Lufkin, TX

George Chandler

George Chandler, founder of Chandler, Mathis & Zivley, P.C., was a nationally respected trial attorney with decades of experience in high-stakes personal injury litigation. Known for his fierce advocacy and sharp courtroom instincts, Mr. Chandler represented individuals and families in state and federal courts across the country. His work led to landmark verdicts and settlements, earning him widespread recognition as one of the nations most accomplished litigators. Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Mr. Chandler was also a renowned educator. He helped aspiring law students learn trial advocacy skills at Baylor University Law School. He shared his expertise at legal seminars and CLE programs nationwide, mentoring attorneys in trial strategy, persuasive communication, bad faith litigation, and product liability law. Mr. Chandler’s versatility extended beyond personal injury-he served as lead plaintiff’s counsel for high-profile clients such as Samsung Electronics Corporation, Hillwood Development Corporation, Temple-Inland, and The New York Times, demonstrating his unmatched skill in complex litigation. Although Mr. Chandler has passed, his legacy lives on through the continued work of the firm he built.

Jon L. Anderson

Anderson has extensive trial and appellate experience in numerous types of civil and criminal cases. He is licensed in Texas State and Federal Courts as well as Appellate Courts. Anderson’s biggest passion is fighting for the rights of injured people against the abusive practices of insurance companies, and he is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law. Despite the board certification, Anderson maintains a small-town practice of law, allowing for continued representation of valued clients in all their legal needs. He and his staff provide personal attention to their clients. Being a native of Lufkin has allowed Anderson to become familiar with all the courts and judges in and around the area. The respect he receives from the Judges who know his reputation for diligence, honesty, and fairness has proven very beneficial to his clients. Anderson receives twice as many hours each year of continuing legal education than attorneys who are not board certified. Meaning he is officially recognized by Judges, as well as peers and the Board as being an expert in the field of Personal Injury Law. This maintains a high level of expertise in the trial practice. Although most cases settle without a trial, Anderson has extensive experience in courtrooms around East Texas and loves fighting for his clients to the maximum degree. Martindale-Hubell is the rating system for attorneys throughout the United States. Attorneys are rated confidentially by their peers. Anderson’s rating of AV “Preeminent” means that his peers have found his ability as an attorney to be the “Highest Level of Professional Excellence” and his ethical standards to be unquestioned. Anderson’s overall client rating stands at 5.0 out of 5.0. Jon Anderson was born to Lloyd and Vergie Lott Anderson and raised in Angelina County. He graduated in 1976 from Lufkin High School, and then attended Angelina College and Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating with honors in 1980. Anderson attended law school at Texas Tech School of Law, receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1983. After graduating, he returned home to open his law practice.

Jeff B. Badders

Jeff B. Badders, a Nacogdoches native, earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1978 and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Baylor University Law School in 1981. Admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1982, he has since dedicated his practice to personal injury law, assisting thousands of clients in East Texas. He is a member of several professional associations and has received multiple 'Best Attorney' recognitions.

Collen Clark

With uncommon expertise and an exceptional record, Collen Clark is a dedicated advocate for his clients and works relentlessly for the causes they share. He founded Clark | von Plonski | Anderson to commit their years of experience and skill to restore justice for individuals and families who have unfairly endured adversity and disaster. Clark is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is a member of numerous professional, legal, and civic associations including the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the East Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American Association of Justice, Dallas Trial Lawyers, Dallas Bar Association, Smith County Bar Association, and Cherokee County Bar Association. He is licensed to argue before the Supreme Court, all courts in Texas, and the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Federal Districts of Texas, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. A second-generation trial attorney, Clark has an innate passion for the law and for the people of Texas. Born and raised in Tyler, Clark attended Robert E. Lee High School and earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Baylor University. Throughout his high school and college years, Clark traveled throughout the state of Texas competing in rodeo events including bull riding, bronc riding and calf roping. Still an avid horseman, Clark is fiercely proud of his East Texas roots and maintains a residence in Smith and Dallas Counties. Clark has spent thousands of hours in courtrooms deftly representing plaintiffs - in groups and individual cases - in a broad range of practice areas including toxic torts, product liability, construction and oil field litigation, toxic exposure, and transportation disasters, which include commercial aviation and tractor trailers (18-wheelers). Throughout his career, Clark has been involved in over $600 million in verdicts or settlements on behalf of his clients. This renowned success in the courtroom on behalf of his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers and adversaries as one of the top trial lawyers in Texas.

Collen Clark

With uncommon expertise and an exceptional record, Collen Clark is a dedicated advocate for his clients and works relentlessly for the causes they share. He founded Clark | von Plonski | Anderson to commit their years of experience and skill to restore justice for individuals and families who have unfairly endured adversity and disaster. Clark is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is a member of numerous professional, legal, and civic associations including the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the East Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American Association of Justice, Dallas Trial Lawyers, Dallas Bar Association, Smith County Bar Association, and Cherokee County Bar Association. He is licensed to argue before the Supreme Court, all courts in Texas, and the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Federal Districts of Texas, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. A second-generation trial attorney, Clark has an innate passion for the law and for the people of Texas. Born and raised in Tyler, Clark attended Robert E. Lee High School and earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Baylor University. Throughout his career, Clark has been involved in over $600 million in verdicts or settlements on behalf of his clients. This renowned success in the courtroom on behalf of his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers and adversaries as one of the top trial lawyers in Texas.

Jacob von Plonski

For Jacob von Plonski, earning his law degree was the chance to formally fulfill a lifelong passion to fight for plaintiffs who have been injured or wronged throughout the United States. He has dedicated his entire career to working on behalf of clients - both in and outside the courtroom - who have been harmed in automobile accidents, oil and gas injuries, commercial trucking, and agricultural accidents, among others. von Plonski graduated cum laude from South Texas College of Law Houston, after finishing his time at Southern Methodist University with a double major. He is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, AIEG, the Dallas Bar Association, and the Dallas Young Lawyers Association. Born and raised in Texas, von Plonski comes from a long line of oil and gas workers, including engineers, project managers, and roughnecks. He feels a responsibility to protect and defend these workers and the other men and women in East Texas and beyond who work hard each day to provide for their families. von Plonski has already garnered numerous awards and recognitions in his thriving career, marking a path of continued success and future victories for his clients.

W. Perry Zivley

Perry Zivley, a Houston native, has built a distinguished legal career dedicated to representing plaintiffs in personal injury and complex civil litigation cases. He earned his B.B.A. from Southwestern University and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 1986. Mr. Zivley's practice focuses on litigation, where his courtroom expertise and passion for justice have delivered life-changing results for his clients. He has achieved numerous victories against corporate giants and is recognized as a formidable advocate. Mr. Zivley is licensed to practice in Texas, New Mexico, and U.S. Federal Courts. He has been named to Super Lawyers (2009-2014) and Texas Top Lawyers. Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Zivley is committed to his community, serving on boards for the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Texas and the Open Door Mission, and is an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Houston.