Joe F. Laurel

Paul Mitchell is an experienced trial lawyer with a diverse litigation practice. He focuses primarily on representing companies in the energy sector in commercial litigation, arbitration, corporate investigations, and similar matters, but has also handled a wide range of contested matters. For two decades prior to joining Hicks Thomas, Mr. Mitchell was a partner at Baker Botts LLP and Andrews Kurth LLP, two of the oldest and most respected law firms in Texas, and he brings that big-firm exper...

Billy Coe Dyer is a board-certified civil trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing landowner clients against condemning authorities at the local, county, state, and national levels. Widely recognized as an authority in the condemnation and eminent domain arenas, Billy’s lengthy list of notable victories includes the largest jury verdict for a property owner in a condemnation case in Texas and representation of the landowner in Interstate Northborough, the Texas ...

L. Bradley Hancock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. L. Bradley, 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 L. Bradley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anna has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in state courts, federal courts, and arbitrations throughout the United States. She has accumulated significant first-chair trial experience in business disputes, representing both large and small companies, environmental and products liability cases, and in restructuring-related litigation, representing both debtors and creditors. Chambers describes her as “a go-to litigator in energy-sector disputes” with one sourc...

Her response is immediate. When you ask Courtney Ervin to describe herself as a lawyer, she says, “I’m a problem-solver.” While she is one of the top up-and-coming trial lawyers in Texas, she also finds immense satisfaction using her business acumen to defuse disputes early, when possible. “Look, I welcome a good fight,” says Ervin. “That’s an essential part of a trial lawyer’s DNA. However, I never forget that my clients call me when they have ...

Nick Spiliotis is a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, where he counsels employers regarding a broad range of workplace issues. He is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Nick’s practice crosses multiple industries, representing clients in the oil and gas, restaurant and hospitality, banking, maritime, manufacturing, and construction arenas. He acts as a strategic advocate who seeks to minimize the possib...

Elizabeth Massey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shari L. Heyen has experience in complex bankruptcy, restructuring, insolvency and complex commercial litigation matters. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has represented numerous creditors' committees, debtors, bank groups, acquirers and other significant constituencies in national Chapter 11 cases and workout proceedings, including complex oil, gas and energy cases. Shari has broad experience in the prosecution and defense of fiduciary litigation, foreclosures, real estate, oil and ...

Jonathan K. Frels is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Jonathan K., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Green is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.