F. William "Bill" Mahley

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...

Ralph (Skip) McBride serves as Of Counsel for The Lanier Law Firm in the Houston office. During his more than 40 years in legal practice Mr. McBride has focused his practice on the representation of banks, energy companies and insurance companies in commercial and contract disputes. As a member of The Lanier Law Firm team, Mr. McBride continues to represent commercial clients and individuals in real estate disputes, products liability lawsuits, oil and gas disputes, personal injury cases, con...

As a board-certified civil appellate attorney, Whitney Brieck is uniquely qualified to assist trial teams in seeking dispositive rulings, exploring procedural nuances, and preserving the record from the outset of litigation through post-judgment proceedings, and to pursue and defend relief sought in interlocutory and final appeals and emergency mandamus proceedings. Whitney studies the tenor of recent judicial decision-making to comprehensively counsel her clients about complex legal issues a...

John W. Meyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. John W., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Merkley is a board-certified trial lawyer and Co-Chair of the firm’s litigation group and trial team. He is frequently retained in high-profile catastrophic accident cases to assume the defense or to navigate through complicated discovery issues leading to trial. He has tried dozens of cases to verdict and has been involved in several record-setting settlements for companies seeking to avoid the publicity of a jury trial. David is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates ...

A. John Harper III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. A. John, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which A. John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul Genender is a partner in the Complex Litigation and Arbitration practice, chair of the Texas Commercial Litigation practice, and co-chair of the Houston office at Paul Hastings. Mr. Genender is a seasoned trial lawyer with an established track record of courtroom success representing plaintiffs, defendants, debtors, and creditors. Mr. Genender represents clients in a wide range of business disputes, including antitrust, breach of contract, business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair...

Jesse P. Myers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jesse P., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jesse P. 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...

Darrell W. Taylor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. Darrell W., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Darrell W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.