Cass McKenzie

Luis F. Gomar is a partner in the Corporate department of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Houston office. Mr. Gomar has over 18 years of experience advising on domestic and cross-border transactions in the energy, finance and private equity sectors. Mr. Gomar counsels clients on both domestic and international transactions involving M&A, asset acquisition and divestitures, fund formations, joint ventures and strategic alliances, project development, and structured finance a...

Erick Sandlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Erick, 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 Erick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian M. Moss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Brian M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter C. Blomquist is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Peter C., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John J. Kane is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. John J., 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 John J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Jakuback represents businesses and institutions in complex commercial and personal injury litigation, including matters involving Fortune 500 companies, regional enterprises, municipalities, and other organizational clients. His practice focuses on the defense of high-exposure claims, including large-scale and multi-party disputes across Texas, Louisiana, and other jurisdictions. Based in Houston, Texas, John is a shareholder at Kean Miller and brings decades of litigation experience to ...

Bill Benitez is a partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, recapitalizations, joint ventures and corporate governance, with a particular emphasis on the energy and infrastructure sector. Clients have described Bill as a “great practitioner” who provides “incredible client service” in connection with his recognition in various industry publications, including Chambers Global, The Wor...

Molly Dear Abshire has been licensed to practice law in the State of Texas since 1993 and is certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. She received a J.D. from South Texas College of Law and her B.A. in English from Texas A&M University in 1989. Ms. Abshire has authored professional papers and Houston Chronicle articles, which typically focus on topics such as estate planning, Medicaid planning, elder law and special needs trusts. She is a former President o...

Patrice McKinney represents the LLF’s clients in personal injury cases, especially car and trucking collision cases, oilfield related injuries, and railroad workers injured on the job (FELA). Patrice is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow, College of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association – HBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Houston and Texas Trial Lawyers Association, HTLA Board of Directors and Former Chair of the HTLA Wome...

Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Jud Waltman is the Managing Attorney in Houston over Personal Injury, Product Liability and Maritime Litigation. Mr. Waltman joined The Lanier Law Firm in 2002 and limits his practice almost exclusively to the representation of individuals who are victims of injury or death. He handles cases involving commercial truck collisions, product liability, medical malpractice as well as a focus on workplace injur...