J. Colter Harris

Rick Harmon devotes much of his practice to the representation of insurance carriers in all aspects of contractual and extra-contractual litigation. He represents insurers in matters involving both commercial and personal lines policies, third-party disputes involving coverage, bad faith, and Stowers issues. He has also represented numerous insurers in large commercial property insurance cases involving hurricanes Rita, Katrina, Dolly and Ike. Rick represents insurers at both the state and na...

Jeff Whitfield is a litigation partner at Kelly Hart who resolves high-stakes legal and policy disputes, recently anchoring a trial team to a landmark $27 million trade secrets jury verdict. Jeff’s practice is uniquely shaped by a distinguished career in public service. He is a former active-duty Air Force Captain, a past legislative aide to Texas State Senator John Whitmire, and a former war crimes prosecutor for a United Nations international tribunal in The Hague. Following a federal...

Jennifer M. Duplissey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Jennifer M. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer M. Duplissey since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jennifer M. Duplissey is held by other lawyers.

Kathryn SamlerProtecting and serving children and families is a longstanding commitment of Katie’s. She strongly advocates for clients when they are going through one of the most difficult times of life, and ensures that her clients goals are prioritized. Katie has a special interest in helping families with challenges that include complex property division, mental health issues (including personality disorders), and substance abuse issues.

Mary McNulty represents corporations and partnerships in IRS audits, appeals, and tax litigation and provides tax planning for partnerships, limited liability companies, and S corporations. She specializes in Federal tax procedural issues, including statutes of limitations, interest, penalties, privilege, and TEFRA partnerships, and in partnership tax issues relating to private equity, oil and gas, wind energy, real estate, and exempt organizations.

Larry McFarland assists clients in commercial transactions, with a focus on development, investment, leasing and loan transactions. He has significant experience in loan documentation, regulatory advice, complex joint venture structuring, corporate governance and operational matters, leading his clients' efforts relating to office buildings, retail centers, industrial properties, multi-family projects, hospitality properties, residential subdivision, student housing, and mixed-use projects. A...

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...

Pat Wielinski practices in the areas of construction, insurance coverage and risk management. He provides advice on risk management issues and programs, integrating insurance, contract documents and project relationships to manage and transfer risk for his clients. He also counsels clients as to insurance coverage and contractual risk transfer disputes, having been involved in insurance coverage claims for defective workmanship for over 35 years. At the same time, his practice involves commer...

Mark Nelson is a partner in Barnes & Thornburg's Intellectual Property and Technology practice based in Dallas and Houston. He has more than 20 years of experience litigating large, multifaceted patent infringement cases in federal district courts and before the International Trade Commission. Mark also has experience in post-grant proceedings, including both inter partes and covered business method reviews (“IPRs” and “CBMs”). Mark's experience in patent litigatio...

Jeremy W. Hawpe is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employment Law - Management. Jeremy W. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Jeremy W. Hawpe since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jeremy W. Hawpe is held by other lawyers.