Associate Attorneys

• 

  Email Address: David@LVFirm.com

  David A. Dowdy

  Attorney David Ashley Dowdy works as an associate attorney for partner John Van Ness. A 2001 graduate of South Texas College of Law, attorney Dowdy joined Lilly and Van Ness in 2012. He focuses his practice on family law issues, with an emphasis on complex custody and property division disputes.

  Mr. Dowdy brings extensive courtroom experience to every case he handles. Before joining the firm, he spent a year as a special prosecutor, handling criminal cases for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice—Institutional Division. He also worked as an assistant district attorney in Brazoria County, where he served as lead felony prosecutor in the 23rd District Court.

  Attorney Dowdy is a lifetime member of the Family Law Foundation and has been selected as an associate of the Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law Inn of Court, in Houston, Texas.
• 

  Email Address: Claire@LVFirm.com

  Claire E. Rogers

  Claire Elizabeth Rogers joined our team in 2024 working for partner, John Van Ness. She was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2011 and has solely practiced family law in the Houston area since 2012. While practicing in family law for over 10 years, Claire has handled a variety of cases, including divorce suits as well as child custody matters. Beginning in 2020, Claire has also devoted a portion of her practice to handling appellate matters. Since joining Lilly & Van Ness, Claire has focused her practice on complex property cases.

  Claire has a passion for helping families, which became her focus while in law school. In addition to her education, she completed family mediation training and volunteer services with a mediation center, interned with Chancery Court Judge Edwin Roberts in Oxford, Mississippi, and had the opportunity to participate in the Guardian Ad Litem clinic at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

  Utilizing practical skills and experience obtained in law school, Claire strives to help her clients reach resolutions without the necessity for contracted litigation. Claire appreciates that each family case is unique and works to find solutions for the individual family.

  Though she has resided in Texas since 2011, Claire is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. Outside the office, Claire is busy with 3 young children, frequently on a sports field, at a church activity, or volunteering at school functions. In her down time, Claire enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her family.
• 

  Email Address: Luke@LVFirm.com

  Luke G. Van Ness

  Luke Van Ness is an associate attorney for partner John Van Ness. Luke graduated Cum Laude from Texas State University in 2017, where he received a bachelor’s degree in management.

  Upon college graduation, Luke attended law school at South Texas College of Law. While in law school, Luke worked as a clerk in the 312th District Court for the Honorable Judge Clinton E. Wells, Jr. Luke was awarded the CALI Excellence Award in Marital Property Law & Homestead Law while in law school. Luke is trained in alternative dispute resolution and is certified by the Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution. He received his juris doctorate from South Texas College of Law in May 2020. Luke started with Lilly and Van Ness as a law clerk after graduation and joined the firm as an associate attorney in October 2020. Luke’s practice includes a broad spectrum of family law matters, including complex divorce litigation, child custody matters, and premarital and postmarital agreements.

  Luke is a member of the Houston Bar Association, the HBA Family Law Section, and the Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law Inn of Court.