Brandi Barron - Membership Director
Brandi Barron represents plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of complex commercial disputes, including business torts, oil and gas litigation, and probate and estate litigation. She also has experience with alternative dispute resolution tactics, including mediation. Brandi is a go-to lawyer on e-discovery, as well as background investigations on opposing parties, uncovering the proverbial needle in the haystack or smoking-gun piece of information that is critical to her client’s case.
Brandi is highly proficient in her use of internet tools and databases, and she is dedicated to keeping clients’ e-discovery costs as low as possible. She is skilled in learning clients’ businesses – not just understanding the issues, but what led to the issues and how the companies operate. Staying on top of new e-discovery trends, predictive coding and different document review methods ensures that Brandi is offering state-of-the-industry service to Gardere clients at the lowest possible cost.
Brandi's clients span the oil and gas or energy industry – exploration and production, oilfield services, seismic data and offshore drilling.
Jason Sharp - Vice Chair
Jason is an experienced business and employment litigator whose talent and character are demonstrated by his strong track record of successful client advocacy and military service. He is particularly knowledgeable and experienced in commercial litigation involving trade secrets, breach of contract, non-compete disputes, employment law, products liability and insurance coverage. He has also handled appeals before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and Texas state appellate courts.
Jason served with distinction in the United States Air Force and was awarded the Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service for mitigating a potentially life-threatening risk. He brings that same focus and strategic tenacity to each new case, always seeking to serve clients ethically and efficiently.
Lisa Hadden - Marketing Director/Group Administrator
Seasoned professional with more than 15 years of experience in event planning, marketing, community affairs, business development and operations management in corporate and nonprofit organizations. Creative and outcome driven, with strong project management ability. Collaborative leader, manager, and coach for diverse level of staff and volunteers. Strong communicator for both internal and external audiences. Committed team player experienced working in pressure-filled environments and across stakeholder groups.
Broad work experience includes:
- Branding initiatives including developing multi-use marketing collateral
- Community relations, program and volunteer management
- Nonprofit operations management including budget oversight and creating and implementing standard operating procedures
- Legal marketing and business development for top 10 corporate law firm
- Human Resources management including, recruitment, training, and performance management
- Event planning including business seminars, clients and team events, galas, and client appreciation events
Edgar Saldivar - Board Member
Senior Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Texas, the state's preeminent civil rights organization, at the forefront in Texas since 1938, where he defends the civil rights and civil liberties of ACLU clients in high impact litigation in state and federal courts. While handling various constitutional issues, his practice is focused on immigrants' rights and government accountability.
Craig Dillard - Chair
Craig Dillard is a member of Gardere’s litigation team in Houston. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, employment disputes (including trade secrets and non-complete claims), intellectual property litigation, product liability claims and construction litigation.
Craig, who is licensed in both Texas and Louisiana, represents a wide-range of clients – from high net worth individuals to large corporations – in both federal and state courts as well as in arbitration. He serves his clients with a proactive approach, always seeking to develop creative, practical and value-driven solutions to complex problems and disputes, before and after litigation has commenced.
Craig has a particular interest in the U.K. and Norway, and he assists many clients headquartered in these areas with the various legal issues they encounter doing business in the U.S. and Mexico.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Zach Hirsch - Board Member
Born and raised in Houston, Texas Zach attended Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. He earned his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in Houston.
The Hirsch Insurance agency is a resource built to be your professional liability insurance specialist. They can assist any business or professional with their professional liability needs in order to protect your assets. They know the marketplace, explain the coverage to you, and help you and your business make an informed insurance decision. They are a family owned, independent brokerage. Their loyalty is to you the insured. They are tasked with shopping and offering our clients the very best financial products in the professional liability arena at an affordable price with optimum coverage.
Zach's goal is to grow the agency with hard work, professionalism, trust and the ability to provide his clients the very best service and working knowledge of the insurance industry. Hirsch Insurance Brokerage consults with lawyers and law firms about their professional liability and commercial insurance needs on a national level. While they specialize in lawyers' professional liability, Hirsch Insurance is equipped to assist other business professionals with their insurance needs, as well.
Specialties: Specialization in malpractice insurance for law firms, E&O insurance for all professions, professional liability, employment practices liability, D&O, insurance coverage, and commercial insurance.
Megan Batchelor - Board Member
Megan's counseling practice is focused on minimizing the risk of litigation and reducing liability for employers by providing day-to-day advice on a wide range of employment matters. She advises clients regarding hiring and firing decisions, EEO matters, enforcement of personnel policies, leave issues, accommodations, drug testing laws, classification of employees and other wage and hour matters, safety regulations, and governmental investigations. A significant part of her practice is advising business owners, in-house counsel, and human resources and operations professionals of the risks posed by contemplated actions and providing practical guidance in light of legal considerations. Ms. Batchelor also maintains an active litigation docket, typically comprising single-plaintiff actions (most frequently, claims for retaliation, discrimination, and wrongful discharge) and administrative charges of discrimination.
Megan received her J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law, summa cum laude, where she was a staff member and articles editor of the Texas Tech Law Review. She received her B.A. from Rice University.