Litigation

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.

JOHN R. HOWIE, JR., is an accomplished trial attorney who focuses his practice on personal injury cases, including trucking and auto accidents, bad faith insurance practices, product liability, premises liability, medical negligence, nursing home litigation, consumer protection and breach of contract cases. He graduated with a BBA from Southern Methodist University in 1994 and went on to graduate from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2000. During law school, he served as the Notes and Comments Editor (1999) and Co-Managing Editor (2000) of The International Lawyer. John was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2000. He is also a member of the Tarrant County, Dallas County and American Bar Associations, and is admitted to practice before all Texas state courts as well as the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. He is a member of the Dallas and Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Associations, American Trial Lawyers Association and Dallas and Tarrant County Associations of Young Lawyers. He is a sustaining member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Escover served in the United States Marine Corps for ten years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. While fulfilling his military duties, John earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Park University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. In December 2000, John graduated from Texas A&M University School of Law, where he was a Law Review Write-On Invitee as well as a member of the Phi Delta Phi Honors Fraternity. After law school, John began his legal career as a prosecutor in Williamson County’s Attorney’s Office where he was responsible for prosecution of all classes and phases of misdemeanor litigation including jury and bench trials, plea negotiations, probation revocations, and appeals. In 2003, John transitioned to civil litigation becoming an associate at Watson, Rossick PC, a firm specializing in toxic tort and products liability defense. John later served as an enforcement attorney for the Texas Lottery Commission representing the Commission during enforcement hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. He also investigated, prosecuted and negotiated the largest fine at that time ever assessed against a bingo game manufacturer in the State of Texas. In 2006, John honed his trial experience in Austin concentrating his practice in medical malpractice, labor and employment, products liability, and personal injury actions securing millions in settlements and judgments on behalf of his clients. In 2011 the most destructive wildfire in Texas history decimated 1500 homes and business in Bastrop County, Texas. John and Bill Rossick filed suit on behalf of over 60 families and business owners against the electric company servicing Bastrop County and its vegetative management services company for failing to properly maintain its electrical lines that became entangled with tree branches that caused the fire. After over three years of doggedly prosecuting the claims of those home and business owners John and Bill secured a multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of their clients. Although John and Bill have since formed their own law firms, they continue to work together and represent clients in various matters as co-counsel. John is licensed in the United States Supreme Court, State of Texas, the United States District Court Western District of Texas, and is a member of the Texas Bar Foundation which is an organization of attorneys who represent the top 1/3 of 1% of the legal profession. From 2001 until 2010, John was also a professor of Criminal Justice for the University of Phoenix. John lives in Leander with his wife Donna and they have four children Bailey, Nolan, Keeli, and Wesley, two dogs, a turtle, and a hedgehog. Their lives are filled with sports, sports, and more sports from baseball, volleyball, football, basketball, and track.

Shane M. Boasberg was born and raised in New Orleans, LA and moved to the Lone Star State to attend The University of Texas in Austin, TX. After receiving undergraduate degrees in Government and Business from the University of Texas in Austin, TX; Mr. Boasberg attended South Texas College of Law in Houston, TX. While attending law school, Shane worked as a law clerk for the prestigious law firm of Gallagher, Lewis, Downey, and Kim. During this time, he gained experience in legal and appellate research and writing and trial preparation working on the largest commercial litigation civil settlements recorded in United States jurisprudence history. Shane graduated from South Texas College of Law in 2002 and immediately made an impact in the legal field. He began his career at Heard, Robins, Cloud, Lubel, and Greenwood LLP in Houston, and in 2003, he returned to Austin, TX, to serve as General Counsel to the Honorable Senator Mario Gallegos at the Texas Senate. In this role, Shane’s legal acumen and drafting skills were put to the test as he provided legal advice, prepared opinions, bill analyses, briefs, and drafted bills and amendments for legislative consideration, serving the citizens of Texas with distinction. Following his tenure with Senator Gallegos, Shane worked for the Texas Office of the Attorney General-Greg Abbott where he worked on a variety of legal and political issues. Shane represented TxDOT in litigating and resolving contractual, construction, licensing, and engineering disputes in the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). Shane gained valuable experience at the TX-OAG where he was able to learn and work on various legal and political issues, including but not limited to, transportation law, employment law, environmental law, and eminent domain law. While working for the Texas Attorney General, Shane also served as the Legislative Liaison between the Texas Attorney General – Transportation Division and the Texas Legislature. After working with the Texas Legislature and for the OAG-Texas, Shane re-entered private practice in 2010 and opened his law firm in Austin, TX with a satellite office in Georgetown, TX. He has handled almost every type of civil case at some point during his career but primarily focuses his practice on civil litigation, whether it be business and commercial law, real estate and eminent domain law, family law, or injury law. Shane actively engages with the community and is a member of the Texas State Bar, the Austin Bar Association, and the Capitol Area Trial Lawyers Association. He was also selected to Texas Monthly’s “Rising Stars” list for 2012, 2014 – 2016. Only 2.5% of eligible Texas attorneys are chosen by Super Lawyer based on nominations from their peers. His dedication to advocating for his clients and his consistent ability to deliver desired results have earned Shane the reputation of being a trustworthy legal advocate who will provide high-quality legal services. Shane also actively participates in the ATX DAO, a city DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) based in Austin, TX. The goal of the ATX DAO is to unite Austin’s crypto communities, enable artists and local businesses to participate in the crypto ecosystem, and educate local and state government officials about the benefits of Web3.

D. Douglas Grubbs has been helping victims of defective pharmaceutical products since early 2004 when he assisted with a nationwide Fen-Phen docket comprising more than 7,000 injured men and women. From 2005 to 2008, Doug attended South Texas College of Law where he made the Dean’s Honor List. Throughout law school, Doug also clerked at a nationally recognized mass tort law firm in Houston. After earning his jurisprudence doctorate in 2008, Doug accepted an associate position at a prominent East Texas law firm where he focused his practice on the firm’s national pharmaceutical and medical device dockets. During that time, Doug also advocated for those who had been injured as a result of negligent drivers, medical malpractice, and unsafe work premises. Mr. Grubbs returned to Houston in 2012, continuing to represent those wrongfully injured by negligent pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Doug’s diverse experience in products liability litigation allows him to quickly determine the merits of a potentially successful claim. He has also been involved in numerous facets of mass tort litigation including depositions, motion practice, written discovery, witness and trial preparation, as well as settlement negotiations. In honor of his excellence in the practice of law, Doug has been recognized by his peers as a 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Star (a Thomson Reuters service). This recognition is awarded to only 2.5% of emerging attorneys in Texas 40 years old or younger, or those who have been practicing law for 10 years or less. In 2013, Doug joined a select group of lawyers recognized for their legal ability and professional ethical standards by receiving an AV® Preeminent Peer Review rating (a Martindale-Hubbell service). An AV® certification mark is a testament to the fact that Doug’s peers ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence. Doug has also received a 5 out of 5 preeminent client review rating from an IVC filter client. In 2016, Doug was invited to join The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40. Membership is extended solely to a select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and public profile. Invitees must exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership as a young lawyer under the age of 40.

Seth McCloskey is a dedicated trial lawyer who has made a career out of seeking justice for victims of negligence, particularly when a large company’s conduct is the root cause of his client’s injuries. Seth is one of only a handful of lawyers in Texas with a national Board Certification in Truck Accident Law. Additionally, Mr. McCloskey is one of the even fewer number of lawyers across the nation with Board Certifications in both Truck Accident Law and Personal Injury Trial Law. During law school, Seth quickly developed his niche for trial work and secured a place on the coveted Trial Advocacy Team. He was also a moot court Appellate Advocacy Finalist. Seth won several awards and recognitions as a top-speaker and oral advocate at competitions across the state. Since becoming a lawyer in 2009, Mr. McCloskey has successfully tried more than 200 cases to verdict. During the years he served as a state prosecutor, Seth found that standing for what is right regardless of the stakes is the only way that justice can be obtained, and the only way a litigator should fight. Seth has dedicated his career to fighting large trucking companies, insurance carriers, and others whose negligent conduct, policies, and employees injure or kill the innocent citizens of our state. Seth McCloskey treats every case he takes with the same tenacity and conviction – seeking justice for those who otherwise would have no voice or recourse against the powerful resources of the insurance industry. Seth has been recognized as a Super Lawyer- Rising Star by Thomson Reuters and has been selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association as Top 40 attorney. He has been featured in Texas Monthly Magazine and has been interviewed by news media outlets for his specialized knowledge in civil litigation and investigations. Seth frequently writes legal education papers and presents to various groups of legal professionals, including truck accident attorneys, paralegals, and industry professionals across the country. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, the National Board of Trial Advocacy, the Texas Bar College, and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Brett Hill is an attorney based in Houston, Texas representing clients in a variety of cases. While dedicating himself to the academic rigors required to obtain his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law, Brett also dedicated a great deal of his time in the #1 competitive advocacy program in the United States for which he traveled the country competing as one of the program’s top advocates and achieved accolades and numerous advocacy awards. Brett has further honed his advocacy skills representing hundreds of clients through often highly contentious litigation. Brett represents individuals and families who have been injured as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another individual or entity. Whether they’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, car wreck, or work-related incident- Brett has, and will continue to advance his client’s best interest in every case. In addition to people, Brett also represents businesses in breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and tortious interference cases. His representation has included disputes ranging in size from $1,000 to over $100,000,000. Whether you are a business that needs to sue or has been sued, Brett is prepared to offer you an aggressively tailored litigation strategy designed to fit your particular situation. Prior to being an attorney, Brett served four years in the United States Marine Corps, where he earned two meritorious promotions. He grew up in the Sam Houston National Forest, is a Sixth-Generation Texan, and enjoys bowhunting & outdoor sports. He has two awesome sons, two beautiful daughters, and a lovely wife. Call Brett, and he will be happy to meet for a free consultation.

Rachel Rojas is an attorney at TorHoerman Law who specializes in product liability and pharmaceutical litigation. A Corpus Christi, TX native, Rachal moved cross-country to attend Columbia University in New York City and completed a bachelor’s degree in political science. Before law school and after graduating from Columbia, she worked on both sides of civil litigation as a paralegal for a plaintiff’s asbestos law firm and a corporate defense firm.

Doron has worked for top law firms helping them to negotiate and draft contracts for start-up companies from the early stages of business formation to corporate maintenance, taxation and securities. He has represented entrepreneurs in different industries with different needs and potential. Doron has represented Directors, Producers, Actors, Musicians and others in the entertainment industry. Doron is a prolific writer with publications in various media outlets. He has also lectured on various legal issues including business and real estate law. Doron has interned for Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel in Las Vegas and Senator Ron Wyden in Washington DC. Doron currently is the President-Elect of Beverly Hills Bar Association, Barristers. Doron is also on the Beverly Hills Bar Association Senior Board of Governors, Co-Chairs the Real Estate section of Beverly Hills Bar Association and is an Executive Committee Member of Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment, Business, International Law and Conflict Resolution Sections. Doron has earned the highest level of prominence on Avvo.com. In addition, Beverly Hills Bar Association has bestowed upon Doron the "President's Award" for dedicated service in 2012-2013 Annual Installation and Awards Dinner at the Four Season's Hotel. Further, Beverly Hills Bar Association bestowed upon Doron the "Distinguished Service Award" for "Outstanding Leadership as Chairperson of the Real Estate Law Section 2010-2013" on September 24-2013.

Attorney Marc Karlin is a partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Karlin & Karlin, Attorneys at Law, practicing throughout Southern California in the areas of Immigration law & Personal Injury law, & Business Litigation. A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Karlin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego and his Juris Doctorate law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. While attending law school, Mr. Karlin completed an externship for the Honorable Cynthia Holcomb Hall of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Prior to forming Karlin & Karlin in 1993, Marc Karlin worked as an associate attorney in law firms in San Diego and Los Angeles. Mr. Karlin maintains his commitment to the legal profession and professional growth through membership in several professional organizations, such as the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. In service to the community, Mr. Karlin lends his legal expertise on a pro bono basis to Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles, founded by one of his Loyola High School instructors, Fr. Greg Boyle.