Carlos R. Rainer

Michael Piazza is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Oil and Gas Law. Michael, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cameron Pope is a seasoned appellate specialist and Partner at Hicks Thomas LLP. After beginning his legal career as a federal law clerk, he spent over two decades in the appellate litigation group of a global law firm before joining Hicks Thomas in 2024. Mr. Pope represents clients in high-stakes appeals across a wide array of industries, including healthcare, energy, employment benefits, and toxic torts. His appellate experience is both broad and deep, and he has consistently secured favora...

Keith Short is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Keith, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Keith is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tyrone C. Moncriffe is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and Board Certified in criminal law in the state of Texas. Currently he is a faculty member of the Criminal Law Institute. Attorney Moncriffe handles serious cases and always strives for excellence in the courtroom. He graduated from Texas Southern University Magna Cum Laude and received his Juris Doctorate from Thrugood Marshall School of Law in 1982. He was voted as Texas Super Lawyers in Texas M...

Michael L. Burnett focuses his practice on commercial litigation as well as all aspects of construction law. His has a concentration in the representation of owners, general contractors, subcontractors and others in the construction industry. He assists clients through all stages of construction projects, including preparing and negotiating construction contracts, advising owners and contractors during the project so as to avoid and resolve disputes during projects, and litigating disputes su...

David A. Brooks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicholas Earles is a partner in SBSB Eastham’s Houston office and has been a knowledgeable resource in the maritime space for more than 20 years. While his practice focuses in admiralty, his experience also extends to general and premises liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation and transportation. Additionally, he has navigated difficult cases for energy companies and overseas defense contractors covered by the Defense Base Act. A member of SBSB Eastham’s original rost...

Alton C. Todd has more than fifty years of experience fighting for the citizens of Galveston and Friendswood, Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University in 1968 before going on to get his juris doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1971. He spent the first part of his career working for an insurance defense firm, which gave him a unique insight into how these companies structure their arguments and strategies. This allows him to build a...

Mark Dundon is a tax partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Mark’s practice focuses on the tax aspects of complex mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings and financing transactions, primarily in the energy industry. He has represented large and mid-cap private equity funds and their portfolio companies, as well as large public and private corporations.

Stephen M. Loftin is a founding member of Hicks Thomas LLP who began his legal career in a large, international law firm. Over the last 32 years, Mr. Loftin’s practice has focused on a wide range of business litigation and personal injury litigation, both on the plaintiff and defense side of the bar. This broad range of experience allows Mr. Loftin to bring a unique perspective to clients no matter on which side of the dispute they may find themselves. Mr. Loftin has extensive experienc...