Attorney Simon Purnell stands as a highly experienced litigator licensed across Texas, New York, Illinois, and Missouri, bringing a wealth of knowledge to clients, particularly those in need of a Corpus Christi mesothelioma lawyer. His journey in law began in Houston, Texas, evolving from a prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to a seasoned advocate for individuals, corporations, and governmental bodies in complex legal battles.
Mr. Purnell’s foundational years were spent honing his trial skills, handling intricate criminal and civil cases at both state and federal levels. This early experience as an Assistant District Attorney in Houston provided him with invaluable courtroom acumen and a deep understanding of legal procedures, setting the stage for his successful career in private practice.
In 1999, Corpus Christi became a pivotal location in his career when he joined Brin and Brin, PC. As an associate attorney, he immersed himself in diverse litigation areas including pharmaceutical claims, asbestos-related cases, medical malpractice, general liability insurance disputes, and commercial litigation. His dedication and skill led to rapid advancement, achieving equity partnership within just five years. During this period, Mr. Purnell consistently served as first-chair in numerous complex, multi-party trials and appeals across both state and federal court systems, solidifying his reputation as a formidable trial lawyer.
Building upon his extensive experience at Brin and Brin, PC, Simon Purnell continued his trajectory representing a broad spectrum of clients. His practice expanded to encompass product liability, intricate pharmaceutical litigation, commercial disputes, mass torts, and white collar crime defense. This wide-ranging experience underscores his versatility and capability to handle diverse and challenging legal matters.
To further enhance client service and broaden their reach, Simon Purnell co-established Griffin Purnell, LLC, in partnership with Dan Griffin. This strategic move created a firm with a national footprint, boasting offices on both the East and West Coasts – in Wisconsin and Texas. This bi-coastal presence allows Griffin Purnell, LLC to provide focused and attentive legal representation to clients throughout the United States and internationally.
Alt text: Simon Purnell, a distinguished attorney recognized in Corpus Christi and beyond for his expertise in litigation and client dedication.
Areas of Legal Focus
Mr. Purnell’s areas of practice demonstrate a comprehensive skillset in high-stakes litigation:
- Commercial Litigation: Resolving complex business disputes effectively.
- Insurance Litigation: Navigating intricate insurance-related legal challenges.
- Personal Injury: Advocating for individuals injured due to negligence, potentially including cases related to asbestos exposure and mesothelioma in regions like Corpus Christi.
- Criminal Law: Providing robust defense in state and federal criminal cases.
Bar Admissions
His licenses to practice law in multiple states highlight his broad legal reach:
- Texas (1998)
- New York (2009)
- Illinois (2013)
- Missouri (2015)
Federal Court Admissions
Mr. Purnell is admitted to practice in several key federal courts:
- Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- Northern District of Illinois
- Southern District of Texas
- Western District of Texas
Education
His strong academic foundation includes degrees from respected institutions:
- South Texas College of Law, J.D.
- University of Houston, B.S.
Professional Affiliations
Active involvement in legal organizations underscores his commitment to the legal community:
- TCDLA (former board member)
- Corpus Christi Bar Association (former board member)
- Coastal Bend Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- American Board of Trial Advocates
Illustrative Case Experience
The breadth of Mr. Purnell’s trial experience is evident in a selection of representative cases, showcasing his involvement in diverse legal arenas across different jurisdictions:
- Osturbur v. OSF, et al., Peoria County, Illinois (2021)
- In Re: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2885, United States District Court Northern District of Florida (2019)
- Holder v. John Crane Inc., et al., Philadelphia (2019)
- Garo v. Garo, Bexar County, Texas (2019)
- USA v. Jesse Gawlik, Southern District of Texas (2019)
- In Re: Texas Opioid Litigation, Case 18-0358, Texas MDL (2018)
- Canales v. Allstate, Bexar County, Texas (2018)
- Hoyt v. Northstar Anesthesia, Dallas County, Texas (2018)
- State of Texas v. Leslie Nelson, Nueces County (2018)
- Seay v. 3M, Spartanburg, South Carolina (2015)
- Kochera v. John Crane Inc., et al., United States District Court Southern District of Illinois (2015)
- State of Texas v. Lee Francis, Nueces County (2014)
- USA v. Steven Jones, Southern District of Texas (2014)
- USA v. Katrenia Phillips, Southern District of Texas (2014)
- State of Texas v. Amanda Gonzalez, Nueces County (2014)
- USA v. Julio Castro, Southern District of Texas (2013)
- State of Texas v. Ernan Valderrama, Nueces County (2013)
- State of Texas v. Michael Elliot, Kleberg County (2013)
- State of Texas v. Fredrick Koeckritz, Nueces County (2013)
- State of Texas v. Blas Longoria, Nueces County (2013)
- USA v. Jeffrey Todd Howard, Southern District of Texas (2013)
- State of Texas v. Juan Medina, Nueces County (2013)
- State of Texas v. John Valenzuela, Nueces County (2012)
- State of Texas v. Jose Reyna, Nueces County (2012)
- State of Texas v. David Salinas, Nueces County (2012)
- State of Texas v. Ema Villarreal, Nueces County (2012)
- State of Texas v. Gabriel Alvarez, Bee County (2012)
- State of Texas v. Sophia Campos, Kleberg County (2011)
- State of Texas v. Fabian Salazar, Bee County (2011)
- State of Texas v. Jason Mattern, Aransas County (2011)
- State of Texas v. Johnny Adame, Nueces County (2011)
- State of Texas v. John Freeman, Nueces County (2011)
- State of Texas v. Jose Velasquez, Nueces County (2011)
- State of Texas v. Adrian Perez, Nueces County (2011)
- Gonzalez v. Crawford Candy Apple Trucking, Pecos County, Texas (2007)
- Hamilton v. Hauptman, M.D., Nueces County, Texas (2006)
- Gerra v. Kareh, M.D., Nueces County, Texas (2006)
- Deanda v. Delarosa, M.D., Nueces County, Texas (2003)
- Surber v. Burke, M.D., Nueces County, Texas (2001)
- Almaraz v. Swift Air, Inc. Nueces County, Texas (2000)
- Clemons v. Soule, M.D. Victoria County, Texas (2000)
- Garza v. Tiger Corporation, Nueces County, Texas (1999)
Simon Purnell’s extensive background and diverse litigation experience make him a strong advocate for clients facing complex legal challenges. His presence in Corpus Christi, coupled with his national reach through Griffin Purnell, LLC, positions him as a valuable legal resource for individuals and businesses alike.
