Rachel Stinson

Practice Areas

Appellate and trial work in federal and state courts across Texas. Specializes in arguing critical legal motions and jury charge issues to preserve error at trial for appeal.

Career

Rachel H. Stinson knows the kinds of arguments that will be most helpful to trial and appellate courts in high-stakes litigation, after spending more than a decade in private practice, 8 years as a permanent law clerk to a federal judge, and 3 years as a briefing and staff attorney at the First Court of Appeals in Houston. This unique blend of experience informs her advice to clients on the most effective ways to defend and appeal complex cases. Rachel has a wide variety of experience in private practice, representing entities and individuals in maritime, insurance coverage, personal injury, and commercial cases.  She is a frequent speaker on trial practice and strategy, helping trial lawyers across the United States shape their cases to win at trial and on appeal. 

Professional Memberships

Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation

Trustee of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society

State Bar of Texas Committees for CLE and Jury Service

Publications

Removal and Remand, State Bar of Texas Federal Court Practice 2023

Dispositive Motions, State Bar of Texas Federal Court Practice 2021

Removals and Remands in the Court of Appeals, State Bar of Texas Handling Your First or Next Removal or Remand 2021

Pattern Jury Charge Update, State Bar of Texas 35th Annual Advanced Personal Injury Law 2019

Personal

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2002

B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1996

Zurich International School, Honors Degree, 1993

Experience

Partner, Wright Close & Barger, LLP, 2020 – present

Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Houston, 2019 – 2020

Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 2018 – 2019

Career Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 2010 – 2018

Senior Chambers Attorney, First Court of Appeals, Houston, Texas, 2008 – 2010

Associate, Locke Lord LLP, 2003 – 2008

Term Law Clerk, First Court of Appeals, Houston, Texas 2002 – 2003