About The Firm
Dedicated to Public Finance Law
ABHR is the leading Texas public finance law firm dedicated to land development, public infrastructure, and economic development. Our clients construct, finance, and operate the water, sewer, drainage, road, and park facilities that support responsible growth across Texas.
Growth requires vision and collaboration long before the first shovel hits the ground. Our legal counsel helps communities take root, and its impact is measured in generations as we support clients in shaping the landscape of Texas.
Founded in 2003, ABHR is comprised of:
13
Partners
each averaging 15 years of experience
45+
Attorneys
from the country’s top law schools
50+
Operations
and support professionals sustaining our work firmwide
50+
Legal Assistants
supporting complex public finance matters
15+
Attorneys
added in the past 5 years, strengthening our capacity across Texas
Firm History
2003–2006
2007–2012
2013–2020
2021–Present
Founded in Houston
2003
ABHR opens in Houston with six founding partners: Joe B. Allen, Tim Austin, Jim Boone, Susan Edwards, Lynne Humphries, and Steve Robinson.
2005 - 2006
Named Best Place to Work in Houston in the Small to Medium Category.
Growth and Engagement
2007
Greer Pagan and Trey Lary are named partners.
2009
David Oliver is named partner.
2009
Houston office first expansion completed. First Badland Bandits BBQ launched for MUD directors and clients.
2010
Austin office opens, establishing a Central Texas presence. First Texas A&M client tailgate launched.
2011
First of the new annual Association of Water Board Directors (AWBD) client event hosted, reinforcing engagement within the water district community.
2012
Houston office expansion completed.
2012
Founding Managing Partner Joe B. Allen retires.
Expanding Leadership and Capacity
2013
Angie Lutz is named partner.
2016
Alia Vinson is named partner.
2018
Rob Seale is named partner. Major second Houston office build-out completed.
2020
Ryan Harper is named partner.
Statewide Firm
2021
Christina Miller is named partner.
2022
North Texas office opens in Dallas
2022
Founding partner Lynne Humphries retires.
2023
Chris Jordan joins the firm as a partner. Clay Crawford joins the firm as Senior Counsel.
2024
Sanjay Bapat and Harry Thompson are named partners.
2025
Aaron Carpenter is named partner. Houston, Austin, and Dallas offices expand to support continued growth.
Large-Scale Land Development
Our district portfolio and public finance team rank among the most experienced in Texas compared to peer public finance firms. ABHR’s partners average 15 years of practice, and our attorneys collectively average 10+ years of experience.
Recognized as Industry Leaders
ABHR is recognized by Chambers USA for leadership and depth in public finance, with individual attorney rankings and client feedback highlighting the firm’s expertise, strategic insight, and depth of work.
Our attorneys include former Super Lawyers “Texas Rising Star” recipients and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation (TBF).
Committed To Our Communities Across Texas
ABHR is proud to champion a wide range of impactful charitable organizations, including:
Make-A-Wish®
ABHR’s partnership with Make-A-Wish reflects the firm's commitment to supporting the communities we serve. This ongoing partnership extends beyond yearly corporate giving to include ongoing fundraising, individual donations from ABHR team members, and hands-on service projects. Each year, all three of our offices participate in a coordinated Volunteer Day and Wish Reveal events supporting local Make-A-Wish chapters across the state.
Our Founders
For over 40 years, our founding partners have served as creation counsel, general counsel, bond counsel, and special counsel for special purpose districts across Texas, helping shape the laws and regulations that enable sustainable community development.
Executive Committee
Our executive committee acts as the governing body that provides direction and oversight for the firm's operations, meeting regularly to ensure alignment among partners and address operational and strategic questions.
Stephen 'Steve'
Robinson
Partner
David M. Oliver Jr.
Partner
Camm ‘Trey’
C. Lary III
Partner
Angela Lutz
Partner
“Our clients expect excellence from us, and we expect excellence from ourselves.”
— David M. Oliver Jr., Partner