Laura De La Cruz first joined Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP in 2010 as a paralegal for managing partner, Matthew D. Shaffer. She continued to work at the firm through law school until she became licensed to practice law in 2015. Laura believes the law is meant to serve those who have been wronged. She has devoted most of her practice to advocating for maritime workers and other individuals injured in serious accidents throughout the country. She understands how a serious injury can transform an individual’s life and fights hard to obtain the best outcome for her clients in every case. She is licensed to practice law in Texas and Louisiana and regularly practices in both federal and state court. Laura was born in Puerto Rico and spent much of her childhood moving across different parts of the United States. She now considers Texas her home. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center and has spent her entire legal career representing claimants. In her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with her two young daughters and traveling to new places.

We are excited to welcome Jonathan Bever to our legal team. Jonathan brings with him a strong foundation in federal workers’ compensation law, a tireless work ethic, and a genuine passion for helping injured workers and their families navigate complex claims processes. Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston-Downtown in 2018. He went on to attend the University of Houston Law Center, where he graduated cum laude in 2021 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. During law school, he developed a strong interest in workers’ compensation law and began shaping his legal career around it. Immediately after law school, Jonathan began representing injured workers under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Defense Base Act. Over the years, he has expanded his practice to include claims under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act. His commitment to advocating for those injured while serving their country or working in high-risk environments has earned him a reputation for being both compassionate and results-driven. Jonathan is known for his approachable demeanor, attention to detail, and deep understanding of federal compensation systems. Whether he’s advocating for overseas contractors injured in conflict zones or harbor workers injured on the job, he works diligently to ensure each client receives the care, benefits, and justice they deserve. Outside of his legal practice, Jonathan is a devoted husband and proud father to three energetic young boys, ages 4, 2, and 1. He enjoys coaching Little League and finds great joy in watching his sons learn and grow through sports. In his free time, Jonathan also enjoys cooking for his family, golfing with friends, and fishing whenever he gets the chance. Jonathan’s blend of professional experience and personal values makes him a tremendous asset to our firm and a strong advocate for the clients we serve. We are thrilled to have him on board.

Austin Marin is a Houston native who takes pride in serving the community that shaped him. Raised in a working-class family, he understands the value of hard work, resilience, and treating people with respect. He earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law, where he was recognized on the Dean’s List, and graduated cum laude from the University of Houston as a member of the Honors College. He approaches every case with dedication and a client-first mindset, ensuring those he represents feel heard and supported throughout the legal process. When he’s not practicing law, Austin enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Missy K. Atwood is a principal in the Austin office at Germer, PLLC. She has over 25 years of experience in civil litigation, healthcare law and administrative law. She has tried more than 60 cases to verdict as first-chair trial counsel in State District Courts and Federal Courts. She represents clients in a wide variety of complex civil litigation, as both lead counsel and local counsel, including high exposure medical malpractice, products liability, pharmaceutical products liability, construction, anti-trust, insurance coverage, and commercial litigation. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Scott C. Crutchfield is a Principal in GERMER PLLC’s Business section. His practice is primarily concentrated on representing Lenders and Borrowers in connection with HUD-Insured Loan transactions for the construction, refinancing and acquisition of Multifamily and Healthcare facilities under HUD’s various mortgage insurance programs, as well as property acquisitions and assumption of HUD-insured loans (“TPA’s”). Scott’s work in this area includes successful closings of numerous affordable transactions that combine HUD-insured financing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Tax-Exempt Bonds and various types of local, state and federal subordinate loan elements. Geographically, approximately one-half to two-thirds of the transactions Scott has closed are through the Southwest Multifamily Region based in Fort Worth, with the remainder being spread across each of the other HUD Multifamily Regions. Additionally, Scott provides services to Borrowers under conventional commercial loan programs, including but not limited to those administered by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and USDA. Finally, Scott provides traditional business services to clients, including the sale, purchase or leasing of commercial property, entity formation and general services and advice.

Jason L. Hughes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Lamar University in 1993. Jason started his career as an Officer with the Beaumont, Texas Police Department and was promoted to Detective, assigned to the Special Crimes Unit in 1998. Jason’s extensive background in criminal investigations affords him unique expertise in case investigation and development. Jason earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law Houston in 2006. Jason was on the Dean’s Honor List and received the Phi Delta Phi Highest Grade Awards in Civil Procedure, Evidence and Criminal Trial Advocacy. He also received the Judge Bert Tunks Scholarship Award and the Garland Walker Alumni Association Scholarship Award. Upon graduation from law school, Jason began his legal career with Germer in 2007. Jason is admitted to practice in courts in the State of Texas, the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Southern, Northern, and Western Districts of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, a Thompson Reuters publication, from 2012 – 2017 as well as being recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer, a Thompson Reuters publication, in 2025.. He was also recognized as “Appellate Lawyer of the Week” by Texas Lawyer Magazine in September 2011. Hughes Jason L. is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Jefferson County Bar Association, Texas Association of Defense Counsel and Family Law Sections of the State Bar of Texas and Jefferson County Bar Association. Jason also served on the State Bar of Texas Standing Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect from 2009 – 2015. Jason served on the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Bar Association from 2019-2021. Jason became a member of the Michelle F. Mehaffy Inn of Court in 2019 and a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation in 2021.

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.