Gary R. Sorden

Marianne M. Auld is the managing partner of Kelly Hart and the chair of the firm’s Appellate section. She has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in both state and federal courts of appeals. Ms. Auld began her career as a law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Following her clerkship, she joined Kelly Hart as an associate in the firm’s litigation section, where she worked on a wide range of civil matters for clients including governmental entities ...

Matthew E. Yarbrough is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Matthew E., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dave is a trial lawyer and business counselor that protects and pursues his clients’ interests. Dave’s diverse litigation practice focuses on complex commercial, employment and intellectual property litigation in state and federal courts, and administrative forums in Texas and across the country. Dave's clients include individuals and businesses of all types and sizes, mostly based in Texas or with operations in our state, including Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, do...

Kristen Carr is a Senior Associate at Varghese Summersett Family Law Group, where she patiently guides clients through life-altering family matters, including divorce, child custody disputes, property division, and adoptions. Kristen understands that family law involves sensitive, and often complex, issues that can be highly emotional for clients. Her compassion, coupled with years of courtroom experience, makes her an excellent advocate for her clients and their children. Kristen has handled...

Wayne B. Whitham has over 30 years of experience in counseling public and closely-held companies and individuals in general corporate, securities, and partnership matters, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, leveraged acquisitions and recapitalizations, venture capital transactions, securities offerings, financings and joint ventures and similar matters. Mr. Whitham has worked on behalf of clients from a broad range of industries, including manufacturing companies, real estate firms, technol...

Erec R. Winandy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Erec R., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erec R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

C.L. Mike Schmidt has been practicing law for 50 years. For 25 years he was recognized as one of Dallas’ top defense attorneys and is known today as the founder of The Schmidt Firm, PLLC – one of Dallas’ top personal injury plaintiff’s firms. Schmidt is Board Certified in Civil and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He was admitted to the New Mexico b...

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.

Laurie Dahl Rea, partner for the Firm, has more than two decades of experience in bankruptcy law representing debtors, creditors, Committees, trustees, and litigants. She also served as law clerk to the Honorable Russell F. Nelms and the late Honorable Harold C. Abramson , both former bankruptcy judges in the Northern District of Texas.

Jolisa Melton Dobbs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Jolisa Melton, 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 Jolisa Melton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.