Darlene Payne Smith

Mike represents a variety of clients in commercial, insurance coverage, tort, environmental, and Qui Tam/False Claims Act matters at the state and federal levels. He has tried numerous cases to verdict and represented clients in venues across Texas and throughout the United States. Mike’s accomplishments as a trial lawyer have been recognized by his peers, who elected him as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”). ABOTA is comprised of trial lawyers repr...

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.

T. Josh Judd is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. T. Josh, 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 T. Josh is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kurt Arnold is a relentless advocate for his clients, having obtained billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. One of the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers, Kurt prepares every case for trial. Of course, many cases resolve before trial, but defendants and insurance companies only pay the largest settlements when he gives them no alternative. Kurt finds helping individuals defeat companies that have continuously denied his clients justice to be one of the most rewarding pa...

Jeff is a Board Certified labor and employment law specialist who represents management in matters involving all areas affecting the employment relationship. Jeff has successfully handled cases relating to race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation and disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation in state and federal courts across the country, as well litigation involving employee leave, wage and hour, non-competition and trade secret, and employment-related torts....

Julie Barry is Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and practices extensively in the area of transaction law, focusing primarily on the representation of small and midsized enterprises. Her practice includes representation of purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of businesses and real estate, lenders and borrowers in connection with commercial and real estate loans, and landlords and tenants in connection with leasing matters.

Demetri Economou is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Demetri, 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 Demetri is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joshua Wyde is a patent attorney who focuses on Patent and Trademark Appeal Board post-grant proceedings (PGRs and IPRs), federal patent, trademark, and copyright litigation, patent portfolio analysis, formal infringement/invalidity legal opinions, and IP licensing. An electrical engineer and entrepreneur, Mr. Wyde relies on his software and hardware experience to represent plaintiffs and defendants. He handles cases from pre-complaint investigation to a jury verdict. Mr. Wyde spent years han...

Neal Sweeney is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses his practice exclusively on construction law and government contracts. Drawing on his more than 30 years of experience with the construction industry, Neal counsels clients on major infrastructure and P3 projects such as transit, airports, highways, wastewater treatment, and tunnels. He is also involved in energy and industrial projects linked to clean technology and renewable sources, including hydro, solar, wind, geother...

Robert (Bob) Walker is a seasoned commercial real estate attorney with decades of experience. His practice includes representation of banks and lenders in various aspects of commercial lending, including construction and mini-perm loans for real estate projects such as apartments, condominiums, retail shopping centers, medical office buildings and surgical centers. His work also includes handling term loans for the purchase and sale of real estate, term loans secured by ship or fleet mortgage...