Austin, Texas, United States
Specialties: Personal Injury, Medical-Malpractice, Trial Litigation, Appellate Litigation
Special Litigation Counsel in the Tort Litigation Division (TLD). TLD primarily defends State agencies and State employees in suits involving personal injury, medical malpractice, property damage, workers' compensation, libel, slander, and anti-retaliation. The Division also evaluates pre-litigation claims for potential settlement or defense of such claims and it provides advice to numerous state entities on tort related civil matters. Most of the suits defended by TLD are brought under the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA), the Recreational Use Statute (RUS) and the Medical Liability Act (MLA) as well as the Texas Labor Code.
I worked in the Office of General Counsel which was responsible for providing legal advice and support to the agency. These responsibilities encompassed coordinating litigation, reviewing contracts, responding to civil rights charges and advising on open government issues. Additionally, I directly provided legal advice to agency divisions charged with enforcing career school, wage claims and child labor regulation. As part of these duties, I coordinated the agency's representation with the Office of the Attorney General in judicial reviews arising from enforcement actions, including wage claim appeals.