Tyson & Mendes Expands Texas Office with Elevations

AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES, October 12, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- National insurance defense trial firm Tyson & Mendes, LLP has announced a significant expansion of its Texas presence with the opening of a new office in Austin, Texas. The firm has also elevated two of its leaders to new partnership positions and welcomed two new partners to its Austin office.

The new Austin office, led by Jennifer Akre, has joined by Barrie Beer and Allison Vann as Partners, and Amber Dunten as Senior Counsel. Akre, who previously served as Branch Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Houston, Dallas, and Lubbock offices, continues to lead the Houston office.

Joining Akre in Austin as new Partners are Barrie Beer and Allison Vann. Beer, who brings more than three decades of experience in handling complex litigation matters across the state, is a highly sought-after leader and speaker in the insurance defense industry. Vann focuses her practice on general liability, construction, and transportation matters, and brings a wealth of expertise and jurisdictional familiarity to the team.

The firm has also elevated Thera Cooper to Dallas Branch Office Managing Partner and Brennon Gamblin to Lubbock Branch Office Managing Partner. Cooper, who was elevated to Partner in 2025 after over a decade of experience handling complex fire/flood subrogation, commercial, product liability, dram shop, catastrophic personal injury, real estate, and construction litigation and appeals, is known for her incisive motions practice and pragmatic approach. Gamblin, who joined the firm in 2025 and has an unparalleled trial record after spending more than 20 years specializing in trial and appellate work throughout the state, is a strategic and effective advocate who routinely tries high-exposure matters requiring finesse, creativity, and balance.

These moves, which come in response to the complexity of Texas' litigation landscape and increasing client demand, further Tyson & Mendes' strategic growth and satisfy articulated client need. Through the expanded team of experienced litigators and elevations of proven leaders, the firm is uniquely positioned to stop the growing threat of Nuclear Verdicts® across the state.

Tyson & Mendes is one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the U.S., with offices across the United States. The firm is known for its expertise in defending corporations, insurance companies, and their clients against Nuclear Verdicts®. The firm has been recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers, named a 2026 Best Company to Work For: Law Firms edition by U.S. News & World Report, shortlisted for the PropertyCasualty360 2026 Insurance Luminaries Award, and has an extensive trial bench of attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers 2026, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2026, and Super Lawyers.