Blanco, TX

Jeffrey Connelly

Jeffrey Connelly is a third-generation trial lawyer who brings diverse experiences and a unique perspective to complex legal issues. He begins each case with amicable diplomacy and understands the importance of courtroom ability. He has successfully tried cases to a jury in multiple states and helped individuals get justice. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in 2008 and his J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law in 2012. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and Georgia. He started his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Atlanta, where he gained substantial courtroom experience prosecuting hundreds of serious violent felony cases. In 2015, he transitioned to private practice, representing plaintiffs in civil actions. In the fall of 2017, he became a member of the Texas State Bar and joined an Austin law firm. In the spring of 2020, he co-founded Cofer & Connelly, PLLC with Rick Cofer, aiming to create a modern, tech-forward, client-focused firm built on thorough preparation and courtroom experience. He leads the civil litigation practice with a focus on Family Law and Personal Injury cases. He is active in the Austin community, serving as the Governance Chair of the Violet Crown Trail Stewardship Council and a board member of the Hill Country Conservancy Violet Crown Trail Committee.

Douglas C. Plank

Douglas C. Plank is a Senior Research Attorney at NLRG since 1978, specializing in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Personal Injury, and Family Law. He has written appellate briefs for federal circuits and state supreme courts, and petitions for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, including one that resulted in a landmark ruling. He is the author of NLRG’s Criminal Law Update.

Rick Cofer

Rick Cofer is the managing partner of Cofer & Connelly, PLLC. He has more than 17 years of experience as a felony prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney. Recognized as Best Lawyer from 2021 to 2025 by the Austin Chronicle Reader's Poll, Rick Cofer has been selected a Texas Super Lawyer and Rising Star for six years. He has also been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2023. Martindale-Hubbell has rated him as AV Preeminent (the highest rating based on peer feedback). He represents people in crisis, starting from the presumption of innocence. He has lived and worked in Austin, Central Texas, and the Hill Country for over twenty years, knowing the courts, players, and procedures, and resolving matters discreetly. He has tried more than 100 cases before a judge or a jury. He grew up in Plano, Texas, and moved to Austin in 2000. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas School of Law. He worked on political campaigns and policy initiatives. After law school, he worked for a prominent criminal defense attorney before becoming an Assistant County Attorney and Assistant District Attorney in Travis County, handling thousands of cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies, including violent-crime and sex-offense cases. His practice also focuses on juvenile cases and mental health matters, having practiced in juvenile courts for over a decade and served as associate judge for mental health hearings and as a Travis County mental health civil prosecutor. In 2018, he started his own law firm and partnered with Jeffrey Connelly in 2020 to build a client-focused firm.

Joseph W. Murrell

Joseph W. Murrell is a Senior Research Attorney at NLRG since 1990, specializing in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death. He is a contributor to Bill of Particulars and Georgia Jurisprudence.

Jeremy Y. Taylor

Jeremy Y. Taylor is a Senior Research Attorney at NLRG since 1986 and editor of Products Liability Update. His expertise includes Administrative Law, Evidence, Personal Injury, Immigration, Civil Procedure, Products Liability/Consumer Protection, medical malpractice, corporate law, and professional licensing. He has written petitions for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court and previously worked for the IRS.

Jared Horton

Jared Horton is dedicated to the zealous representation of each client, striving for justice regardless of the odds. He grew up in the Texas Hill Country, bringing the same uncompromising character and work ethic to the courtroom. He graduated with honors from the University of Texas at San Antonio and attended Baylor Law School, where he developed strong trial lawyer foundations. He began his career in South Texas, working directly with clients and later representing the State of Texas as an Assistant District Attorney and gang prosecutor. He handled thousands of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and tried dozens of felony cases including domestic violence, intoxication manslaughter, sexual assault, aggravated robbery, murder, and capital murders. In 2021, he brought his family and practice back to the Hill Country, continuing his work in prosecution and later in criminal defense and family law. As a criminal defense attorney, he understands the criminal justice system from investigation through post-trial sentencing, using his unique inside experience and unyielding advocacy to achieve the best possible results for his clients.

David Wagoner

David Wagoner is a Senior Attorney at NLRG, focusing primarily on personal injury and property litigation matters. He began his legal career as a litigator in North Carolina and Virginia, and later worked in legal information for international publishing companies.