Richard N. Laminack (1950-2023)

Founding Partner

Rick Laminack, along with Tom Pirtle and Buffy Martines, founded Laminack, Pirtle & Martines in 2006. Rick was the quintessential Texas trial lawyer and served as the firm's managing partner until his death in 2023. With an impressive legal background, Rick was known for his exceptional courtroom skills and dedication to his clients.

Rick received a Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar University in 1983 and graduated magna cum laude from South Texas College of Law in 1987. During his law school years, Rick received multiple honors, including his election to the Order of Barristers, Order of Lytae, and Phi Delta Phi Honor Society. He served as the President of the Student Bar Association and was a member of the school's nationally recognized mock trial and moot court teams, where he earned numerous state and national titles.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

Rick’s Legendary Career Was Evidenced Not Only by His Long List of Successes but Also by Accolades From His Peers Who Named Him a Texas Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

Prior to founding his own firm, Rick spent almost two decades as a senior litigator at the law firm of O'Quinn, Laminack & Pirtle from 1987 to 2006. During this time he served as head of the firm's mass tort division, handling complex cases involving medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Rick played a crucial role in various high-profile litigations, including those related to silicone breast implants, diet drugs, Baycol, St. Jude Heart Valves, and Vioxx.

Throughout his remarkable career, Rick achieved numerous milestones, representing clients in record-breaking cases. He secured the first jury verdicts nationwide for women injured by silicone breast implants. Rick also obtained a $1.063 billion jury verdict on behalf of a family whose loved one tragically passed away after taking the fen-phen diet drug combination. In another notable case, he won a $94 million jury verdict for a small software company whose trade secrets were stolen. Additionally, Rick successfully litigated and settled multi-district product liability cases over three decades.

Rick's legendary career was evidenced not only by his long list of successes but also by accolades from his peers who named him a Texas Super Lawyer for 16 consecutive years.

Though Rick's passing in 2023 is a loss to the legal community, his legacy as a prominent trial lawyer and his significant impact on the field will endure.

Driven by Results

Guided by Experience

We believe that a group effort is essential to success, both inside and outside the courtroom. Each of our firm's lawyers contributes their unique skills and experience, collectively forming an exceptional team that offers clients a robust network of support and a wealth of expertise.