Carolina Ortuzar-Diaz

Tom has extensive trial and appellate experience in business cases, including oil and gas, breach of contract, and fiduciary litigation for plaintiffs and defendants. He has significant involvement in probate litigation, representing executors, beneficiaries of estates, and guardians in cases that also involve complex business transactions. Mr. Wright has argued cases in the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits, and most of the fourteen int...

Serving as Office Managing Partner of Akerman’s Houston office, Scott Marrs is a formidable trial lawyer litigating high profile matters in state and federal courts as well as arbitrations in the United States, South America, the Middle East, and Europe. Scott focuses on legal issues in virtually all aspects of the energy sector, including oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, storage, power, chemical, petrochemical, energy marketing, and well service. He also litigates i...

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

Brian Kilpatrick is a Shareholder of Wilson Cribbs + Goren who assists clients with real estate, business, and bankruptcy litigation. He is currently the head of the firm’s litigation practice, as a seasoned litigator who handles a myriad of high-stakes real estate and business disputes. Brian’s background in real estate goes back much farther than his time with the firm. Both his father and brother are in the real estate business, and he worked as a commercial real estate broker ...

Jeffrey B. Andrews is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of IT Outsourcing Law and Technology Law. Jeffrey B., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

JoAnn Storey focuses on appellate law and has been Board Certified in Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1987. She is the past chair of the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section and past chair of the Houston Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section. Ms. Storey was a long-time member of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization’s Civil Appellate Law Examination Committee and Civil Appellate Law Advisory Commission. She is a former adjunct professor at t...

Phillip L. Sampson, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Phillip L., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Phillip L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard F. Whiteley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Richard F., 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 Richard F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kip Brar is an attorney with Suits & Boots Injury Lawyers in Houston, Texas. His practice includes Litigation and Labor and Employment matters, along with representing individuals who have been injured due to negligence. Kip brings more than 15 years of legal experience handling complex disputes and courtroom matters. Earlier in his career, Kip represented Fortune 500 companies and large businesses in high‑stakes litigation and corporate matters. His work involved navigating large financi...

Paul J. Neufeld is a partner at Youssef + Partners headquartered in Giza, Egypt. He handles international arbitration and litigation matters globally, including disputes arising out of oil and gas, LNG, mining, desalination, private investment, and construction projects in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America. As counsel, Dr. Neufeld has successfully represented clients in US, English, and DIFC courts, as well as in proceedings under all major arbitration rules (e...