James H. "Jim" Birch

Christopher Lambert knew from a young age that he wanted to become an attorney and practice law. He followed in his mother’s footsteps, as she practiced law for a number of years. He grew up wanting to help others through the legal process, especially those going through difficult times with family disputes. With experience in courts and with judges across the DFW metroplex and outside the DFW metroplex, Christopher has learned to think creatively. Whether he’s handling a divorce,...

Russell D. Cawyer is a partner and chair of the firm's Labor and Employment Practice. Board-certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2000, Russell defends and advises employers in complex workplace matters. His extensive litigation experience spans jury and bench trials in state and federal courts, as well as arbitrations and class actions involving thousands of collective members. He frequently represents management before major regulatory agenci...

Bob handles employment-related litigation and counseling matters throughout the United States. His primary areas of practice involve employment discrimination issues, employment contracts and separation agreements, employment-related personal injury claims such as defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, wage and hour issues, non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-hire agreements, employee health and safety issues, wrongful discharge and retaliation i...

Bart A. Rue has over 30 years of trial practice in oil and gas related matters as well a complementary commercial litigation background. Since 2010, Mr. Rue has served as lead counsel in over 200 oil and gas litigation and commercial litigation matters, including lease interpretation issues, royalty underpayment issues, surface use disputes, lease termination disputes, and other issues affecting land and mineral ownership. Mr. Rue currently represents exploration companies and landowners in s...

Krista P. Hanvey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Krista P. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Krista P. Hanvey since 2026. 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 Krista P. Hanvey is held by other lawyers.

Kate Smith earned her J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and later earned her LL.M. from Pepperdine University School of Law. She is skilled in representing a variety of complex legal issues, including planning and zoning, family law, contract disputes, corporate formation, and more. Kate has also received several honors and has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyer Fort Worth Texas Magazine since 2007. In 2014 and 2015, Kate was also nominated as a Texas Super Lawyer &l...

Laura Benitez Geisler is an experienced trial lawyer with a focus on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and civil rights litigation. Her courtroom experience has led to multi-million-dollar jury verdicts and substantial settlements on behalf of her clients, including a $21.375 million-dollar federal jury verdict in 2024 obtained on behalf of a terminated law enforcement officer who was the subject of a retaliatory conspiracy by elected public officials in violation of the officer's First Am...

Fred S. Stovall is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law and Oil and Gas Law. Fred S. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Fred S. Stovall 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 Fred S. Stovall is held by other lawyers.

Courtney S. York is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate Law. Courtney S. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Courtney S. York since 2025. 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 Courtney S. York is held by other lawyers.

Chauncey structures and negotiates complex transactions for strategic buyers and sellers as well as private equity firms in the technology, manufacturing and financial services industries. A thought leader on rapidly evolving deal trends and strategies, Chauncey is regularly called on to advise clients on their most significant transactions, including stock and asset acquisitions, going private transactions, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, platform acquisitions, add-on acquisitions and recapit...