Ms. Atwood has more than 17 years of experience as a trial attorney with special emphasis in medical malpractice defense litigation. She represents hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers in all aspects of risk and claims management as well as professional disciplinary actions. Ms. Atwood also advises businesses and represents clients in complex business and commercial litigation. She maintains an active practice advising clients regarding insurance coverage issues and disputes. She graduated cum laude from Baylor University in 1988 where she earned a B.A. in speech communication. She received her J.D. in 1991 from Baylor University School of Law.

Maria T. Cantú Hexsel, JD, is senior trial counsel at GERMER law firm’s Austin office. She graduated cum laude from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1992, where she earned a bachelor of arts in social studies. She received her law degree from Texas Tech University in 1995 and joined the Lubbock firm of Salinas & Mendez, PC. In 1997, she joined the Tort Litigation Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General in Austin, and as an assistant attorney general represented state agencies and employees in all aspects of civil litigation and defended state medical schools in medical liability lawsuits. In 1999, she joined the Austin firm of Ewbank & Byrom, PC (now Ewbank & Harris, PC) where she represented physicians and physician groups in medical liability litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Cantú Hexsel joined GERMER in 2004. She is a member of the Austin Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, and Travis County Women Lawyers Association.

Mark T. Beaman, JD, is an experienced trial attorney and administrative lawyer who has been with GERMER law firm, where he is a principal at the Austin office, since 1998. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has represented physicians in medical liability litigation and in cases before the Texas Medical Board for more than 30 years. Mr. Beaman was recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer, as published in Texas Monthly, from 2006 to 2015. He is also included in The Best Lawyers in America and U.S. News Best Lawyers, and is listed as a recommended attorney in Physician, Protect Thyself, a book on medical liability prevention. Mr. Beaman graduated from the University of Virginia in 1976 with a degree in government and foreign Affairs. He obtained his law degree at the University of Arkansas Law School in Fayetteville, Ark., where he was a member and an associate editor of the Arkansas Law Review. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Austin Bar Association, and member and past director of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel.

Franklin Hopkins, JD, is board certified in administrative law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and represents physicians before the Texas Medical Board, where he previously worked as a staff attorney. Prior to practicing law in Austin, Mr. Hopkins served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he prosecuted numerous felony cases as a trial counsel, senior prosecutor, and chief of military justice. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for trying the most cases in Iraq in 2010, and the Army Commendation Medal as the top prosecutor at Fort Hood, Texas, the busiest criminal law jurisdiction in the U.S. Army.

Victoria Soto, JD, is lead counsel of the Law Office of Victoria Soto and concentrates her practice in defending physicians before the Texas Medical Board. Victoria was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1995 and the Texas Bar in 2001 and has been practicing for more than twenty years. Victoria speaks frequently to medical groups, health care institutions, and organizations regarding the practice of medicine and defending physicians’ licenses. She is not only a keynote speaker in the world of health care providers but a motivational and leadership keynote speaker at conferences and seminars as well.

Barbara Jordan, JD, is an associate at Germer, PLLC. Prior to joining Germer in 2019, she spent more than 12 years serving as a prosecutor on behalf of Texas regulatory agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. Ms. Jordan has participated in hundreds of agency proceedings, such as informal settlement conferences, temporary suspension hearings, and oral argument before agency boards. She also has extensive trial experience before the State Office of Administrative Hearings, including cases alleging significant standard-of-care or professional conduct breaches.