James H. "Jim" Birch

Jera L. Bradshaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law. Jera L., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jera L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Benjamin D. Halpern is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Benjamin D., who practices law in Plano, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters. Thomas has broad experience across many industries, but in particular, he has focused his practice representing clients in t...

Steve Schulte is a partner and trial attorney who has devoted his career to exclusively representing individuals and families harmed by unsafe practices and products. Mr. Schulte co-founded and developed the firm's asbestos department, which has cases pending in courts across the country. He has represented clients in injury and death cases arising from exposures to toxic substances, defective drugs and medical devices, car and commercial truck accidents, workplace injuries, firearms, animal ...

With more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, Todd Shadle maintains a practice focused on labor and employment law. Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, this experience includes counseling and preparation of policies, litigation, conducting investigations, as well as dealing with state and federal agencies. These issues include claims under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, state causes of action, non-compete agreements, and trade sec...

Mark Daniel has more than 25 years of experience representing clients in complex litigation matters as well as commercial transactional advice. In particular, he represents public utilities across Texas in complex personal injury and property damage litigation matters, involving electrical contact, gas explosions, commercial negligence and transportation. He also represents utilities in the areas of condemnation and easement/right-of-way acquisition, easement disputes and damage recovery. Mar...

Matthew Nielsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. 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 Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Leininger joined Otteson Shapiro's Dallas office in January, 2016. Mr. Leininger is a key member of the firm’s Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights and Litigation practice areas. He focuses on core bankruptcy matters, bankruptcy litigation, and general civil litigation. He was named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. After graduating law school, Mr. Leininger served as a law clerk ...

Arthur T. Carter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. Arthur T., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Arthur T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Penn is a partner in the Business practice focusing on bankruptcy and workouts. During his more than three decades of counsel, John has represented secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, trustees and unsecured creditor committees in major and high-profile reorganizations and insolvency proceedings. John is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and past president of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is certified by both the American Board of Certification and Texas Board o...