Joel Sawyer

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. Ms. Auld 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 ...

Andrew Payne graduated at the top of his class in law school and started his career working for a prestigious international firm representing large insurers and corporations. But it did not take long for Andy to realize that he wanted to help people who had suffered harm through no fault of their own, not protect negligent corporations whose actions harmed people. Andy’s passion for handling significant personal injury cases stems from this desire to help people who truly need justice. ...

Andrew Graben is an experienced litigator with more than a two decades of experience in state and federal courts across the country. Andrew has successfully represented a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to growing founder-led businesses. But regardless of the client or the subject matter, he is committed to providing his clients with three core benefits: results, service, and value. Andrew’s practice is focused on business and intellectual property litigation, but he a...

Thomas A. Greenwald is a Board Certified Family Law attorney by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and co-managing partner at Goranson Bain Ausley. With more than 30 years of experience, he focuses his practice on complex divorce and custody matters for professionals, executives, business owners, and their spouses throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Tom is recognized for bringing judgment, financial discipline, and long-term thinking to high-stakes family law cases. He regularly...

Frederick T. Lee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Frederick T., 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 Frederick T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Pat Sargent focuses on structured finance, corporate securities and business transactions, including extensive experience in securitization of diverse asset types, collateralized mortgage obligations, pass-through certificates, bond financings and various project and international finance transactions. He has represented a national credit rating agency in commercial mortgage and asset-backed securitizations and also represents issuers, underwriters, investors and servicers in public and priva...

Kevin Schutte is a partner in the firm’s Dallas office. Mr. Schutte’s practice focuses on general commercial and business litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels, as well as arbitrations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. In his general commercial litigation practice, Mr. Schutte represents clients in disputes involving breach of contract, fraud, securities fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, real estate, healthcare, tradem...

J. Karl Viehman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. J. Karl, who practices law in Plano, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Karl is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

George T. Lee is a corporate and securities attorney with decades of experience advising small businesses, private equity funds, hedge funds, registered investment advisers, and family offices. He is known for providing practical, business-focused legal counsel informed by a deep understanding of the investment management industry. George has served clients as both inside and outside general counsel, giving him a practical perspective on the legal, regulatory, and business issues that matter ...

Bryan Neal focuses his practice on labor and employment law, civil appellate law, school law, and civil rights matters. He represents management in labor and employment law matters in all aspects of administrative, trial, and appellate work, as well as counseling, with specific expertise in employment appeals. Bryan also handles civil appellate matters in all areas and represents public and private schools and governmental entities in various matters. He is Board Certified in both Labor and E...