Brian Hamilton

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&...

Sean A. Bryan is a partner and is chair of the firm’s Tax Law practice. Mr. Bryan’s primary practice involves the formation, structuring and maintenance of entities used in business transactions (including partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations), and the federal and state tax aspects of business transactions. Mr. Bryan has handled complex tax and transactional matters for over 25 years representing individuals, private business interests, and passive investors...

Darren Hauck is partner-in-charge of the firm’s Dallas office. He concentrates his practice on domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, outsourcings and other large commercial transactions, with an emphasis on technology and the travel and travel service industries. Darren’s practice has involved a wide variety of complex transactions, often involving three or more negotiating parties of more than one nationality. He also has advised clients on the crea...

Rafael A. Alvarado is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Rafael A., 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 Rafael A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dean Hinderliter focuses his practice on a wide range of tax matters, including all the tax aspects of corporate mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private equity investments, public offerings, tax-free reorganizations, leveraged buyouts, the formation of joint ventures, and S corporation issues. His practice also concentrates on tax advisory work for partnerships, private equity funds, hedge funds, and limited liability companies in connection with ongoing operations, acquisitions, rest...

Rachael Smiley brings more than 15 years of legal experience to FBFK Law and currently serves as Chair of the firm’s Restructuring practice. She advises clients throughout the Chapter 11 reorganization process, including asset sales, plan confirmation, and post-confirmation plan administration. Rachael also has experience litigating bankruptcy-related disputes, including contested matters, adversary proceedings, valuation disputes, claim objections, and avoidance actions. Before joining...

With nearly 30 years of experience, Attorney Cindra Dowd focuses her practice on helping individuals affected by personal injury or defective products and employees who have suffered from illegal workplace practices or who are whistleblowers for false claims actions. “Many people feel confused and helpless. They don’t know what to do and feel that they have no choice but to endure the situation. I have been working with victims for years to protect their rights and obtain compensa...

With over 28 years of experience in franchising and franchise laws in Texas and throughout the U.S, franchise attorney Kat Tidd focuses on providing practical, comprehensive, and personalized legal advice and solutions to her clients for their specific goals. She works with clients to understand not only the dynamics of the franchise business but also the interpersonal relationships that can drive the business. Kat has worked in and with the franchise industry for more than 30 years, includin...

Haleigh has broad commercial litigation experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants at every stage of lawsuits involving real estate, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, business divorce, personal injury and tort litigation, and aviation. Haleigh has distinguished herself as an associate by her maturity in the courtroom. She has briefed and argued motions at every stage of litigation, deposed fact and expert witnesses, successfully mediated disputes at their infanc...

Michael L. Malone has a business and finance practice that focuses primarily on the representation of health care clients and institutions engaged in the issuance and administration of public debt offerings. Mike represents hospitals, hospital districts, physicians, physician groups, physician practice management companies, and other health care industry clients in a variety of transactional matters. These include mergers and acquisitions, the development of hospitals and other facilities, le...