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 emphasis on what he calls "business divorce" — the dissolution of co-ownership relationships when business partnerships break down. His ability to manage these sensitive issues and resolve them quickly, efficiently, and effectively is why clients seek him out when the stakes are high.

Kirby is particularly known for business divorce cases — the legally and emotionally complex process of separating partners, shareholders, and co-owners when a business relationship breaks down. These disputes are often every bit as charged as personal separations, involving not just money and ownership but years of shared history, competing visions, and relationships that extend beyond the boardroom. Kirby's ability to navigate that complexity — resolving these matters quickly, 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 as early as possible. 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.

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 Star.

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 involving a 25% minority shareholder and CFO who 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 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