Skaggs, Guerra, and Richter are committed to serving Texans, both inside the courtroom and in their community. With more than six decades worth of legal experience between them, our attorneys will use their in-depth knowledge and diverse perspectives to fight on your behalf and protect your rights.
John B. Skaggs
Partner
John Skaggs has been practicing law at the firm since 1982.
John is licensed in the United States Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, federal courts in the Southern District and the Western District of Texas, and all Texas state courts. John’s main area of practice is civil litigation, including trucking litigation, trust litigation, probate and estate litigation, insurance bad faith, commercial disputes, personal injury, and appellate.
John was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas. He received his B.A. from University of Texas in 1978, completing the prestigious Plan II Program. He received his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1981.
John is a former Director of the Hidalgo County Bar Association, and a long serving member of the law library committee. He has also served on the Pattern Jury Charge Committee for the State Bar of Texas.
John has been active with his local Boy Scout Troop for many years as a Certified Eagle Badge adviser. He has served as a Board member of the Texas State Commission for Services to Children and Youth, and serves on various local committees and boards. John is active in politics, serving as Precinct Chairman for many years, and serving on advisory committees for many local and regional judicial candidates.
John has been involved as lead counsel in many appellate matters including:
Canal Indemnity Company v. Galindo, U. S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. (Applicability of an insurance policy territorial exclusion in relation to an MCS-90B policy endorsement.)
Helena Chemical Company v. Wilkins, Texas Supreme Court (Statutory interpretation and jurisdictional consequences.)
Mid Century Insurance Co. v. H. & H. Meat Products Co., Inc., Texas 13th Court of Appeals, (Waiver of insurance policy cancellation provisions.)
Lynse Guerra
Partner
Lynse Larance Guerra has been practicing law with the firm since 2003.
Her practice focuses on civil litigation, including trucking litigation, construction defect, and personal injury. She also handles appellate and probate matters.
Lynse was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. She received her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Texas Christian University and graduated cum laude in 1997. She received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2001 and was recognized as a member of the Order of the Barristers. She was admitted to the Texas bar later that year. She is also admitted to the Southern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Lynse is a past Director of the Hidalgo County Bar Association and a member of the Women and Construction Law Sections of the State Bar of Texas.
Lynse is active in local community organizations and programs, including the Junior League of McAllen where she organized the Children’s Arts and Literacy Festival. She currently serves on the vestry at St. John’s Episcopalian Church. She has also organized pro bono wills clinics for local teachers.
Lynse is all involved in local politics and is a former Precinct Chair. She advocates for teachers and quality public schools for all Texas children.
Published Opinions:
JLG Trucking, LLC. v. Garza, 466 S.W.3d 157, 164 (Tex. 2015)
Canal Indem. Co. v. Rapid Logistics, 2013 U.S. App. LEXIS 3772 (5th Cir. Feb. 22, 2013)
Publications:
Calling for Guidance to Social Media Influencers In the Digital Age: An Application to Influencers and Brands
Kansas State University Journal of Media Law and Ethics – Spring 2022
Seeking Influencers on a Corporate Boycott Through Twitter: A Social Media Analysis of #BoycottNRA and Corporate ReactionSeeking Influencers on a Corporate Boycott Through Twitter: A Social Media Analysis of #BoycottNRA and Corporate Reaction
American Communication Journal – Nov 1, 2019
Matt Richter
Partner
Matt Richter has been a licensed attorney with the firm since 2018. He has been with the firm since 2012 when he started as an intern.
Licensed in the State of Texas and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, his main area of practice is civil litigation with a primary focus in trucking litigation. Matt’s other areas of practice include products liability, consumer protection, trust litigation, appeals, insurance coverage, probate litigation, and estate planning.
Matt was born and raised in McAllen, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 2015 and Texas A&M University School of Law in 2018, where he was the first appointed member of the school’s Student Bar Association.
Matt grew up working on a family friend’s farm where he gained an impeccable work-ethic and a good sense of practicality.
Matt has been active with his local Boy Scout troop and is an Eagle Scout. In his spare time, Matt is an avid local sportsman and helps to host multiple sportsman events every month.
