Cesar Escalante

Stephen M. Gill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Stephen M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rachel has significant litigation and appellate experience in both state and federal courts. In private practice, she has represented clients in a variety of matters, including complex commercial cases, personal injury claims, real estate disputes, theft of trade secret allegations, and insurance coverage litigation. Rachel’s skill in helping courts and clients navigate unique legal issues was honed by a decade working as a permanent law clerk at a federal district trial court and at a ...

I am a native Texan, born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I grew up in North Dallas and attended schools in Plano, Texas. After a brief stint at UT Austin, I transferred to Purdue University, where I received my B.S. in economics. I attended law school at Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas and graduated in February 2014. I passed the bar in May 2014. I started my law career in Houston, Texas at a boutique litigation defense firm. I was fortunate to first-chair a jury trial, take and defend deposit...

With more than three decades of experience and the recipient of numerous honors by prominent publications and ranking agencies, Dennis Duffy concentrates exclusively on representing management in all aspects of labor and employment law matters. Viewing prompt responsiveness and thorough preparation as the hallmarks of his practice, Dennis ensures that he is always available to provide salient approaches to clients’ workplace challenges. Dennis provides strategic advice and advocates for...

Jesse P. Myers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jesse P., 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 Jesse P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joe Gagnon is a partner in the Houston office. He is an experienced trial attorney who represents employers in litigation and arbitration filed in every region of Texas. Joe's broad experience includes the defense of a wide variety of discrimination and discharge claims brought under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and whistleblower statutes. He routinely defends state law claims including workers' comp retaliation, breach of contract, fr...

Kelly Hartmann focuses on resolving client issues through innovative, cost-effective strategies that align with business goals—balancing aggressive litigation with practical resolution. He represents energy, maritime, and construction firms, their underwriters, and insurers, and handles complex litigation including wrongful death, Jones Act, drilling operations, health care, and trucking liability cases. Kelly also advises clients on contracts and commercial documents, including master ...

Franklin D.R. Jones, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Franklin D.R., 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 Franklin D.R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tasha Taylor has distinguished herself as a coverage litigation and appellate specialist. Tasha handles insurance coverage and extra-contractual litigation involving a wide array of first- and third-party claims in Texas and nationwide. She advises her clients on resolving and managing complex claims arising out of a variety of policies, including commercial general liability, commercial auto, employer’s liability, control of well, director and officer’ liability, excess and umbre...

In the course of your career, you will likely face at least one legal dispute that you can't afford to lose but can't resolve without expert help. To manage the risk successfully, you will need to partner with someone who has the necessary experience, skill, and resources. Many people in your position seek to engage me to do just that. Read on to see why. Trial counsel People who should know have described me as an "incredibly gifted lawyer" (Chambers and Partners) who is "magic in the courtr...