ATTORNEY PROFILES
Michael T. Sprague - Founding Attorney/Partner
Born in Mineral Wells, Texas, he and his wife Laura have raised two children in over 38 years of marriage. In addition to serving the community as a lawyer, Michael Sprague has served as a leader for Christian Service Brigade, on the Board of Directors for the Pregnancy Help Center of Katy, as a Precinct Chairman and Precinct Representative to the State Convention. He is also an Elder and Sunday school teacher at BridgePoint Bible Church.
Michael Sprague's passion for advocacy has resulted in him gaining a reputation for polished trial work. The same intensity and attention to detail is applied equally to "small" cases and million dollar cases alike. Because of his recognized trial expertise, Michael Sprague receives referrals from lawyers who realize they need an experienced litigator who can communicate persuasively to juries and judges.
It is the extensive trial experience which he commands, that makes Michael Sprague more capable than the average lawyer in investigating and evaluating a case, and assessing the needs of his clients. While the vast majority of his experience is on the defense side, Michael Sprague has tried cases for plaintiff litigants as well. His vast experience has met the needs of both corporate and individual clients throughout his career. Michael Sprague has been AV rated for over 20 years, and attained AV® Preeminent™5.0 out of 5 rating in 2003 based on his peers’ input, and has maintained this rating for 15 years up to the present day. This award recognizes attorneys for proficiency in legal knowledge, experience, and communication skills.
University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science 1980
University of Houston Law Center - J.D. 1983
Case note and comment Editor for the Houston Journal of International Law
Team Captain Jessup International Moot Court Competition
Semi-Finalist Mock Trial Competition 1982
Has tried more than 300 lawsuits to jury verdict
Has successfully handled more than 10 civil Appeals & Texas Supreme Court Appeal
Has tried cases in 15 different Gulf Coast counties
Admitted to Practice in the Southern and Eastern U.S. District Courts and 5th Circuit Court
Continuing Legal Education Speaker
*AV® - Preeminent Rating
Christy barber - MANAGING PARTNER
After graduating from Baylor University School of Law in 1997, Christy began her legal career as a staff attorney for the Tenth District Court of Appeals. From there, she joined the McLennan County District Attorney’s office in Waco, Texas, where she represented the State of Texas in jury trials at all court levels and in appeals to the Court of Appeals, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court, handling misdemeanors, capital murder cases, and everything in between. Christy also worked as a staff attorney for the First District Court of Appeals in Houston as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before trying her hand at civil litigation starting in 2010.
The last decade Christy has spent in insurance defense, bringing her vast trial experience as a prosecutor to work with various insurance carriers to defend their policy holders when lawsuits are brought against them. Christy has worked at the firm since 2018.
Christy met her husband, Nathan, in college and they have been happily married since 1994. They have two children, Noah and Emma. When not working, Christy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, going to concerts, and watching K-Dramas.
ESTHER CORTEZ TRENEER - SENIOR TRIAL Attorney
helen kim - SENIOR TRIAL attorney
Helen H. Kim was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and has lived in various parts of the world, gaining her a broad and diverse perspective. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and Government from the University of Texas at Austin before pursuing her law degree at the University of Houston Law Center. While in law school, Helen was a key member of the Mock Trial Team, competing in prestigious events such as the Hippard Mock Trial Competition and the National Trial Competition, where she was a semi-finalist.
Helen began her legal career as a defense attorney and quickly established herself as a skilled litigator. She has tried cases throughout Texas, including in Polk, Jefferson, Montgomery, Travis, and Harris Counties. Helen’s achievements include over 17 jury trials where she secured favorable outcomes in five cases with $0 verdicts and ten cases with verdicts lower than the final settlement offers. Helen is licensed to practice in both state and federal courts, and she regularly handles first-party insurance cases in federal court, showcasing her versatility and depth of experience.
Outside of her legal career, Helen enjoys travelling and exploring new destinations on her bike with her husband.
