Brock T. Niezgoda

Steve Fernelius successfully handles high-profile and complex litigation, especially matters that come under intense public scrutiny. He has a sophisticated understanding of how cases affect his clients’ business, and he does everything he can to resolve his clients’ problems. His work for clients includes representing an international oil and gas company in three separate trials from 2005 to 2009 involving a catastrophic explosion at one of its oil refineries, which ultimately re...

Philip M. Kinkaid is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Philip M. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Philip M. Kinkaid since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Philip M. Kinkaid is held by other lawyers.

Amir Alavi handles complex commercial litigation throughout the world with a particular focus on intellectual property cases. IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals describes him as an “unflappable advocate that you can greenlight for a billion-dollar case with 100% confidence,” and a “judicious strategist” with an “acute sense of how to present a damages case.” He’s been recognized for his intellectual property work by...

M. Michelle Carreras is a key member of the Issues and Appeals section of The Lanier Law Firm, handling complex appeals, briefings and research for trial. She has worked on a wide variety of cases, including mass tort, products liability, personal injury, business litigation and sports law litigation. She was a key member of the firm’s Pinnacle bellwether trial team that won a $1 billion combined jury verdict and a $502 million jury verdict in 2016. Those victories were recently ranked ...

Laura Manion is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Laura practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Laura Manion since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Laura Manion is held by other lawyers.

Joseph E. Bain is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Joseph E. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph E. Bain since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joseph E. Bain is held by other ...

Mike Baker began his practice in 1977 in Strong Pipkin’s Beaumont office. Over those years of practice, he handled or tried to conclusion all types of personal injury litigation: worker's compensation, vehicular collision, industrial, retail or commercial premises liability, railroad crossing accidents, FELA, Jones Act, general maritime and offshore rig accidents, and 42 USCA 1983 actions defending local governmental units involving civil rights violations, and/or work place discriminat...

Marc Matthews practices in the areas of admiralty and tort litigation with a special emphasis in defending vessel owners and operators from claims arising under the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as well as from claims arising from vessel collisions and cargo damage. He has extensive experience in the arrest and seizure of vessels in the federal courts, both from the standpoint of arresting vessels and from the s...

Russell W. Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Construction Law. Russell W. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Russell W. Smith since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Russell W. Smith is held by other lawyers.

David Sheinbein has a nationwide mergers and acquisitions practice in which he has closed over a billion dollars in business transactions. As a leading corporate transactional attorney, he is well-known for helping his clients find practical, value-oriented, and timely solutions. His clients include both private and public middle-market and large companies throughout the United States. David represents buyers and sellers of stock and business assets and borrowers and lenders in commercial fin...