Garland T. Stephens

Nick Spiliotis is a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, where he counsels employers regarding a broad range of workplace issues. He is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Nick’s practice crosses multiple industries, representing clients in the oil and gas, restaurant and hospitality, banking, maritime, manufacturing, and construction arenas. He acts as a strategic advocate who seeks to minimize the possib...

Rachael L. Lichman is a debt finance partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Rachael represents borrowers and issuers, financial institutions, agent banks, underwriters and other institutional investors in connection with secured and unsecured bank financings, including acquisition financings, senior and subordinated debt, working capital credit facilities, bridge loans, asset-based and reserve-based financings and term loans, as well as with secured and unsecured high-yiel...

Russell W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Russell W., 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 Russell W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Morton concentrates her legal practice on the representation of employers in issues related to labor and employment law, and is the managing partner of FordHarrison's Houston office. Sarah Morton defends management clients in individual and multi-plaintiff actions alleging violations of federal, state, and local discrimination, harassment, and leave and accommodation laws, and in class and collective actions arising under the FLSA and related state wage and hour laws. Sarah is an accomp...

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

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

David Castro Jr. is a corporate partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. David’s practice focuses on mergers & acquisitions and the formation of joint ventures involving energy assets across the value chain, including traditional and renewable energy sources. David has represented clients in connection with the purchase and sale of a broad range of assets, including upstream and midstream oil and gas assets and companies, processing and fractionation facilities and...

Katherine Strahan is a trial lawyer with twenty-five years of experience in complex commercial and managed care litigation. She has spent her entire career representing managed care organizations (MCOs) in business and healthcare disputes and has extensive experience representing employers, group insurers and claims administrators in disputes involving health, disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits, including claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (...

Seth R. Belzley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Seth R., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Seth R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

W. Cleland Dade is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. W. Cleland, 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 W. Cleland is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.