We provide a white glove level of service.

Because our discerning clients deserve our undivided attention.

  • Kelly Conklin

    ATTORNEY

    kelly@ccsfirm.law
    (713) 997-2405
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    Kelly has over two decades of experience in litigating real estate and business disputes for individuals and entities. She has extensive experience in handling escrow and closing issues as well as real estate title matters, including, but not limited to, easements, outstanding interests, liens, subrogation, boundary disputes, public roads, surveying matters, tax lien transfers, and homestead lending.

    Kelly has resolved matters without litigation, but has also successfully handled litigation matters at trial and the court of appeals. Kelly is focused on finding cost-effective solutions to her client’s legal problems.

    PRACTICE AREAS
    Commercial Litigation
    Real Estate Transactions
    Construction Litigation

    BAR ADMISSIONS
    Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
    United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
    United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
    United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
    United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

    EDUCATION
    University of Houston, Juris Doctorate 1995
    Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Business Administration 1992

    DISTINCTIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
    American Jurisprudence Award, Basic Civil Advocacy, Houston Journal of International Law
    Texas Land Title Association
    Houston Bar Association – Real Estate Section
    The Junior League of Houston
    Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Volunteer
    The Reveille Club, Chairman of the Board
    K-9 Angels Rescue, Inc. Volunteer
    Houston Young Lawyers Animal Welfare Committee
    Houston Bar Association Mentoring Program

  • Justice Julie Countiss (former)

    ATTORNEY

    julie@ccsfirm.law
    (713) 997-4242
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    Former Justice Julie Countiss was elected to Place 7 on the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas on November 6, 2018, and sworn into office by her father, retired Justice Richard Countiss. Named Appellate Judge of the Year by the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists in 2022, Julie authored over 300 written opinions on the merits and participated in thousands more.

    Many of the civil appellate cases former Justice Countiss presided over included complicated business disputes and high-stakes commercial litigation; breach of contract cases arising out of large-scale construction projects; important personal injury/tort cases; appeals involving questions of governmental immunity; prolonged trust and estate battles; questions related to class-certification; and interlocutory appeals from denied motions to compel arbitration.

    Julie is an active member of the Houston Bar Association. She currently co-chairs the Law Library Committee for the HBA and in the past she co-chaired the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Professionalism Committee and the Civil Trial and Appellate Bench Bar Committee. She has twice won a president’s award from the Houston Bar Association for her service.

    EDUCATION

    University of Houston, Juris Doctorate, 2002
    Southern Methodist University, Bachelor of Arts, History, 1993

    DISTINCTIONS AND AFFILIATIONS

    Appellate Judge of the Year, Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, 2022
    Texas Children’s Commission—appointed by the Texas Supreme Court to serve, 2019 - present
    National Association of Women Judges, Co-Chair Membership Committee, 2020 - 2021
    Legislative Committee State Bar of Texas Judicial Section, 2020 - present
    Houston Bar Association, Professionalism Committee, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and the Law Library Committee, 2008 - present
    Kids in Need of Defense, Pro Bono Attorney, 2015 - 2018
    Association of Women Attorneys, 2015 - present
    Texas District and County Attorney’s Association, 2014 - 2018
    River Oaks Area Democratic Women

  • Melissa N. Sternfels

    ATTORNEY

    melissa@ccsfirm.law
    (713) 997-2416
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    With a focus on fiduciary law, she has represented employees, oil and gas companies, insurance agents, trust beneficiaries and business partners in a wide range of disputes including tortious interference with business opportunity, breach of throughput agreement, construction defect, breach of fiduciary duty, covenant not to compete claims and fraud.

    In addition to her litigation practice, she serves as outside “general counsel” to Texas-based companies and high net-worth individuals, advising on matters ranging from employment disputes to corporate governance.

    PRACTICE AREAS
    Commercial Litigation
    Construction
    Energy Litigation
    Insurance Coverage and Litigation
    Labor and Employment
    Real Estate

    BAR ADMISSIONS
    United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
    United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
    United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
    United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

    EDUCATION
    University of Houston, Juris Doctorate, 2002
    University of Texas at Dallas, Bachelor of Arts, History, 1999

    DISTINCTIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
    Thomson Reuters, Texas Rising Star Super Lawyer, 2006
    H Texas Magazine, One of Houston’s Top Civil Litigators, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
    Aspiring Youth of Houston, National Volunteer of the Year, 2005
    Houston Bar Association