Darlene Payne Smith

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...

Brian Glenn Patterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Brian Glenn, 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 Brian Glenn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Cristy C. Edwards is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Cristy C., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cristy C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Hochglaube is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mark, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Taylor V. Cooksey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Taylor V., 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 Taylor V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer Tomsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Jennifer, 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 Jennifer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Monica Uddin is a trial lawyer and the hiring partner for AZA. She is a skilled trial lawyer who has represented energy companies and other businesses and individuals in a variety of complex commercial matters including contract disputes, partnership break ups, and trade secrets. With a computer science background from Stanford University, she has also been active with AZA’s intellectual property and patent litigation team. A University of Chicago Law School graduate, Ms. Uddin excels a...

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...

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...