Our Legal Team

Steven is responsible for public relations and client development. For the past ten years, Steven has served as a political consultant to numerous campaigns, bringing a wealth of legislative experience to Hotze Runkle. Steven served as Special Assistant to former U.S. Congressman Max Sandlin and as a legislative assistant to Texas State Representative Mark Homer.

Email Steven: steve@hotzerunkle.com

Penny is a paralegal in the Discovery/Litigation Department at Hotze Runkle PLLC. Penny moved from Florida to Austin, Texas several years ago. Once in Austin, Penny obtained her Paralegal Diploma, then later attended Concordia University at Austin and earned an Associate’s Degree in Behavioral Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Penny has over ten years of experience with defense and plaintiff’s side of litigation.

Email Penny: penny@hotzerunkle.com

Celina is a part of the Hotze Runkle Discovery Department. Celina was born and raised in Laredo, TX and is a huge nerd when it comes to learning everything regarding jurisprudence. She loves dancing (especially salsa dancing) and staying active. The best part of now working in Austin for Celina is the fact that she gets to see the beautiful pink granite Texas State Capitol every day (since Texas is the only thing she loves more than ice cream).

Email Celina: celina@hotzerunkle.com

Tara has over six years of legal experience on both the defense and plaintiff sides of the docket. For the past five years, Tara has specialized in handling claims related to asbestos. Tara resides in central Austin and loves the city. Tara also loves kitties.

Email Tara: tara@hotzerunkle.com

Neal is a supervisor with our Investigation Department. Neal spent eighteen years serving the City of Austin, with his final ten years of service at the Austin Municipal Court. Neal is a native Texan and considers himself a humanitarian at heart.

Email Neal: neal@hotzerunkle.com

Lori is the supervisor of the Discovery Department at Hotze Runkle. Lori has both a Legal Assistance Certificate and a Bookkeeping Certificate, coupled with six years of experience specializing in asbestos litigation. Prior to launching her legal career, Lori spent seven years as office manager in a medical practice. Lori was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Florida.

Email Lori: lori@hotzerunkle.com

Emily is part of Hotze Runkle’s Investigation Department and also supports the Discovery Department. Emily earned her Interior Design degree from Texas State University and went on to work with Architectural Firm here in Austin. Emily is a Texas native who enjoys art, design, music, and most of all traveling.

Email Penny: emily@hotzerunkle.com

Megan is a member of the Settlements Department. She is a graduate of Baylor University and moved down to Austin from Fort Worth after graduation. Megan enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying out Austin’s restaurants, and playing with her dog Sadie.

Email Megan: megan@hotzerunkle.com

Carlos Hinojosa is a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and brings a mix of skills to the Investigation Department. He has worked in the non-profit sector, public education, and in the field of Information Technology. He is originally from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and has gradually moved his way north, eventually landing in Austin.

Email Carlos: carlos@hotzerunkle.com

Carrie recently moved back to Austin after living in London and Los Angeles for the past 4 years. After working as a curator in the art world for several years, she decided on a career move to the legal profession and is loving every minute! Carrie has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Texas and a Master’s degree in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art London. Carrie loves yoga, live music and her dog Margot.

Email Carrie: carrie@hotzerunkle.com

Ian is a supervisor within our Investigation Department. Ian is a proud alumnus of Texas A&M University with a degree in Political Science. He joined Hotze Runkle after spending six years working in the health care industry, with experience in both administration and patient care. Ian was born in Indiana, but he has lived in Texas since 1984.

Email Ian: ian@hotzerunkle.com

Katie is a Discovery and Litigation Paralegal at Hotze Runkle, PLLC. Katie earned her Paralegal Certificate in 1993 and has been working as a personal injury Paralegal on the plaintiff’s side of litigation for the past 17 years. Katie has six years experience specializing in asbestos litigation. Katie was born in Missouri but has lived in Texas since 1980.

Email Katie: katie@hotzerunkle.com

Michelle is a member of the Settlements Department. Michelle is a native of Amarillo, Texas who upon graduation from high school, moved to the quaint little town of New York City to study at Parson’s School of Design.  Michelle enjoys reading and spending time with her friends in Austin.

Email Michelle: michelle@hotzerunkle.com

Cheryl is the supervisor of the Settlements Department at Hotze Runkle.  Cheryl moved from Indiana to Texas after graduating from high school in 1995.  She attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned bachelor’s degrees in Government and German.  Cheryl has been handling asbestos claims for the last five years. 

Email Cheryl: cheryl@hotzerunkle.com

Rob works with intake and client development relations. He has an avid interest in history and spent nine years employed as a technician and programming assistant at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. A 7th generation Texan with working-class roots in South Austin, he has worked on a number of local political campaigns in Texas. Rob graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.F.A. in 1994, and spent five additional years studying engineering and geology at UT. He lives in Elgin with his wife Sarah their two children.

Email Rob Ryland: rob@hotzerunkle.com

Guy Smith manages the Human Resources department at Hotze Runkle. Guy has over twenty years of client relations experience as well as over six years of legal support experience. Guy holds a Claims Resolution Management Corporation certificate as a qualified claims handler. Guy is a Texas Native whose family had a relative who participated in the Battle of Gonzales and later lost his life defending the Alamo.

Email Guy: guy@hotzerunkle.com

Chelsea is a member of the Settlements Department. She has over 10 years of experience working on the plaintiff's side of asbestos settlements. Chelsea moved from Dallas to Austin in 2005. She has traveled in various parts of Asia, Europe, and throughout the Caribbean. She enjoys an "off-the-beaten-path" approach to traveling, and hopes to continue her travels throughout the world. Chelsea stays active in Austin by rowing on Lady Bird Lake, visiting local art galleries, and going to see some of the many live music shows around town.

Email Chelsea: chelsea@hotzerunkle.com

Lindsey Trumper is a member of the Public Relations Department and also supports the Logistics department. She wasn’t born here (Illinois), but got here as quick as she could (2008). Her favorite things about Austin are the live music, warm weather, and abundance of year-round outdoor activities.

Email Lindsey: lindsey@hotzerunkle.com

A Portland, Oregon native, Matt is a member of our Investigations Team. Matt graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in political science in 2008, and brings various public service and government experience to the firm. Matt's interests include skiing, travelling, and the outdoors.

Email Matt: matt@hotzerunkle.com

Angelina is the supervisor of our Logistics Department. Angelina is a native of Austin, who after a attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, is glad to be back home.

Email Angelina: angelina@hotzerunkle.com

Becky is a part of the Discovery and Litigation department here at Hotze Runkle. She grew up in Austin with her (super cool) sister and has just moved back from Oaxaca, Mexico. Someday she plans to travel the world and help orphaned children.

Email Becky: becky@hotzerunkle.com