Matt McCracken has more than thirty years of trial, appellate and administrative law experience representing medical, legal, insurance and other professionals as well as product manufacturers, energy companies, telecommunications companies and medical institutions. Matt has defended numerous doctors, nurses and insurance professionals at their respective licensing boards. Matt is a well-known figure at the Texas Medical Board where he guides doctors through the professional disciplinary process and licensure issues. Notably, Matt briefed and argued the seminal case of American Transitional Care v. Palacios; 46 S.W.3d 873 (Tex. 2001) at the Texas Supreme Court. This important decision established minimum standards for preliminary expert reports in medical malpractice cases, and set the standard of appellate review in dismissals of medical malpractice cases under Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. Article 4590i §13.01, now Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Chapter 74. This case has been cited by appellate courts over 5,000 times and continues to instruct and inform judges and lawyers across the State of Texas.

James A. Tatem is a graduate of the University of Texas where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1989. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law in 1992. Tatem James A. is admitted to practice before Texas state courts and the United States District Court for the Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Jim has served as a first-chair trial lawyer in a variety of personal injury and property damage cases as well commercial cases. Jim has extensive experience in products liability, premises liability, toxic torts, superfund and environmental litigation, construction litigation, real estate, civil litigation, class and collective actions, commercial litigation, insurance law, mediation/arbitration, and personal injury defense.

Samantha C. Jeffers is an Attorney in the Austin office of Germer. Samantha graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in Business Management. She then earned her law degree from The George Washington University Law School in 2019. Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Samantha practiced at a large insurance defense firm specializing in catastrophic personal injury, premises liability, and wrongful death claims. At Germer, Samantha focuses on medical malpractice, representing hospitals, physicians, and medical providers.

Eric Robertson was raised in Port Neches, Texas, before he moved away for school and work. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, for his undergraduate studies. Then, he attended Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth, Texas. Eric spent his first years as a practicing attorney in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex from 2014 to 2017. Next, Eric served the State of Texas as an Administrative Law Judge in Houston from 2017 to 2022. As he started a family, Eric wanted to be closer to his hometown area and the values he grew up with, and he joined Germer PLLC’s Beaumont office in 2022. Eric practices in the areas of administrative law, civil litigation, personal injury defense, and torts.

Kelli B. Smith earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law in 1998. While attending law school, she was a Teaching Quizmaster, an associate editor of the Texas Journal of Women and The Law, and excelled in Moot Court competitions. She has been with Germer since 1998 and has extensive experience handling appeals in state and federal courts, including more than 100 reported and unreported opinions. Kelli is admitted to practice before Texas courts, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Kelli is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Jefferson County Bar Association, Jefferson County Bar Journal Editorial Committee, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Michelle Mehaffy American Inns of Court, the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas, and the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit. Kelli’s experience is in appellate practice and general civil litigation, including products liability, insurance defense, professional malpractice defense, and class and complex litigation.

William is a seasoned trial attorney with over 30 years of experience litigating claims involving personal injury, medical malpractice, professional negligence, products liability, motor vehicle collisions, deceptive trade practices, premises liability, property/casualty losses and insurance coverage. William has a strong background defending physicians and hospitals, as well as companies involved with pharmaceuticals and medical devices. He has been involved with various mass tort dockets. In connection therewith, he has specific expertise managing large caseloads and providing liability/damage assessments, budgeting projections and resolution strategies. He has substantial experience with jurisdictional challenges, venue disputes, preemption, large document productions, privilege and confidentiality issues, corporate witness and expert depositions, expert challenges, discovery/summary judgment motions and trial. William has tried cases in Texas and New Mexico, and been involved with various national trial teams and formulation of national litigation strategies.

Jennifer A. Lopez (formerly Gutierrez) is a Houston estate planning attorney who practices estate planning and immigration law. Attorney Lopez is licensed in 3 states – Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. She is also authorized to practice in the U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas, U.S. District Court – Northern District of Illinois, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. She has practiced in all three states and is a member of the American Bar Association. Prior to starting J. Lopez Law, Ms. Lopez worked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Through her experience at the Office of Chief Counsel she knows first-hand the procedures and strategies of the opposing counsel and uses this knowledge to her clients’ advantage. Immigration law is fast paced and if your attorney is inattentive or hasty, you could pay the price. Attorney Lopez believes that the best way she can serve her clients is by completing their case right the first time. She is attentive to details, knowledgeable of immigration law, and very efficient in the courtroom. Over the years, she has proven her abilities as an immigration and nationality attorney with a track record of success. Immigration and nationality are life altering pursuits, and at J. Lopez Law, we work hard to assist clients in achieving their goals.

Gabriel joined the firm back in January of 2016 working as a Law Clerk and began his career as a personal injury attorney in 2017. He graduated from South Texas College of Law with honors and is a member of the American Bar Association and the Houston Young Lawyers Association. Gabriel comes from a family of lawyers, so it was a natural decision for him to choose this career path. Gabriel personally understands the frustrations of being involved in an accident, and wants to help others with the process of healing and recovering what is just. Gabriel is a husband and father of two, and enjoys fishing, playing golf, and coaching his daughter’s softball team.

Lyle J. Rudolph is a proud advocate for people injured by the negligence of others. His practice includes a wide range of personal injury cases including automobile, motorcycle, and 18-wheeler collisions, along with claims arising from an injury on someone else’s property and work place injuries where the employer does not participate in workers compensation insurance. Lyle graduated from South Texas College of Law with high honors. In his time at South Texas, Lyle participated as a member of South Texas Law Review and he was admitted into Phi Delta Phi Honor Society. He is admitted to practice in both the State Bar of Texas and U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas. Lyle is active in the community serving as a board member on the New Caney ISD Education Foundation and is a member of Rotary International. Lyle is a husband and father of two. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, fishing, and other outdoor activities.