Standing up for Justice in Texas since 2006
LOAR PLLC is a fast-growing, woman-owned, personal injury law firm serving clients from coast to coast. The lawyers at LOAR bring two decades of experience and have been recognized for excellence by Thompson Reuters (Rising Star 2013-2024, Up and Coming Texas 100, and Women 50), and Martindale-Hubbell.
Make the call that matters, and let our team help you put the pieces back together. Call us today at (888) 288-6503
Meet the Team
Amber Russell - Founder
Amber founded LOAR, PLLC to help injured Texans all over the state get justice. Her passion for the law started at an early age, and she has worked with victims her entire adult life. Amber graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelors in Psychology before graduating with distinguished honor to the Order of the Coif, in the top 10% from the University of Texas Law School. Almost two decades ago, Amber started her career working for an international defense firm, before switching sides to represent individual plaintiffs. Since then, Amber has helped hundreds of clients who have been seriously injured, including victims of trucking and auto crashes.
In her community, Amber is known for being a fierce advocate. She and her husband launched and serve on the board of (Scholarship Opportunities and Relationships), a scholarship and mentoring program that provides $100K in annual scholarships, to help open doors for ‘first females’. SOAR selects twenty high achievers each year to receive the scholarships in support of young women who are the first in their family to pursue higher education or who have overcome significant challenges. The scholarship program goes beyond financial resources by giving access to professional development and mentoring resources for these women as they go through school.
Jean Phillips - Austin Practice
Jean focuses her practice on personal injury and condemnation matters. After growing up in Austin, she attended Texas A&M University and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. After undergrad, Jean attended St. Mary’s University School of Law where she graduated second in her class. While at St. Mary’s, she served on the St. Mary’s Law Journal and earned awards and recognition for her advocacy skills as a member of the winning team in mock trial, moot court, and negotiation tournaments. She was also voted the Best Supporter of Advocacy by the St. Mary’s Board of Advocates. After graduation, she worked for a large law firm representing condemning authorities and handling complex commercial litigation before joining the Law Office of Amber Russell and putting her legal skills to work helping those who are injured by others. When she is not advocating for her clients, Jean enjoys yoga, travel, and spending time with her family and her cat, Cooper.
Sandy Bayne - Of Counsel
Sandy has been practicing exclusively in the Health Law sector for over 20 years. She has served as in-house counsel for the Seton/Ascension hospital system, worked on both sides of the medical malpractice docket and regularly represents patients against health insurance companies who deny reimbursement for medical bills.
Sandy holds a Bachelor's Degree from Bryn Mawr College, double-majoring in Spanish and Sociology, a Masters of Laws in Health Law, and a JD from the University of Houston. In law school, Sandy received the honor of the Order of the Barristers, an award reserved for law students who demonstrate excellencein trial and oral advocacy.
Sandy currently serves as a board member on the Austin Bar Foundation Board and the HeartGift Board, which provides free life-saving cardiac surgeries to children born with congenital heart defects. She recently served as President of the Austin Young Lawyer Association. In her free time, Sandy enjoys playing tennis with her husband and three kids. She is fluent in Spanish and conversant in Farsi.
Jaclyn Wilson - Of Counsel
Jaclyn Wilson is an experienced attorney skilled with a background in the Healthcare Industry and Legal Writing. Jaclyn focuses her practice on personal injury matters, and feels a deep connection to her clients and their experience. She fights with a passion to get them justice.
Jaclyn holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas, a Health Information Technology and Health Information Exchange Specialist Certification from University of Texas, and a JD from the University of North Texas. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Dallas Bar Association, and Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
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Kerri Ball - Senior Paralegal
Kerri Ball is an experienced paralegal, and she is passionate about helping clients get justice. Kerri graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and then started her career on the West Coast as a corporate paralegal. She later came to Texas and found her passion in helping victims. She has assisted in the preparation of complex wrongful death cases and many serious injuries.
Kerri also serves her community through a number of activities and non-profits, including the National Charity League, Inc.
Jill Stauffer - Senior Paralegal
Jill Stauffer is an experienced paralegal who has worked in the personal injury field for 30 years. Jill is originally from Abilene, and after her studies at McMurray University she made Austin her home. She has a heart for serving others, and she uses her vast knowledge and experience to help in the preparation of complex wrongful death and personal injury cases.
Rhonda Bauer - Senior Paralegal
Rhonda Bauer graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago prior to relocating to Texas and beginning her career within the legal field. She has over nine years of experience working as a litigation paralegal within large law firms on the defense side with mass tort and product liability experience prior to moving over to personal injury. She has three daughters and loves traveling and spending time outdoors in her free time.
Mimi Jaye - Administrative Director
Mimi served for two decades as a Manager for Business Project Program Management within a $6 billion business. She was responsible for leading all aspects of a project and/or program management - planning, coordination, development, implementation (including the financial implications), while prioritizing work, resources and time.
Mimi brings her talents for team management and organization to help LOAR run seamlessly. She also works with the SOAR Texas Board with adminstration and scholarship fund distribution.
Arielle Allen - Law Clerk
Arielle Allen as the newest member of our team here at LOAR PLLC! Arielle joins us as a Law Clerk, bringing with her a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication that we know will greatly enrich our firm.
Arielle is currently a 3rd Year Law Student at the University of Texas School of Law, where she has demonstrated outstanding commitment to her legal education and community service. Not only does Arielle excel academically, but she also actively engages in advocacy and representation for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. She serves as an attorney ad litem for children in foster care through the Texas Law Children’s Rights Clinic, as well as advocating for wrongfully convicted individuals in the Texas Law Actual Innocence Clinic. Her professional experience spans across various areas of law, including Personal Injury Law, Wills & Estates, Trusts, Administrative Law, Child Welfare Law, and Disability Rights.
Prior to embarking on her legal journey, Arielle provided invaluable services as an RBT/ABA Therapist, working with children with developmental disabilities. Her diverse background and unwavering commitment to justice and advocacy make her an exceptional addition to our team.
Abbie Evans - Office Coordinator
Abbie Evans is a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate of Texas State University, receiving her Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Affairs. Abbie's exceptional skills, including her fluency in both Spanish and English, and her commitment to providing top-notch client service, make her an invaluable addition to our team.
