Juris Doctorate, South Texas College of Law, 1985
B.B.A, Southwest Texas State University, Business Administration, 1980

All Texas State Courts, 1985
United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States District Courts for the Southern, Western, and Northern Districts of Texas

Board Certified Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Harris County v. Hermann Hospital, 943 S.W.2d 547 (Tex. App.—Eastland 1997, no writ) (holding hospitals have “standing” to sue counties and recover reimbursement of hospital charges for treating county prisoners, pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 104.002 (1997)). As Attorney in Charge for Hermann Hospital at the trial court level, Mr. Payne earned Judgment for his client against Harris County; and then co-drafted the successful brief and argued the case in the subsequent appeal (i.e., a case of first impression).

Recognized as a “Top Rated Lawyer in Health Care” by Corporate Counsel™ magazine.

Articles and Presentations:

“Practical Implications for Hospitals Complying with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act and the Texas Indigent HealthCare and Treatment Act.”  (2003)“The New Prompt Payment Laws” (2003)
“Texas’ New Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act” (2004)
“Keys to Unlocking Provider Reimbursement – The Prompt Pay Statute and Related Regulations (Texas Insurance Code chapters 843 & 1301; and 28 Texas Administrative Code Section 21.2801 – 21.2825)” (2005)
“The Fraudulent Lien Cause of Action Pursuant to Chapter 12 of Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code” (July 2006)
“Risks Inherent in Hospitals Filing Their Own Hospital Liens Pursuant to The Texas Hospital Lien Statute – Chapter 55 of the Texas Property Code” (2006)
“Keys to Unlocking Provider Reimbursement – The Prompt Pay Statute and Related Regulations (Texas Insurance Code chapters 843 & 1301; and 28 Texas Administrative Code Section 21.2801 – 21.2825)” (2008)
“What to Do When OSHA Shows Up and Wants to Inspect” (2014)

Second Baptist Church – Houston, Texas
Boy Scouts of America, former adult leader

West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, P.C.
Of Counsel, 2019 – Present
Sullins & Johnston Attorneys at Law, P.C. d/b/a “Sullins Johnston Rohrbach & Magers”, Houston Texas
Shareholder and Vice President, May 1985 – December 2018
State Bar of Texas
Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas
Antitrust & Business Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
Brazos County Bar Association
Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (former Member)
American Trial Lawyers Association (former Member)
Texas Trial Lawyers Association (former Member)
Houston Trial Lawyers Association (former Member)
Texas Hospital Association (firm) (former Member)
American Bar Association (former Member)
Colorado Bar Association (former Member)