Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense
- Telephone: 214-220-5200
- Fax: 214-220-5299
- E-Mail: wcobb@cobbmartinez.com
- Website: www.cobbmartinez.com
Established: 2008
Practice Areas
- Insurance Defense
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Appellate
- Accountants and Attorneys Liability
- Architects and Engineers
- Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions
- Labor and Employment
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Professional Licensure
- Real Estate Agents & Brokers Liability
- Tax Litigation
- Professional Malpractice
- Attorney Grievance Defense
- Financial Advisor/Investment Advisor Defense
- Trucking & Automobile Defense
About Us
Cobb Martinez Woodward was formed in 2008 with the goal of establishing an elite firm of litigation counsel providing clients with effective representation, wise counsel, and personal attention. Since then, we also have been joined by top legal talent — often from larger firms — seeking to practice in this collaborative and close-knit environment.
We appreciate that our colleagues in the legal profession often recognize our firm and its individual attorneys with honors in leading business and legal publications, confirming the respect we have earned as advocates for our clients. Our extensive, tested experience in diverse practice areas— including professional liability, premises liability, personal injury, product liability, professional licensure matters, employment law, general civil litigation and arbitration, and insurance defense — leads to a comprehensive and strategic view of each case.
Loyalty to client causes and a strong will to win, coupled with an early and clear-eyed evaluation of each dispute, is our guiding principle. This perspective is important, allowing us to anticipate adversaries, identify options, and pursue innovative solutions. We are committed to efficiency in our work and regular communication at every step of the litigation process, providing our clients with in-depth assessments and realistic anticipated costs to help guide their decisions.
Client Information
Insurance Clients
- ACE USA
- ACE Westchester Specialty Group
- Allied World Assurance Company
- Arch Insurance Company
- Chartis Insurance
- Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
- CNA Professional Insurance
- Fireman's Fund Insurance Companies
- Great American Insurance Company
- Hanover Professionals
- HCC Specialty
- Lexington Insurance Company
- OneBeacon Professional Insurance
- Texas Lawyers' Insurance Exchange
- XL Catlin
- XL Select Professional
Personnel Information
Managing Member
William D. Cobb, Jr.
Managing Member
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Professional Malpractice
- Legal Malpractice
- Product Liability Defense
Admitted
- Texas, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Memberships:
- American and Dallas Bar Associations
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- Defense Research Institute
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- American Board of Trial Advocates
Education:
- University of Denver, B.A., 1981
- The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D., 1984
Members
Stacy Hoffman Bruce
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment
- Premises Liability
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Trucking Litigation
Admitted
- Texas, 2002
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
- American Inns of Court
Education:
- American University, B.A. (cum laude), 1999
- Southern Methodist University Law School, J.D. (cum laude), 2002
Katherine Elrich
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Appellate
Admitted
- Texas, 1998
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
Education:
- The University of Texas at Arlington, B.B.A. (cum laude), 1995
- Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 1998
Larry W. Johnson
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Architects and Engineers
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Insurance Agent Malpractice
- Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions
- Real Estate Agents & Brokers Liability
Admitted
- Texas, 1996
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
Education:
- Trinity University, B.A., 1993
- The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D. (with honors), 1996
Jonathan C. LaMendola
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Medical Malpractice Defense
- Premises Liability
- Labor and Employment Law (Management Side)
- Legal Malpractice
- Professional Licensure
- Directors and Officers Liability
Admitted
- Texas, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- Southern Methodist University, B.A. (with honors), 1988
- Emory University School of Law, J.D., 1992
Jeffrey I. Nicodemus
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Product Liability Defense
- Professional Liability (Non-Medical) Defense
- Architects and Engineers
- Construction Litigation
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions
- Real Estate Agents & Brokers Liability
- Trucking Litigation
- Premises Liability
- Professional Licensure
Admitted
- Texas, 1998
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Education:
- University of North Texas, B.A. (cum laude), 1995
- The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D., 1998
Carrie Johnson Phaneuf
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Legal Malpractice
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Commercial Litigation
- Attorney Grievance Defense
Admitted
- Texas, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
Education:
- The University of Texas at Austin, B.A. (with honors), 1995
- Southern Methodist University Law School, J.D. (cum laude), 1998
Michael C. Smith
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Premises Liability
- Legal Malpractice
- Professional Licensure
- Real Estate Errors and Omissions
- Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions
- Agent and Brokers Errors and Omissions
Admitted
- Texas, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
Education:
- Trinity University, B.A., 1996
- Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 1999
Daniel D. Tostrud
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Accountant Malpractice
- Legal Malpractice
- Professional Licensure
- Attorney Grievance Defense
- Real Estate Professional Defense
Admitted
- Texas, 1989
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
Education:
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, B.B.A. (cum laude), 1986
- Baylor Law School, J.D., 1989
Lindsey K. Wyrick
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Accountant Malpractice
- Legal Malpractice
- Professional Licensure
- Agent and Brokers Errors and Omissions
- Commercial Litigation
- Attorney Grievance Defense
Admitted
- Texas, 2009
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Education:
- Texas A & M University at College Station, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2006
- Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2009
Matthew E. Last
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions
- Legal Malpractice
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability Defense
- Professional Licensure
- Real Estate Agents & Brokers Liability
Admitted
- Texas, 2007
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of Texas
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
Education:
- The University of Texas at Austin, B.B.A. (with highest honors), 2004
- The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D. (with honors), 2007
Associates
Virginia Cox
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Architects and Engineers
- Premises Liability
- Legal Malpractice Defense
- Professional Licensure Defense
Admitted
- Texas, 2017
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association (Business Litigation Section)
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Education:
- University of California, Davis, B.A., 2014
- Baylor Law School, J.D., 2017
Daniel Ortega
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Premises Liability
- Professional Licensure
Admitted
- Texas, 2009
- U.S. District Court, Districts of Texas
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
Education:
- The University of Texas, B.A. Economics, 2005
- New England School of Law, J.D., 2008
Jennifer Smiley
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment
- Legal Malpractice Defense
- Architect & Engineer Defense
Admitted
- Texas, 2015
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Young Lawyers Association
Education:
- Baylor University, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2011
- Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2015
Andrew S. Willard
Dallas, TX
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Architects and Engineers
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Premises Liability
Admitted
- Texas, 2015
Memberships:
- State Bar of Texas
- Tarrant County and Dallas Bar Associations
- Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
Education:
- Texas A&M University, B.S., 2012
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2015
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