The Amaro Law Firm is proud to announce that several of our attorneys, including Founder R. James Amaro, have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. These distinctions highlight the skill, dedication, and results our team consistently delivers to clients across Texas and why the firm is known as “top legal talent” and “best in the eyes of their peers.”
Over the years, R. James Amaro and other firm attorneys have not only been spotlighted as Best Lawyers multiple times (including in 2024 and 2025), but they have also earned other prestigious accolades, including Super Lawyers honors, reflecting a long-standing tradition of excellence and sustained leadership in personal injury litigation.
This year, seven personal injury attorneys at the Amaro Law Firm have been distinguished as Best Lawyers, with honors including the:
Together, these accolades reinforce the firm’s unwavering commitment to exceptional advocacy and client-focused representation.
About Best Lawyers Awards
For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has specialized in selecting the world’s leading attorneys, so “clients [can] find credible, experienced counsel with confidence.” Unlike paid listings or marketing-based awards, Best Lawyers relies exclusively on a rigorous peer-review process, where leading attorneys confidentially evaluate the quality of their peers’ work.
Driven by the conviction that “the best lawyers know who the best lawyers are,” Best Lawyers sets itself apart from other industry awards, serving as one of the most trusted and respected honors in the legal profession.
Each year, Best Lawyers are chosen through an extremely selective process, with fewer than 5% of attorneys in the U.S. and 3% of lawyers worldwide earning this illustrious distinction.
Geared toward impartiality and preserving the award’s integrity, the multi-layered selection process for Best Lawyers includes:
- Nominations submitted by peers, never the attorneys themselves
- Peer review surveys conducted among thousands of top lawyers
- Analysis and validation of feedback by Best Lawyers editors
- Bar association checks to ensure nominees are in good standing
Once earned, the Best Lawyers honor is not a lifetime achievement or standing award. Attorneys must requalify each year by continuing to earn votes from their peers.
Additionally, Best Lawyers awards cannot be purchased. They are granted solely through a trusted peer-review process to maintain the award’s credibility, integrity, and impartiality.
As a result, Best Lawyers is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious distinctions in the legal profession, reserved for only the most exceptional attorneys.
2026 Best Lawyers in America
Two attorneys at the Amaro Law Firm were honored with Best Lawyers distinctions, earning the highest number of peer votes for excellence in litigation and client advocacy.
R. James Amaro, Founder & Lead Trial Attorney
Recognized in Litigation (Insurance), Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
R. James Amaro has been honored in the categories of Litigation (Insurance) and Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs). Amaro founded the Amaro Law Firm in 2005 with one goal: to fight for individuals, families, and businesses harmed by negligence, injustice, or corporate misconduct. Since then, he has earned a nationwide reputation as a tenacious litigator and trial lawyer successfully recovering compensation for thousands of clients across Texas and beyond.
Guided by his core values to be used and useful to others and the firm’s commitment to bringing clients closure, justice, and peace as quickly as possible, he brings experience, grit, and a deep sense of duty to every case he takes on — from catastrophic injuries and wrongful death cases, to business disputes and insurance claims.
Under his leadership, the Amaro Law Firm has successfully taken on several high-profile cases, including BP refinery explosion claims, Hurricane Ike lawsuits, and Deepwater Horizon spill cases. That record of tenacious advocacy has shaped the firm’s character and mission, creating a profound sense of duty that goes beyond the “win” and truly looks to serve clients’ best interests.
Earlier in his career, R. James Amaro gained defense-side experience at major national firms, giving him crucial insight into the strategies of insurers and large corporations, a perspective he now leverages to level the playing field and fiercely advocate for plaintiffs seeking closure, justice, and peace.
In addition to this Best Lawyers in America 2026 recognition, R. James Amaro has earned numerous other prominent honors, including distinctions from Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and other trusted legal organizations.
Chris Gadoury, Attorney
Recognized in Commercial Litigation
Chris Gadoury brings more than 20 years of national litigation experience to the Amaro Law Firm. Joining the team in 2023, Chris Gadoury has successfully handled complex commercial, environmental, and False Claims Act cases, representing Fortune 100 companies, institutional investors, individuals, and families.
Before joining the Amaro Law Firm, Chris Gadoury served as Partner at Berg & Androphy and Senior Counsel at the Lanier Law Firm.
His courtroom acumen spans trials and appeals in shareholder derivative actions, contract disputes, business torts, fiduciary litigation, and several other cases.
His 2026 Best Lawyers recognition in Commercial Litigation marks his second consecutive year earning this honor, serving as a testament to his consistent achievement and well-regarded reputation.
2026 Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch
The 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list honors attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding skill and impact within the first five to nine years of their careers. This year, five attorneys at the Amaro Law Firm have earned this celebrated distinction, reflecting the depth of talent and dedication across our team.
Matt Elwell, Partner
Recognized in Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
Matt Elwell has been on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list every year since 2023, reflecting his consistency, trusted advocacy, and glowing reputation in the personal injury field.
Named as a Partner at the Amaro Law Firm in 2025, Matt Elwell has built a career on trial excellence, handling cases involving 18-wheeler crashes, workplace injuries, brain injuries, wrongful death, oil field accidents, and more. His commitment to “getting into the ring of fire” on behalf of clients underscores his tireless devotion to fighting for what’s right and securing justice.
In addition to this 2026 Best Lawyers honor, Matt Elwell has earned many other awards and distinctions, including being named on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars List (2018 to 2024) and the Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers (2021 and 2022).
Anna McMullen, Attorney
Recognized in Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
Anna McMullen has been part of the Amaro Law Firm since 2018, bringing a uniquely versatile background of family law, business law, and employment law to her personal injury practice.
Her primary focus lies in motor vehicle collisions and premises liability cases, where she applies a well-rounded legal perspective to craft multi-dimensional strategies that protect and advance her clients’ interests.
Notably, this is Anna McMullen’s third time as a Ones to Watch honoree. In addition to these Best Lawyers distinctions, Anna McMullen has earned other prestigious honors, including being named on the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 List and the Rising Star Lists from Super Lawyers and the Houston Trial Lawyer Association (HTLA).
Caleb McVicker, Attorney
Recognized in Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
Caleb McVicker represents the victims of negligence, skillfully navigating the courtroom and beyond with precision, strategic advocacy, and unwavering resolve.
With a background that spans family law, estate issues, business formation, and civil disputes, Caleb McVicker brings a thoughtful approach to complicated tort claims, including cases that end up going before the Supreme Court of Texas, as well as mass tort litigation in federal courts.
His recognition on the 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list speaks to his place among the next generation of litigators making a real impact in the personal injury field.
Lucas Walker, Attorney
Recognized in Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
Lucas Walker has been a key member of the Amaro Law Firm’s litigation team since 2018, bringing a unique blend of empathy, legal acumen, and a results-focused approach to each case he takes on.
Raised in a military family and shaped by the values of discipline and service, Lucas Walker specializes in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, navigating these claims with an unflinching determination to secure optimal results for each client.
His inclusion on the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch affirms his proven ability to go up against formidable opponents and win full, fair recoveries for individuals and families.
Christina Barefield, Attorney
Recognized in Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
Christina Barefield has earned her place on the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list through her client-first practice, which blends sharp legal skills with compassionate advocacy to counsel individuals and families through challenging cases.
Christina Barefield started her legal career actively participating in pro bono legal aid for underserved community members. Her background also includes experience in construction-related disputes, contract and payment disagreements, and property tax matters.
Today, Christina Barefield represents clients in a broad range of tort claims, providing meaningful support at every step in the journey to justice.
About the Amaro Law Firm
The Amaro Law Firm is a leader among the best personal injury law firms in Texas and was recognized in 2025 by Best Law Firms® as a Metropolitan Tier 1 firm in Commercial Litigation in Houston. To be eligible for this distinction, a firm must have at least one lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the same year.
Based in Houston, the Amaro Law Firm is a Hispanic-owned personal injury firm with offices across Texas, including Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Katy, College Station, Austin, Lakeway, Dallas, and San Antonio. Since 2005, it has recovered millions for clients in areas like personal injury, commercial litigation, and wrongful death. The firm is committed to Justice Driven® principles and has over 3,000 5-star Google reviews.
This commitment translates into delivering unwavering justice through exceptional representation in a wide range of injury cases, including 18-wheeler collisions, car accidents, workplace injuries, offshore disasters, product and premises liability, wrongful death, and mass tort litigation.
At the Amaro Law Firm, attorneys fight relentlessly for closure, justice, and peace, striving to deliver optimal results, fair recoveries, and invaluable peace of mind when it matters most.
Discover why these award-winning attorneys continue to earn recognition among the Best Lawyers in Texas and nationwide year after year by reading client reviews, exploring proven case results, or reaching out for a free confidential consultation.