About

Kirby Hopkins has been practicing business law for over two decades, long enough to know that what clients need most isn't just legal firepower — it's strategy, clarity, and someone they can call before a disagreement turns into litigation.

A third-generation Houstonian, Kirby's roots in the city run deep, as does his understanding of what it takes to help Texas businesses grow, adapt, and protect what they've built. He represents business owners, shareholders, executives, and investors in complex disputes, with a particular focus on the high-stakes conflicts that arise when ownership structures are strained and the relationships holding a business together begin to fracture.

A significant part of Kirby's practice involves shareholder oppression, the legally and emotionally charged disputes that arise in closely held companies when one party's control is used to undermine, marginalize, or harm another owner's rights and interests. Shareholder oppression cases can involve the wrongful exclusion of a shareholder from company operations or decision-making, the suppression of dividends or distributions, improper dilution of ownership interests, breach of fiduciary duty, or outright fraud. No two of these cases are exactly alike, and the power dynamics involved often make them among the most contentious matters in business litigation. Kirby understands the full range of shareholder rights and obligations under Texas law and approaches each case with the measured, strategic discipline these disputes demand.

Closely related are what Kirby calls "business divorces" or the dissolution of co-ownership relationships when a business partnership breaks down irreparably. These matters are often every bit as charged as personal separations, involving not just money and ownership stakes but years of shared history, competing visions, and relationships that extend well beyond the boardroom. Kirby's ability to navigate that complexity by resolving matters strategically and with minimal collateral damage to the business and the people involved is why clients seek him out when the stakes are high and the relationships are fractured.

Kirby's approach is pragmatic: resolve disputes as early as possible to save clients time, stress, and costs. Negotiation and mediation are foundational to his practice, and he consistently seeks cost-saving resolutions at the earliest opportunity. But when litigation becomes necessary, he is meticulously prepared, strategic, and ready to engage fully to protect his clients' interests. The goal is always clear: resolve conflicts swiftly and decisively, enabling his clients to move forward with their businesses and lives.

Kirby earned his undergraduate degree with honors in English from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He began his career as a briefing attorney at the Texas Court of Appeals and gained extensive experience at boutique and large law firms before co-founding Hopkins Centrich Attorneys at Law.

Beyond his legal practice, Kirby is deeply committed to service and community involvement. He has held multiple leadership roles, including President of The Woodlands Bar Association (2015–2017), Vice President of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts Alumni Association (2017–present), and Trustee of the LSMSA Foundation. He has been honored repeatedly by his peers, named as one of Houston's “Top Lawyers in Business Litigation” by H Texas Magazine, one of Houston's top commercial litigation attorneys by Houstonia Magazine — an honor determined by votes from the Houston Bar — and a Texas Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ member.

A lifelong Astros fan, Kirby's Houston baseball legacy goes back generations. His grandfather served as president of the city's minor league team long before the Colt .45s ever took the field. He remains an active supporter of the Alzheimer's Association and spends his downtime keeping pace with Houston's vibrant sports scene.

Representative Matters

Kirby served as co-counsel in L&S Pro-Line, LLC v. Garrett Gagliano, an eight-day jury trial in Montgomery County that centered on a shareholder oppression dispute. A 25% minority shareholder and CFO had been physically barred from his own company after raising concerns about the majority owner's conduct, including allegations of bribery and illegal employment practices. The case involved claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and a shareholder derivative action, which made a combination of legal theories that frequently arise in shareholder oppression matters. The jury found unanimously in favor of Kirby's client based on findings of malice, gross negligence, and intentional self-enrichment by the majority owner in one of the largest business case awards in Montgomery County history, initially listed among the top 20 verdicts in Texas for 2021. The case subsequently reached the Texas Supreme Court, underscoring its significance in shaping how Texas courts evaluate fiduciary duties in closely held companies.

Professional Honors & Recognition

Co-counsel in L&S Pro-Line, LLC v. Garrett Gagliano — one of the largest business case awards in Montgomery County history; initially among the top 20 verdicts in Texas for 2021; subsequently reached the Texas Supreme Court
Named one of Houston's top commercial litigation attorneys, Houstonia Magazine (determined by votes from the Houston Bar)
Named one of Houston's Top Lawyers in Business Litigation (2013) and Appellate Law (2008–2009), H Texas magazine
Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, Texas Monthly (2007)
President (2015–2017), Vice-President (2014–2015), Chair of Social Activities (2011–2013), The Woodlands Bar Association
Vice President, Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts Alumni Association (2017–present)
Trustee, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and Arts Foundation
Fellow, Houston Young Lawyers Foundation
Legislative Fellow, Children at Risk, Policy and Law Center
Life Member, Texas Exes
Member, Texas Association of Bank Counsel
Member, Scribes (The American Society of Legal Writers)

Practice Areas

Admissions

State Bar of Texas (2002)
U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Texas

Education

J.D., University of Texas School of Law
B.A. with honors in English, Vanderbilt University

Kirby D. Hopkins