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“In my legal practice I have endeavored to advance the cause of justice and human welfare for those who cannot help themselves and are damaged in person and property, by improper use of science; who must therefore seek redress at law.”

-Charles R. Houssiere III

Charles R. Houssiere III

Senior Partner

Charles “Chip” Houssiere, licensed to practice law in both Texas and Colorado, has multifaceted interests and hands-on experience in science and law. During his legal career, he has successfully handled a multitude of scientific law cases including product liability, health care, aviation, and environmental litigation.

Chip is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Board Eligible in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Civil Specialization, and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In addition to his legal practice, he is a private airplane pilot and an active member of national engineering societies and chemical societies as well as state and national legal organizations.

Born in Houston, Chip grew up in a small agrarian Louisianan town called Jennings. His interest in science and the space program started early when he made an exhibit on the physics of oil well drilling for his 5th grade science fair. In the 7th grade, he attended a program at the University of Texas at Austin for advanced study in science and mathematics. He remained in Austin, furthering his studies, and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in math, physics, and chemistry.

While attending school, Chip developed a love for flying. He obtained his private pilot’s license with the Longhorn Flying Club and later received high-performance training in Houston from M. Aak Aviation, which was owned by a pilot who trained with Amelia Earhart. During the summer months, Chip worked in Rocky Mountain and Yosemite National Parks as a backcountry ranger where he developed respect for our environment.

Following graduation, Chip worked for the NASA manned spacecraft program, collaborating with astronauts in Apollo, Skylab, and Soviet Soyuz, which developed the docking system used today on the space station. Among many notable achievements was the cardiovascular research study of the effects of weightlessness on the cardiovascular system. The body negative pressure device his team made for and used during their Skylab study ultimately led to the pulse oximeter—a device used in most hospitals today that became central to treating patients with COVID-19.

While at NASA, Chip asked for permission to continue working on Skylab while attending night school to earn his law degree. As he was anxious to develop his courtroom skills while still in law school, he became a civil court bailiff, preparing briefs and analyzing motions for the court’s approval while simultaneously serving as a certified deputy sheriff with civil court bailiff duties.

Chip’s impressive history has all led to him becoming the excellent litigator he is today. His scientific and aviation knowledge frequently allow him to bring new perspectives to some of our firm’s most complex cases. His love for the environment spurred Houssiere Durant & Houssiere, LLP to support toxic tort litigation and environmental efforts including the reforestation of Independence Pass near Aspen, Colorado. With his passion for learning, Chip is always ready to take on a new challenge. His passion for helping others has brought him to a field where his wide-ranging experience can have a real impact on individuals’ lives.

Admitted to Practice:

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals – Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court – Northern District of Texas
  • United States District Court – Southern District of Texas
  • United States District Court – Western District of Texas
  • All Texas and Colorado State Courts
  • Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law – Texas Board of Specialization
  • Diplomat of Civil Trial Advocacy – National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • Board Eligible Civil Trial Law – Texas Board of Civil Specialization

Education & Honors:

  • B.S., The University of Texas at Austin
  • J.D., South Texas College of Law

Activities and Affiliations:

  • Lead Attorney, Breast Implant Litigation MDL
  • American Trial Lawyers Breast Implant Litigation Group, Founder
  • Lead Attorney, Cruise Control Fire Litigation
  • Lead Attorney, Steering Committee – NexGen Zimmer Litigation Group
  • Lead Attorney, Prem Pro Litigation Group
  • PFOS AFFF Science Committee
  • Paragard Litigation Group Science Committee
  • American Society of Law and Medicine, Diplomat
  • National Health Lawyers Association
  • Houston Medical Legal Society
  • American College of Legal Medicine
  • American Chemical Society
  • Society of Automobile Engineers
  • Society of American Chemical Engineering
  • State Bar of Texas
  • State Bar of Colorado
  • American Bar Association
  • Texas Bar Foundation
  • National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • The Houston Bar Association
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Director and Fellowship Member (1988-present)
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Vice President (1991-99) and Director (1984-91)
  • American Association for Justice for the State of Texas, Past Governor (1994-95)
  • 500 Limited Club for families of disabled police officers, Founder and Past President
  • Attorneys Information Exchange Group
  • Who’s Who In American Law
  • Multi-Millionaire Verdict Club
  • Phi Alpha Delta, Vice President (past)
  • Anti-Defamation League

Publications & Presentations:

  • Analysis of the Sport Utility Vehicle Rollover Case, 2000
  • Mass Tort Litigation . . . A Plaintiff’s Perspective, 2000
  • Hospital, Doctor Aid Subrogated Insurance Claims, Seminar, 1995
  • Advanced Discovery in Medical Malpractice, St. Mary’s University and Texas Tech University Medical Malpractice Conference, 1991
  • Jury Selection, Opening Statement and Final Argument, ACLM Mid-Winter Convention, 1990
  • Statutes Governing Texas Medical Malpractice, TTLA Medical Malpractice Seminar, 1990
  • Malpractice and Legal Ethics, St. Mary’s University and Texas Tech University Medical Malpractice Conference, 1990
  • Threshold Issues: Evaluating Liability, State Bar of Texas Advance Settlement Techniques, 1990
  • Causation: Legal and Factual, Seminar, 1988
  • Liability of Hospital Technicians, Seminar, 1987
  • Preparing the Medical Malpractice Case, TTLA Nuts & Bolts Seminar, 1986
  • Jury Argument: A Lawyer’s Last Chance