ATTORNEYS
MICHAEL F. KLESEL
PARTNER
BIO
Michael was born and raised in La Grange and traces his Fayette County roots back to the 1850's. Having practiced law since 1969, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the firm. Michael concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of real estate, probate, estate planning, guardianship, elder law, oil and gas, business law, and family law (limited to non-custodial matters).
EDUCATION
Associate of Arts, Blinn College, 1965
Bachelor of Business Admin., University of Texas, 1968
Juris Doctorate, University of Texas School of Law, 1969
BAR ADMISSION
Texas, 1969
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fayette County Bar Association
State of Texas Bar Association
American Bar Association
Texas Bar College
CONTACT
979-968-3184 Ext. 1
BENJAMIN WM. SCHOVAJSA
PARTNER
BIO
Ben was born and raised in La Grange and is the third generation in the Schovajsa family to practice with the firm. Ben’s grandfather, Henry Schovajsa, was one of the firm's founding attorneys and Ben’s father, William Schovajsa, practiced with the firm from 1978 to 2016. Ben concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of real estate, oil and gas, estate planning, probate, and business law.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Texas A&M University, 2009
Juris Doctorate, South Texas College of Law, 2012
BAR ADMISSION
Texas, 2012
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fayette County Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Fayette Savings Bank - Director
La Grange Evening Lions Club - Vice President
La Grange Education Program Support Foundation
La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce
Fayette County Ducks Unlimited - President
First Presbyterian Church of La Grange
CONTACT
979-968-3184 Ext. 3
M. CHRIS MAYER
PARTNER
BIO
Chris is a native of La Grange and traces his Fayette County heritage back over six generations . After graduating from Texas A&M University, Chris spent his next eight years in Houston, Texas. There, he gained experience working as a corporate tax consultant at a "Big Four" accounting firm, obtained his CPA license, earned his law degree from the University of Houston, and worked in the estate planning section of a 100+ attorney Houston law firm. Chris concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate, business law, real estate, and oil & gas.
EDUCATION
BBA - Accounting, Texas A&M University, 2009
Master of Science - Accounting, Texas A&M University, 2009
Juris Doctorate, University of Houston Law Center, 2016
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Admitted to the State of Texas Bar, 2017
Certified Public Accountant ("CPA"), Texas, 2011
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Texas Bar College
Fayette County Bar Association
State Bar of Texas - Real Estate, Probate, & Trust Section
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
National Bank & Trust - Director
La Grange Evening Lions Club
CONTACT
979-968-3184 Ext. 4
Hannah E. Bellue
ASSOCIATE
BIO
Following law school, Hannah moved home to Fayette County. Hannah spent many years as an intern at the firm and is happy to be back as an attorney. Hannah practices mainly in the areas of real estate, estate planning, probate, and guardianships.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Texas A&M University, 2015
Juris Doctorate, Texas A&M University School of Law, 2018
BAR ADMISSION
Texas, 2019
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fayette County Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Texas Women’s League
La Grange Noon Lion’s Club
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Grange
CONTACT
Shannon M. Raabe
ASSOCIATE
BIO
Shannon was born and raised in Fayette County. After graduating from Flatonia, she went on to attend Sam Houston State University. After graduating from Sam Houston State University in May 2013, Shannon came back to Fayette County and started working at the firm as Ben Schovajsa’s assistant. For three years, Shannon worked alongside Ben gaining experience in the legal field. In August 2016, Shannon left the firm to attend law school at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Upon obtaining her law degree and law license, Shannon returned to the firm as a full-time attorney in October 2019. Shannon concentrates her practice in the areas of real estate, real estate litigation, civil litigation, and estate planning.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Sam Houston State University, 2013
Juris Doctorate, St. Mary’s University, 2019
BAR ADMISSION
Texas, 2019
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
State Bar of Texas - Real Estate, Probate, & Trust Section
State Bar of Texas – Litigation Section
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Cane Island Volunteers
St. Cyril Methodius Church – Cistern, Texas
CONTACT
