J. Michael Sutherland

Forest Nelson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Forest, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Forest is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kate Smith earned her J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and later earned her LL.M. from Pepperdine University School of Law. She is skilled in representing a variety of complex legal issues, including planning and zoning, family law, contract disputes, corporate formation, and more. Kate has also received several honors and has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyer Fort Worth Texas Magazine since 2007. In 2014 and 2015, Kate was also nominated as a Texas Super Lawyer &l...

Matthew Nielsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Matthew, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Penn is a partner in the Business practice focusing on bankruptcy and workouts. During his more than three decades of counsel, John has represented secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, trustees and unsecured creditor committees in major and high-profile reorganizations and insolvency proceedings. John is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and past president of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is certified by both the American Board of Certification and Texas Board o...

Aaron L. Mitchell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Aaron L., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Holly Rampy Baird believes that each client and each client’s needs are unique. With that as a starting point, she takes an individual approach to every case she handles. She has dedicated her practice to providing efficient and effective counsel on issues involving divorce, property division, modification and enforcement actions, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and child custody matters. She is experienced in helping resolve even the most complex client cases, whether that’s in...

Amanda A. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Amanda A., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amanda A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Formerly a Justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, David Keltner is a highly acclaimed and recognized lawyer in the field of appellate law in Texas. He has served as lead counsel in over 350 appellate decisions and his legal writings have been cited with approval by Texas courts. He has been honored with various prestigious awards and accolades for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession. From 2021 through 2025, he was recognized as a Star Individual by Chambers USA and has recei...

Scott Summy is the leader of the Environmental Litigation Group (ELG) and a shareholder at Baron & Budd. ELG was started by Mr. Summy in 2002 and is comprised of 30 attorneys and support professionals who concentrate on large environmental litigation across the country. In 2020, Law360 recognized ELG with its highly prestigious Practice Group of the Year awards for the United States in the category of Environmental Law. Mr. Summy has served both in court-appointed leadership positions and...

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...