PROFILES
Sean Darvishi, Managing Partner, Trial Lawyer
Sean Darvishi was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He attended the prestigious St. Charles Preparatory High School prior to moving to Houston in 2006 during his Junior year. He is a graduate of Kingwood High School. Darvishi attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies and Special Education. He was a member of the Theta Xi Fraternity, Gamma Tau Chapter. While attending Texas Tech, Darvishi met his wife Melissa. Today, they are happily married and have two beautiful daughters.
Following Texas Tech, Darvishi obtained his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. He was an editor for the Law Journal on Gender, Race and Justice and a member of the executive board. Darvishi was also a member of the Moot Court team where he won numerous awards.
He is currently a member of various legal communities. He has served on the board of directors for the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association for the last few years in a position of leadership. He is also a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National College for DUI Defense, the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, the Fort Bend County Defense Bar, the Montgomery County Defense Bar and the College of the State Bar of Texas.
Mr. Darvishi also is currently in the top 3 for Most Not Guilty Verdicts in Harris County since 2017. It is important to note that each one of these verdicts were Mr. Darvishi sitting as First Chair, trying the case. Sean loves competition and has a passion for trying cases in front of a jury.
manuel “Manny” Guerra, Trial Lawyer
Manuel Guerra was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He attended The University of Houston Downtown and graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Manny continued on to Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston. Here he met his wife, who is also a lawyer. Manny graduated in 2017 and spent several years at an immigration law firm before finding his passion, Criminal Law. Manny is a book worm, a Sci-Fi aficionado and an antique gun collector.
Fun fact: Manny beat Sean at a game of Magic the Gathering.
Morgan Hartmann Smallwood, PARALEGAL
Morgan relocated to Houston in 2017 from San Diego, California. Don’t tell her Whataburger is better than In-N-Out, she doesn’t want to talk about it. Morgan pays great attention to detail and loves her job. She has her bachelor’s degree in Literature and Writing from California State University, San Marcos. Morgan is a professional horseback rider and has many ponies back in San Diego. She has a degree in Literature and Writing and loves to read. In her spare time Morgan enjoys hanging out with her husband, pug, cat and turtle, Tortellini.
Fun Fact: Morgan has several ponies named after Friends characters, including Chandler, Monica, Phoebe and Gunther.
Maria Cisneros, Paralegal
Maria is a 29-year-old mother of two who has worked in law offices for nearly 8 years. She is extremely passionate about her job; we often have to tell her to quit working after hours! Maria is obsessed with Baby Yoda and anything to do with Star Wars. She loves spending time with her husband, who is her high school sweetheart, and two kids. She has a self-proclaimed small farm at home, with two ducks, six chickens and roosters, two parrots and two dogs. Maria loves the Chivas soccer team and she and Sean love poking fun about each other’s soccer teams.
Fun Fact: Maria can recite the whole movie “Mean Girls” from start to finish because it is the best movie ever and she is a certified phlebotomist.