E. David Coligado

Gemma L. Descoteaux is a partner in the Corporate Practice group in the firm's Dallas office. She is Chair of lateral partner recruiting for the Dallas office. Gemma represents buyers and sellers in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; participants in complex domestic, international and cross-border joint ventures and partnerships; providers and customers of outsourcing services; and companies who are in need of sound corporate commercial counsel in a wide range of industries, including te...

“ The Best Lawyers in Dallas ” – Since 2005, Chad Ruback has consistently been named one of “The Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine. This is true of only four other appellate lawyers. “ The Best Lawyers in America ” – Chad is included in the “Appellate Practice” section of The Best Lawyers in America. “ Texas Super Lawyers ” – Chad is included in the Thomson Reuters “Texas Super Lawyers” list, which i...

M. Scott McDonald has represented clients in all areas of employment and labor law for more than 20 years. He focuses specifically on: Employment contracts Wrongful termination litigation Unfair competition disputes and trade secret protection Among his notable successes, Scott secured injunctions enforcing non-compete agreements in three consecutive cases involving quantitative analysts in the high frequency trading industry. He led teams in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes that resulte...

Al Ellis, Of Counsel, is known in legal circles for his leadership and integrity in the practice of law, as well as his service to the community. At Sommerman, McCaffity, Quesada & Geisler, L.L.P., he focuses his practice on personal injury, products liability, dram shop, medical malpractice litigation and mediation/arbitration. Al vigorously advocates for his clients, having tried more than 175 jury trials. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board o...

Brent R. McIlwain is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Brent R., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brent R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey M. Tillotson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Jeffrey M., 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 Jeffrey M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

In complex business, technology, and intellectual property matters involving parties and interests around the country and beyond, John DeGroote has served as a mediator and arbitrator in significant disputes since 2013. His experience as a litigator, corporate counsel and business executive brings rare and valuable perspective to dispute resolution. Mr. DeGroote previously served as chief litigation counsel to KPMG Consulting, LLC/BearingPoint, Inc., a $3 billion global consulting firm with a...

Phillip W. McCrury is the chair of the firm’s Estate, Trust, Probate, and Asset Protection section. He assists individuals, families, and family offices with all varieties of estate planning, generational wealth transfer strategies, trusts, life insurance strategies, and asset protection planning. In addition, he is involved in probate matters throughout Texas, including contested probate matters. Mr. McCrury is an active member of a number of bar sections involving estate and probate m...

Tony Magee is an Oxford-educated, former English barrister, who has practiced law in Dallas since 1993. Before that, he practiced for nine years at the Chancery Bar in London. Tony focuses on the practice of intellectual property litigation and complex commercial litigation on both the plaintiff and defense sides. His experience includes patent infringement litigation in many technological areas, including telecommunications, including the field of inmate telephone systems, medical devices, s...