E. Aaron Carwright

Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters. Thomas has broad experience across many industries, but in particular, he has focused his practice representing clients in t...

For more than 20 years, Kelly Kubasta has focused his practice on helping clients develop, protect, leverage, and enforce intellectual property strategies that support their competitive position. He works with clients to identify the intellectual property assets that matter most to their business and to implement practical, efficient strategies for protecting and maximizing their value. Kelly advises clients across the full range of intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks,...

James Peacock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law and Litigation - Health Care. James, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Arthur T. Carter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. Arthur T., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Arthur T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Mr. Biermacher, a director of the Firm, is the most senior member of the Litigation Section in the Dallas office. His general broad trial and appellate practice and experience representing clients on both sides of the docket not only encompass personal and bodily injury defense provided on behalf of insureds and self-insured entities arising out of catastrophic injury, wrongful death, toxic and mass tort, sick building, false arrest, rape, defamation and professional negligence claims, but al...

John Podvin Jr. is a partner in the firm with more than 25 years of regulatory agency, law firm, and corporate experience. He is based in Dallas, Texas, where he works nationally with the firm’s clients. His practice areas include banking and financial services, litigation, corporate governance, finance, financial crisis advisory and litigation, financial regulatory, government relations strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. As outside counsel, Mr. Podvin works closely with the firm&r...

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

For over two decades, Kirsten M. Castañeda has briefed and argued state and federal appeals and original proceedings that raise issues critical to businesses and industries across Texas and the nation. In pursuing appellate relief, she never loses sight of the fact that every appeal involves more than just the law. Learning a client’s business and ultimate goals allows Kirsten to craft legal arguments and strategy that serve not only the case at hand, but also the client’s ...

Bryan Neal focuses his practice on labor and employment law, civil appellate law, school law, and civil rights matters. He represents management in labor and employment law matters in all aspects of administrative, trial, and appellate work, as well as counseling, with specific expertise in employment appeals. Bryan also handles civil appellate matters in all areas and represents public and private schools and governmental entities in various matters. He is Board Certified in both Labor and E...