Darlene Payne Smith

Christopher C. Wan is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice focuses primarily on resolving complex commercial and industrial construction disputes through litigation and arbitration. Chris’s experience covers a variety of disputes involving refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, water treatment plants, high-rise condominiums, and university buildings, among other commercial and industrial projects. Chris graduated from the South Texas College of Law, where ...

Alex B. Roberts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants and Litigation - Antitrust. Alex, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alex is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. For nearly two decades, Alex Roberts has built his trial practice o...

Mark C. Evans is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, International Trade and Finance Law and Project Finance Law. Mark C., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Shely concentrates his practice on managed care trials, including litigation involving providers, ERISA benefits and fiduciary duties, and bad faith insurance practices. He also brings extensive experience in handling a wide range of commercial disputes, both for managed care organizations and for businesses across various other sectors. Mr. Shely is frequently retained to try cases that clients believe are likely to proceed to trial. In several matters, clients have engaged him late in ...

Todd G. Crawford has handled a broad scope of complex litigation, ranging from toxic exposures to marine disasters to catastrophic oilfield blowouts. Todd remains busy splitting his time between the firm’s Houston office and New Orleans office, while still managing the Gulfport office allowing him to easily represent his clients all along the Gulf Coast region. Todd's practice includes general maritime law matters, including arrests and attachments, cargo claims, limitation of liability...

Biography His broad-based legal experience includes presiding as a municipal court judge of the City of Houston, a state district judge of both a Civil and Family District Courts, and served as assistant attorney general for the State of Texas and briefing clerk for the Honorable Judge Ingraham, Federal District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. He has extensive experience in civil trials and appeals involving complex litigation and family law cases. His mediation experience includes ...

Patrick Gaas is a Director in the Construction/Surety section of the Texas based law firm Coats Rose and Section Head of one of the largest and most accomplished construction practice groups in the USA. With over 25 years of experience, Patrick is regularly engaged by owners, contractors, engineering / design professionals and lenders to handle some of the largest and most challenging commercial and industrial disputes and transactions in the USA and internationally. Patrick's professional me...

Scott R. McLaughlin 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. Scott R., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Susan Myres has over 35 years of experience practicing family law in Harris County and the Greater Houston area. Susan works closely with all of her clients to develop a legal strategy that best fits her client's goals and needs. Her background in business studies allows her to work through complex issues involving the characterization and valuation of a business, closely-held business interests, characteri...

R. Daniel Witschey, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. R. Daniel, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 1987. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Daniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.