David Merkley

Lauren Black is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group with more than a decade of experience handling a diverse array of matters. While her practice is “industry agnostic,” she has represented clients in the energy, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, shipping, technology, and logistics industries. Lauren has achieved favorable results for clients facing all aspects of civil litigation, from a strategic approach to early dispute resolution to a favorable sett...

Paul Mitchell is an experienced trial lawyer with a diverse litigation practice. He focuses primarily on representing companies in the energy sector in commercial litigation, arbitration, corporate investigations, and similar matters, but has also handled a wide range of contested matters. For two decades prior to joining Hicks Thomas, Mr. Mitchell was a partner at Baker Botts LLP and Andrews Kurth LLP, two of the oldest and most respected law firms in Texas, and he brings that big-firm exper...

Clients and colleagues alike praise Susan Thomas’s ability to analyze complex scenarios, negotiate settlements, and provide clear, practical advice. Susan is a seasoned litigator, recognized as a team leader at Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne for her extensive experience in all aspects of litigation, from case development through trial. Susan’s practice has included the representation of companies in a wide range of commercial, premises liability, and mass tort litigation in both st...

Kevin has tried nearly 40 cases to verdict in state and federal courts and arbitration proceedings throughout Texas and across the country over the last 30 years – including successfully defending cases involving individuals and companies that sought hundreds of millions in personal injury and commercial damages and defeating class action claims that sought billions in damages. Kevin has obtained seven, eight and nine figure verdicts and arbitration awards. And he has recovered over $1 ...

Roland Christensen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Roland, 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 Roland is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Meredith M. Bates is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Meredith M., who practices law in League City, Texas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meredith M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Walter Lynch is a name partner at Houston’s Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne. He is a seasoned trial lawyer whose experience includes a wide range of matters, including intellectual property, medical issues, personal injury and complex commercial litigation. Mr. Lynch’s previous work as a management consultant is one of the reasons he is able to understand complex matters quickly and effectively identify issues, arguments and opportunities for his clients. Mr. Lynch has tried cases i...

S. Scott West is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. S. Scott, who practices law in Sugar Land, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which S. Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Co-founder of Houston-based Heim, Payne & Chorush, Les has helped build a nationally respected team of lawyers and has led litigation resulting in numerous 8- and 9- figure verdicts and settlements. As patent law has evolved with inter partes review validity challenges at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Les has become particularly effective representing both patent owners and accused infringers in this rapidly changing landscape. Heim, Payne & Chorush staffs its litigation for...

Amir Alavi handles complex commercial litigation throughout the world with a particular focus on intellectual property cases. IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals describes him as an “unflappable advocate that you can greenlight for a billion-dollar case with 100% confidence,” and a “judicious strategist” with an “acute sense of how to present a damages case.” He’s been recognized for his intellectual property work by...