James T. "Jim" Drakeley

Kevin Vela is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law. Kevin, 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 Kevin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christian S. Kelso is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Christian S., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christian S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Johansen's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. He also regularly represents clients in arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Mark has handled litigation and arbitrations involving mergers and acquisitions, contract disputes, business torts, labor/employment, trade secrets, securities/shareholder litiga...

R. Scott Cohen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. R. Scott, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick (“Pat”) Mulry handles a broad array of matters involving construction defect litigation and arbitration. His clients include owners, architects, suppliers, and contractors throughout the State of Texas. Pat specializes in high-stakes construction defect cases with complex questions of liability, typically involving multiple parties and deeply interwoven issues of causality and responsibility. Clients appreciate Pat’s deep understanding of construction law and the rel...

Russell W. Budd, a mainstay of the plaintiff’s bar with more than forty-five years’ experience representing victims of corporate wrongdoing, has been a trailblazer for the entirety of his career. Serving as a Baron & Budd shareholder since 1985 and president and managing shareholder since 2002, Mr. Budd presides over one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ firms. Founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has nearly 200 full-time employees and is headquartered in Dallas, Te...

When Christians go through divorce, they need an attorney who will be aggressive yet maintain an eternal focus. Whether your spouse is struggling with the 3 A’s (Abandonment, Addiction or Abuse), or whether you, are just looking for a Christ centered counselor who can offer Biblically sound advice, Jeff Domen can grant you the peace of mind to navigate family law issues with honor. Jeff Domen recognizes that divorce is new and unfamiliar to most individuals, and he works to create peace...

Gordon Russell, a founding Director of the Firm, is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and of the Business and Corporate Transactional Practice Group. Gordon has concentrated his practice on banking and financial institutions, business and corporate, real estate and resolution of distressed assets. He has extensive experience in commercial lending, real estate development and finance, and business transactions. Gordon also maintains a regular general business practice, includin...

Jonathan Thalheimer focuses his practice on commercial real estate sales, acquisitions and development and complex finance transactions. From individuals and small privately held businesses to large publicly traded corporations, Mr. Thalheimer represents clients in matters including portfolio lending, construction lending, commercial mortgage-backed securities, conduit lending, corporate and municipal bonds, loan syndications, interest rate caps and swaps, aircraft financing, and other struct...

Clients appreciate Don Hammett’s service-oriented and practical approach as he delivers results on all their REIT and real estate fund matters. Don is co-leader of Alston & Bird’s REITs & Real Estate Funds Team. He has over 25 years of experience advising public and private clients on corporate and tax/structure issues related to the formation and financing of REITs, partnerships, funds, and other pooled capital vehicles. He also counsels clients on mergers and acquisition...