Marina Lovelace has the kind of familiarity with litigation that can't be taught or learned in law school. She earned it from the ground up as a paralegal. Before she graduated from law school and became an attorney, Marina worked as a paralegal and “saw how the sausage was made,” giving her invaluable experience and a unique view of the inner workings of the law and law firms. In Marina's case, it was particularly apt as her paralegal experiences included a pivotal stretch supporting Hopkins Centrich Attorneys at Law's founding partners just before her final year of law school. That firsthand experience in case-building and legal operations continues to shape her approach: methodical, strategic, and highly attuned to what matters most during a case.

She thrives on the practical side of legal problem-solving, such as researching, writing, refining the argument, and building consensus. While she prefers to resolve issues through negotiation or mediation, when litigation is the only viable path, she is always ready to advance the case.

One area of her practice she particularly enjoys is employment law, especially matters involving non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, tortious interference, and related business disputes. She has represented both employees and employers in these complex and often sensitive matters and appreciates the opportunity to dive into the nuances from either side.

Shareholder oppression matters and ownership disputes in closely held companies are a natural fit within Marina's commercial litigation practice. These cases often benefit significantly from a skilled mediation approach before they reach full trial. Marina's certification in mediation gives her an insightful view into these matters: she understands both the litigation pathway and the negotiated resolution pathway from the inside, and can help clients pursue whichever route best serves their interests. She represents both shareholders asserting claims and ownership groups navigating disputes, bringing the same methodical, research-driven approach to both sides of the table.

Marina's legal experience spans business and consumer bankruptcy, civil litigation, and commercial disputes. She is a graduate of South Texas College of Law Houston and holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Houston, along with certification in mediation.

Outside of work, she describes herself as a homebody, but between a full caseload, regular workouts, and keeping up with her two "spirited" dogs, that term may be up for debate.

Practice Areas

• Employment Law
• Commercial and Business Litigation
• Contract Disputes
• Shareholder Oppression Claims
• Shareholder and Partnership Disputes
• Mediation and Negotiation Strategy
• Civil and Consumer Bankruptcy

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas

Certifications

• Certified Mediator, South Texas College of Law Houston

Education

• J.D., South Texas College of Law Houston
• B.A., Communications (Advertising), University of Houston