Brian A. Carpenter

In complex business, technology, and intellectual property matters involving parties and interests around the country and beyond, John DeGroote has served as a mediator and arbitrator in significant disputes since 2013. His experience as a litigator, corporate counsel and business executive brings rare and valuable perspective to dispute resolution. Mr. DeGroote previously served as chief litigation counsel to KPMG Consulting, LLC/BearingPoint, Inc., a $3 billion global consulting firm with a...

Katrin U. Schatz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Katrin U., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katrin U. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brad Caldwell is one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers focusing on patent infringement and complex commercial litigation for plaintiffs and defendants. His successes before judges, juries, and arbitration panels include cases involving digital media, telecommunications, computer networking, semiconductors, computer chips, data security, computer imaging, medical devices, enterprise software, banking technology, and oilfield services. Brad has been named a “Titan of the Plainti...

Christy Jack is a nationally-recognized attorney who has tried more than 200 criminal cases before a jury. Her courtroom skills and expertise have led to appearances on 48 Hours , Dateline , Dr. Phil , Investigation Discovery , Cold Case , Forensic Files , Court TV, and Prosecuting Evil, among others. Nationwide, there are few attorneys who have her level of experience handling capital murder cases. In addition to death penalty litigation, Christy Jack has tried numerous high-profile murder a...

John Thompson is a partner in the firm's Oil and Gas/Energy practice. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University in 1997 and graduated in 2000 from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the law journal, The Review of Litigation. Mr. Thompson represents clients in litigation involving a wide variety of oil and gas matters before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels.

Christopher M. LaVigne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Christopher M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin Scott Cohen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Justin Scott, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gemma L. Descoteaux is a partner in the Corporate Practice group in the firm's Dallas office. She is Chair of lateral partner recruiting for the Dallas office. Gemma represents buyers and sellers in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; participants in complex domestic, international and cross-border joint ventures and partnerships; providers and customers of outsourcing services; and companies who are in need of sound corporate commercial counsel in a wide range of industries, including te...

John M. Inabnett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. John M., 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 John M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Whitfield is a litigation partner at Kelly Hart who resolves high-stakes legal and policy disputes, recently anchoring a trial team to a landmark $27 million trade secrets jury verdict. Jeff’s practice is uniquely shaped by a distinguished career in public service. He is a former active-duty Air Force Captain, a past legislative aide to Texas State Senator John Whitmire, and a former war crimes prosecutor for a United Nations international tribunal in The Hague. Following a federal...