Rusty Hardin's Comments About Cris

Cris grew up in Houston and received his undergraduate degree in both political science and English from Tulane University in New Orleans. He then worked in different parts of the country pursuing his interest in grass-roots politics as a staff member for a number of public interest groups. Cris went on to earn his law degree from the University of Texas and received a post-graduate fellowship from the National Association for Public Interest Law. NAPIL (recently renamed Equal Justice Works) is one of the nation’s leading organizations in supporting public-service minded law graduates. With the support of NAPIL, Cris spearheaded a number of successful initiatives that brought greater accountability to state governmental agencies, the legislature, and the judiciary. Cris then joined the Austin firm of Ivy, Crews & Elliott where he applied his litigation skills, knowledge of state ethics laws, and the election code in unique and innovative litigation on behalf of various clients. Cris also tried the first case in the state under recently enacted Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 167, reversing litigation costs against the insurance company opposing him.

Seeking to broaden his civil trial experience, Cris returned to Houston and joined us in July 2007. Since that time he has provided outstanding support on a number of commercial disputes and personal injury claims while sharing his expertise in election law and regulatory matters. Cris and his wife Leila, also an attorney, have two young sons, Max and Asher.

It is obvious that Cris has a passion for the law and its role in improving our society, and it is refreshing to see him apply that quality for our clients. He is intensely focused on the nuances of case law and is tenacious in uncovering the details of litigation.