SERVING CLIENTS NATIONWIDE | (512) 814-8522
SERVING CLIENTS NATIONWIDE | (512) 814-8522 | ILLINOIS OFFICE OPEN NOW
Austin Kaplan
Founder & Managing Attorney
Austin is an employment law and civil rights attorney and litigator serving clients in Austin, Texas and surrounding communities. Austin represents individuals in a wide range of employment and civil rights matters, including claims for breach of employment contract, breach of noncompete agreements, discrimination, overtime violations, wage and hour violations, whistleblower retaliation, FMLA violations, and marriage equality matters. Austin spends most of his days litigating cases for the Firm’s clients in state and federal court.
J. Bryan Wood
Attorney
Bryan Wood joined Kaplan Law Firm in March 2024 to launch its Chicago office, bringing nearly 25 years of experience practicing employment law.
Bryan’s experience includes representing small businesses, Fortune 500 companies and officers, executives, and employees of all types. He has represented predominantly employees for the majority of his career, helping them successfully transition jobs and recover for their losses without ever filing legal claims. But he’s not afraid of a good fight – and has also helped employees win multi-million-dollar settlements, verdicts, and awards after litigating vigorously on their behalf.
Caitlin Boehne
Attorney
Caitlin has been on the vanguard of the struggle for justice in Texas for twelve years, spending the past ten years litigating impact employment claims. In the process of recovering over $1 million in unpaid wages and damages for low-wage workers from unscrupulous employers, Caitlin has developed an expertise in handling individual, multi-plaintiff, and complex class action claims, on issues ranging from wage theft, to workplace sexual harassment, race discrimination, disability discrimination, labor trafficking, and more.
Matthew (Maff) Caponi
Attorney
Maff was born and raised in Austin and his practice is focused on pursuing justice for workers and individuals on a wide range of employment and civil rights issues, including workplace discrimination, wage and overtime violations, whistleblower retaliation, and police misconduct. At Kaplan Law Firm, Maff has successfully tried cases to jury verdict in both state and federal court. In 2024, Maff served as the first-chair attorney in a jury trial in state court where the Firm won a multi-million-dollar verdict on behalf of a single plaintiff.
Ryan Estes
Attorney
Ryan has practiced employment and civil rights law exclusively since 2013 and devoted his practice to advocating for employee rights. Ryan has represented clients harmed by workplace discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wages/overtime, and contractual disputes.
Ryan has handled all aspects of litigation, including drafting complaints, arguing motions in court, questioning high-level executives at depositions, and cross-examining witnesses before a jury. Ryan’s favorite experiences as an attorney have been the multiple times the jury has found in his client’s favor after difficult trials.
Andrew Eckhous
Attorney
Andrew joined Kaplan Law Firm in the summer of 2020 after finishing his second year of law school at the University of Texas School of Law. Andrew previously worked for the Texas Attorney General, the Equal Justice Center, and Texas Advocacy Project. Andrew also worked for nonprofits all over the East Coast, a tech company in Wisconsin, and as a paralegal in New York City. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2013 with a major in Public Policy and a minor in Spanish. Having graduated law school, he is excited to work in the labor and employment field on the side of employees.
Trenton Lacy
Attorney
After receiving his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin, Trenton graduated cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2017, where he also placed on the Pro Bono Honor Roll. He returned to Austin shortly thereafter, where he’s dedicated his professional career to fighting on behalf of aggrieved employees throughout the State of Texas. Trenton has years of experience, in both the public and private sector, handling a wide range of employment cases—including unlawful discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wage and overtime claims, noncompete and severance agreement disputes, unemployment insurance claims, and much more.
Tanner Michelle Scheef
Attorney
After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, she received the Leon Jaworski Scholarship for Outstanding Advocacy to Baylor Law. Tanner graduated with honors from Baylor Law on the Public Interest Track with a Special Distinction in Litigation. Tanner has a passion for advocacy, having competed in the courtroom since the age of 14 and having won “Outstanding Advocate” at four national mock trial competitions at Baylor Law. After returning to Austin, Tanner began coaching her undergraduate mock trial team, allowing her to give back to the next generation of trial lawyers.
Patrick J. O’Connell
Of Counsel Attorney
Patrick O’Connell recently joined the Kaplan Law Firm as Of Counsel to support the Firm’s growing qui tam/whistleblower practice. The Firm will benefit greatly from Pat’s wealth of experience, expertise, and knowledge of the False Claims Act. The Kaplan Law Firm will benefit greatly from Pat’s countless contributions and dedication. Pat is also the founder of the Law Offices of Patrick J. O’Connell, PLLC, where he continues to represent clients who come forward to hold corporations accountable and recover millions of dollars for the state and federal government. .
Sylvia R. Vela
Director of Client Services
Sylvia joined the Kaplan Law Firm in early 2023 as the Firm’s first Director of Client Services. As the Firm’s Director, Sylvia works closely with clients and staff to oversee the Firm’s processes, manage relationships with clients, and develop long term relationships with its clients and staff. Sylvia brings over 20-years of office administration experience with a focus on developing and improving processes for the Firm to efficiently and effectively serve its clients and staff. In addition to her support of the Firm, Sylvia has 40-years of experience in a support role in the public and private sector with a specialty certification in civil litigation and appellate work.
Christie Coffey
Senior Paralegal
Christie joined the Kaplan Law Firm in 2017. Christie brings more than 24 years of experience working as a paralegal and legal assistant, handling complex litigation matters, including civil litigation, medical malpractice, personal injury, and products liability. Christie first fell in love with the legal profession while working for the County Attorney’s office. Christie’s extensive litigation experience and proficiency guide her in her role as the Firm’s Senior Litigation Paralegal and is responsible for managing the Firm’s litigation docket.
Brent Werzner
Paralegal
Brent joined Kaplan Law Firm in February 2023. Brent brings with him a variety of work and life experiences that Kaplan Law is excited to utilize in his work as a pre-litigation Paralegal. Brent is a committed advocate of social justice, civil rights, and worker’s rights. He has picketed, marched, and rallied with fellow IUPAT members in NYC for fair wages and health care. Brent has marched to the State Capitol in Burlington, VT on behalf of disabled individuals for state funding and more inclusive programming in schools. As an actor he performed at the United Nation’s General Assembly honoring the survivors of human trafficking.
John Aden Higgs (In Memorium)
Paralegal
John joined Kaplan Law Firm in July of 2020. Born and raised in Austin, John brings more than 10 years of experience supporting clients as a legal assistant and trial preparation specialist. Before working for Kalpan Law Firm he clerked with Spivey & Grigg LLP and the Law Office of Craig Barker. You can expect John to be passionate about your rights and support you in securing the justice you deserve.
Madeline Zschiesche
Legal Assistant
Madeline Zschiesche graduated from the University of Washington in 2021 with degrees in Political Economics and Law, Societies, & Justice. While living in Seattle Madeline was a legal assistant for a pro bono clinic that assisted tenants facing eviction. This position inspired her to pursue a career where she could work directly with clients and use the law to help others. After graduation Madeline moved to Málaga, Spain to be an English teacher for two years. Upon completion of her teaching program she has returned to her hometown of Austin, Texas, and is excited to join the team at Kaplan Law Firm.
Esmeralda Barrera
Legal Assistant
Esmeralda Barrera graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English and a minor in Business. She joined Kaplan Law Firm as an intern and has now transitioned to a full-time role as a Legal Assistant. Growing up in South Houston, Esmeralda’s passion for law was ignited by her experiences in local law firms and courthouses, as well as her participation in the Teen Court Program. As a first-generation college student and second-generation American, she brings a unique perspective rooted in diversity and resilience.
Schedule Your Appointment
Effortlessly book, manage, & pay for your appointment with one of our attorneys using our secure online scheduler!
No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.