Cathy Bukowski Smith

Foster C. Johnson is a trial lawyer who focuses on complex commercial litigation. He has represented Fortune 100 companies in a variety civil actions, including contract disputes, oil and gas matters, non-compete claims, intellectual property litigation, and consumer and employment class actions. His recent successes include a six-week trial that ended in a $41.6 million jury verdict against Lloyd’s of London. The case was one of the top 100 2017 verdicts in the nation according to the ...

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...

Mark C. Evans is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, International Trade and Finance Law and Project Finance Law. Mark C., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Heather Peterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Heather, 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 Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Will’s practice focuses on commercial lending and financial transactions. He represents private equity funds, hedge funds and mezzanine funds, as well as corporate borrowers and investors, in connection with a wide variety of complex transactions, with a primary emphasis on: acquisition financings, first and second lien syndicated lending transactions with intercreditor relationships, structured financings with equity participations, complex restructurings, and financings and investment...

Jim Collura has a nationwide energy and construction litigation practice in which he has handled hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. His experience includes trials in state and federal courts across the country. Jim has represented plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio and his home state of Texas. This experience includes complex litigation with an emphasis on matters ...

Veronica T. Hunter is a principal in the Houston, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, offices of Jackson Lewis P.C. She is the litigation manager for the Houston office. Her practice is exclusively focused on management-side labor and employment matters. Veronica has extensive litigation experience, having defended employers in a broad variety of matters, including wage and hour class actions, discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination, and systemic discrimination. In addition, she regular...

Sydney Alexandra Scott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Sydney Alexandra, 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 Sydney Alexandra is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Renesha N. Fountain is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Renesha N., 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 Renesha N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott R. McLaughlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Scott R., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.