Tyson & Mendes opens Austin office, adds partners across Texas

Tyson & Mendes expanded in Texas on Oct. 12, 2026 with a new Austin office and leadership changes in Dallas and Lubbock. The moves deepen the firm’s trial-defense footprint as client demand rises and Texas litigation grows more complex.

Why it matters: - Tyson & Mendes is adding lawyers and new office leadership in Texas to meet client demand in a state the firm describes as increasingly complex for litigation. - The expansion is aimed at strengthening the firm’s ability to defend against Nuclear Verdicts® across Texas.

What happened: - Tyson & Mendes opened a new Austin office and named Jennifer Akre as Branch Office Managing Partner. - Barrie Beer and Allison Vann joined the Austin office as Partners, and Amber Dunten joined as Senior Counsel. - The firm elevated Thera Cooper to Dallas Branch Office Managing Partner. - The firm elevated Brennon Gamblin to Lubbock Branch Office Managing Partner.

The details: - Akre previously served as Branch Office Managing Partner for the firm’s Houston, Dallas and Lubbock offices after joining Tyson & Mendes in 2023. - Akre continues to lead the Houston office. - Beer brings more than 30 years of experience handling complex litigation matters across Texas. - Beer is also a frequent leader and speaker in the insurance defense industry. - Vann focuses on general liability, construction and transportation matters. - Dunten works on coverage and bad faith matters before and during coverage litigation. - Dunten brings more than two decades of experience. - Cooper was elevated to Partner in 2025 after more than a decade handling fire and flood subrogation, commercial, product liability, dram shop, catastrophic personal injury, real estate and construction litigation and appeals. - Cooper is known for her motions practice and pragmatic approach. - Gamblin joined Tyson & Mendes in 2025. - Gamblin brings more than 20 years of trial and appellate experience across Texas. - Gamblin is often brought in for high-exposure matters that require finesse, creativity and balance. - Tyson & Mendes said it has 22 states and 29 offices nationwide. - The firm says it is one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the U.S. - The firm says it offers one of the fastest and clearest paths to partnership for attorneys at any mid-sized law firm in the U.S. - Tyson & Mendes was recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers. - U.S. News & World Report named the firm a 2026 Best Company to Work For in its Law Firms edition. - The firm was shortlisted for the PropertyCasualty360 2026 Insurance Luminaries Award. - The firm also developed Apex Defense Consulting, a consulting spinoff focused on education, collaboration and expertise for carriers and counsel. - Apex Defense Consulting launched in 2025. - The firm’s The Apex℠ is described as a trial-tested, data-backed blueprint designed to stop Nuclear Verdicts®.

Between the lines: - The Austin launch gives Tyson & Mendes a larger statewide platform, with leadership now spread across Austin, Dallas, Houston and Lubbock. - The staffing changes suggest the firm is prioritizing experienced litigators who can handle high-stakes insurance defense work in multiple Texas markets. - The company is pairing growth with a brand centered on anti-Nuclear Verdicts® strategy, which remains a core part of its pitch to insurers and corporate clients.

What’s next: - Tyson & Mendes will lean on its expanded Texas team to service existing clients and pursue further growth in the state. - The firm signaled continued momentum for its Texas operations under the newly elevated branch leaders. - More information is available in the firm’s announcement at Tyson & Mendes and Apex Defense Consulting.

The bottom line: - Tyson & Mendes is betting that deeper Texas coverage and seasoned trial lawyers will help it win more insurance-defense work in one of the country’s busiest legal markets.