James W. "Jim" Brewer

As founder of Fears Law, Christopher Bryan Fears believes the law is here to serve everyone and should be accessible to all. It’s this steadfast belief, coupled with Bryan’s entrepreneurial spirit and lifelong love of complex problem solving, that led to the creation of the firm. Bryan’s passion for helping people is felt by every client that walks through his door. This same passion is found flowing through every aspect of the firm today. Sure he’s an esteemed attorne...

Gavin Gadberry is devoted to serving the legal needs of health care providers and improving the future of health care, especially the long-term care profession. He currently serves as general counsel of and issue lobbyist for the Texas Health Care Association. Gavin is also a member of the American Health Care Association Legal Subcommittee, where he previously served as its chair. His health care practice encompasses government relations, long-term care and health care law, administrative an...

Philip Dunlap represents clients in mergers and acquisitions transactions across all industries. He counsels private companies, private equity funds and their portfolio companies in connection with strategic investments, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as on general corporate matters. Philip also serves as outside general counsel in matters including finance transactions, employee compensation, commercial contracts and employment agreements. He has represented ...

Marianne M. Auld is the managing partner of Kelly Hart and the chair of the firm’s Appellate section. She has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in both state and federal courts of appeals. Marianne began her career as a law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Following her clerkship, she joined Kelly Hart as an associate in the firm’s litigation section, where she worked on a wide range of civil matters for clients including governmental entities ...

Abby Foster joined Mueller Family Law Group in 2013 and is now a Partner in the firm. Based in McKinney, Texas, Abby is actively involved in the local legal community. She previously served as President of the Collin County Young Lawyers Association and continues her involvement as a member of the CCYLA Board of Directors. Abby is also a member of the Collin County Women Lawyers Association and the Curt B. Henderson Inn of Courts. Abby’s legal practice is devoted exclusively to Family L...

Lerrin Reinecke is a family law attorney at Goranson Bain Ausley in Dallas. With over 18 years as a lawyer — including 11 years practicing family law at Goranson Bain Ausley — Lerrin has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2024–2026) and Texas Super Lawyers (2025). She is trained in collaborative law and a member of the Annette Stewart American Inn of Court and the Texas and Dallas Bar Association Family Law Sections. Her practice focuses on divorce, child custody an...

Martha E. Smiley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Martha E. practices law in Austin, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Martha E. Smiley since 2027. 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 Martha E. Smiley is held by other lawyers.

Scott Schardt’s practice is focused on a variety of regulatory matters affecting hospitals and healthcare providers, including Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute compliance, Medicare provider enrollment and reimbursement, 501(a) Physician Employment Organizations, HIPAA compliance, and healthcare facility and provider licensing. In addition, Scott actively represents healthcare providers as both purchasers and sellers in transactional matters, including mergers, acquisitions and joint ...

Jerry is a founding member of Matheson Keys & Kordzik PLLC. Previously, Jerry had more than thirty years of legal experience with large law firms and as company general counsel. He has broad experience in representing technology, industrial and other intellectual property-based enterprises ranging from Fortune 500 companies, multinationals and universities to startups in both domestic and international matters. Jerry’s legal practice focuses on technology business, intellectual prop...

Barclay Nicholson is a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group in the firm's Houston office. Areas of Practice In construction related litigation, Barclay has represented some of the nation's largest construction companies. He has routinely represented construction owners as well as general contractors and design professionals in construction defect and construction delay cases. Barclay has dealt with construction related litigation ranging from multi-story residential high rise building...