Standing up for Justice in Texas since 2006
LOAR PLLC is a fast-growing, woman-owned, personal injury law firm serving clients from coast to coast. The lawyers at LOAR bring two decades of experience and have been recognized for excellence by Thomson Reuters (Rising Star 2013-2024, Up and Coming Texas 100, and Women 50), and Martindale-Hubbell.
Make the call that matters, and let our team help you put the pieces back together. Call us today at (888) 288-6503
Meet the Team
Amber Russell - Founder
Amber founded LOAR, PLLC to help injured Texans get justice before expanding the firm nationally. Her passion for the law started at an early age, and she has worked with victims her entire adult life. Amber graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelors in Psychology before graduating with distinguished honor to the Order of the Coif, in the top 10% from the University of Texas Law School. Almost two decades ago, Amber started her career working for an international defense firm, before switching sides to represent individual plaintiffs. Since then, Amber has helped hundreds of clients who have been seriously injured, including victims of trucking and auto crashes.
Licensed in Texas.
In her community, Amber is known for being a fierce advocate. She and her husband launched and serve on the board of (Scholarship Opportunities and Relationships), a scholarship and mentoring program that provides $100K in annual scholarships, to help open doors for ‘first females’. SOAR selects twenty high achievers each year to receive the scholarships in support of young women who are the first in their family to pursue higher education or who have overcome significant challenges. The scholarship program goes beyond financial resources by giving access to professional development and mentoring resources for these women as they go through school.
Jean Phillips - Austin Practice
Jean focuses her practice on personal injury and condemnation matters. After growing up in Austin, she attended Texas A&M University and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. After undergrad, Jean attended St. Mary’s University School of Law where she graduated second in her class. While at St. Mary’s, she served on the St. Mary’s Law Journal and earned awards and recognition for her advocacy skills as a member of the winning team in mock trial, moot court, and negotiation tournaments. She was also voted the Best Supporter of Advocacy by the St. Mary’s Board of Advocates. After graduation, she worked for a large law firm representing condemning authorities and handling complex commercial litigation before joining the Law Office of Amber Russell and putting her legal skills to work helping those who are injured by others. When she is not advocating for her clients, Jean enjoys yoga, travel, and spending time with her family and her cat, Cooper.
Licensed in Texas.
Sandy Bayne - Of Counsel
Sandy has been practicing exclusively in the Health Law sector for over 20 years. She has served as in-house counsel for the Seton/Ascension hospital system, worked on both sides of the medical malpractice docket and regularly represents patients against health insurance companies who deny reimbursement for medical bills.
Sandy holds a Bachelor's Degree from Bryn Mawr College, double-majoring in Spanish and Sociology, a Masters of Laws in Health Law, and a JD from the University of Houston. In law school, Sandy received the honor of the Order of the Barristers, an award reserved for law students who demonstrate excellencein trial and oral advocacy.
Sandy currently serves as a board member on the Austin Bar Foundation Board and the HeartGift Board, which provides free life-saving cardiac surgeries to children born with congenital heart defects. She recently served as President of the Austin Young Lawyer Association. In her free time, Sandy enjoys playing tennis with her husband and three kids. She is fluent in Spanish and conversant in Farsi.
Licensed in Texas.
Jaclyn Wilson - Of Counsel
Jaclyn Wilson is an experienced attorney skilled with a background in the Healthcare Industry and Legal Writing. Jaclyn focuses her practice on personal injury matters, and feels a deep connection to her clients and their experience. She fights with a passion to get them justice.
Licensed in Texas.
Jaclyn holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas, a Health Information Technology and Health Information Exchange Specialist Certification from University of Texas, and a JD from the University of North Texas. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Dallas Bar Association, and Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
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Angela Engstrom- Of Counsel
Angela has worked primarily in plaintiff's personal injury work for 20 years. Prior to focusing on personal injury, Angela gained experience in criminal defense and family law. Angela is passionate about communicating effectively with clients about their cases and giving clients personal attention, while bringing integrity to the legal system. While she lives and works in Washington she maintains a regular presence in Arizona where she has deep roots and her family continues to reside.
Angela is licensed in Washington, Oregon and Arizona.
Angela holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Arizona where she attended on a full academic scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Psychology and Sociology. Angela relocated to Portland after undergraduate and received a Juris Doctorate from Lewis and Clark Law School. She is a member of the Washington State Bar, Oregon State Bar, Arizona State Bar and a member of the Washington State Association for Justice.
Kerri Ball - Senior Paralegal
Kerri Ball is an experienced paralegal, and she is passionate about helping clients get justice. Kerri graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and then started her career on the West Coast as a corporate paralegal. She later came to Texas and found her passion in helping victims. She has assisted in the preparation of complex wrongful death cases and many serious injuries.
Kerri also serves her community through a number of activities and non-profits, including the National Charity League, Inc.
Rhonda Bauer - Senior Paralegal
Rhonda Bauer graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago prior to relocating to Texas and beginning her career within the legal field. She has over nine years of experience working as a litigation paralegal within large law firms on the defense side with mass tort and product liability experience prior to moving over to personal injury. She has three daughters and loves traveling and spending time outdoors in her free time.
Becky Kohl - Paralegal
Becky is a dedicated paralegal with 5 years of experience, driven by a passion for justice and helping others. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. Originally from Minnesota, she moved around the Midwest before settling in Austin, TX in 2017. Her family includes her husband, her daughter, her dog (Yoshi, an English Pointer), and a bearded dragon (Boss). Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her many plants, crafting, and spending time with her family exploring the great state of Texas.
Chanel Munoz - Paralegal
Litigation Paralegal Expert with 5 years of experience in managing high case volume in both Personal Injury and Mass-Torts, while adeptly supporting partner attorneys and associate paralegals. Accomplished in managing cross-functional collaboration, providing regulations guidance while managing both, case load and clients. Concentration in personal Injury, with expertise in litigation regulations, discovery, case load management, mediation, intake, and opposing counsel/client management.
Mimi Jaye - Administrative Director
Mimi served for two decades as a Manager for Business Project Program Management within a $6 billion business. She was responsible for leading all aspects of a project and/or program management - planning, coordination, development, implementation (including the financial implications), while prioritizing work, resources and time.
Mimi brings her talents for team management and organization to help LOAR run seamlessly. She also works with the SOAR Texas Board with adminstration and scholarship fund distribution.
McKayla Cothern - Office Coordinator
McKayla is a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors in English, Pre-Medicine. McKayla's exceptional skills, including her passion for photography, client communication, her powers of empathy, and her commitment to providing top-notch client service, make her an invaluable addition to our team.
Julie Corne - Records and Information Specialist
Julie brings a wide range of experience and a proven track record in case management, and client communication, and records. Julie excels in supporting attorneys and maintaining efficient office operations. Her attention to detail and strong organizational skills make her an invaluable asset to the firm. Julie's expertise also includes managing case files, ensuring confidentiality, and supporting attorneys in delivering seamless legal services.
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