Donna J. Smiedt

Juanita advises on a variety of matters, with a focus on safeguarding and protecting IP rights through trademarks and patents, patent and trade secret litigation, and inter partes review proceedings. In addition, she is skilled in performing IP due diligence for litigation funding transactions. Juanita also is a member of the team assisting the Special Compliance Coordinator appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to monitor, assess and report on the U.S. export control compliance of Zho...

Christine Demana is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Christine, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nothing defines an appellate lawyer more than writing ability. Chad Baruch wrote one of the most acclaimed appellate briefs in American history while representing what the New York Times called "a glittering array of hip hop stars." The "Hip Hop Brief" went viral and received national media coverage including articles in New Yorker and Rolling Stone. One newspaper called it "the greatest amicus brief in Supreme Court history." Chad’s work focuses on high-stakes civil and family appeals,...

Julie Heath focuses her practice primarily in the area of employment litigation and counseling. In addition to litigation and arbitration defense, she counsels HR departments and businesses of every size on all aspects of employment law, from addressing day-to-day employment and personnel questions, to investigating internal employee claims, to defending governmental agency audits, to advising clients on steps for litigation avoidance. Ms. Heath is rated AV®-Preeminent™ by the peer-...

Todd W. Spake is the chair of Kelly Hart's Oil & Gas/Energy Practice Group and represents oil and gas operators and interest owners across the state in his broad-based energy practice. Mr. Spake's primary focus is on transactional matters, including the purchase and sale of oil and gas producing properties, farm-outs, joint development agreements, natural gas processing and sale agreements, seismic agreements, complex rural and urban oil and gas leases and surface use agreements, pipeline...

Clayton Bryant is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Clayton, who practices law in Granbury, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clayton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dan G. Baucum advises clients on complex federal tax matters involving mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, private equity transactions, and high-net-worth estate planning. He is known for helping businesses and investors navigate sophisticated tax strategies tied to LLCs, partnerships, S corporations, and closely held companies, while also representing clients in IRS controversies and federal tax disputes. Before joining private practice, Dan served as Special Assistant to the IRS Assistan...

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

Jennifer has extensive experience tackling complex problems for clients in many types of commercial disputes, from IT outsourcing contract disputes to mortgage-backed security suits. She has also successfully litigated product liability class actions; antitrust claims; and patent, trademark, trade-secret, IP licensing and other IP litigation. She has represented Fortune 100 companies in “bet the company” disputes, as well as underdogs taking on some of the largest companies in the...

Donald E. Herrmann has over thirty-five years of trial and appellate experience in civil litigation, representing individual and commercial clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in matters as diverse as business torts, intellectual property claims, construction disputes, employment disputes, and various contract and property rights claims. He also writes and lectures frequently at state and local continuing legal education programs.