Robert Haefele has spent more than 30 years practicing in complex civil litigation, including asbestos, tobacco, mesh, and other mass tort and product liability litigation. His area of primary emphasis involves anti-terrorism and human rights, analyzing and litigating complex, domestic and international matters to meet clients’ goals of justice and accountability while simultaneously achieving positive social change. Robert’s current focus is on aiding the more than 6,500 family members and survivors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Motley Rice represents. He is co-liaison counsel and an active member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for Personal Injury and Death Claims in In re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, U.S.D.C., S.D.N.Y., MDL 1570, lawsuits filed by Motley Rice’s clients and others seeking to expose and bankrupt the alleged financiers and other supporters of al Qaeda terrorist activity. Robert also played a central role in In re September 11th Litigation, Case No. 21-MC-97-AKH (S.D.N.Y.), involving more than 50 personal injury and wrongful death clients against the aviation and aviation security industries for their alleged failure to detect and prevent the terrorist attacks. For both the multidistrict terrorist financing litigation and mass consolidations of the aviation security liability cases, Robert has appeared before the court for multiple hearings and oral arguments, directed and engaged in complex formal discovery, and managed informal investigative efforts involving, among other things, aviation security, designation of foreign terrorist individuals and entities, and elaborate webs of financial transactions. In addition to traditional litigation efforts, Robert has provided substantial pro bono and other support to the survivors and families of those killed in the September 11th attacks. From 2001-2004, he provided pro bono representation for more than 30 individuals, preparing and presenting their claims to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Working with Motley Rice clients, legislators and leading experts in various industries, Robert also works to encourage legislative changes to help meet clients’ goals of justice, accountability and positive social change. He has represented victims of other terrorist attacks and human rights violations in litigation including Oran Almog v. Arab Bank, a landmark lawsuit filed by victims of terrorist bombings in Israel against Arab Bank for its alleged role in financing Hamas and other Israeli terrorist organizations and Krishanti v. Rajaratnum et al., 09-cv-5395 (D. N.J.), litigation against alleged financiers of the Tamil Tigers terrorist organization in Sri Lanka. He was also part of the litigation filed for non-U.S. citizens, Jesner v. Arab Bank. The litigation was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court under the Alien Tort Statute regarding violations of customary international law by foreign corporations. Representing Motley Rice clients in an array of other complex litigation matters, Robert worked on World Holdings LLC, v. The Federal Republic of Germany, a suit filed to collect unpaid pre-WWII German bonds. He has collaborated with members of the firm’s securities team, litigating such cases as In re MBNA Corp. Sec. Litig., No. 05-272 (D. Del.), and with the toxic exposure team to litigate cases brought by individuals and businesses suffering as a result of the BP oil spill in In re Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon” in the Gulf of Mexico, on April 20, 2010. Prior to joining Motley Rice in 2003, Robert developed a strong co-counsel relationship with Motley Rice attorneys through complex litigation involving corporate wrongdoing, including the State of New Jersey’s tobacco lawsuit and other tobacco, asbestos and occupational disease and injury cases. Practicing product liability, toxic and mass tort, and occupational injury law, he represented individuals and union members injured by defective products or toxic substances and authored “The Hidden Truth About Asbestos Disease” in the New Jersey Law Journal (December 2002). He clerked with Judge Neil F. Deighan of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1990.

Mr. Haffey specializes mainly in the fields of corporate law, financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, franchise and distribution law and tax law, as well as in a wide variety of sectors with closely-held business clients.

James R. Haffner is a Partner with Kitson, Haffner & Hyde, LLP. His areas of practice include matrimonial and family law, estate planning and administration. Mr. Haffner, a College of the Holy Cross graduate, received his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and has graduated from the Houston Family Law Trial Institute. During law school, Mr. Haffner was a staff member of the Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law and a recipient of the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award, which he earned representing immigrants in housing disputes with predatory landlords. He served as a research assistant to the Honorable Evan J. Wallach of the United States Court of International Trade and a judicial intern for the Honorable Vanessa L. Bryant of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Mr. Haffner brings his passion for service to others to his approach to family and matrimonial disputes and in assisting clients navigate the difficult legal landscape to reach the best result possible. Mr. Haffner assists clients in estate planning and administration matters including preparation of wills, living wills, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney to effectuate a clients’ wishes. Mr. Haffner is admitted in New York and Connecticut and is a member of the Westchester County Bar Association, the New York Bar Association, and the New York City Bar Association.

Area of Practice: Commercial and Business Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Shareholder and Partnership Litigation, Business Transactions and planning

Austin M. Hagee is a proven trial lawyer and San Antonio native who works tirelessly to defend the constitutional rights of his clients. Austin prides himself in being able to advocate for his clients to make sure their side of the story is told and their rights are protected through every step of the judicial process. After working as a felony prosecutor and nationally recognized criminal defense attorney, Austin formed the Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC. In forming the firm Austin’s goal was to create a client-centric environment that always puts clients first. The justice system is not always fair, but Austin refuses to accept the status quo and makes sure that every single one of his clients is treated with dignity and respect. Austin graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Honors College and went on to attend St. Mary’s University School of Law on a Dean’s scholarship. At St. Mary’s Law, Austin was inducted into The Order of Barristers, Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society, competed on the National Negotiations Team and served as a staff writer for St. Mary’s specialty law review, The Scholar. Austin M. Hagee is a former Bexar County Felony Assistant District Attorney where he successfully litigated hundreds of cases. As a prosecutor, Austin worked to litigate and try cases in the areas of driving while intoxicated, family violence assaults, burglary, theft, possession, evading arrest, unlawful carrying of a weapon, criminal mischief, and more. After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Austin worked as an associate for a large civil defense litigation firm. Through this work, Austin represented Fortune 500 companies in business litigation, insurance defense litigation, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) litigation throughout the State of Texas in both state and federal courts. Additionally, Austin handled legal matters in business governance and employment law. Outside of work Austin likes to stay involved in his community by serving on the board of the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, being involved as a member of the local William S. Sessions American Inn of Court chapter, and attending services on Sunday morning at Cornerstone Church. Austin is happily married and loves cheering on UTSA and the San Antonio Spurs.