Jeffrey M. "Jeff" Smith

G. Byron Sims is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law and Commercial Litigation. G. Byron, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which G. Byron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shubi Arora is a partner in the Houston and Austin offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice focuses on M&A transactions, private equity investments and special situations strategies, with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. His experience spans the traditional energy sector and includes upstream, midstream and power transactions. He also frequently advises clients on energy technology and transition matters, including renewables, energy storage and carbon...

Jerry Metcalf focuses his practice on the representation of lenders, borrowers, and privately held companies in a wide variety of both domestic and international transactions. He regularly advises financial institutions and borrowers on structuring and documenting senior and subordinated debt financings secured by or involving accounts, inventory, equipment, real estate, marine vessels, and aircraft. Jerry also frequently represents companies in structuring and implementing purchase and sale ...

Mingda Zhao is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Mingda, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mingda is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Hayes' practice focuses on commercial real estate, and assisting clients in acquiring, disposing, capitalizing and forming companies. Patrick’s real estate practice covers all aspects of commercial real estate, including acquisition, development, capitalizing, financing, leasing and disposition of all product types of commercial real estate. His corporate/commercial practice centers on the formation and restructuring of commercial entities, including corporations, partnerships a...

Nicholas Earles is a partner in SBSB’s Houston office and has been a knowledgeable resource in the maritime space for more than 20 years. While his practice focuses in admiralty, his experience also extends to general and premises liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation and transportation. Additionally, he has navigated difficult cases for energy companies and overseas defense contractors covered by the Defense Base Act. A member of SBSB’s original roster in February 2...

Scott W. Clark is a registered U.S. patent attorney with more than 25 years of experience representing clients in all aspects of intellectual property and other technology-related business controversies. He has litigated dozens of patent disputes in numerous U.S. jurisdictions and before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). He has significant experience in all phases of civil litigation, from pre-filing through trial and appeal. His practice is focused on patent and trade secret dis...

Roland Christensen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Roland, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roland is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

I am a native Texan, born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I grew up in North Dallas and attended schools in Plano, Texas. After a brief stint at UT Austin, I transferred to Purdue University, where I received my B.S. in economics. I attended law school at Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas and graduated in February 2014. I passed the bar in May 2014. I started my law career in Houston, Texas at a boutique litigation defense firm. I was fortunate to first-chair a jury trial, take and defend deposit...

M. Imad Khan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration, International Arbitration - Commercial and International Arbitration - Governmental. M. Imad, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Imad is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.