James D. "Jim" Thompson III

Michael Piazza is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Oil and Gas Law. Michael, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Kevin P. Parker is the head of the Issues and Appeals Section of The Lanier Law Firm. His pre-trial work insures that client cases will stand the test of an appeal. Mr. Parker is an accomplished lawyer, having personally handled more than 20 cases at the appeals court level. He was a key member of the firm’s Pinnacle bellwether trial team that won a $1 billion combined jury verdict and a $502 million jury...

Kristen McDanald is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Kristen, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew B. McGill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Andrew B., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rob Carty has been litigating cases for more than 30 years. During that time, he has handled a wide range of disputes and developed extensive courtroom experience. He began his legal career in the United States Air Force, serving four years as a judge advocate. After his military service, Rob spent years working within the corporate legal environment, gaining firsthand insight into how large companies and insurance carriers evaluate and defend claims. That background informs his approach toda...

With nearly 30 years of experience, Terry D. Kernell assists clients in complex commercial litigation, although he often lends his experience and expertise in probate litigation and personal injury matters. Mr. Kernell has handled cases in federal and state courts as well as domestic and international arbitrations. His experience includes business contracts and torts, trade secrets, antitrust, and qui tam claims under the federal False Claims Act. He has served as lead counsel for individuals...

The first and foremost objective of Lee’s practice is to provide innovative and value-driven solutions to the litigation-related problems facing clients. This objective has been successfully achieved through direct and open communication with the client, early and immediate assessment of the issues, strategic evaluation of the problem and its solution, aggressive representation, and reliance upon Lee’s trial experience. A significant focus of Lee’s practice relates to the re...

A shareholder in the Firm’s Houston office, Mr. Mitchell's practice focuses primarily on employment-related litigation in federal and state court and representing clients before the various federal and state agencies charged with the enforcement of employment and labor laws. Mr. Mitchell also advises clients regarding various issues related to employee rights and benefits and employer obligations and policies. His practice also includes both creation and review of employment policies an...

Joe Gagnon is a partner in the Houston office. He is an experienced trial attorney who represents employers in litigation and arbitration filed in every region of Texas. Joe's broad experience includes the defense of a wide variety of discrimination and discharge claims brought under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and whistleblower statutes. He routinely defends state law claims including workers' comp retaliation, breach of contract, fr...

David Elder is a partner in the Corporate Department at Paul Hastings and is based in the Firm’s Houston office. Mr. Elder focuses on mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings, corporate governance and general corporate securities matters. He represents major corporate clients across the energy, oil and gas, sports and entertainment, and telecommunications sectors. He also advises issuers, underwriters and investment banking firms in public and private offerings....