James E. "Jim" Smith

Denis Ducran is Co-Managing Partner of Peckar & Abramson PC ’s Texas offices and co-vice chair of the firm’s Construction Contracts and Risk Management practice. He is a board-certified construction attorney and registered architect whose practice focuses on Construction Law matters for the construction industry, including transactions, risk management, and dispute resolution in Houston, Texas. Denis represents contractors, developers, and other construction industry participa...

Shari L. Heyen has experience in complex bankruptcy, restructuring, insolvency and complex commercial litigation matters. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has represented numerous creditors' committees, debtors, bank groups, acquirers and other significant constituencies in national Chapter 11 cases and workout proceedings, including complex oil, gas and energy cases. Shari has broad experience in the prosecution and defense of fiduciary litigation, foreclosures, real estate, oil and ...

Adam H. Laughton guides health care providers and other parties through the complexities of health care transactions, including inevitable regulatory questions, licensing, payor enrollment and many other issues. Adam has handled transactions involving a wide variety of providers and facilities, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, behavioral health providers and freestanding emergency rooms, as well as physician practices and other entrepreneurs in the health care space. These tra...

C.J. Baker represents victims with serious injuries and he won’t let any corporation or insurance company stop his clients from getting complete justice. He has won millions of dollars for victims of 18-wheeler crashes, oilfield equipment failures, offshore platform explosions, and defective medical devices. “The courtroom is the only place where everyone—rich or poor, young or old—can get justice for their injuries,” C.J. says. “So I prepare every case to ...

Rob Fowler is an executive compensation partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He has extensive experience in the negotiation and drafting of employment and consulting agreements, restrictive covenants, clawback arrangements, golden parachute arrangements and other executive compensation and incentive programs, including the various forms of equity compensation arrangements, and regularly advises clients on issues under Sections 409A and 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code...

Wayne A. Yaffee is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Wayne A. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Wayne A. Yaffee since 2016. 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 Wayne A. Yaffee is held by other lawyers.

Craig E. Power is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Craig E. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Craig E. Power since 2024. 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 Craig E. P...

Her response is immediate. When you ask Courtney Ervin to describe herself as a lawyer, she says, “I’m a problem-solver.” While she is one of the top up-and-coming trial lawyers in Texas, she also finds immense satisfaction using her business acumen to defuse disputes early, when possible. “Look, I welcome a good fight,” says Ervin. “That’s an essential part of a trial lawyer’s DNA. However, I never forget that my clients call me when they have ...

Forrest M. Smith III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Forrest M. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Forrest M. Smith III since 2019. 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 Forrest M. Smith III is held by other lawyers.

Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Nicole DeBorde practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube since 2015. 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 Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube is held by ...