ARAWC is hosting a webinar on COVID-19 and other topics specifically relevant to Texas injury benefit programs next week. Join us to learn about:



For over 20 years , Kent’s practice has focused exclusively on the representation of companies doing business in Texas. His clients include Fortune 200 Companies, as well as, smaller regional businesses. Kent has defended his clients in matters involving premises liability, transportation, negligent hiring and training, wrongful termination, OSHA and ERISA matters. Many of these cases involved death or catastrophic injures. He has successfully represented clients in jury trials, arbitrations, appellate courts and before the Texas Supreme Court. Kent is frequently asked to speak at continuing education seminars on subjects involving case evaluation and client advocacy.

Kyle Briscoe is a trial lawyer specializing in personal injury defense litigation. He regularly effectively handles a broad spectrum of cases involving non-subscribers, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, products liability, and commercial transportation. His clients range in size from small business owners to national corporations, including retailers, community service providers, freight companies, hotels, restaurants, and gyms. Kyle has successfully represented clients in numerous jury trials in state and federal courts throughout Texas. In addition, he has extensive experience handling appellate matters. Kyle attended SMU Dedman School of Law, where he graduated with honors in 2009. Kyle lives in Southlake, Texas with his wife and three kids.

Jason Shepard is SVP of Network Development and Client Success with Corporate Remedies, Inc. In his current role, he is responsible for marketing strategy, business development, and product evolution. Corporate Remedies’ networks serve a diverse sector of the economy, including retail, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, and more. Jason joined the team in March of 2019 to leverage the prior experience he gained managing large workers’ compensation and Texas non-subscription plans in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Corporate Remedies, Jason was the principal and managing director of Hospitality Risk Partners, a risk management and fraud investigation consulting firm. He previously held senior leadership roles in risk management and asset protection, supporting notable brands such as CAVA, Zoës Kitchen, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and On The Border Grill & Cantina. Before transitioning to the hospitality sector, Jason held field leadership positions with the Asset Protection departments of Radio Shack and Walmart.

Jason studied Criminal Justice at West Texas A&M University, is a Certified Fraud Examiner, an Associate in Risk Management, and a licensed private investigator, Risk Manager, and multi-line claims adjuster for the state of Texas. When not pursuing work-related injury solutions for his clients, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering on local boards and commissions, and high school football.

Karen Thomas is the Director of Case Management Innovation at CorVel Corporation. Karen has more than 30 years of nursing experience including 21 years of field, supervisory and managerial case management experience. Karen was also a University educator for nursing, health care and case management curriculum. She has published several articles on health care and case management in professional journals.

Ryan Brannan is the founder and principal of the Brannan Firm, a results-oriented government affairs firm, and serves as counsel to the law firm of Glast, Phillips & Murray. Ryan has extensive knowledge and experience in Texas' legislative and regulatory arenas.

Prior to founding the Brannan Firm, Ryan served in the executive branch of state government. A three-time gubernatorial appointee, Brannan has been appointed by both Governor Greg Abbott and Governor Rick Perry to serve as the Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation, leading a state agency with over 600 employees and a biannual budget of more than $100 million. Prior to his appointments, he served as an advisor to Governor Rick Perry in the Office of Budget, Planning and Policy working on a broad range of policy issues.

Before “going inside” state government, Ryan advocated in and around the capitol for private and public organizations. He began his public policy career in the D.C. offices of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Ryan’s cumulative experience on budget and policy issues includes appropriations and procurement, insurance, public health, tort reform, consumer finance, transportation and infrastructure, water rights, land use, eminent domain, gaming, racing, electricity, and telecommunications. His work has been published or mentioned in at least 16 periodicals, including the Wall Street Journal, the Texas Bar Journal, Texas Lawyer, the Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, and the Austin-American Statesman.

Ryan has also worked as a practicing attorney and as a business owner. He has represented clients on all aspects of commercial and insurance litigation in private practice and served as a co-founder and director of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. He has served on numerous boards and committees. He received a B.A. and M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is a current member of the Texas State Bar and Austin Bar Association. Ryan currently lives in Austin with his wife and three children.

Karl passionately represents his clients and plans for trial from day one. He’s a fighter who handles cases with tenacity and precision. His adversaries describe him as a “skilled advocate” who is “whip smart.” Karl’s law practice focuses heavily on defending companies in personal injury, business and employment litigation.

Before launching his own law firm, Karl worked as a litigation partner at Winstead PC, one of the largest law firms in Texas. He was mentored by some of the top litigators in the state, including former appellate judges and veteran trial lawyers. After spending almost ten years at Winstead, Karl launched his own firm with co-founder Trek Doyle.

All views expressed in this webinar series are the individual author's own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of ARAWC.

@ 2020 Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers' Compensation (ARAWC).

All rights reserved. Copying or distribution of this material, in whole or in part, in any format, is prohibited without prior written consent of ARAWC.