Hilliard Law

Attorney Robert Hilliard

Attorney Robert Hilliard has been practicing law in the state of Texas for over 35 years, gaining national recognition for his work on many high-profile cases. He was recently awarded the 2021 Corpus Christi Bar Association’s Lawyer of the Year Award. His firm represents clients in mass torts, personal injury, product liability, commercial and business litigation and wrongful death matters.

HOTEL RWANDA HERO KIDNAPPING
In August 2020, Paul Rusesabagina, the man portrayed as a hero in the Academy Award-nominated movie Hotel Rwanda, was taken against his will to Rwanda and charged with terrorism, murder and other crimes. According to the New York Times, Rusesabagina had been asked to travel to Burundi to speak to local churches. In Dubai, he boarded a jet chartered from GainJet, believing he was on a flight to Burundi. Instead, he was taken to the Rwandan capital, Kigali. In partnership with Rusesabagina’s family and international human rights groups, Bob Hilliard agreed to join Mr. Rusesabagina’s legal team. On December 14, 2020, Hilliard and team filed action against GainJet, alleging that Rusesabagina was kidnapped and flown to Rwanda without due process.

SCOTUS
On June 7, 2010, Sergio Hernandez Guereca, an unarmed 15-year-old, was playing with his friends near the U.S./Mexico border when he was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agent. Mr. Hilliard, representing the teenager’s family, argued the case before the U.S. Supreme Court on February 21, 2017. Two years later, SCOTUS ruled against Sergio’s family. Mr. Hilliard stated, “In this case, justice doesn’t travel as far as a bullet does. To be left with no remedy, given a lethal and unprovoked shooting, weakens the constitutional foundation of America’s house.”

Attorney Rudy Gonzales, Jr.

Rudy Gonzales, Jr. is an experienced trial lawyer — he’s taken more than fifty trials to a jury verdict and has amassed substantial jury awards and settlements for plaintiffs and their families. Mr. Gonzales is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is licensed to practice law in the state courts of Texas, the United States District Courts in the Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas, United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Gonzales joined Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP as a partner in 2010. Prior to joining HMG, he was the founding partner of a large defense law firm with nationally recognized litigation clients. Mr. Gonzales is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Corpus Christi Bar Association (Vice President 1990, President 1992) and Nueces County Young Lawyers Association (Director 1982-83, President 1985). He has been named a Super Lawyer every year since 2006.

In 2014, Mr. Gonzales was accepted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”). ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial.

Mr. Gonzales attended the University of Texas Austin for his undergraduate studies and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1975 before accepting a commission as an officer in the United States Navy. Following his Naval career, Mr. Gonzales attended the University of Texas School of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1981. While at UT School of Law, he excelled as a member of the Board of Advocates and winner of a prestigious mock trial competition.

Rudy is licensed by the State Bar of Texas and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts of the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas.