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.

Christopher Lankford is licensed to practice law in all Texas state courts, Federal court (Northern District of Texas), and the Supreme Court of the United States. He focuses exclusively on criminal and DWI cases in Tarrant County, Texas. By practicing exclusively criminal defense in Tarrant County, he knows the ins and outs of the courts. He takes pride in fighting for individual's rights, freedom, and protecting them from the harsh consequences of the criminal justice system. Christopher has been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association for Texas (North) and Top Attorney by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine every year since 2014. He is rated "10.0" and "Superb" by Avvo attorney ratings, Avvo's highest rating. Christopher graduated from Baylor Law School with a concentration in criminal law. He is also a graduate of the Texas Criminal Trial College in Huntsville, TX, class of 2014. The Criminal Trial College is considered one of the most rigorous pieces of training a criminal defense lawyer can undergo. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Federal Bar Association, Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCCDLA), Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), Tarrant County Bar Association (TCBA), Christian Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA), National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), and the College of the State Bar of Texas. Christopher is a United States Marine Corps veteran. Enlisting a month after September 11, 2001, he served primarily as a legal administration clerk. He also served in key roles such as a security specialist and a marksmanship instructor. He now spends much of his free time volunteering, attending sporting events, or participating in triathlons, endurance, and adventure races.

Greg spent 20 years in the military, both Army and Air Force, and retired as a captain in the reserves in 1999. He also served as a police officer in Texas for over 20 years, and holds a master peace officer certification. Greg, as a police officer, was a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Instructor, an Intoxilizer Operator, and a police academy instructor. He has an Associate's degree (in Liberal Arts) and a Bachelor's degree (in Political Science), the later earned while he was on active duty in the Air Force. After his law enforcement career was over, he attended Texas A&M Law School in Fort Worth and graduated in 2014. Greg has written for Fault Lines, an ABA Top 100 Legal Blawg, and occasionally contributes as a guest columnist to Simple Justice, an ABA Hall of Fame Legal Blawg. Greg clerked for Criminal District Judge Mollee Westfall.

Attorney Bruce Kaye’s claim to fame was being selected to work as a law clerk to the legendary trial attorney Joe Jamail (Pennzoil v. Texaco, Top 10 Trial Attorney in the USA). Prior to law school, Bruce played the keyboards professionally all over Houston. Some key parties included President Bill Clinton, former Houston Mayors Bob Lanier and Annise Parker, Ambassador Arthur Schechter, and many different judges’ campaigns (both criminal and civil). Upon graduation from law school in Houston, Texas in 1992, Bruce opened up his own practice concentrating primarily on Criminal Law (trial and appeals for Federal and State courts), Entertainment Law and Non-Subscriber Work Place Injuries. Not satisfied to “study” law in a soulless environment provided by a large law firm, Bruce began trying serious felony cases right out of school and has never looked back. “I’m one of those people who learn best by experience,” admits Kaye. With Houston being a center for hip hop music, it was a natural evolution for Bruce to represent artists, managers, producers and small record labels in Entertainment issues. Finally, the decision to represent those individuals who have suffered terrible injuries due to non-subscriber workplace injuries stems back to the basic concepts of social justice or what is morally right and wrong. “The way employers treat their injured workers is just wrong,” says Kaye, “and I’ve made it my mission to set things right.” One of the best things about retaining Mr. Kaye as your attorney is the fact that your calls will be personally returned by him. Mr. Kaye also utilizes email, texting, and Facebook. This one-on-one contact provides for representation with the utmost care placed on two things: personal service and obtaining a favorable outcome. Bruce is admitted to practice law by the State of Texas, the Southern District of Texas, The Northern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Texas, and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also a member of the Dallas Bar Association (where he serves on the Criminal Law section) and the Dallas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He has served on the District 3G Grievance Committee and is active in the Litigation and Sports and Entertainment Sections of the Texas State Bar.

Elliott has practiced for decades in the area of wills, trusts, estates, guardianships, and probate. He routinely prepares living trusts, wills and handles probate administrations for his clientele. Elliott provides strategic advice and planning regarding trust and estate-related disputes. He is skilled in helping clients resolve family-related disputes arising after the death of a family member and has guided many clients through the litigation process. He is the Managing Director and a versatile team member of our accomplished group of fiduciary, trust, and probate litigation-focused attorneys.

Brian White is a personal injury attorney in Houston, TX, and owner of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers. Brian White is a long time resident of Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. Brian was born in Texas City, Texas. Both of Brian’s grandfathers spent their entire careers working in industrial plants in the Texas City and La Marque area. Brian graduated high school from Ball High in Galveston, Texas, and later attended Texas A&M University, where he earned a B.B.A. degree in Business Analysis. Brian attended South Texas College of Law in Houston, where he was given the honors of selection to serve on Law Review and he received the Dean’s Merit Scholarship. During law school, Brian interned in the United States District Court for The Southern District of Texas. Before forming his own law firm, Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, he worked for a large international law firm where he gained a great deal of experience on a variety of legal matters. Brian White regularly volunteers for public service and children’s charities. Brian has achieved large settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of injured persons. “I treat every case as if it were my own. I leave no stone unturned and fight for every penny that my clients are entitled to. I keep in close communication with my clients and promptly return phone calls. I understand that reputation is one of the most valuable assets that a lawyer has.” Many of Brian’s cases come from referrals from other attorneys. This is because those attorneys know that Brian will provide an excellent representation of the client and will work tirelessly to properly prove up each case and obtain a maximum recovery. Brian has been the lead trial lawyer on both sides of the docket for clients involved in many cases. Brian is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas. He is a member of the Board of Directors, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, 2012-2013, the Christian Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA), The College Of The State Bar Of Texas, American Association of Justice (AAJ), Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA), American Bar Association (ABA), and was selected to attend the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s Trial Skills Seminar. In addition, Brian frequently attends seminars across the country regarding 18-Wheeler Trucking Cases, Car Accidents, Jones Act/ Maritime Cases, and trial seminars. Find out more about Brian White’s accomplishments and case history by visiting his Avvo profile.

Houston personal injury lawyer Stewart J. Guss has been fighting for the rights of his fellow Houstonians and Texans for over 20 years. Stewart's incredible results, excellent customer service, and unending dedication to his clients, has made him the most consistently highest rated major personal injury lawyer in the entire Houston metro area. Stewart grew up in Houston, graduating Clear Lake High School, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston Law Center. Through his hard work for his clients and focus on community service, Stewart has dedicated his career to paying back the community that helped bring him the success he has achieved. Stewart has established a university scholarship fund, as well as the Houston's Unsung Greats ("HUG") community grant program. In addition to being a very successful and highly respected personal injury lawyer, Stewart is also a father, a husband, a brother and a son. He is very much a "family man," and always treats his clients as if they were his family as well. Please call today to discuss your injury claim. There is no charge for an initial consultation, and you will pay NO fee unless and until we win your case.

Gregory H. Herrman has been committed to providing quality legal representation for injured accident victims in the Corpus Christi area and the Rio Grande Valley for many years. A native of Hays, Kansas, Herrman comes from a family of lawyers. His father had a general practice in Hays, and an uncle and grandfather also were attorneys. He came to Texas and received a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Texas in 1982 and his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in 1986. During his undergraduate years, he worked his way through school by selling Kirby vacuum cleaners door to door, and started his own Kirby franchise during law school. After getting his J.D., Herrman joined a firm in Corpus Christi, handling both plaintiff’s personal injury and insurance defense cases. After five years, he joined his brother, David, and another attorney to form their own law firm committed solely to representing injured accident victims. Herrman has maintained that focus in his practice ever since. He has had a hand in many significant resolutions on behalf of his clients, including multiple seven-figure settlements. While big wins are satisfying, Herrman takes the same professional satisfaction from successful outcomes for clients with smaller cases. “I just like helping people and getting what I consider justice from the insurance companies,” he says. “They always try to pay as little as possible.” In addition to giving each case his most exacting legal attention, Herrman is also committed to providing his clients the best in customer service. “Our mission is to be the number one firm for client satisfaction,” he says. “We tell people that while we can’t promise a result, we’ll do the best we can—and that what we can promise is that we’ll give you the best client service we can and be responsive to your needs.” Through his efforts in helping people, Herrman has built strong ties in the South Texas communities served by the firm. He is involved in numerous charities, including the Beach to Bay relay marathon race, Toys for Tots, Stuff the Bus and Fiesta De La Flor. The firm also sponsors an annual Innovation Scholarship Essay Contest, providing $5,000 in scholarships to students who submit essays on topics dealing with safety, and a program called People Assisting Animal Control, in which the firm helps to protect the Corpus Christi pet population by providing 25 spays and neuters per month. While Herrman’s primary joy in life is providing service to residents of the Corpus Christi area and Rio Grande Valley, he also enjoys fishing, hunting, sailing, hiking, skiing and keeping fit.

Richard Pena is president and CEO of the firm. He was elected by his peers to serve as the President of the State Bar of Texas from 1998-1999. He served as President of the American Bar Foundation and was on the Board of Governors for the American Bar Association. He is also past president of the Travis County Bar Association, former Chair of the Texas Bar Foundation, and former Chair of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. He was a director to the State Bar of Texas and a State Delegate to the ABA. Richard has received three Presidential Citations from the State Bar of Texas for his meritorious service to the profession and has been selected a member of the prestigious American Inns of Court as well as receiving the Distinguished Lawyer Award presented by the Austin Bar Association in 2007. The Texas Bar Journal recognized him as 1 of 20 "trailblazers" in the February 2014 issue. He also was the recipient of the 2010 Difference Makers Award presented by the ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division. Richard is a national leader in the legal field, and is active in the American Bar Association, where he led the Texas Delegation to the ABA. He has also been active in the American Bar Foundation, where he was previously on the Board of Directors. Recently he served as Chair of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, which is the preeminent attorney group in the country with membership limited to one third of one percent (1/3 of 1%) of the lawyers in America. Richard has been on the Advisory Board of People to People Ambassadors Program and has led Delegations of Texas and U.S. Lawyers to numerous countries including, Turkey, South Africa, China, Tibet, Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, India, Israel, and Brazil. He was also Chair of a U.S.-Russian Joint Conference on the Rule of Law in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2006 he received the Eisenhower Achievement Award from the program. Richard's trip to Egypt was featured in an article in the Austin American-Statesman as well as in the Austin Business Journal. He is currently Special Assistant for Legal Program Travel to Academic Travel Abroad.

Mike Tilton is a trial lawyer and a founding partner of Tilton & Tilton LLP. He is a fearless and relentless lawyer for his clients. Mike has helped to obtain millions of dollars for injured clients, taking on oil companies, railroads, trucking companies, drug manufacturers, and some of the largest corporations to ensure that his clients receive the justice they deserve. Growing up as the son of a military father and school teacher mother, Mike learned early on that hard work, preparation, and dedication are the keys to success. He takes these skills and applies them to all areas of trial practice, whether it is negotiating a settlement with insurance adjusters or battling some if the biggest defense firms in the court room. Mike received his bachelor’s degree with honors in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Houston and earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. While in law school, Mike honed his courtroom skills by excelling in numerous advocacy programs and serving as a member of the interscholastic Moot Court team and the Board of Advocates. Immediately following law school, Mike worked at one of the oldest and most prestigious litigation firms in Houston where he participated in his first trial immediately after being sworn in as a lawyer. He later joined another successful plaintiff’s practice where he helped obtain millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients. Mike has gone to trial and handled cases throughout Texas and in almost a dozen different states Throughout his legal career, Mike has worked on a wide variety of cases, ranging from automobile accidents to complex pharmaceutical litigation with millions of dollars at stake. No matter the size, Mike treats every case with the attention it deserves. He realizes that an injury is one of the most traumatic events his clients will suffer, and therefore fights tooth and nail to get his clients the justice they deserve. Mike’s commitment to his clients and professionalism has earned him numerous accolades. For every year since 2012, Mike’s colleagues voted him as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star, an honor bestowed to only 2.5% of all attorneys in Texas. Mike was also nominated as a “Top 40 under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers, an honor given to only 40 trial lawyers in Texas every year. In 2021, Mike was voted as one of the Top 100 Rising Stars in Texas by Super Lawyers and featured in Texas Monthly Magazine.