Helping Clients Put Their Lives Back Together After A Personal Injury
Biography
I have been blessed to have a first chair trial practice for 46 years. In that time I have tried over 100 cases to verdict and I have settled countless cases. In recent years, most cases have settled as part of the mediation process. Generally, my cases tended to involve personal injury or property damage. Defamation and professional negligence claims formed a substantial subset to my case load. I think I have a unique perspective on litigation and the rightful role of mediation.
I remain a strong supporter of the right to a jury trial in civil cases. I also have come to believe that the mediation process is a necessary and salutary part of a litigation system. There is no dishonor in a compromise based upon a sober and realistic assessment of risk.
I think Abe Lincoln got it right: "Discourage litigation, Encourage your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will be business enough."
Education
- The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
- LL.B., Bachelor of Law - 00/1966
- University of Texas, Austin, Texas
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 00/1963
Bar Admission
- Texas, 1966
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1971
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1968
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1971
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1975
Classes & Seminars
- Presented, Advanced Personal Injury Trial Law, State Bar of Texas
- Presented, Advanced Civil Trial Law, State Bar of Texas
Past Positions
- Wiley and Thornton, Associate, 1966 to 1969
- Wiley Thornton and Plumb, Associate, 1966 to 1969
- Wiley Plumb and Plunkett, Associate, 1966 to 1969
- Wiley, Plunkett, Gibson & Allen, Partner, 1969 to 1979
- Plunkett & Gibson, Shareholder, 1979
Fraternities or Sororities
- Phi Delta Phi
Professional Associations
- San Antonio Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Vice-Chairman and Chairman, Section of Health Care Law, 1993 to 1996
- International Association of Defense Counsel, Member
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Member
Certified Legal Specialties
- Personal Injury, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1978
- Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1978