George M. "Mac" Secrest, Jr.

Stephen Jacobson is an executive compensation partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He advises public and private companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a wide range of employment, executive compensation and employee benefit matters, including in connection with mergers, acquisitions, sales, private equity investments, initial public offerings and restructurings. Stephen regularly advises clients on structuring and implementing equity and cash-ba...

Biography His broad-based legal experience includes presiding as a municipal court judge of the City of Houston, a state district judge of both a Civil and Family District Courts, and served as assistant attorney general for the State of Texas and briefing clerk for the Honorable Judge Ingraham, Federal District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. He has extensive experience in civil trials and appeals involving complex litigation and family law cases. His mediation experience includes ...

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

Amir Alavi handles complex commercial litigation throughout the world with a particular focus on intellectual property cases. IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals describes him as an “unflappable advocate that you can greenlight for a billion-dollar case with 100% confidence,” and a “judicious strategist” with an “acute sense of how to present a damages case.” He’s been recognized for his intellectual property work by...

Linda Broocks is a trial and appellate lawyer at Kean Miller in Houston, Texas, where she focuses her practice on commercial litigation and related disputes. Her work includes complex commercial matters, securities disputes, toxic tort and premises liability claims, real estate controversies, employment-related lawsuits, and serious personal injury claims. She also advises clients on securities regulatory matters and represents individuals and businesses before administrative bodies, includin...

Robert Vining is a partner in SBSB’s Houston office. A seasoned attorney with expertise spanning more than a dozen practice areas, he is a respected figure in his field who is admitted to the State Bar of Texas, the Louisiana State Bar Association, The Mississippi Bar and in nine U.S. District Courts across the Gulf Coast. Mr. Vining arrived to SBSB in February 2018 and has overseen a prolific law career of more than 28 years. He primarily splits his practice between litigation and tran...

It has been said that helping others is its own reward, and Stewart Hoffer would definitely agree. Over the years, Stewart has found that one of the most rewarding aspects of being an attorney is seeing the positive impact his work has had on the people and companies he represents. Stewart knows that the outcome of a case affects real people. Sure, winning a case feels good, but for Stewart, the greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that his assistance can help his clients to focus on what...

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

Mark Merrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Mark, 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 Mark 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.