Please Welcome Our New Associates

Gabrielle C. Smith

Gabrielle has joined the firm’s Litigation and Appellate Practice Groups. She represents clients in litigation matters in state and federal courts. She provides guidance to clients as they navigate through the steps of the process at both the trial and appellate levels. She also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, exploring options through both pre-litigation and litigation routes.

Prior to joining the firm, Gabrielle represented federal government employees in discrimination complaints and appeals of adverse personnel actions. Gabrielle received her doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law and her bachelor’s from Texas A&M University.

J. Reid Barnes

Reid has joined the firm’s Energy and Utility Practice Group. He assists clients with various matters regarding electric and water utility services, primarily helping to navigate regulatory and enforcement proceedings before the Public Utility Commission, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Prior to joining the Firm, Reid provided strategic planning and business consulting services pertaining to water projects, water and wastewater utilities, electric transmission projects, and property rights. Reid received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law and his bachelor’s from the University of Texas.

Lindsay R. Killeen

Lindsay has joined the firm’s Litigation and Appellate Practice Groups. She rerepresents clients both in state and federal courts. She provides guidance to clients as they navigate the litigation process at both the trial and appellate levels. Lindsay is a passionate advocate both in and out of the courtroom and works hard to solve complex client problems. Lindsay received her doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University with honors.

Lauren C. Thomas

Lauren has joined the firm’s Water and Compliance and Enforcement Practice Groups. Her practice involves working with environmental matters at the federal, state, and local levels. As a member of the Water Practice Group, Lauren assists clients with water quality matters, water resources development, regulatory compliance, permitting, enforcement, and litigation. Lauren received her doctor of jurisprudence from the Texas A&M University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University.

C. Cole Ruiz

Cole has joined the firm’s Water and Districts Practice Groups. His practice focuses on guiding clients through a myriad of governmental and water-related legal and policy issues, including certificates of convenience and necessity, statutory and regulatory compliance, various transactions, permitting, water rights, water resource management and development, and governmental relations.

Prior to joining the firm, Cole worked for the San Antonio River Authority and served as Project Manager for the South Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region L) and the Regional Water Alliance. Cole received his doctor of jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law, his master’s from St. Mary’s University, and his bachelor’s from the University of Texas.