James E. "Jim" Smith

Geoff Gannaway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Health Care. Geoff, 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 Geoff is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Everything Geoff does is geared toward persuading a judge and jury. He works with each client to dev...

Allen H. Rustay is a partner at Hicks Thomas LLP and has over 20 years of experience in litigation in Texas State and Federal courts. He has extensive experience in commercial litigation including matters involving commercial disputes, energy, oil and gas, and maritime disputes on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. He has also litigated theft of trade secrets, breaches of fiduciary duty, and business torts. Formerly affiliated with a large international law firm, Mr. Rustay has been with Hi...

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...

Stephen Barrick began his career more than 20 years ago as a law clerk in Houston, Texas, where he worked at the federal district court. He later joined international firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he practiced trial and appellate law. Since 2008, Mr. Barrick has made his home at Hick Thomas LLP, where he focuses on business litigation and appeals. Mr. Barrick is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has earned selection to Texas...

John Linker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. John, 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 John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul J. Goldenberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Paul J., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason S. McManis is a partner at AZA and the head of AZA’s intellectual property group. He is a skilled trial lawyer with extensive experience in front of the jury in courtrooms across the United States. IAM Patent 1000 ranks Mr. McManis as a leading patent litigator and highlights that he “is often brought in to take over cases from previous counsel” while commending his ability to “adapt to changing circumstances with alacrity.” Mr. McManis represents both plai...

I am a native Texan, born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I grew up in North Dallas and attended schools in Plano, Texas. After a brief stint at UT Austin, I transferred to Purdue University, where I received my B.S. in economics. I attended law school at Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas and graduated in February 2014. I passed the bar in May 2014. I started my law career in Houston, Texas at a boutique litigation defense firm. I was fortunate to first-chair a jury trial, take and defend deposit...

Alex B. Roberts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants and Litigation - Antitrust. Alex, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alex is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. For nearly two decades, Alex Roberts has built his trial practice o...

Paul Genender is a partner in the Complex Litigation and Arbitration practice, chair of the Texas Commercial Litigation practice, and co-chair of the Houston office at Paul Hastings. Mr. Genender is a seasoned trial lawyer with an established track record of courtroom success representing plaintiffs, defendants, debtors, and creditors. Mr. Genender represents clients in a wide range of business disputes, including antitrust, breach of contract, business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair...