Laminack, Pirtle & Martines, LLP

Buffy Martines- Founding/ Managing Partner

Buffy Martines has dedicated her legal career to protecting the rights of individuals who have suffered injuries or harm due to the actions of others. She is recognized for her comprehensive involvement in every stage of a case, from start to finish, and for her ability to successfully collaborate with colleagues on large-scale, high-stakes litigation. She has held prominent leadership positions, including:

• Plaintiffs' Steering Committee
  MDL No. 2004; In re: Mentor Corp. ObTape Transobturator Sling Products Liability Litigation
  United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
• Plaintiffs Executive Committee
  MDL No. 2789; In re: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Liability Litigation
  United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
• Plaintiffs' Steering Committee
  MDL No. 2974; In re: Paragard Products Liability Litigation
  United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
• Plaintiffs' Steering Committee
  MDL No. 3060; In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales and Practices and Products Liability Litigation
  United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Buffy earned a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University in 1993, followed by a Master of Arts from the University of Houston in 1997, and a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in 2002. While in law school, she was recognized for her achievements in moot court, winning national awards. She has received numerous honors including being elected to the Order of Barristers and Phi Delta Phi Honor Society, and receiving the Shea Lynn Maloney Advocacy Award and the T. Gerald Treece "Heart of the South Texas Advocate" Award.

From 2002 to 2006, Buffy worked at O'Quinn, Laminack & Pirtle, focusing on mass tort litigation, notably involving the "fen-phen" diet drug. Since co-founding Laminack, Pirtle & Martines in 2006, she has led successful litigation in thousands of cases, demonstrating strong leadership and a dedication to justice.

Courts:

State Courts of Texas

United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

United States Court of Federal Claims

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit 

Awards:

Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star (2007-2013)

Texas Super Lawyers  (2019-2021, 2023)

Tom Pirtle- Founding Partner

Tom Pirtle is a nationally acclaimed trial lawyer known for his groundbreaking achievements in personal injury, wrongful death, defective products, and commercial dispute cases. With an exceptional track record in the courtroom, he has secured numerous landmark verdicts. Additionally, he has demonstrated his commitment to representing the rights of injured individuals through leadership positions in significant multi-district litigations, including:

• Executive Committee
  MDL No. 2885: In re: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation
  United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
• Discovery Subcommittee
  Case No. 4:23-cv-00242: In re: East Palestine Train Derailment
  United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
• Executive Committee; Chairman, Settlement Subcommittee
  MDL No. 3081: In re: Bard Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation
  United States District Court for the District of Arizona 

During his tenure at O'Quinn, Laminack & Pirtle from 1990 to 2006, Tom served as senior litigator in the mass tort division. He managed complex cases involving medical devices and pharmaceuticals, becoming an authority in corporate liability. Tom played a key role in landmark litigations concerning silicone breast implants and the "fen-phen" diet drug, securing record-setting verdicts.

Since co-founding Laminack, Pirtle & Martines in 2006, Tom has only grown more renowned for his legal expertise and steadfast advocacy, leaving a lasting impact as a trailblazing trial lawyer.

Courts:

State Courts of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

United States Court of Federal Claims

Awards:

Texas Super Lawyers (2010-2012, 2017-2023)

Russ Brudner- Associate

Russ Brudner is a highly accomplished legal professional with a 30-year track record in handling a wide range of cases, including personal injuries, wrongful deaths, defective products, commercial disputes, and premises liability.

Russ holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma and South Texas College of Law, which have equipped him with a solid foundation in legal principles and a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of the legal field. 

Russ has extensive experience working on cases involving workplace accidents, 18-wheeler and automobile accidents, as well as offshore/Jones Act accidents. He has achieved remarkable success in litigating maritime cases and securing multi-million dollar recoveries for his clients.

Throughout his career, Russ has also made significant contributions to product defect cases involving pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. He has been involved in groundbreaking mass torts such as the Fen-Phen Diet Drug Litigation and the Seroquel/Zyprexa Litigation. His meticulous attention to detail, extensive legal knowledge, and effective advocacy have consistently led to successful resolutions for his clients.

Courts:

State Courts of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Susan Earnest- Associate

Susan Earnest is a highly accomplished attorney specializing in mass tort and complex litigation, focusing primarily on representing individuals affected by complications from dangerous and defective medical devices and drugs. Susan holds degrees from Northwestern State University and Tulane Law.

Throughout her career, Susan has diligently pursued compensation for clients who have suffered injuries due to prescription drugs and defective products. Her involvement includes pre-trial discovery, presenting and cross-examining expert physicians, and engaging in litigation concerning allegations of unfair marketing and sales practices. 

Notably, Susan has successfully represented women harmed by implantable pelvic mesh and silicone breast implants. Her dedicated efforts have significantly contributed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee for the Louisiana Breast Implant Class Action, particularly in the case of Spitzfaden, et al. vs. Dow Corning.

Among her most fulfilling cases are those representing clients unjustly denied health benefits for cancer treatment. In one notable instance, she secured a pre-trial settlement with a renowned national health insurance company during mediation.

Courts:

State Courts of Texas

State Courts of Louisiana

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Marlo Fischer- Associate

Marlo Fischer is a dedicated attorney whose legal career centers around representing plaintiffs in various cases, including personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, and toxic torts.

She completed her Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Sam Houston State University in 2011 and earned her Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in 2015, where she was recognized as a Dean's Scholar for her outstanding academic performance. During law school, Marlo had the unique opportunity to study under Supreme Court Justice John Roberts at Charles University in Prague.

Since graduating, Marlo has effectively managed numerous high-volume case dockets, showcasing her exceptional skills from intake to settlement. In 2022, she was appointed to the Leadership Development Committee for MDL 2924 and collaborated with the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in that litigation.

Her extensive knowledge and expertise in her practice areas make her a valuable resource for fellow legal professionals, and she is recognized for her unwavering dedication to clients and her adept handling of complex legal issues. 

Courts:

State Courts of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Cameron Maki- Associate

Cameron Maki is a passionate and committed advocate for individuals who have been injured or otherwise harmed by others. His legal practice encompasses various areas, including personal injury, wrongful death, defective products, and premises liability.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2018 and obtained his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in 2021. At South Texas, Cameron received the Claire Muskin Rudge Award and the Fred Parks Faculty Award for his exceptional achievements. He was also on the Dean's List of Presidential Fellows and contributed to the success of the nationally ranked advocacy program, including the National Trial Competition championship team.

Before joining Laminack, Pirtle & Martines, Cameron clerked for a legal team that tried the first nationwide bellwether case in MDL No. 2885; In re: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation, gaining valuable experience.

Driven by his passion for justice, Cameron Maki consistently provides his clients with the highest level of representation.

Courts:

State Court of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas