David T. McDowell

Hugh M. Ray III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Hugh M., 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 Hugh M. 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.

Kristen T. Burke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Kristen T., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristen T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

George S. McCall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. George S., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

If you had told John Schouest 30 years ago that he would become the leader of a dynamic and multistate law firm, he would have said “no way.” But over time, he realized that providing quality client representation could be achieved in a collegial and respectful environment. He aligned himself with others who felt the same, and SBSB Law was born. John has always been at home on the water. As a young man, he spent summers working at his father’s push-boat company in Louisiana,...

Adam Larson is a partner in the Houston and Austin offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Adam’s primary practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and capital markets. He has counseled private equity investors, their portfolio companies, and other public and private companies in connection with mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and offerings of equity and debt securities. Adam also advises clients in connection with the negotiation of partnership a...

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...

Alton C. Todd has more than fifty years of experience fighting for the citizens of Galveston and Friendswood, Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University in 1968 before going on to get his juris doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1971. He spent the first part of his career working for an insurance defense firm, which gave him a unique insight into how these companies structure their arguments and strategies. This allows him to build a...

Katie Custer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Katie, 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 Katie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Ben Westcott, the firm’s Co-Managing Shareholder, has a practice that focuses on both transactional and dispute resolution aspects of construction law. He represents general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and owners on substantial construction projects, including schools, public infrastructure, sports facilities, airports, petrochemical and industrial plants, highway projects, wastewater treatment fa...