Brett Wallingford

Paula Bennett represents clients in a wide range of Family Law matters, including divorce and complex property issues, but has a particular commitment to working with parents to resolve issues that impact the welfare of their children. This focus includes parental custody disputes, the termination of parental rights, custody modification, custody relocation and child support matters. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Paula is a member of the Texas Acade...

An accomplished trial lawyer, Darren Nicholson has been trying cases in state and federal courts for more than twenty years. After beginning his career at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington D.C., one of the country’s premier law firms, he returned to Dallas in 2008 and became a partner at the nationally-recognized trial boutique Sayles Werbner PC. Darren joined Burns Charest LLP in 2019 with one goal in mind – to help build one of the premier trial firms in the country. Darren&...

Mary McNulty represents corporations and partnerships in IRS audits, appeals, and tax litigation and provides tax planning for partnerships, limited liability companies, and S corporations. She specializes in Federal tax procedural issues, including statutes of limitations, interest, penalties, privilege, and TEFRA partnerships, and in partnership tax issues relating to private equity, oil and gas, wind energy, real estate, and exempt organizations.

John Penn is a partner in the Business practice focusing on bankruptcy and workouts. During his more than three decades of counsel, John has represented secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, trustees and unsecured creditor committees in major and high-profile reorganizations and insolvency proceedings. John is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and past president of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is certified by both the American Board of Certification and Texas Board o...

Todd W. Spake is the chair of Kelly Hart's Oil & Gas/Energy Practice Group and represents oil and gas operators and interest owners across the state in his broad-based energy practice. Mr. Spake's primary focus is on transactional matters, including the purchase and sale of oil and gas producing properties, farm-outs, joint development agreements, natural gas processing and sale agreements, seismic agreements, complex rural and urban oil and gas leases and surface use agreements, pipeline...

Paula L. Beasley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Paula L., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paula L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Amy Waller is experienced in a variety of commercial real estate matters, including real estate acquisition and sales transactions, development of commercial properties, title work, and commercial leasing for retail, office, and industrial properties. Amy also has experience in corporate law, including entity formation for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, as well as maintaining business records for these entities. Amy was selected for The Best Lawyers in America 2026® for her work in...

Clark H. Rucker is a partner in the Oil & Gas/Energy division of the firm, where he focuses on litigation and transactions related to the oil, gas, and energy industries. His clientele includes a variety of entities such as oil and gas exploration firms, midstream companies, propane and liquefiable fuel companies, mineral funds and companies, and large landowners. Additionally, Mr. Rucker extends his legal expertise to non-energy litigation, real estate transactions, intellectual property...

James Peacock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law and Litigation - Health Care. James, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

In life, nothing imparts knowledge better than experience. Having endured a high conflict divorce that ended her twenty-year marriage, Robin Rubrecht Zegen understands her client’s fears and concerns first-hand. Compassionately, but zealously, helping her clients get through the process and ready for a happy and healthy future is her main focus. With thirty years of experience Robin Rubrecht Zegen will help you identify and prioritize your goals and she will explain the options availabl...