Christopher B. "Chris" Amandes

William W. Sentell III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Franchise Law. William W., 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 William W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barham Lewis, a shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, focuses his practice on employment-related litigation before state and federal courts and other civil litigation. Mr. Lewis has tried to jury verdict cases ranging from sexual assault/sexual harassment, retaliation/wrongful discharge claims to commercial disputes and wrongful death causes of action. He also represents companies in arbitrations including discharge/discipline cases and contract interpretation disputes. Mr. Lewis is board certifie...

Allan Bullwinkel’s practice focuses on patent litigation related to computer and electrical engineering technologies in federal district courts and inter partes review at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He also handles cases involving patent-related antitrust litigation and IP-related appeals before the Federal Circuit. With an engineering degree and many years of prior work experience as an engineer, Mr. Bullwinkel brings a robust understanding of technical issues and an abilit...

John D. Surma 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. John D., 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 John D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul J. Goldenberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Paul 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 Paul J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary Pace Livingstone represents defendants in a wide range of complex commercial circumstances in both state and federal courts. She joined the firm in August 2009. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Livingstone clerked for the Honorable Chief Justice Adele Hedges of the Texas Court of Appeals, First District and was an associate with Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP. Obtained dismissal in state court for a director of an oil and gas company in case involving negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and...

Michael Piazza is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Oil and Gas Law. Michael, 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 Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Timothy T. Samson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Timothy T., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrea “AJ” Johnson, a director at the Firm, has been practicing in employment law and employment/commercial litigation for more than 30 years. She represents clients all over the nation, provides day-to-day advice on critical, time-sensitive business and employment matters, has tried numerous cases to successful verdict and/or to dispositive adjudication, and has arbitrated and enforced mandatory arbitration programs in several states. AJ has a straight-forward approach. She seek...

Teresa Valderrama is a partner in the firm's Houston office. She has more than 25 years of experience representing employers in all aspects of workplace law, including corporate investigations and compliance, wage & hour collective action defense, and defense of all manner of discrimination, workplace harassment and other work-related claims. This includes advice and counsel regarding trade secrets/business-asset protection, defense of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) and other whistleb...