James E. "Jim" Smith

Jim Collura has a nationwide energy and construction litigation practice in which he has handled hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. His experience includes trials in state and federal courts across the country. Jim has represented plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio and his home state of Texas. This experience includes complex litigation with an emphasis on matters ...

As a board-certified civil appellate attorney, Whitney Brieck is uniquely qualified to assist trial teams in seeking dispositive rulings, exploring procedural nuances, and preserving the record from the outset of litigation through post-judgment proceedings, and to pursue and defend relief sought in interlocutory and final appeals and emergency mandamus proceedings. Whitney studies the tenor of recent judicial decision-making to comprehensively counsel her clients about complex legal issues a...

For over twenty-eight years, Paul Smith has been very successful trying many different types of cases to juries. He has also tried numerous bench trials and argued in federal and state appellate courts. Paul has tried a variety of cases on both sides of the docket, including oil & gas, environmental, commercial, personal injury, products liability, professional liability and employment cases. Paul started his career in the Tort section at Vinson and Elkins before joining Ware Jackson. He ...

Larry George focuses his practice in the areas of corporate and tax planning, estate planning, trust, and probate law. He works with individuals, families, privately owned companies, and charitable organizations in the U.S. and abroad with tax planning and business planning. He frequently teams with other lawyers at Crain Caton & James, utilizing their knowledge and experience to best serve the needs of the client. His valued counsel includes helping clients identify and mitigate the issu...

Blake D. Royal is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Blake D., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Blake D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mingda Zhao is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Mingda, 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 Mingda is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Kyle Findley is recognized by colleagues and adversaries alike as one of the top trial lawyers in America. His fearless passion and common-sense approach have resulted in juries delivering record-breaking verdicts across the country for his clients that suffer from life changing injuries. Year after year, Kyle has consistently secured seven and eight figure jury verdicts for his clients in the courtroom – with his jury verdicts totaling well over nine-figures from juries in four differe...

Eric Enger is able to provide deep understanding of the issues at the heart of patent disputes involving complicated technology. Clients look to him for his skills in running cases, formulating legal strategies, writing compelling briefs, and oral advocacy. He manages cases with extreme diligence and attention to detail. Mr. Enger’s practice focuses on patent litigation and post-grant challenges at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He prosecutes and defends high-tech companies in ...

One of the nation’s leading tax controversy and planning attorneys, Richard Husseini brings to bear his 30 years of experience to successfully represent private and public companies and high-net-worth individuals in complex tax matters. He is described as “bright and thoughtful; a very good litigator” (Chambers USA 2022) and as “a national leader in tax disputes” whose “knowledge of the sector is very high” (Legal 500 US 2022). Richard is recognized b...