James A. "Jim" Markus

Elizabeth Y. Ryan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Elizabeth Y., 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 Elizabeth Y. 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...

Richard is the Head of the Dallas Litigation Practice Group. He is an experienced trial lawyer who has first-chaired dozens of complex cases in state and federal courts, arbitrations and other proceedings—many of which he joined as trial counsel at the 11th hour. His extensive courtroom experience includes cases involving product and environmental liability, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, insurance coverage, False Claims Act allegations, partnership disputes and other business...

Patrick (“Pat”) Mulry handles a broad array of matters involving construction defect litigation and arbitration. His clients include owners, architects, suppliers, and contractors throughout the State of Texas. Pat specializes in high-stakes construction defect cases with complex questions of liability, typically involving multiple parties and deeply interwoven issues of causality and responsibility. Clients appreciate Pat’s deep understanding of construction law and the rel...

Jeff Cole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Jeff, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeff is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Amy Ford’s commitment to family law began before she was licensed by the State Bar of Texas, while she was still a law student at Texas A&M University School of Law. During law school, she worked in the school’s legal clinic, where she assisted individuals who otherwise lacked access to legal representation. That experience shaped her professional focus, and when Amy opened her own practice, she dedicated her work exclusively to family law—a focus she continues today at ...

Jennifer has extensive experience tackling complex problems for clients in many types of commercial disputes, from IT outsourcing contract disputes to mortgage-backed security suits. She has also successfully litigated product liability class actions; antitrust claims; and patent, trademark, trade-secret, IP licensing and other IP litigation. She has represented Fortune 100 companies in “bet the company” disputes, as well as underdogs taking on some of the largest companies in the...

Colin R. Hatcher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Colin R., 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 Colin R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory D. Binns is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Gregory D., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...