Randall Sorrels

Randall Sorrels

Location:
Houston, Texas
Phone:
713-587-9668
800-580-9121
Fax:
713-225-0827
E-mail:

Randy Sorrels has proven himself to be a leader both inside and outside the courtroom.

Inside the courtroom, Sorrels has established his presence as a double board certified trial lawyer in both personal injury and civil trial law - a distinction held by less than .1% of lawyers in Texas. And though his practice is not limited to medical malpractice, Best Lawyers in America has recently named him "Lawyer of the Year" in Plaintiffs Medical Malpractice Law in Houston for 2013. Texas Monthly has continued to recognize Sorrels as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Texas for the sixth straight year - again, a distinction given to less that .1% of lawyers in the state. He handles cases involving serious personal injury, catastrophic events, wrongful death, and significant business disputes.

Outside the courtroom, Sorrels has been awarded some of the highest honors recognized by the State Bar of Texas. He has been awarded the State Bar of Texas' President's Award (recognizing the one Texas Lawyer who provided the most outstanding contributions through distinguished service to the lawyers of Texas), the Judge Sam Williams Award (recognizing the Texas lawyer who provides the greatest contribution to both local bars and the State Bar of Texas), and the Houston Bar Association President's Award (recognizing significant contributions to an HBA program). Early in his career, Sorrels was honored with the Woodrow B. Seals Outstanding Young Lawyer of Houston Award (recognizing the one young Houston lawyer who exemplified significant professional traits both inside and outside the practice of law).

Randy Sorrels has served as the President of the Houston Bar Association, President of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, President of the Houston Trial Lawyers Foundation, Vice President of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Trustee of the Texas Bar Foundation, Director of the State Bar of Texas (two terms), Commissioner of the Equal Access to Justice Commission, Trustee of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society, and is currently on the Board of Directors at South Texas College of Law.

Sorrels started his legal career at Fulbright & Jaworski, where he represented doctors, hospitals, insurance companies and businesses in the state of Texas who were accused of civil wrongdoing. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from South Texas College of Law in 1987, where he was on the Law Review and was a member of the nationally recognized Board of Advocates. South Texas has honored Sorrels with its highest honor - the Dean's Medal, as well as its Public Service Award (the inaugural award). Recently South Texas renamed its legal clinics The Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics, which represents 15,000 square feet of new, state-of-the-art facilities to bring together clients with unmet legal needs, and students who are eager to work with those clients under direct supervision of their professors.

Prior to law school, Sorrels graduated Magna Cum Laude from Houston Baptist University - where he was recognized as an NCAA Academic All-American in 1984. Sorrels attended HBU on a soccer scholarship and the soccer field at the university now carries his name - Sorrels Field. While at school, he was recognized as the Outstanding Student in both Political Science and Speech Communications. In the greatest honor the university gives for alumnus, Randy was named as HBU's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for 2009, and he continues to be involved in alumni events and meetings.

Randy Sorrels serves as the managing partner of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend, where he has practiced since 1990. Since taking over the leadership of the firm, Abraham Watkins has become more diverse, more community involved, more academically accomplished, and more active in the courtroom. The firm touts six Texas Board Certified lawyers, with one board eligible. The firm stays active in pro bono (free legal services to the poor) cases, and was the recipient of the very first Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Award for small firms. Abraham Watkins was also the very first firm to become a Houston Bar Association Equal Access to Justice Champion.

Houston Personal Injury Attorney

Hablamos Espanol

Year Joined Firm

  • 1990

Areas of Practice

  • Personal Injury
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Wrongful Death
  • Catastrophic Injuries
  • Product Defects
  • Business Litigation
  • 18 Wheeler & Commercial Truck Accidents
  • Admiralty & Maritime Accidents
  • Birth Injuries
  • Brain Damage
  • Burns
  • Construction Accidents
  • DWI Accidents
  • Electrocutions
  • Environmental Law
  • Explosions
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Nursing Home Negligence
  • Offshore Injuries
  • Paraplegia
  • Patent Infringement
  • Petrochemical Accidents
  • Pharmaceutical Litigation
  • Quadriplegia
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Swimming Pool Accidents
  • Workplace Accidents
  • Vehicular Accidents

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy

Bar Admissions

  • Texas, 1987
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas

Education

  • South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
    • J.D. (Magna Cum Laude) - 1987
    • Honors: Board of Advocates, 1985-1987
    • Honors: National Mock Trial
    • Law Review: South Texas Law Review, Member, 1985 - 1987
  • Houston Baptist University
    • B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) - 1984
    • Honors: NCAA Academic All-American

Published Works

  • "The Legalities of Cone Beam Imaging", Three Dimensional Imaging for Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2010
  • "Medicaid Reimbursements", Texas Bar Journal, Vol. 70, No. 1, January, 2007
  • "Do State Medicaid Agencies Have the Right to Full Reimbursement for Medical Payments Paid on Behalf of a Medicaid Recipient?" The U.S. Supreme Court Has Weighed In, The Advocate, Vol. 37, Winter, 2007
  • "Plaintiffs' Attorneys Beware: Little Known Tax Consequences Associated with Confidentiality Provisions", Texas Bar Journal, Vol. 69, No. 2, February, 2006
  • "Plaintiffs' Attorneys Beware: Little Known Tax Consequences Associated with Confidentiality Provisions", 6 Hous. Bus. & Tax L.J. 257, 2006
  • "Avoiding the Confidentiality Tax Bite", Trial, June, 2006
  • "Should Employee's Negligence Be Submitted in a Non-Subscriber Case?", Texas Bar Journal, Vol. 63, No. 4, April, 2000
  • "Should Employee's Negligence Be Submitted in a Non-Subscriber Case?", Houston Lawyer, Vol. 37, No. 4, January, 2000
  • "Social Host Liability: Friends Can Let Friends Drive Drunk", Texas Bar Journal, Volume 58, No. 6, June, 1995
  • "Social Host Liability: Friends Can Let Friends Drive Drunk", Houston Lawyer, Volume 32, No. 1, August, 1994

Classes/Seminars

  • "How to Succeed in a Plaintiff's Practice", Association of Women Attorneys, January 2013
  • "Leveraging Your Super Lawyers or Rising Stars Selection", Thompson Reuters Webinar, August 2011
  • "Catastrophic Injury and the Value of a Structured Settlement", Legal Talk Network, February 2011
  • "Importance of Jury Service", Houston Bar Association, November 2010
  • "Thoughts and Critiques from ADR User's Panel", Houston Bar Association, November 2010
  • "Beyond the Basics - Standing Out From the Crowd", FindLaw, April 2010
  • "Planning to Conquer the Real World of Private Practice", State Bar of Texas, March 2009
  • "Case law Update from Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives", Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management, March 2009
  • Fatigued Truckers, "Written Discovery - Interrogatories and Request for Production", APITLA, September 2009
  • "Shifting Liability", Texas Bar CLE 33rd Annual Estate Planning & Probate Course, June 2009
  • "Themes in Trials", Garland R. Walker American Inns of the Court, January 2009
  • "Examination of Plaintiff's Expert", ABOTA Masters in Trial, November 2008
  • "Responsible Third Parties", 16th Advanced Civil Trial Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, February 2008
  • Medical Malpractice Update, African Bar Association, February 2008
  • "Jury Selection", 24th Litigation Update Institute, State Bar of Texas, January 2008
  • "E-Discovery", Houston Bar Association, Family Law Section, January 2008
  • "Designation of Responsible Third Parties", Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, State Bar of Texas, July 2007
  • "Jury Selection and Trial Issues in Medical Malpractice Cases", Cooper & Scully Sixth Annual Forum on Healthcare Liability, November 2005
  • House Bill 4 - Proposition 12 "A Look Back - What Really Changed", Leadership Houston Justice Day, April 2004
  • Tort Reform Panel, Advanced Civil Trial Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, February 2004
  • "Employer Liability: Non Subscriber and Death Cases", South Texas College of Law, March 2004
  • Tort Reform Update, Mexican-American Bar Association, October 2003
  • Legislative Update/Tort Reform, Houston Bar Association, September 2003
  • "Legislative Update", Personal Injury Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, March 2003
  • Advanced Civil Discovery, "Discovery About Experts", University of Houston, June 2001
  • "Asserting Claims & Defending Nursing Home", Professional Education, Inc., January 2001
  • "Advanced Civil Discovery" - "Discovery About Experts", University of Houston, June 2000
  • "Asserting Claims & Defending Nursing Home", Professional Education, Inc., January 2000
  • "HMO Liability", State Bar of Texas, Advance of Personal Injury Course, July 1999
  • "Auto Collision Litigation", State Bar of Texas, September 1998
  • "Hospital Case Law Update", Advanced Personal Injury Seminar, State Bar of Texas, August 1997
  • "Dram Shop and Social Host Liability", Houston Bar Association, November 1996
  • "Presentation of Evidence", Third Annual Paralegal Program: The Team Approach, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, October 1996
  • "The Litigator's Overview: A Practical Guide to a Successful Trial Practice; Topic: Basic Discovery Techniques", Law Practice Management Seminar, March/April 1996
  • "Auto Litigation", Houston Hispanic Lawyers Association, February 1996
  • "Current Issues and Techniques for Trial Attorneys", Advanced Discovery Practice, May 1995
  • "Personal Injury Litigation", Mexican American Bar Association of Houston, March 1995
  • "Nursing the Nursing Home", TTLA Ski Seminar - The Winning Edge, February 1995
  • "Mediation Presentation", Panel Discussion Leader, October 1995

Honors and Awards

  • Best Lawyers’ 2013 Houston Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs "Lawyer of the Year", 2013
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2010 - 2013
  • Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers List, 2012
  • Texas Top Rated Lawyer, 2012
  • Top Rated Lawyers, AV Preeminent in Business Litigation, 2012
  • Selected as One of the Top 1% Trial Counsel for Medical Malpractice, 2012
  • One of America's Most Honored Professionals, American Registry, 2011 - 2012
  • Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Business, 2003 - 2013
  • Top Texas Verdict, Medical Malpractice, 2011
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The American Trial Lawyers Association, 2009 - 2011
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly, 2007 - 2011
  • Lawdragon Finalist, 2010
  • State Bar of Texas, Judge Sam Williams Award
  • Commencement Speaker, South Texas College of Law, 2010
  • Judge Sam Williams Award, State Bar of Texas, 2010
  • Distinguished Alumnus Award, Houston Baptist University, 2009
  • Walk of Honor, Houston Baptist University, 2009
  • Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, Lawdragon, 2009
  • Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, American Registry, 2008 - 2009
  • Top Lawyers in Houston, H Texas Magazine, 2008 - 2009
  • Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine, 2006 - 2009
  • Houston's Top Lawyers, Personal Injury, H Texas Magazine, 2004 - 2006
  • President's Award, State Bar of Texas, 2006 - Present
  • President's Award, Houston Bar Association, 2007
  • Go To Guide - Plaintiff's Personal Injury Lawyer, Texas Lawyer, 2007
  • Public Service Award, South Texas College of Law Alumni Association, 2006
  • Woodrow B. Seals Award, Outstanding Young Lawyer of Houston, Houston Young Lawyers Association, 1999 - 2000
  • Who's Who in American Law
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, Board of Directors, 2011 - 2012
  • Texas Access to Justice Commission, Commissioner, 2009 - 2012
  • Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists, Secretary, 2011 - 2012
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Trustee, 2009 - 2012
  • Texas Supreme Court Historical Society, Trustee, 2009 - 2012
  • Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, National Advisory Board Member, 2009 - Present
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Director, 1994 - Present
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Chairman, Investment Committee, 2010 - 2011
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Vice-President, Finance, 2010 - 2011
  • American Association for Justice
  • American Bar Association
  • American Bar Foundation
  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
  • America Inns of Court
  • Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists
  • Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Houston Bar Foundation
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • National Board of Trial Advocates
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Texas Bar Foundation
  • Texas Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association
  • The National Trial Lawyers
  • Who's Who in American Law
  • Supreme Court Historical Society, Member, 2012 - Present
  • State Bar of Texas, Chairman, Administration Committee, 2008 - 2009
  • State Bar of Texas, Director, 2006 - 2009
  • State Bar of Texas, Chairman, Facilities & Equipment Sub-Committee, 2007 - 2008
  • Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Volume I, 2006 - 2008
  • Houston Bar Association, Co-Chairman, Habitat for Humanity, 2006 - 2007
  • Houston Bar Association, President, 2005 - 2006
  • Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Volume I, 1998 - 2006
  • Dispute Resolution Center, Inc., President, 2003 - 2004
  • Houston Bar Association, Chairman, Audit Committee, 2003 - 2004
  • Houston Bar Association, Chairman, Finance Committee, 2003 - 2004
  • Houston Bar Association, Treasurer, 2003 - 2004
  • Houston Bar Association, Co-Chair, Lawyers Against Waste Committee, 2002 - 2003
  • Houston Bar Association, First Vice President, 2002 - 2003
  • Houston Bar Association, Chairman, Judicial Polls Committee, 2001 - 2002
  • Houston Bar Association, Secretary, 2001 - 2002
  • Houston Bar Association, Second Vice President, 2000 - 2001
  • Houston Lawyer's Referral Service, President, 2000 - 2001
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association (HTLA), Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee, 1999 - 2001
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Foundation, President, 2000 - 2001
  • Houston Bar Association, Director, 1998 - 2000
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association (HTLA), Chairman, CLE Committee, 1993 - 2000
  • Membership Benefits Task Force, Chairman, 1999 - 2000
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association, President, 1999 - 2000
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Trustee, 1997 - 2000
  • Houston Bar Association, Chairman, Professionalism Committee, 1998 - 1999
  • State Bar of Texas, Chairman, Professional Development Committee, 1996 - 1997
  • State Bar of Texas, Vice-Chairman, Legislative Committee, 1996 - 1997
  • State Bar of Texas, Director, 1994 - 1997
  • Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Volume I, Board Advisor, 1994 - 1997
  • Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Volume IV, Board Advisor, 1995 - 1997

Past Employment Positions

  • Fulbright & Jaworski, Associate, 1987 - 1990