Lubbock, TX

S. Rafe Foreman

S. Rafe Foreman is the 2021 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented each year at the prestigious Educating Advocacy Teachers conference held at Stetson University School of Law. Rafe is married for 34 years with two daughters that he adores. He is a partner in Hutchison & Foreman PLLC, has been representing people who have been wrongfully accused, discriminated against and/or physically and emotionally injured since 1988. He is a trial lawyer, consultant and professor and tries cases involving criminal defense, plaintiff's: personal injury, civil rights, employment, discrimination, wrongful death, excessive force and 1983 actions. Rafe is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the area of criminal law since 1994. He is licensed to practice law in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Missouri and has jury verdicts in each of these states and has litigated cases in Louisiana, South Dakota, Colorado, California Washington, Florida and Arizona just to name a few. Susan Hutchison, his law partner, and Rafe have obtained many record setting jury verdicts throughout Texas and the country. Their most recent verdict was obtained in Dallas Federal Court in May of 2021 where they received a record verdict for their client, a 72-year-old man who was discriminated against based on gender. They have had multiple cases pending before the United States Supreme Court. Rafe has been voted as a SUPER LAWYER for many years in Texas. Rafe is both a retired and current law professor. He has been on the Trial Lawyer’s College Faculty for 20 years and remains an adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson Law. Rafe retried from UMKC Law and the Douglas Stripp Endowed Chair in Advocacy after leading them to highest advocacy ranking in the school’s history. Rafe, along with Professor Tobin created the only jury selection trial competition in the country known as the Show Me Challenge. He holds an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and a law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. Rafe is passionate about rectifying discrimination and has a few jury trials left in him yet. Parkinson’s may be his condition but it's not his story.

Ted Liggett

Ted A. Liggett was a self-made successful business owner in the entertainment industry before turning to the study of law. His unique blend of real life experience and legal training gives him the proper perspective to relate to and empathize with the individuals he represents. Ted has over 20 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer and has dedicated his entire legal career to helping those who have been physically injured or suffered injustice due to the intentional actions or negligence of other individuals and corporations. While Ted has plenty of experience representing clients in matters ranging from contract disputes to partnership dissolutions, his primary focus is on personal injury litigation. He has successfully completed, either through jury verdicts or settlements, thousands of cases. In this regard, Liggett’s resume includes, but is not limited to, such areas as wrongful death, oil field accidents, truck accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, shootings, disfigurements, spinal injuries, broken bones, amputations and workplace injuries. Ted also has the privilege and distinction of serving as the personal attorney for Mike Leach, the most successful coach in Texas Tech’s football history and who is considered one of the most influential offensive minds of the modern football era. Ted and Mike’s relationship is well into its second decade and the future is sure to include many exciting developments. Further, recently Liggett finished his term of almost 10 years as Chancellor to the Most Reverend Bishop Wallace Ohl and the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas.

Marc Whitehead

Marc Whitehead is a double board certified attorney and founding partner of Marc Whitehead & Associates. He specializes in personal injury litigation, insurance & ERISA litigation, Social Security Disability law, and Veterans disability compensation. He is a skilled litigator, an Accredited Veterans Claim Attorney, and Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Valeri Stiers Malone

Valeri Malone brings two and a half decades of experience to her clients. She is a successful trial lawyer, who has earned the respect of her peers and the trust of her clients. Valeri Malone, a distinguished trial lawyer with an impressive career spanning over 25 years, is widely recognized for her exceptional advocacy skills and unwavering dedication to her clients. Graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University and Texas Tech School of Law, Valeri's academic prowess was apparent as she secured early admission to Texas Tech School of Law's esteemed advocacy program, the Board of Barristers, where she ranked first in her class and distinguished herself as a National competitor. Licensed to practice law in both Texas and Oklahoma State and Federal courts, Valeri's reach extends nationwide as she has been granted pro hac vice admission to appear in cases from California to New York. Her legal expertise has garnered her respect from her peers and clients alike, solidified by her recognition as a Texas Super Lawyer, Rising Star in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Additionally, Valeri holds membership in the esteemed Million Dollar Advocate Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum. Early in her career, Valeri represented families and victims affected by catastrophic explosions, securing multi-million dollar outcomes for her clients. Today, she focuses on a wide array of personal injury cases, including those stemming from semi-truck crashes, wrongful deaths, car accidents, defective products, oilfield injuries, daycare incidents, fall hazards, and dog bites. Valeri's passion for justice is epitomized by her steadfast belief in the words of Babe Ruth: 'it is hard to beat someone who never gives up.' This ethos underscores how she represents her clients, showcasing resilience and determination in every case. Over the years, she has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, establishing an undeniable track record for hard work, experience, and results. Valeri's reputation precedes her as she steps into settlement talks and courtrooms, advocating tirelessly for those she serves.

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.

Susan E. Hutchison

Susan Hutchison is a partner in the law firm of Hutchison & Foreman, PLLC, a law firm specializing in employment cases and personal injury cases with offices in Fort Worth, Texas and Lubbock, Texas. The firm handles cases throughout Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Missouri. Ms. Hutchison is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Texas Eastern District Court, Texas Northern District Court, Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court, Texas Western District Court and all Texas state and county courts. Since 1987, Ms. Hutchison has represented people who have been discriminated against or harassed in the workplace as well as those who have been physically injured. She also handles some civil rights cases. Ms. Hutchison is truly committed to standing up against corporations and insurance and believes in the vision of her mentor, Gerry Spence, who “is committed to the jury system and to representing and obtaining justice for individuals; the poor, the injured, the forgotten, the voiceless, the defenseless and the damned, and to protecting the rights of such people from corporate and government oppression.” Ms. Hutchison attended Texas Tech Tech University School of Law where she served as an Editor of the Texas Tech Law Review and received the Judge Mead F. Griffin award for exemplifying the ideals of the legal profession. Upon graduating Tech, Ms. Hutchison began practicing with the Fort Worth law firm of Shannon, Gracey, Ratfliff and Miller where she practiced employment defense. In 1994, Susan started her own firm, representing only plaintiffs in employment and personal injury cases. Ms. Hutchison received Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law in 1993. She has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer on multiple occasions and a “Top Attorney” in Fort Worth every year since 2003.

Kevin B. Miller

Kevin B. Miller is a Founder Shareholder and trial lawyer licensed since 1988, with extensive experience in personal injury and workers' compensation cases, including oil field accidents. He has recovered millions for clients and was voted Best S.A Lawyer in personal injury from 2016-2021.