Abraham Watkins ever since and is now a firm partner with his name in the firm’s name. At Abraham Watkins, Brant has continued to consistently try cases to verdict. Brant tried twelve cases to verdict in his first three years at the firm. Today, he exclusively represents plaintiffs. Brant’s practice focuses on catastrophic personal injury matters, including gas explosions, commercial auto and 18 wheeler cases, refinery and petrochemical explosions, product defect cases, commercial business disputes. Since joining the firm, Brant has helped hundreds of his clients obtain compensation for their injuries and damages caused by others. Brant is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law. He received this certification within his first five years of legal practice, which is the soonest an attorney can become board certified in Texas. In 2009, Brant received the largest verdict (over $20 million) in Texas for workplace safety and injuries and was listed in Verdict Search’s Top Texas Verdicts of 2009. Brant is a board member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association and is a founding member of the South Texas College of Law Houston Young Alumni Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the South Texas College of Law Houston Alumni Association and served as President in 2019. Brant was named to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star list from 2011 to 2013. He was named to H Texas Magazine’s “Houston’s Top Lawyers 2013” list and has been named to Houstonia Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” list since 2013. Despite being only thirty-four years old, Brant was selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list in 2013. He has been named to the Texas Super Lawyers list every year since 2013 and the Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers and Top 100: Houston Super Lawyers lists since 2019. In 2014, Brant was also added to the Top 40 Texas Attorneys Under 40 list by the National Trial Lawyers Association and received the award each year until he turned 40 years old. Brant has also been named to the Nation’s Top One Percent list by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel since 2015. Brant was also nominated for and inducted into the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) as a member in 2015 and was the youngest inductee in the 2015 class. In 2016, South Texas College of Law Houston honored Brant with the inaugural Young Alumni Award. He was the first recipient to receive this award from South Texas College of Law Houston. Brant met his wife, Jennifer O’Brien Stogner, in law school and she was one of his mock trial partners when they won the ATLA Regional Championship in Dallas, Texas and the National Championship in Miami, Florida. Brant and Jennifer have two boys, Ryker and Beckett Stogner, and one girl, Holland Stogner. Brant and Jennifer’s partnership continues as Jennifer joined the firm in 2018 as Of Counsel.

Gennaro Of Counsel to the San Antonio office with nearly two decades of experience as an attorney and investigator. After several years away from San Antonio, he feels privileged to have the opportunity to work with and help in anyway the city’s growing and diverse immigrant community. Gennaro earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and received a full academic scholarship from Ave Maria Law School in Ann Arbor Michigan, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. He is a member of the Florida and Texas state bars and has practiced at both the state and federal level. In many of his cases, he has had the honor of fighting for the labor rights of immigrants on an individual and collective basis. In his spare time, when he can, Gennaro enjoys traveling to visit family and friends

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ashok Bail is the principal attorney for The Bail Law Firm, a Houston, Texas law firm that practices federal & private sector employment law and labor law nationally and throughout the state of Texas. Mr. Bail has represented clients in the following Texas cities: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, McAllen, Marshall, Tyler, Corpus Christi, Laredo, El Paso, Beaumont, Brenham, Brownsville, El Campo, and Orange. Mr. Bail has represented clients in the following states across the United States of America: Texas, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, New York, and North Carolina. With nearly two decades of experience, Mr. Bail's client centered approach is what distinguishes The Bail Law Firm from many other law firms. In our profession we are known as "Attorneys" and "Counselors of Law." Mr. Bail understands that his role as counselor is equally important as his role as attorney. When a client comes to visit Mr. Bail for the first time, Mr. Bail understands that it might be the first time the client has spoken to anyone who is interested in helping them with their legal issues. Mr. Bail listens to his clients.