Some family law situations require immediate action—especially when the safety and well-being of a child is at risk. At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, founded by Houston family law attorney Bryan Fagan, Christopher David Bunch represents clients in family law matters with a focus on CPS cases, child protection, and high-stakes custody matters. Serving clients from the firm’s Richmond office, he works with families across the Houston area to protect parental rights and advocate for the best interests of children.

Robert A. Thornton is a family law attorney at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, serving clients from the firm’s Dallas office. Robert brings experience in both family law and criminal defense, along with a background as a solo practitioner. Robert earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Alabama and his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He has achieved a not guilty verdict in a felony jury trial. Robert was drawn to the legal profession by a belief that advocating for others is one of the highest callings. He is passionate about standing up for individuals facing difficult situations.

Arthur Schechter (1939-2026) was one of the nation’s most respected trial lawyers and maritime advocates, dedicating more than six decades to representing injured individuals, seamen, and their families throughout the United States and around the world. Beginning his legal career in 1964, he helped thousands of clients successfully resolve their cases and rebuild their lives through his tireless advocacy, compassion, and commitment to justice. Over the course of his distinguished career, Arthur represented clients from local seamen’s unions, the National Maritime Union, the Indian Seaman’s Union, the Pakistani Seaman’s Union, and individual mariners across the globe. His reputation for extraordinary client service and courtroom success earned him the admiration of colleagues, clients, and the broader legal community alike. As the founding partner of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, Mr. Schechter helped build one of the nation’s premier maritime and personal injury law firms. He served the firm for decades as Senior Counsel and lead litigator in complex personal injury and maritime matters. In addition to his legal practice, he served as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from 1998 to 2001, Chairman of Houston METRO, and a partner in a major national litigation firm. Mr. Schechter received numerous honors throughout his career for his legal accomplishments, civic leadership, and public service. Among his many recognitions, he received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the United States Coast Guard, earned Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Rating, and was repeatedly recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine. H Texas magazine also named him among Houston’s “Top Lawyers for the People.” Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Schechter devoted substantial time and energy to charitable, educational, and civic organizations throughout Houston and beyond. He served in leadership roles with Congregation Beth Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, the American Jewish Committee, SEARCH Homeless Services, the Houston Holocaust Museum, Career and Recovery Resources, and numerous other philanthropic and community organizations. His public service and humanitarian efforts earned recognition from organizations including the NAACP, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Customs Service, Baylor College of Medicine, and many others. Mr. Schechter was admitted to practice in Texas in 1964 and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He earned his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1964 and his B.A. from The University of Texas in 1962, where he participated in the Honors Program and served on both the Dean’s Council and President’s Council. His practice focused extensively on personal injury and maritime law, including Jones Act claims, offshore and maritime accidents, trucking and motor vehicle accidents, railroad accidents, wrongful death claims, products liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, and complex commercial and insurance litigation. Arthur Schechter’s legacy of advocacy, leadership, and public service continues to influence the firm, the legal profession, and the countless individuals and families whose lives he touched. Mr. Schechter received numerous awards for his work, including the highest civilian award given by the United States Coast Guard. He was also been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, an honor only given to 5% of Texas attorneys. H Texas magazine also recognized him as one of the Top Lawyers for the People.

Aimara Flores is a Houston-based attorney whose practice focuses on criminal defense and civil litigation. Dedicated to strong advocacy and client-centered representation, Aimara is passionate about helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations with confidence, clarity, and strategic guidance. Known for her thoughtful yet determined approach, she works closely with clients to ensure they feel informed, supported, and aggressively represented throughout every stage of the legal process. Aimara has experience handling a broad range of litigation matters and has developed a strong interest in courtroom advocacy, legal strategy, and client communication. Her practice is driven by attention to detail, practical problem-solving, and a commitment to achieving meaningful results for those she represents. She is particularly passionate about advocating for individuals and families facing high-stress and emotionally difficult legal matters. Aimara earned her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston, where she focused on litigation and advocacy skills. She is licensed to practice law in Texas and admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Aimara is proud to serve diverse communities across Texas and remains committed to making legal services more accessible and approachable for clients from all backgrounds. In addition to her legal practice, Aimara serves as Vice President of the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston (MABAH), where she actively supports professional development, mentorship, networking, and community engagement within the legal profession. She is passionate about building connections within the legal community and empowering the next generation of attorneys. Outside of the office, Aimara enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, spending time with family, and pursuing personal and professional growth. She values meaningful experiences, community involvement, and maintaining strong relationships both inside and outside the legal profession.

Michael Downey joined Mostyn Law in 2013. Michael works primarily on Personal Injury and Insurance litigation. He also has experience handling probate and estate cases, professional license defense cases, and complex commercial matters. Michael enjoys being a part of Mostyn Law’s trial team. His excellent advocacy skills and trial work have earned him recognition by the National Academy of Personal Injury “Top 10 Under 40” as well as the The National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 under 40” list.

For over two decades, Jacob Monty has successfully practiced at the intersection of immigration, labor, and employment laws. A nationally recognized authority on issues facing employers with large Hispanic workforces, Jacob has written not one, but two books on the topic and speaks regularly in English and Spanish on navigating labor and employment matters in industries with heightened immigration scrutiny. His clients include professional baseball teams, grocery store chains, single establishment and chain restaurants, and leading companies in the construction and facility maintenance fields. Jacob has been interviewed by major media outlets such as Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC regarding national immigration concerns. Jacob founded Monty & Ramirez LLP to offer an integrated approach to dealing with Hispanic workforces. He and his bilingual partners address all the critical aspects of employer advocacy, from immigration to union matters, workplace safety, and employment disputes. Jacob’s practice extends nationwide; he has represented employers in courts and government investigations in California, Illinois, New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and throughout Texas. Jacob has held presidential and gubernatorial appointments to the University of Houston Board of Regents, the Texas Private Security Board, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, and the North American Development Bank. Jacob is also active in civic and professional leadership. He serves as Outside Counsel for the Mexican Consulate in Houston, and chairs the Center for Latino Jewish Relations.

Daniel “Danny” Ramirez strategically represents public and private employers in labor, employment, and immigration matters. Danny’s successful track record includes providing sound advice to businesses on HR issues, representing employers during government investigations, and strategically defending companies, government agencies, and education institutions in litigation, arbitration, and appeals. He also regularly represents companies during high-stake ICE raids and helps them implement Form I-9 best practices. Danny’s clients include numerous McDonald’s, Walgreens, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Lone Star College, Houston Community College, and many small, mid-size and large privately-owned companies. As an alumni of The University of Texas Law School, Danny is a Board Certified Labor & Employment attorney that has been repeatedly honored with the title of Super Lawyer. Danny’s unique skill set allows him to aggressively defend his clients in litigation, while maintaining a strategic focus on the client’s best interests. Danny understands that litigation can create a substantial expense and distraction for many of his clients. Danny’s client-centric approach allows him to promptly identify his client’s needs and work towards obtaining swift, favorable dismissal of the case or resolution when necessary. Clients value that Danny is an experienced litigator that is able to offer proactive counseling and cost-effective solutions. As a 2nd generation U.S. Navy service member, Danny’s professional life and community activities reflect his commitment to service and hard work. Danny previously chaired the Harris County Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission and served as president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston, where he continues as a Board Member. Danny currently is a commissioner of the City of Houston’s Civil Service Commission. Danny has been awarded a Certificate of Special U.S. Congressional Recognition for his work on behalf of military families. He is an alumni of Leadership Houston and is often coaching his son in soccer.

Maricela Ventura Alvarado is a Partner in Monty & Ramirez LLP’s immigration division focusing on Business Immigration. Her experience includes a variety of employment-based and family-based immigration matters including nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, permanent residency, and citizenship. A majority of Maricela’s practice falls under the areas of employment and investment immigration representing small to large private and public businesses, private to public healthcare providers, primary, secondary and higher education institutions and more in their immigration and employment compliance issues. Maricela attended the University of North Texas and earned a degree in Economics in 2012. While attending college, Maricela was drawn into the nonprofit sector and decided to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service of America), a national service program designed to alleviate poverty. As a VISTA, Maricela worked with a nonprofit in Tarrant County serving Homeless Families and Victims of Domestic Violence. Once completing her year of service as a VISTA, Maricela moved to Houston, TX to continue working in the nonprofit sector for a local charity and attend South Texas College of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2017. Maricela obtained her Juris Doctor working full-time in the nonprofit sector for her first 2 years of law school. She later joined Monty & Ramirez as a law clerk for the remaining time of her law school career. Her time as a law clerk in our Immigration division developed her skills and understanding in immigration law and her experience in the nonprofit sector further developed her compassion and civic mindedness in the profession

Justin D. McMinn is a trial lawyer who aggressively represents personal injury plaintiffs and criminal defendants throughout the state of Texas.  He has a strong passion for seeking justice and helping his clients rebuild their lives after serious injury accidents.Justin was born and raised in Central Texas.  After completing high school, Justin attended the University of Texas where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Government.  Justin then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.  While attending Texas Tech, Justin worked for a law firm that specialized in Personal Injury Litigation.  Here, Justin developed his passion to help people who had been seriously injured in accidents.  Justin worked up and helped prepare hundreds of personal injury claims for litigation.  After graduating law school, Justin accepted a position with the McMinn Law Firm, which was founded by his older brother Jason B. McMinn.  Justin represents criminal defendants and is experienced in negotiating favorable plea agreements, pretrial litigation, and preparing cases for trial.  This past year, Justin was named a partner in the McMinn Law Firm.Select Cases in 2008 Represented an Austin man who was hit by an 18-wheeler truck that was in the wrong lane and crushed his bucket truck that he was using to repair a traffic light.  The Austin man suffered from spinal injuries. After exposing the poor safety history of the trucking company, they agreed to settle the case for $1,950,000 with a client recovery of $1,025,000.  Represented a six year old Austin girl who sustained a brain injury at a local Austin business.  Prior to trial, the local business agreed to settle the case for $250,000 with a client recovery of $125,000.  Represented a Buda family that was involved in a head on automobile collision.  The husband and wife received spinal injuries from the impact of the collision. Prior to trial, the at fault driver's insurance company agreed to settle the case for $165,000 with a client recovery of $82,000.  Represented an Austin man that was hit by a car that jumped the curb and struck him while he was riding his bicycle.  After suit was filed, the insurance company agreed to pay $100,000 with a client recovery of $50,000 for the Austin man's spinal injuries.  AffiliationsJustin is a member of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, State Bar of Texas and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.  Justin is an alumni of the Texas Kappa Alpha Order and a member of the Silver Spurs Alumni Association.

Robin N. Blanchette represents a wide variety of clients and companies who are based locally, nationally, and internationally, and whose industries include retailers (premises liability, general negligence, premises security, products, DTPA), oil and gas (employment, personal injury, OCSLA, DOHSA), construction liability (worksite accidents, contractual indemnity, OSHA), products liability (manufacturing defects, design defects, marketing defects, DTPA, warranty, distribution), property management companies / owners, and restaurants. Robin is admitted to practice in Texas state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern, Northern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, and Houston Bar Association. Robin was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, a Thompson Reuters publication, from 2012-2016.