Christopher D. "Chris" Speer

Labry Welty is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Labry, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Labry is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brad Dowell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Brad, who practices law in Fort Worth, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brad is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Griffith is President and Founding Shareholder at Griffith Davison. His practice focuses on complex litigation and dispute resolution for contractors, owners, and developers. Scott is recognized and valued among peers and clients for his professional approach, expansive knowledge in construction and real estate, and exceptional skills in the courtroom. His experience and understanding of the construction industry position him to advise clients through complex, high-stakes disputes. Scot...

Bart A. Rue has over 30 years of trial practice in oil and gas related matters as well a complementary commercial litigation background. Since 2010, Mr. Rue has served as lead counsel in over 200 oil and gas litigation and commercial litigation matters, including lease interpretation issues, royalty underpayment issues, surface use disputes, lease termination disputes, and other issues affecting land and mineral ownership. Mr. Rue currently represents exploration companies and landowners in s...

Hugh Connor is a partner in the Litigation Section at Kelly Hart, where he excels in representing a diverse clientele that includes individuals, corporations, and other institutions. He specializes in a broad spectrum of intricate commercial litigation cases, ranging from intellectual property disputes and professional malpractice to oil and gas conflicts, contract disputes, insurance claims, defamation cases, construction claims, probate litigation, and marital disputes. Mr. Connor’s e...

Thomas M. Melsheimer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Litigation - Securities and Qui Tam Law. Thomas M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas M. is held by other top...

Jenny L. Gruber is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jenny L., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jenny L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

An accomplished trial lawyer, Darren Nicholson has been trying cases in state and federal courts for more than twenty years. After beginning his career at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington D.C., one of the country’s premier law firms, he returned to Dallas in 2008 and became a partner at the nationally-recognized trial boutique Sayles Werbner PC. Darren joined Burns Charest LLP in 2019 with one goal in mind – to help build one of the premier trial firms in the country. Darren&...

Stephanie is a skilled and seasoned litigator focusing on complex commercial litigation and government investigations, enforcement, and compliance. She has been recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America ® for her commitment to delivering resolutions in courtrooms and before government and regulatory agencies on behalf of her clients. Stephanie is a seasoned trial lawyer who has successfully represented clients in both federal and state courts across the U.S. in major bet-...

Mike is a trial lawyer with a passion for handling complex and technical cases. He has been repeatedly named a Texas Super Lawyer in commercial litigation, a Top Litigator, and a Best Lawyer in Dallas (D Magazine) and a Best Lawyer in America (Woodward White). Clients entrust Mike with their largest and most important cases, and he frequently represents clients as either a plaintiff and defendant where the amounts in dispute exceed $100 million. In the past few years, Mike has acted as trial ...