Craig Smyser

I am the President and a Partner at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., a Houston, Texas personal injury law firm founded in 1979 by my late uncle, Robert S. Simmons. I joined the firm in 1986 as a law clerk while attending college and have practiced with the firm continuously since being admitted to the Texas Bar in 1991. In 2020, I acquired the firm alongside my partners, Christopher K. Fletcher and Paul H. Cannon, and I currently serve as President. I oversee the firm’s pre-litigation depart...

Kevin Jordan is a name partner at Houston-based Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne. He is a highly-skilled litigator and nationally recognized first-chair trial lawyer whose Fortune 500 clients call him first when faced with important legal questions. Mr. Jordan has a wide range of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal venues across the country. With a background in engineering, he has a unique advantage when representing clients in the chemical and oil & ...

Stephanie Jeane is an executive compensation partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Stephanie’s practice focuses on executive compensation and benefits matters in connection with mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs and divestitures and public offerings. Stephanie also advises clients on a wide range of compensation and associated tax, securities and corporate governance matters, including the design, disclosure and implementation of equity and cash incentive programs...

Clay Brett is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate Law. Clay practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Clay Brett since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Clay Brett is held by other lawyers.

Shawn Bates has more than 22 years of practice in commercial litigation in the energy industry and across numerous other industries. He is a seasoned first-chair trial lawyer, handling cases worth tens of millions. He has conducted hundreds of depositions and supervised trial teams on matters of varying size. He focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration of complex disputes for clients in the energy sector (oil and gas companies, oilfield supply and support companies, pipeline builder...

Katherine (Kit) Flanagan handles all areas of employment law for employers, including matters involving: Claims of sex, age, national origin, race, disability and pregnancy discrimination and harassment Retaliation and whistleblower claims Wrongful termination claims Other employment-related litigation Drug and alcohol testing Employment policies and handbooks Counsel and advice regarding employee investigations and employment contracts Kit's practice focuses primarily on employment litigatio...

Denis Ducran is Co-Managing Partner of Peckar & Abramson PC ’s Texas offices and co-vice chair of the firm’s Construction Contracts and Risk Management practice. He is a board-certified construction attorney and registered architect whose practice focuses on Construction Law matters for the construction industry, including transactions, risk management, and dispute resolution in Houston, Texas. Denis represents contractors, developers, and other construction industry participa...

Thomas Deen is a partner in SBSB’s Corpus Christi and Houston offices. Over a career spanning more than 40 years in maritime law, he has developed a reputation for client service. As a litigator, arbitrator and counsel, he represents clients in other areas including construction, energy, transportation, business transactions and more. A member of SBSB Eastham since September 2016, Tom is a certified arbitrator and is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Houston Maritime Arb...

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 ...

Eric C. Otness is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate Law. Eric C. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Eric C. Otness since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Eric C. Otness is held by other lawyers.