Firm News
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Mitby Pacholder Johnson Supports SIRE Therapeutic Horsemanship at Annual Spring Gala
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC is pleased to share that firm members attended SIRE Therapeutic Horsemanship’s annual Spring Gala, held April 11 at The Houstonian. MPJ was proud to serve as a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s event, themed “SIRE Under the Tuscan Stars.”
SIRE’s mission is to provide a community where horses help people with disabilities and challenges to live their best lives. Debbie Pacholder, whose son has been a SIRE client since 2008, serves as Chair of SIRE’s Development Committee, further reflecting the firm’s deep commitment to the organization and its mission.
The Spring Gala is one of SIRE’s signature fundraising events, bringing together supporters, community leaders, and advocates for an evening of celebration and impact. The event featured an authentic Italian dinner, a Wines of Italy tasting, limoncello and Italian-inspired cocktails, live entertainment by JB Barnett, casino games, a live and silent auction and other thoughtfully curated touches such as hat branding. The highlight of the evening was a beautifully inspiring performance by a young man who is one of SIRE’s clients, singing a song he wrote about the horse he grooms and rides regularly and the profound effect of this steady interaction on his life.
“Supporting organizations like SIRE reflects our firm’s commitment to the Houston community and to initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Debbie. “The evening was a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who share that commitment while celebrating the impactful work SIRE continues to do.”
Mitby Pacholder Johnson remains dedicated to supporting charitable organizations that promote inclusion, opportunity, and well-being across the communities it serves.
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC Welcomes Amberley Ross as Associate
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC (MPJ), a Houston-based litigation boutique, is pleased to announce that Amberley Ross has joined the firm as an associate.
“Amberley brings a sophisticated understanding of compliance, risk management, and litigation strategy that will be a strong asset to our clients,” said Steven Mitby, founding partner of MPJ. “Her experience advising on complex regulatory matters and handling sensitive investigations adds meaningful depth to our litigation team.”
Ross represents clients across all stages of civil litigation, from pre-suit investigation and discovery through motion practice, depositions, and trial preparation. Her experience brings a strategic, risk-informed perspective to complex disputes, particularly those involving regulatory and compliance considerations.
Prior to joining MPJ, Ross served as Assistant General Counsel and Health Care Compliance Officer for the University of Houston System. In that role, she advised senior leadership on regulatory compliance, institutional risk, and legal strategy across a multi-campus public university system. She also served as the primary legal advisor on complex regulatory and compliance matters affecting the system’s health care operations, including university-affiliated clinical, research, and academic activities.
Ross has significant experience conducting sensitive internal investigations involving privacy breaches, billing compliance concerns, and adverse events. She has led legal risk assessments and developed corrective action plans designed to mitigate litigation exposure and regulatory scrutiny, working closely with internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
Ross earned her LL.M. in Health Law and J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Louisiana State University.
Mitby Pacholder Johnson Adds Intellectual Property Litigator Frank Lin as Of Counsel
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC (MPJ), a Houston-based litigation boutique, has announced that Frank Lin, a seasoned litigator and intellectual property and business attorney, has joined the firm as of counsel.
Lin brings more than 17 years of legal experience representing clients in intellectual property and complex commercial matters. His practice includes handling high-stakes litigation involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights, as well as patent and trademark prosecution and corporate transactional work. With experience both in-house and at Chambers-ranked law firms, Lin advises clients across multiple industries on cost-effective strategies to resolve challenging legal disputes and protect valuable intellectual property.
“Frank’s broad intellectual property and commercial litigation experience, combined with his in-house perspective, makes him a tremendous asset to our clients,” said Tim Johnson, founding partner of Mitby Pacholder Johnson. “His ability to understand both the technical and business dimensions of complex disputes aligns perfectly with our firm’s strategic approach to litigation.”
Lin represents clients ranging from emerging startups to large corporations in industries including oil and gas, chemicals, construction, consumer products and electronics, flavors and fragrances, medical technology, and satellite television content distribution. His litigation experience includes representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial and intellectual property disputes. In addition, he regularly negotiates business and IP agreements, prosecutes patents, trademarks, and copyright applications, and manages large intellectual property portfolios.
Before joining MPJ, Lin served in-house as vice president and intellectual property counsel for a publicly traded oil and gas company. In that role, he advised executives and senior management on developing and implementing intellectual property strategies designed to secure and protect the company’s valuable IP assets.
“Joining Mitby Pacholder Johnson provides an exciting opportunity to work alongside an accomplished team of trial lawyers focused on solving complex intellectual property and business disputes,” said Lin. “I look forward to helping the firm’s clients protect their valuable IP and navigate the legal challenges that come with innovation and growth.”
Lin has a technical background and is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, where he served as articles editor and management information systems editor for Currents: International Trade Law Journal. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin.
Mitby Pacholder Johnson Recognized by Chambers Regional Spotlight
The firm is recognized for both Litigation: General Commercial and Intellectual Property Expertise
Mitby Pacholder Johnson (MPJ) is proud to announce it is one of a few select Texas firms awarded recognition by the 2026 Chambers USA Texas Regional Spotlight Guide in two practice areas: Litigation: General Commercial and Intellectual Property (IP). This is the third consecutive ranking for litigation, but the firm’s first for IP, highlighting that Chambers research has shown significant growth over the last year. In addition, only 34 firms have double rankings out of 251 total in the Texas Spotlight.
The Chambers Spotlight Guide honors small and mid-sized law firms that demonstrate outstanding legal acumen and client service. MPJ was selected based on an independent and in-depth market analysis, coupled with an assessment of our experience, expertise and caliber of talent.
Founding partner Steven Mitby represents businesses and individuals in complex commercial and IP disputes against some of the largest companies in the world. He has earned a reputation for achieving outstanding results for clients in Texas and throughout the United States.
Founding partner Debbie Simon Pacholder fights every litigation case as if it were her own. Collaborating closely with her chemical and industrial, oil and gas, and healthcare clients, she sees nuances others overlook. Clients frequently credit her creativity in using those nuances to secure calm and confident wins.
With a degree in computer science and more than 25 years in practice, including nearly a decade as general counsel with a major oil and gas service and technology company, founding partner Tim Johnson is known as a fearless and instinctive lawyer. Whether in Texas courts, before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), or in other jurisdictions, clients and opponents alike appreciate his acute business judgment and success in tackling complex issues.
Recently, veteran litigator Peter Jordan joined the firm as partner. Jordan represents both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes disputes and his experience spans a broad range of industries, including technology, chemicals, insurance, manufacturing, and financial services. Chambers and Partners is widely regarded as the leading independent legal ranking organization, and its Spotlight Guide provides General Counsel and business leaders with critical insights into top-performing boutique law firms.
Debbie Pacholder to Serve as Development Committee Chair for SIRE-Therapeutic Horsemanship
Mitby Pacholder Johnson (MPJ) is proud to announce that partner and longtime board member Debbie Pacholder will serve as Chair of the Development Committee for SIRE- Therapeutic Horsemanship, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a community where horses help people with disabilities and challenges to live their best life.
Community engagement remains a core value at MPJ, reflected in how the firm’s partners invest their time, perspective, and energy into the communities they serve. Debbie’s leadership role with SIRE represents a continued commitment to strengthening organizations that deliver meaningful, measurable impact.
SIRE uses the power of horses to help children and adults build strength, confidence, and independence. As Development Committee Chair, Debbie will help guide fundraising strategy, resource development, and long-term stewardship efforts that sustain and expand SIRE’s programs.
“Debbie’s leadership, judgment, and long-range perspective make her exceptionally well-suited for this role,” said Steven Mitby, founding partner of MPJ. “Her work with SIRE goes beyond service — it’s about building momentum and ensuring that organizations doing life-changing work have the support they need to thrive.”
Founded in 1983, SIRE–Therapeutic Horsemanship provides equine‑assisted programs that help children and adults, including veterans, build strength, confidence, and independence while supporting individuals with a range of physical, cognitive, and mental health challenges.
In addition to Debbie’s leadership role, MPJ is sponsoring one of SIRE’s therapy horses. These horses receive comprehensive, individualized care, including specialized nutrition plans, routine hoof and veterinary services, pasture time, and therapeutic treatments such as massage and chiropractic care. Many come from show, sport, or family backgrounds and transition into therapeutic roles that provide renewed purpose while supporting riders and clients throughout their journeys.
“The entire MPJ team is excited to continue supporting SIRE’s important work throughout the year,” said Debbie. “Both the clients served and the horses themselves benefit directly from sustained community partnership.”
Steve Mitby Addresses the Federal Shift to Expand Oil and Gas Development in the Texas Lawyer
Steve Mitby recently published an article in Texas Lawyer examining how new federal initiatives to expand oil and gas development — alongside recently enacted Texas laws addressing produced water, legacy wells, and renewable energy permitting — are expected to influence project planning and risk management strategies in 2026 and beyond.
Steve writes, “The energy sector is undergoing a measured transition rather than a sudden shift. Oil and gas investment continues to lead, with natural gas serving as the primary bridge fuel. Nuclear energy may gain traction as technology advances, although public acceptance remains limited. A well-defined legal strategy is now critical. Issues such as produced water ownership, legacy well responsibility, and evolving permitting requirements carry significant financial and operational consequences. Companies that address these factors early will be better positioned as policy and market conditions continue to evolve.”
Subscribers can read the full article here.