Clayton C. Cannon

Having tried more than 60 cases, Todd Mensing is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction reserved for Texas trial lawyers with a high degree of trial experience and expertise. During the last ten years, an average of fewer than five attorneys per year statewide has earned the distinction. Todd is recognized among the top lawyers in the nation for commercial litigation and construction litigation in The Best Lawyers in America. Todd is also ...

Houston divorce attorney John “Bo” Nichols has been practicing family law for more than twenty years. A native of Houston, Nichols is a regular selectee to the Best Lawyers in America list, holding that honor since 2009. Additionally, Nichols has been a Texas Super Lawyer honoree for more than ten years. Devoted to the practice of family law, including divorce, child custody and property division, Nichols is regarded as one of the foremost trial specialists by his peers. Nichols h...

Kent Newsome serves as Chair of the firm's Houston Real Estate Practice. He has more than 25 years of experience that includes commercial real estate, real estate development, health care acquisitions and development, financing transactions, and general business law. Kent regularly represents owners and developers of commercial, retail and industrial properties in the acquisition, financing, development, leasing, management and sale of income producing properties, including office buildings, ...

Heidi has extensive litigation and appellate experience in both state and federal courts in Texas. In private practice, Heidi has represented clients in a variety of matters, including complex commercial cases, personal injury claims, premises liability claims, professional liability claims, and employer/employee and labor disputes. She has briefed and handled appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Texas Supreme Court and various Texas courts of appeals. ...

Jason S. McManis is a partner at AZA and the head of AZA’s intellectual property group. He is a skilled trial lawyer with extensive experience in front of the jury in courtrooms across the United States. IAM Patent 1000 ranks Mr. McManis as a leading patent litigator and highlights that he “is often brought in to take over cases from previous counsel” while commending his ability to “adapt to changing circumstances with alacrity.” Mr. McManis represents both plai...

Sarah Clinton Jones is a partner in SBSB Eastham’s Houston office and boasts more than 20 years of courtroom experience as a trial attorney. With clients ranging from locally owned private businesses to Fortune 100 and 500 corporations with a national presence, her book is vast and diverse. As first chair or solo trial counsel, she has tried numerous lawsuits to verdict in state and federal court, with cases ranging from catastrophic injury to employment disputes. Sarah joined SBSB East...

Shari L. Heyen has experience in complex bankruptcy, restructuring, insolvency and complex commercial litigation matters. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has represented numerous creditors' committees, debtors, bank groups, acquirers and other significant constituencies in national Chapter 11 cases and workout proceedings, including complex oil, gas and energy cases. Shari has broad experience in the prosecution and defense of fiduciary litigation, foreclosures, real estate, oil and ...

Erin Hopkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Natural Resources Law. Erin, 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 Erin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Collie serves as bond, disclosure, and underwriters’ counsel in tax-exempt bond transactions for clients including cities, counties, school districts, and special authorities throughout Texas. He has also worked on education, transportation, utility, aviation, port, convention center, and sports facility financings. Bob draws on his experience as City Attorney of Houston to represent local governments as special counsel in joint public/private development, election, redistricting, a...

Jerry Metcalf focuses his practice on the representation of lenders, borrowers, and privately held companies in a wide variety of both domestic and international transactions. He regularly advises financial institutions and borrowers on structuring and documenting senior and subordinated debt financings secured by or involving accounts, inventory, equipment, real estate, marine vessels, and aircraft. Jerry also frequently represents companies in structuring and implementing purchase and sale ...