Joelle Nelson

Roger Aksamit serves as the Firm’s Houston Office Leader. In addition, he is a member of the Firm’s Strategic Lateral Hiring Committee and is involved with the Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion initiative. Roger specializes in energy and private equity taxation and counsels public, private equity, and closely held clients in mergers and acquisitions, financing, and joint venture transactions, as well as all other aspects of transactional tax matters and planning. He is Board ...

Jim Marrow is an experienced trial lawyer and appellate specialist. He has developed cases and arbitration matters from beginning to end, including appeal. Jim has tried cases on both sides of the docket, winning judgments for plaintiffs and defendants, and has handled civil appeals and mandamus proceedings in state and federal courts. Jim has extensive appellate experience and has successfully obtained several appellate reversals and writs of mandamus for his clients. Jim also has particular...

Emily Miller has experience handling a wide variety of commercial litigation matters, involving securities, financial institutions, energy, real estate, intellectual property, antitrust, insurance, product liability, and general commercial litigation. Emily represents clients in complex business disputes, including contracts, fraud, negligence, trade secret protection, fiduciary duty, and corporate governance in state and federal court and in arbitration proceedings. Her clients span numerous...

Marni Zarin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Marni practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Marni Zarin 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 Marni Zarin is held by other lawyers.

Amanda Halter is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Amanda practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Amanda Halter since 2022. 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 Amanda Halter is held by other lawyers.

Brian E. Simmons focuses on all facets of intellectual property law, including patent and trade secret litigation; patent counseling; due diligence investigations for investments, acquisitions, and divestitures; technology transfers, joint developments, and other research agreements; licenses; transactions involving IP; and risk consulting. Mr. Simmons has represented clients in a variety of matters in the chemical arts after serving as a senior research chemist prior to practicing law. His e...

Jason S. McManis is a partner at AZA and the head of AZA’s intellectual property group. He is a skilled trial lawyer with extensive experience in front of the jury in courtrooms across the United States. IAM Patent 1000 ranks Mr. McManis as a leading patent litigator and highlights that he “is often brought in to take over cases from previous counsel” while commending his ability to “adapt to changing circumstances with alacrity.” Mr. McManis represents both plai...

Laura Manion is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Laura practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Laura Manion since 2026. 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 Laura Manion is held by other lawyers.

Jonathan Baughman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Oil and Gas Law. Jonathan practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Jonathan Baughman since 2025. 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 Jonathan Baughman is held by other lawyers.

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 ...