James E. Payne

Richard A. Crow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Richard A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Pamela B. Linberg is a principal in the Houston, Texas, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Pam represents and counsels employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. She is the business development liaison for the Houston office. Pam is a seasoned litigator. She defends employers in lawsuits, arbitrations, agency proceedings, and appeals in a broad range of claims, including race, gender, age, disability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and pregnancy discrimination, as well...

Evangeline O. Lalangas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Evangeline O., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Evangeline O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

M. Matthew Fontane is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Finance Law. M. Matthew, 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 M. Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rachel has significant litigation and appellate experience in both state and federal courts. In private practice, she has represented clients in a variety of matters, including complex commercial cases, personal injury claims, real estate disputes, theft of trade secret allegations, and insurance coverage litigation. Rachel’s skill in helping courts and clients navigate unique legal issues was honed by a decade working as a permanent law clerk at a federal district trial court and at a ...

LeElle Slifer is an experienced trial lawyer who practices in Winston & Strawn LLP's Dallas office. Her clients describe her as a litigator who “provides time-critical business and strategic counsel that can make all the difference in high-stakes litigation.” With significant experience in a wide range of disputes—including complex commercial, oil and gas, antitrust, patent and copyright infringement, non-competes, theft of trade secrets, class actions, and even the seiz...

Michael Baum is a seasoned trial lawyer and respected courtroom advocate specializing in employment and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on disputes involving non‐competition and employment agreements, theft of trade secrets, tortious interference with contracts, and breach of fiduciary duties. Mr. Baum is frequently consulted by employers and executives on a wide range of matters, including employee discipline, employment investigations, and strategic employment decisions. H...

A partner of the firm since 2000, Eric Robertson provides compassionate assistance, creative solutions, and honest advice to his clients. Eric’s areas of expertise include divorces involving the valuation and division of complicated assets, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental health issues. His clients include business owners, professionals, and their spouses. He is known for his financial acumen, and for helping individuals in long-term marriages successfully transition to the next ...

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

Andy is a trial lawyer with more than two decades of civil litigation experience involving complex insurance coverage, alleged insurer bad faith, complex commercial disputes, serious personal injuries, and allegedly defective products. Andy has tried cases in multiple jurisdictions, and has handled all aspects of pre-trial, trial, and post-trial litigation, including case analysis, discovery plans, written discovery, depositions, pre-trial motions, jury charges, voir dire, direct and cross ex...