HOUSTON, TX (January 3, 2023) – Andrews Myers is pleased to announce the promotion of five Houston-based attorneys to Shareholder: Kristi Belt, Matthew S. Cire, Brittany C. Cooperrider, Colby S. Hodges, and J. Michael Schiff, all seasoned litigators in the Gulf Coast region.
“Having had the opportunity to work with each of these lawyers for years, I can say that each is a superb lawyer, hard worker, and is committed to the firm,” said Tim Ross, Andrews Myers’ co-managing shareholder. “We are very fortunate to have them as new shareholders; I look forward to furthering our relationships and the success of the firm, and congratulations are in order for each of them and their families.”
KRISTI BELT – Kristi Belt is an experienced trial attorney who has earned a reputation for handling high-stakes litigation, having successfully represented contractors, subcontractors, engineering firms, manufacturers, and oil and gas developers in a multitude of complex commercial and construction disputes. Kristi has represented clients in matters involving construction defects, construction management, delay, and disruption, as well as professional liability for specially manufactured equipment. She has counseled Owners, Construction Managers, and Project Engineers in large-scale projects involving comprehensive development agreements, EPC, EPCM, fast track, design-build, and design-bid-build delivery methods. While her practice is focused in the area of construction, Kristi has handled, tried, and/or appealed commercial cases in state and federal courts, arbitration, and international arbitration in a wide array of areas.
Kristi currently serves as the programs co-chair of the firm’s Associate Development group and is an active member of the Andrews Myers Women’s Initiative.
Kristi received her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law and her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston.
MATTHEW S. CIRE – Matthew Cire is a commercial litigator whose practice focuses primarily on real estate and construction matters, in addition to various commercial disputes across Texas. Matthew represents a diverse group of clients across several industries, including real estate development, property management, construction, energy, and design. He has successfully represented clients in matters related to breach of contract, business-related torts, employment disputes, construction defect claims, and enforcement of non-competition agreements.
Matthew is active in association groups IREM, BOMA, Houston Apartment Association and ULI. He was recognized as “One to Watch” in Litigation 2023 by Best Lawyers in Texas and has been named as a “Texas Rising Star” by Super Lawyers since 2020.
Matthew received his Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.
BRITTANY C. COOPERRIDER – Brittany’s practice focuses on construction law, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. She represents general contractors, subcontractors, and small and mid-sized companies in a variety of construction and business-related disputes. Prior to joining the firm, Brittany worked for a civil litigation boutique, the Attorney General of Texas, and The Office of the Attorney General in Washington, D.C.
She has been recognized as “One to Watch” in Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation-Construction and Litigation by Best Lawyers in America since 2021 and has been named as a “Texas Rising Star” by Super Lawyers since 2021. Brittany currently serves as the Young Lawyers Representative for Houston to the Texas Construction Law Section of the Texas State Bar and is on the council for the HBA Construction Law Section.
Brittany received her Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wittenberg University.
COLBY S. HODGES – Colby Hodges’ practice focuses on the representation of businesses in complex commercial, construction, and labor and employment litigation. Colby has successfully handled an array of disputes for clients across a broad spectrum of business-related tort matters, including breach of contract, breach of warranty, tortious interference, construction defect, copyright infringement, trade secret theft, employee fraud, and employee non-competition. He has represented a diverse group of clients across numerous industries, including manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, insurance brokerage, real estate development, and oilfield services.
He has been recognized as a “Texas Rising Star” by Super Lawyers since 2014, and is an active member of the Texas Aggie Bar Association.
Colby received his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University.
MICHAEL SCHIFF – Michael Schiff’s practice focuses on construction litigation, alternative dispute resolution, litigation avoidance, and construction transactions for a wide array of clients across all roles in the industry, both domestic and international. Mike represents suppliers, subcontractors, general contractors, and project owners through a deliberate, focused approach. His emphasis on precise strategy enables Mike to achieve reliable outcomes in state and Federal court, the American Arbitration Association, CPR arbitration, and International Chamber of Commerce arbitrations while maintaining cost efficiency and providing a maximum return on attorney time.
He received his Juris Doctor from The University of Houston Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas State University.
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Founded in 1990, with offices in Houston and Austin, Andrews Myers, Attorneys at Law, is a corporate law firm and recognized market leader in Texas construction law. The firm focuses on the concentrated disciplines of construction, commercial real estate, corporate and business transactions, and business litigation, with additional emphasis on related issues including bankruptcy and insolvency, employment and capital formation. A seasoned team of attorneys provides timely and cost-effective solutions to the most complex problems facing entrepreneurs and middle-market industry leaders throughout the state and the nation. For more information please visit www.andrewsmyers.com.
