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
With nearly three decades of litigation and appellate experience, Christy Barber is the Managing Partner of Sprague & Barber P.C., where she leads firm operations while maintaining an active trial practice focused on personal injury defense, commercial insurance litigation, first-party coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and complex insurance-related matters. Christy has handled thousands of cases throughout Texas and has tried nearly one hundred jury and bench trials to verdict, earning a reputation for strategic advocacy, practical problem-solving, and exceptional client service.
After graduating from Baylor University School of Law in 1997, Christy began her legal career as a Staff Attorney for the Tenth Court of Appeals in Waco, Texas, where she researched legal issues and assisted the court in drafting opinions and memoranda. She later joined the McLennan County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, representing the State of Texas in matters ranging from misdemeanors to serious felony prosecutions and handling appeals before the Tenth Court of Appeals and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Christy also served as a Chamber Attorney for Senior Justice Tim Taft at the First Court of Appeals in Houston and as a Central Staff Attorney for the First Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, drafting opinions and evaluating both civil and criminal appeals.
In 2010, Christy transitioned into civil litigation, bringing her extensive courtroom and appellate experience to the insurance defense field. Since then, she has represented insurers and their policyholders in a wide variety of personal injury, motor vehicle, commercial, and coverage-related disputes. Since joining forces with Mike Sprague, Christy has advanced from Senior Trial Attorney to Partner in 2022 and to Managing Partner in 2025, when the firm became Sprague & Barber P.C. In addition to her own active litigation practice, she mentors attorneys, develops litigation strategy across the firm's docket, and works closely with clients and carriers to achieve successful outcomes.
An active member of the legal community, Christy has served in numerous leadership roles, including Past President of the Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyers Association. She frequently provides continuing education presentations to insurance adjusters and carrier clients and has spoken for educational, civic, and professional organizations throughout Texas.
Christy met her husband, Nathan, in college, and they have been happily married since 1994. They are proud parents of two children, Noah and Emma. Outside the office, Christy enjoys reading, traveling, attending concerts, spending time with family, and indulging her love of K-dramas and F1.
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 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.
Hilary laborde - senior trial attorney
Hilary LaBorde is originally from Los Angeles, California, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. After spending a year studying abroad in Florence, Italy, she moved to Waco in 1999 to attend Baylor Law School. Hilary has lived in McLennan County ever since. While in law school, she was a member of the Moot Court Team and competed in Washington D.C. She received her JD in 2002 and began working as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Waco that same year – eventually trying well over 200 jury trials to verdict, over 100 of which involved child abuse. She later worked as a trial prosecutor in Coryell and Limestone Counties and served as a Special Prosecutor in several additional counties including Lampasas, Leon, Washington, and Williamson.
Hilary has spoken at several conferences over the years, teaching Lawyers, Law Enforcement, Medical Personnel, and Social Workers on all aspects of prosecuting human trafficking and crimes against women and children. She has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at Baylor Law School in the Criminal Law Boot Camp program and as a faculty advisor for the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association Trial Skill Course for new prosecutors.
Hilary is currently serving her second term on the Vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waco, where she also has been on the School Board and taught Sunday School. She enjoys running, reading, traveling, and attending Baylor Athletics events with her family.
