Caroline K. Gorman

Steve Meleen has specialized in trademark law since he began his career with Arnold White & Durkee in 1996. Steve handles all aspects of trademark and unfair competition law, and primarily focuses on trademark litigation. He is also experienced in copyright counseling and litigation. Steve has been actively involved in internet developments and policies affecting trademark owners, and devotes a significant portion of his practice to internet-related trademark issues. He has served as Chai...

Ruth Ruggero Hughs, former Texas Secretary of State, is a partner at Kelly Hart’s Austin office and co-chair’s the firm’s Public Law group. Her practice is focused on Public Law, assisting businesses to manage the intersection of law, policy and government, including advising on international transactions and trade matters, government procurement, energy regulatory and policy matters, corporate governance and crisis counseling, federal and state regulatory matters, and publi...

For more than 25 years, Shannon Vale has specialized in trademark and copyright law, intellectual property transactions and due diligence, and right of publicity law. Prior to joining Pirkey Barber, Shannon was a Trademark partner in the Austin office of Fulbright & Jaworski and a shareholder in Arnold, White & Durkee. Shannon also spent five years as the head of personal management firms that directed the careers of major label and major independent label recording artists based in t...

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

Steven M. Espenshade is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Copyright Law and Trademark Law. Steven M., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clarke represents a wide array of businesses in many different types of business transactions. For more than 40 years, he has successfully negotiated commercial leases for tenants and landlords, formed venture capital funds for institutional investors, represented management in various transactions involving employment agreements, separation agreements, and various types of equity and phantom equity compensation arrangements. He is committed to providing cost effective, high quality legal ser...

Rodney Caldwell has practiced in the intellectual property field since 1970. His practice has been concentrated in the litigation of trademark and related intellectual property matters, alternative dispute resolution, and counseling, including advice on trademark licensing, franchising, and intellectual property/antitrust matters. He has represented large, mid-sized, and small business clients and has broad experience in litigation of trademark, trade secret, and related unfair competition ma...

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

Christy Heimer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Christy, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carolyn Shellman is a highly skilled attorney, an excellent communicator, and an effective leader. She is experienced at developing regulatory and legislative policy strategies for renewable and disruptive technologies in the energy industry and provides advice on complex energy transactions. Carolyn is also experienced with governance and compliance issues and possesses deep subject matter expertise in the electric utility industry and in navigating energy market issues. She helps market par...