Charles R. Houssiere III

Charles “Chip” Houssiere, licensed to practice law in both Texas and Colorado, with multi-faceted interests and hands-on experience in science and law.  During his legal career, he has successfully handled a multitude of scientific law cases, product liability, health care, aviation and environmental litigation. 

Chip is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Board Eligible in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Civil Specialization, and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.  In addition to his legal practice, he is a private airplane pilot and active member of national engineering societies and chemical societies, and state and national legal organizations.

Born in Houston, Chip grew up in a small agrarian Louisianan town called Jennings. His interest in science and the space program started early with the science fair in Louisiana in the fifth grade with an exhibit on the physics of oil well drilling. In the 7th grade, he was sent to the University of Texas at Austin for advanced study in science and mathematics. He remained in Austin furthering his studies until graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in math, physics and chemistry. Following graduation, Chip worked for the NASA man space craft program participating with astronauts in Apollo, Skylab and Soviet Soyuz, which developed the docking system used today on the space station. Among many notable achievements was the cardiovascular research study of the effects of weightlessness on the cardiovascular system using the lower body negative pressure device during Skylab, ultimately resulting in the pulse oximeter still used in most hospitals today.

While attending the University of Texas, Chip developed a love for flying, obtaining his private pilot’s license with the Long Horn Flying Club and later received high performance training in Houston from M. Aak Aviation whose owner trained with Amelia Earhart.

While at NASA an agreement was reached with the research group that he would work on Skylab and go to night school for his law degree. As he was anxious to develop his courtroom skills while still in law school, he became a civil court bailiff preparing briefs and analyzing motions for the court’s approval; while simultaneously serving as a certified deputy sheriff with civil court bailiff duties.

Chip’s deep love and respect for the environment also began in college when he joined the U.S. National Park Service, working in Rocky Mountain National Park and Yosemite National Park as a back country ranger and trail crew member during the summer months. Since then, the firm has supported many environmental efforts and toxic tort litigation, including the Reforestation of Independence Pass near Aspen, Colorado.