Attorney Justin Presnal is a shareholder in the Complex Litigation Department at Simmons Hanly Conroy, based in College Station, Texas. Justin’s cases involve dangerous drugs, medical devices, and other products, class actions, and other complex litigation matters.
Justin has practiced law since 1993, working on a wide array of cases. He has represented individuals and businesses in trial and appellate courts throughout the country, often involving complicated jurisdictional and choice of law issues.
“The Complex Litigation Department at Simmons Hanly Conroy is on the cutting edge of high stakes litigation, constantly looking at novel legal theories to help the clients we represent,” Justin said. “No case is too complicated or difficult for us to handle, and we have the experience and resources needed to creatively and strategically win hard cases.”
Careful Analysis & Compelling Writing
Justin works on the analytical and strategic components of the firm’s cases. Along with other attorneys in the firm, and frequently with co-counsel from other firms, he analyzes potential cases and develops case strategies. He takes the lead on preparing the papers that are filed with trial and appellate courts and has a passion for writing and the law.
Justin had an early introduction to working on complex and unusual cases, working on cases that were international in scope and often involved unusual legal questions – such as the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, the Warsaw Convention, federal and state application of the forum non conveniens doctrine, and federal preemption in pharmaceutical, medical device, automobile, and other product liability cases. He once told one of his early mentors, Mike Maloney of Houston, “Mike, every one of your cases is like a law school exam question.”
That early experience was instrumental in Justin learning to find ways to prosecute complicated cases using creative but legally sound strategies, and the importance of not just winning in the trial court but making sure you can preserve that win on appeal.
Justin was fortunate to work alongside some of the finest legal writers in Texas early in his career. That experience inspired him to develop a writing style that is plain and direct, rather than the “legalese” found in so much legal writing. Most issues are decided based on the papers provided to the court, often without having an oral hearing on motions.
Changes in court procedures following the COVID-19 pandemic have caused in-person hearings to become even less common, a trend that may continue in the future. As a result, hard-hitting and straightforward written submissions will be even more important. With many courts turning to technology to conduct remote hearings by teleconference and videoconference, Justin has focused on developing strategies for being a compelling advocate in those settings as well.
Legal Background
Justin graduated with honors from Texas A&M University in 1990, and graduated with honors from Baylor University School of Law in 1993. He is admitted to the State Bar of Texas, the United States Supreme Court, the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas, the District of Colorado, and the Eastern District of Wisconsin. He is board-certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, is a member of the American Association for Justice, and is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
Justin was acknowledged by Best Lawyers as one of the “Best Lawyers in Texas” in 2016 and 2020, and as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” from 2016 to 2021 in the areas of Plaintiffs’ Personal Injury Litigation and Appellate Practice. He was recognized as a Texas “Super Lawyer – Rising Star” in 2005. Justin is a native of Bryan/College Station, Texas, where his family has lived for several generations.
