Khurram Khwaja brings over 20 years of experience in the information technology field and has recently transitioned into his current role as a litigation attorney in our Houston office. He began his career with the firm as a network assistant, later advancing to network administrator for the Houston-area regional offices in 2006. Building on his deep understanding of technology and operations, Khurram now leverages his unique background to support the firm as a litigation attorney.

Over the years, Mr. Khwaja has played an integral role in the Houston office initiatives to leverage technology to streamline and enhance business processes. He has successfully overseen the implementation of several projects that achieve that goal.

Some key accomplishments include the total automation of labor-intensive mailroom operations, revamping the litigation file room procedures to automate file request processing, and the successful implementation of “Follow Me” printing, which has allowed more efficient usage of the office print fleet. Mr. Khwaja is working towards business process automation by applying technology solutions to  help improve litigation workflow and document production processes.

Mr. Khwaja is admitted to practice in the State of Texas.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Houston Downtown and a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Lisa Cancanon is an experienced attorney based in Colorado, with a legal career spanning over two decades. She currently serves as an attorney at Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP in Denver, supporting the firm’s Colorado partners with a broad range of litigation matters. Prior to joining Linebarger, she held the position of associate at Vial Fotheringham, LLP, where she served as general and special counsel to homeowners’ associations, representing them in judicial foreclosure, covenant enforcement, governance, compliance, and collection actions.

Additionally, Ms. Cancanon served as associate counsel at White Bear Ankely Tanaka & Waldron, representing both metropolitan districts and homeowners’ associations in similar areas. Her extensive background in creditor’s rights began with roles at Weinstein & Riley, P.S., and Barrett Frappier & Weisserman, LLP, where she represented lenders in foreclosure, eviction, bankruptcy, and title-related matters. She also held leadership positions managing staff and ensuring compliance with client systems and regulatory procedures.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Cancanon worked with Aronowitz & Mecklenburg, LLP in various roles, including manager/supervisor of the Homeowners Association and Senior Lien Monitor Departments, gaining in-depth experience with statutory liens, loss mitigation, and client advisory. She began her legal career interning at Colorado Legal Services and previously worked as an administrative assistant at Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison, & Lewis, Inc.

Ms. Cancanon is licensed to practice law in Colorado (since 2010) and Pennsylvania (since 2017). She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver College of Law in 2005 and holds a Bachelor of Science in English, Political Science, and Italian from the University of Denver.

Ms. Woodard earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2006 from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Memphis in 2002. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Texas, the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, and United States Tax Court.

Ms. Woodward assists our Houston offices with a wide range of legal services, from pre-litigation efforts to post-judgment enforcement. 

Prior to joining Linebarger, Ms. Woodard worked as an attorney managing a diverse caseload of complex litigation, contract negotiations, and regulatory compliance matters where she developed a deep understanding of various aspects of law including bankruptcy, civil, contracts, probate, and real estate/ property law.

Maralicia Martinez is a dedicated attorney with experience in litigation, client advocacy, and legal research. She currently serves as an associate attorney at Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP in San Antonio, where she assists with litigation procedures and supports partners in various legal matters.

Previously, she worked at Janicek Law Firm, handling case management, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in court. Ms. Martinez has also contributed to indigent defense through her roles at the Criminal Defense Clinic and Texas Indigent Defense Commission. She earned her Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and English from St. Mary’s University, graduating cum laude. Licensed to practice in Texas, she remains actively involved in the legal community, including her work with the Hispanic Law Student Association.

Gladis Morales-Gonzalez is a skilled attorney with extensive experience in taxation, estate planning, litigation, and business law. At Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, she supports litigation efforts and provides key assistance to Dallas-based cases.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional legal expertise, managing complex cases, leading teams, and delivering strategic resolutions for clients. Her experience extends to tax litigation, including financial analyses, strategized resolutions, and successful negotiations.

Admitted to practice in Texas, she is an active member of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Taxation as a Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow (2024–2027) and a member of the ABA Section of Business Law.

Ms. Morales-Gonzalez is a graduate of South Texas College of Law and holds a specialized certification in taxation from the University of Houston Law Center.

Cheyenne Zokaie is an attorney with extensive experience in civil litigation, consumer finance, and creditors’ rights. Mr. Zokaie brings a wealth of knowledge to Linebarger, currently working in the Dallas office. Mr. Zokaie assists with a variety of litigation procedures.

Prior to this role, he was a senior litigation attorney at Aldridge Pite, LLP, where he specialized in consumer finance, probate issues, title curative, and deceased borrower litigation.

Mr. Zokaie has held leadership positions throughout his career, including supervising attorney at Padgett Law Group, where he managed a team across several departments and ensured compliance with foreclosure, bankruptcy, and litigation processes. As managing litigation attorney at Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, he represented institutional clients in state, federal, and probate courts and led a team across multiple states. His experience extends to overseeing complex foreclosure operations at McCarthy & Holthus, LLP, where he managed the Home Equity and Non-Judicial Foreclosure departments.

Mr. Zokaie is licensed to practice law in Texas and California and is admitted to several federal courts, including the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is an active member of the Texas Bar College, serves on the City of Arlington Teen Court Advisory Board, and is a certified attorney/guardian ad litem.

Mr. Zokaie received this Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Texas in Arlington.

James L. Calkins is an accomplished attorney with over two decades of legal experience across multiple states, including Arizona, California, and Texas. Mr. Calkins is currently serving as an associate attorney in Linebarger’s Conroe, Texas office. Mr. Calkins supports partners in various litigation matters. His diverse expertise spans estate planning, insurance defense, real estate law, business formation and disputes, family law, and child support enforcement.

Prior to joining Linebarger, Mr. Calkins held positions with the State of Texas Office of the Attorney General and his own law practice, where he provided comprehensive legal services to individuals and businesses. He also served as a senior associate at LS Carlson Law, PC, practicing innovative business law as well as representing homeowners in property and real estate disputes.

Mr. Calkins is licensed to practice in the states of Arizona, California, and Texas, as well as several U.S. District Courts. He earned his Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law, Certificate of International Studies from Tulane University, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Diego State University.

Julie Goodchild joined Linebarger in August 2024 in Linebarger’s Philadelphia office.

She previously served as lead attorney at Scott & Associates in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, where she managed a high-volume caseload, represented clients in court, and negotiated settlements. Before that, she was an attorney at German Gallagher & Murtagh, focusing on drafting legal documents and conducting research.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Goodchild was a senior associate at Cohen Marraccini, LLC in Philadelphia, where she represented management firms in landlord-tenant litigation and supervised junior associates. She began her legal career as a law clerk at the Law Offices of Conrad Benedetto, Philadelphia.

Ms. Goodchild is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Ms. Goodchild received her Juris Doctor from Widener University Delaware Law School in 2016. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Temple University in 2010.

Kristopher Moore joined Linebarger in August 2024 as an attorney in the Houston office and brings a wealth of knowledge to his work in the fees and fines sector.

Mr. Moore began his legal career as a law clerk at the Harris County Attorney’s Office in Houston, Texas, where he interned from 2020 to 2022. After passing the Texas Bar exam, he worked as assistant county attorney in the CPS division at the same office from 2022 to 2024. During this time, he conducted legal research, participated in hearings, and drafted briefs and other legal documents. Additionally, Mr. Moore gained experience as a paralegal/legal assistant at Anderson Pfeiffer PC in Friendswood, Texas, from 2018 to 2019, where he prepared attorneys for trials and hearings and drafted legal pleadings.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Moore worked as a teacher for special needs children at Bayes Achievement Center in Huntsville, Texas, from 2014 to 2017, and as a correctional officer III for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from 2012 to 2014.

Mr. Moore is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and previously held the title of Keeper of Records and Seals.

Mr. Moore is admitted to practice law in Texas. He holds a Juris Doctor from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, obtained in 2022 and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Management from Sam Houston State University, Texas, in 2015. Additionally, he holds a Paralegal Studies Certificate from Ashworth College which he received in 2018.

Ethan J. Ranis is an accomplished attorney specializing in litigation and legal defense. Currently, he practices in Linebarger’s Austin, Texas office, having joined the firm in July 2024. Previously, he served as an associate at Almanza, Blackburn, Dickie & Mitchell, where he handled real estate and title litigation matters, complex insurance defense, and represented municipalities and associated governmental entities in various disputes. At McGinnis Lochridge LLP, Mr. Ranis assisted clients with business and property disputes, trade secret litigation, and oil and gas contract issues.

Mr. Ranis began his legal career as a briefing attorney for Justice Michael Massengale at the First Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas, where he honed his skills in researching and writing for appellate cases. He holds a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law, where he graduated with honors, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, cum laude, from Oberlin College.

Mr. Ranis is admitted to practice in the courts of the Western, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas, as well as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also a member of the Barbara Jordan Inns of Court.