Wills & Probate

Charlie Henke is the founding partner of Henke Law Firm, LLP, the predecessor to Henke, Williams & Boll, LLP. The firm was founded in 1992. His practice focuses on the prosecution and defense of commercial and contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, business tort claims, and probate litigation. He has first-chaired jury trials to verdict in state and federal courts and has handled the arbitration of securities disputes, law firm partnership disputes, and construction claims. Charlie is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Of the more than one hundred thousand attorneys licensed to practice law in Texas, less than one percent hold this distinction. Charlie is a member of various sections of the State Bar of Texas including the Litigation, the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law, and the Antitrust and Business Litigation sections. He belongs to the Houston Bar Association, and is active in the Litigation (former Chair) and the Probate, Trusts, and Estates sections of the HBA. Charlie was appointed to serve on the HBA Fee Dispute Committee for over a dozen years where he served as an arbitrator of fee disputes between attorneys and their clients. He is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas and a Life Fellow of both the Texas and Houston Bar Foundations. Charlie has been a member of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas since 1994. He is a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates and currently serves as Treasurer of TEX-ABOTA. Charlie was appointed by several Presidents of the State Bar of Texas to serve three terms on the State Bar Standing Committee on Pattern Jury Charges for Business, Consumer, and Employment cases. As a member of this prestigious committee, over 6 years he helped draft the written instructions and questions given to all juries throughout Texas. Charlie was named a "Lawyer on the Fast Track" in business litigation by H Texas Magazine in 2004, has been recognized as one of "Houston’s Top Lawyers" for business litigation since 2005 by the same publication. He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine since 2007. Charlie earned an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center where he was active in student governance and alumni relations. Charlie received his license to practice law by the State of Texas in 1992. He is licensed to practice law in the United States Supreme Court, United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, Seventh and Tenth Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, the Northern District of Indiana and Colorado. An active contributor to his community, Charlie has served on the Board of Directors of several charitable organizations and served as a Director and past President of The Houston Club. Charlie Henke is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Houston.

Our attorneys’ academic and professional credentials are outstanding. Alan G. Cosner, the Firm’s Managing Partner, holds a Master of Law degree in Tax from New York University School of Law and a J.D. from Seton Hall University. He is a former Internal Revenue Service agent and accountant. Mr. Cosner is the head of the firm’s real estate, probate, bankruptcy, and personal Injury practice areas. Partner Staci A. Cosner earned undergraduate degrees in economics and political science from Cornell University, where she graduated with distinction. She holds a J.D. from Columbia University Law School and was formerly associated with Skadden, Aarps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Ms. Cosner is the head of the firm’s elder law, medicaid, estate planning and family law practice areas. Partner Marc D. Youngelson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Youngelson was Of Counsel to Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. and was associated with Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP and with Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Mr. Youngelson is the head of the Firm’s Litigation practice area. Of Counsel Rachelle “Shelly” Milstein graduated with Honors from the University of Michigan and holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Ms. Milstein is an experienced trial attorney. For the past decade, Ms. Milstein has dedicated her practice to the representation of children with special educational needs and their families throughout New Jersey. Associate Rebecca A. Hand graduated with honors from Rutgers University and earned her J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. After graduating, Ms. Hand served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Edward J. Ryan, J.S.C., in the Superior Court of Middlesex County, New Jersey. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Hand was associated with Menz Bonner and Komar LLP. Our lawyers are members of a number of legal associations and organizations, reflecting our involvement in the profession and our continuing commitment to providing our clients with excellent legal counsel. Our practice Our law firm offers legal representation in a variety of areas, including: • Elder law We focus on the needs of the elderly and their children, handling asset protection, long-term care, Medicaid planning and Guardianship matters. Staci A. Cosner is a Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. • Family law Clients need support during disputes over divorce, custody and support, and property division. We also are there for clients during joyful times such as the adoption of a child, or a wedding, providing a prenuptial agreement. • Probate and estate administration We handle the probate process on behalf of executors and heirs. Alan G. Cosner is a former IRS agent and accountant. He is skilled in shepherding the will through the probate process and asset transfer to heirs. • Estate Planning We help clients plan for the future no matter what size estate you may have. We can help suggest and draft estate planning documents that fit every situation. We draft wills and trusts with the goal of minimizing taxes. • Bankruptcy The firm’s attorneys collectively have over 50 years of experience representing debtors and creditors in a variety of bankruptcy matters. If you are in financial trouble, our attorneys can help determine your eligibility for bankruptcy protection under chapter 7 or chapter 13 laws. We also have handled a wide range of creditors’ rights matters, including fraudulent transfer and preference actions. •Special Education We help children with special educational needs and their families navigate the complex process of enforcing your legal right to a free and appropriate public education. •Litigation Our attorneys have represented businesses and individuals in a large variety of commercial and bankruptcy-related litigations. The Firm is committed to conducting litigation in a cost effective manner that fits within our clients’ business goals. • Personal injury You may be paid for damages caused by another person’s negligence. Our fees are contingent on recovering compensation for you. • Real Estate Whether you are buying, selling, or leasing, our firm makes it happen. In addition to emphasizing matters such as the above, we offer clients a broad spectrum of general legal services, including criminal defense, guardianship issues and tax law. Our pledge to clients We promise to provide our clients excellent legal services at a fair price. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with you, your family and friends. Contact us to learn how we can meet your legal needs. All Credit Cards Accepted · Evening Hours by Appointment · Free Initial Consultation

A native of Angleton, Texas in Brazoria County, Jeff Gilbert is a 6th generation Texan with deep roots to his community. Graduating from Angleton High School in 1978, Mr. Gilbert attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he was involved in the leadership of many campus service and social organizations. Upon completion of his business degree (BBA) in 1982, Mr. Gilbert returned to Brazoria County going to work for the First Freeport National Bank in Freeport, Texas. Mr. Gilbert later returned to Baylor where he enrolled in the graduate school of business obtaining his degree (MBA) while working as the night manager of the Baylor Student Union. Upon graduation, Mr. Gilbert began a career in banking and corporate investments before entering South Texas College of Law at the age of 27. While in law school, Jeff participated in many intramural moot court and mock trial competitions. Interestingly and of note, Jeff tried and won his first jury trial while in law school serving as an intern with the Harris County District Attorney's office before receiving his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in December 1989. Mr. Gilbert then accepted a position in the Trial Bureau of the Harris County District Attorney's office in Houston, Texas where he tried multiple jury and non-jury cases as a juvenile, misdemeanor and then felony prosecutor. In 1993, Mr. Gilbert left the District Attorney's office to join a prestigious Houston based civil litigation firm. Since that time, his practice has concentrated on litigation, including medical malpractice, pharmaceutical and toxic tort litigation with firms in Houston, Angleton and Dallas, Texas. In January 2006, Mr. Gilbert began a Brazoria County based practice and formed Jeffrey R. Gilbert, P.C. Mr. Gilbert is a member of The State Bar of Texas (Section Memberships include: Criminal Law, Family Law, Juvenile Law), The Brazoria County Bar Association (Past President 2008-2009), The Houston Bar Association, and is a Fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation. He is also a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, The College of the State Bar of Texas and is a Fellow of the Trial Advocacy Institute of the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. He is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of Texas and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Mr. Gilbert remains a Trial Attorney. His practice focuses on criminal, family and general litigation. Mr. Gilbert was honored to serve two terms (1996 through 1998) as a special judge of the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law. This appointment was made by the 15 county criminal court at law judges of Harris County. Mr. Gilbert presided over hundreds of case dispositions and numerous trials in this position. Active in his community, Mr. Gilbert currently serves on the City of Lake Jackson Planning Commission, as a Board Member and Preseident-elect of the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Council, as a three-term President of the Brazoswood Buccaneer Band Booster Club (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011), he is a past president and former board member of the Downtown Houston Pachyderm Club, and has been a delegate to every Senate District (1996 and 1998, SD #7; 2000, SD #8; and 2002, 2004 , 2006 and 2008, and 2010, SD #17) and State Republican convention since 1996. Mr. Gilbert and his family are proud to trace their Texas roots to John Bradbury Follett who settled in Texas on Follett Island near San Luis Pass in Brazoria County. Accordingly, Mr. Gilbert is a proud member of the Stephen F. Austin Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. Mr. Gilbert attends BrazosPointe Fellowship in Lake Jackson, where he serves as an usher, greeter, has previously led an adult "Home Team" and has been active in its children's ministries. Mr. Gilbert is the father of two children: Will, a student at Texas A&M University and Morgan, a student at Brazoswood High School. Mr. Gilbert is the son of the late Ralph W. Gilbert, a long-time Angleton attorney, and Fannie Mae Follett Gilbert a life-long resident of Brazoria County. Special Training and experience - Trained Mediator - AA White Dispute Resolution Institute; University of Houston Law Center; Certified for Approval of Court-Ordered Mediations; Trained Family Law Mediator Travis County Dispute Resolution Center; Credentialed and Qualified Family Law Mediator; Trained Ad Litem - Harris County Civil Court Ad Litem Training Course, 1998, 2005; Trained Guardianship Attorney Ad Litem - Completed Training Required by Texas Probate Code for service as Attorney Ad Litem in State Courts Areas of Practice Mediation Business & Commercial Law Contracts Business Organizations Sexual Harassment Construction Law Criminal Law DUI/DWI Guardianships & Conservatorships Wills Family Law Adoption Custody & Visitation Divorce Litigation & Appeals Personal Injury -- Plaintiff Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff Probate & Estate Administration Products Liability Law Medical Malpractice Real Estate Law

Cynthia Cho is the founder of the CC Law Group and its principal attorney.Cynthia has built her reputation as a highly successful attorney by being not only an excellent lawyer, but also a hands-on and compassionate advocate for her clients. She does not confine herself to consultations and conference room strategies, but is a highly experienced courtroom lawyer as well, championing her clients' cases from start to finish, as she guides them through the often-overwhelming maze of the ever-changing legal process.Cynthia has been practicing law in the Alameda/Contra Costa/Santa Clara/San Mateo Counties area for over 21 years and is well known and respected within the local legal community. And as a local attorney, she is intimately familiar not only with State and local laws, but the inner-workings of the local judicial system, and the legal clerks, lawyers and judges that make the system work.Cynthia is multi-lingual, and together with her CC Law Group staff can assist you in English and Korean. Cynthia is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley (1989) and received her Law Degree from the University of San Francisco Law School in 1993. She was admitted to the California Bar in 1994.Cynthia is also listed in Who's Who, and is a current and former member of the following organizations:Silicon Valley Bar Association (Member, Family Law and Estate Planning Sections)Alameda County Bar Association (Member, Family Law and Estate Planning Sections)State Bar of CaliforniaAmerican Association for Justice (AAJ)America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)Asian American Bar AssociationInternational Association of Korean LawyersKorean Bar AssociationU.C. Alumni AssociationKorean East Bay Chamber of CommerceNorth Silicon Valley Chamber of CommerceNewark Chamber of CommerceNational Association of Female Executives

Gary Newland is an experienced trial attorney evidenced by the hundreds of cases he has successfully won at trial. Many of Gary’s cases have been covered by USA Today, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, NBC, The Daily Herald, Oprah Winfrey and the list goes on. Many of the clients Gary represents are referrals from other attorneys who are aware of his skills and reputation in the community. He has been an invited guest lecturer to the Bar Association and other legal organizations as well as an author of published articles on legal issues. He has been a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chicago Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and was the youngest person ever elected to the High School Dist 214 School Board. Practicing in the Chicagoland area for the past 30 years, Gary currently handles legal matters such as personal injury, workers' compensation, real estate, & more. To schedule your free phone consultation with Gary Newland, visit online, or call 847-797-8000.

Donald J. Baranski received his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities Pre Law, from Michigan State University. This was a triple major of American History, Philosophy, and Psychology. He then received a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Michigan State University. He then obtained his Doctorate in Law from Michigan State University College of Law. Baranski has been a licensed Attorney and Counselor at Law in the State of Michigan since 1988. He clerked for a trial judge for two years. He worked as a City Attorney, and as a public defender. Baranski has handled a general practice of law including: family law, criminal law, juvenile law, adoptions, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, probate estates, wills & trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, mental health law, social security disability, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, education law, collections and bankruptcy. Baranski has conducted jury trials and bench trials in District, Probate and Circuit Courts. Baranski is also admitted to the Western District of Michigan and Eastern District of Michigan Federal Courts.

Algis Sirvaitis brings a wealth of experience in the law, having practiced in the Cleveland area since 1966. He is well versed in many areas of the law, and currently focuses his practice on the following areas: - Wills and Trusts - Probate Administration of Estates and Guardianships - Elder Law and Medicaid - Federal Taxation Algis Sirvaitis is a graduate of Cathedral Latin High School, John Carroll University with a B.A. in History. He was a teacher at St. Edward’s High School and worked in the Legal Department of Juvenile Court while attending Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where he graduated with a J.D. in 1966.

Stephen Colbert is a founding partner at Colbert Law Group PLLC in Flower Mound, TX. His practice areas include estate planning, elder law, business litigation, and being a Native American Attorney. He is a member of the Texas Bar Association and the Oklahoma Bar Association. Stephen earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1974 and his B.S. from the University of Oklahoma in 1971. To schedule your initial consultation with the Flower Mound Estate Planning Attorney, visit online or call 972-724-3338.

Attorney Les Romo graduated from Southwestern University here in Georgetown and went on to earn his Doctorate of Jurisprudence at St. Mary’s University Law School of San Antonio in 1979. Since then, he has successfully solved many legal problems for his clients. Georgetown Attorney Les Romo helps people from every background and profession. In the 37 years he has been practicing, he has treated every case and client with the importance they deserve. Preparing your estate as early as possible provides peace of mind for you. You can relax and enjoy your daily life more knowing that if you die, you have made provisions to care for your loved ones. For over 20 years, Probate Attorney has assisted clients with preparing wills and with probate issues, including litigation. He can advise you on whether to establish trusts and other matters relating to your estate.

Ms. Dean's professional experience encompasses a broad range of legal matters. Her primary emphases are estate planning, elder law, and probate. Her estate planning practice involves helping clients orchestrate their estates by drafting a vast array of trusts, wills and powers of attorney. Ms. Dean also provides compassionate legal advice while assisting families through the probate process. Ms. Dean's legal expertise in civil appeals includes both advising at the trial court level and handling all aspects of the appeal. She has handled appeals dealing with complex insurance matters, business matters, personal injury and family law appeals. She has successfully argued in federal and state courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, on behalf of a major insurance company, corporations, and individuals. She works with trial attorneys and clients to preserve error on the trial court level, preparing legal motions, handling mandamus actions, preparing and arguing the jury charge and handling all post-judgment motions. At the appellate level, Ms. Dean leads the appeal of a judgment, including preparing briefs, petitions for review and briefs on the merits to the Texas Supreme Court, and presenting oral argument before diverse panels of judges. Throughout her career, Ms. Dean has handled other civil matters as well, such as complex commercial litigation, corporate buy-outs, employment and business contracts, consumer issues, family law litigation, adoptions, real estate transactions and personal injury litigation. She successfully negotiated and closed a multi-million dollar buy-out of a snowboard clothing company to a major sporting goods conglomerate. Prior to specializing in appellate law, Ms. Dean engaged in a successful trial practice and as a result, understands the needs of trial attorneys and what it takes to make them successful at the trial level and on appeal. Integrity and operating under a high standard of ethics are of utmost importance to us at The Dean Law Firm. We abide by the Texas Lawyer's Creed.