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Texas Lawyers

328 distinguished attorneys practicing in Texas, each reviewed by the Lawyers of Distinction Selection Committee.

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George W. ("Billy") Shepherd

Civil Litigation

770 South Post Oak Lane, 420, Houston, TX 77056

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Billy Shepherd is a seasoned and highly-regarded litigator with vast experience trying many different types of cases. He attended the University of Virginia, earning academic honors, and graduated with a B.S. from the University’s McIntire School of Commerce in 1982. He then returned to his native New Orleans and obtained an M.B.A. from Loyola University in 1983, where he also earned academic honors. In 1984, Billy moved to Austin to begin law school at the University of Texas School of Law, where he earned a J.D. with honors in 1987. Billy became licensed to practice law later that year, and moved to Houston to join the trial section of Andrews Kurth LLP. In 1992, Billy and other members of the trial section left Andrews Kurth to form Cruse, Scott, Henderson & Allen, L.L.P., which later became Shepherd, Scott, Clawater & Houston, L.L.P. In 2015, Billy formed Shepherd Prewett PLLC with Matthew Prewett. Throughout his many years of litigation and appellate experience, Billy has cultivated a practice that encompasses a broad range of matters, including representation of attorneys and law firms, large corporations, energy companies, insurance companies, and individuals in various types of disputes. He also often consults on ethical issues facing attorneys and their firms in today’s complicated business climate. In addition to having taught trial advocacy at the University of Houston Law Center, Billy has frequently served as a speaker on legal malpractice and ethics issues. Admitted to practice in various state and federal trial courts, Billy is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Association of Defense Counsel, and the Texas Bar Foundation.

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Gerald Pels

Environmental Law

600 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

Gerry Pels, Chair of the Firm-wide Environmental Section - Energy and Industrial, has been one of the leaders of the Texas environmental legal community for over 30 years. His diverse practice focuses on the areas of environmental compliance, counseling, and litigation. During his career, Gerry has consistently led teams working on cutting edge matters of environmental law, including resolving the well-known Cooper v. Aviall litigation and arguing Clean Air Act issues before the 5th Circuit in litigation involving the Texas SIP. Gerry has been consistently recognized in Chambers USA since 2004 as well as in The Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law. He was also an adjunct law professor for seven years teaching both environmental law and an advanced RCRA seminar. Gerry's wide range of experience includes agency negotiations, assessing and counseling air, water, stormwater, and waste permit compliance, representing clients at contested permit, enforcement, and other hearings.

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Gerry Goldstein

Gerry Goldstein

Distinguished Lawyer

Criminal Defense Law

310 S. St. Mary

Gerald “Gerry” Harris Goldstein is a nationally known and respected defense lawyer and Past President of both the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He is a fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at University of Texas School of Law in Austin and at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America as recognized by BL Rankings. He is also listed in Texas Lawyer’s Legal Legends. Gerry is also a founder and course director or the NACDL White Collar Crime Seminar. Goldstein is nationally renowned for his brilliant criminal defense advocacy and extraordinary skills as a lecturer. A 1991 recipient of the Rober C. Heeney Memorial Award from the NACDL, he served as amicus curiae for the NACDL in many high-profile cases, including CNN v. Manuel Noriega (1990), opposing network broadcasting of government tapes of Noriega’s conversations with his attorneys; and Joe Does v. United States (1994), arguing that lawyers should not be required to disclose the identity of cash-paying clients on IRS forms. His congressional testimony during the 1996 House Waco hearings is credited with helping to turn the tide against further suppression of citizen’s rights in America. Goldstein served as President of the NACDL from 1994-1995. Goldstein previously served as President of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association from 1992-1993. In 2002, he received the high honor of induction into the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Hall of Fame.

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Greg Baumgartner

Personal Injury Law

6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX 77069

Greg Baumgartner is the founder of Baumgartner Law Firm, a personal injury law firm based in Houston, Texas. Greg holds double law degrees, is a graduate of Trial Lawyers College, and has been preeminent rated for decades. SuperLawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Top 10 Truck Accident Lawyers, Top Houston Personal Injury Lawyers, Top Houston Car Accident Lawyers, Top Houston Truck Accident Lawyers, Best Attorneys of American, and numerous others recognized Greg. A member of the Texas and Colorado State Bar Association, Greg is a co-founder of the NW Bar Association in Houston, TX, and is active in many other professional organizations

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Choosing a lawyer in Texas

Every Lawyers of Distinction member in Texas is licensed to practice law and has passed a review of achievements, peer recognition and ethics. Start with the practice area that matches your legal issue, compare member profiles and reviews, then contact an attorney directly from their profile.

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