John B. Gessner

Julie Melton Partain is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law and Public Finance Law. Julie Melton, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Julie Melton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James Peacock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law and Litigation - Health Care. James, 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 James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barry L. Hardin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Barry L., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Barry L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

LeElle Slifer is an experienced trial lawyer who practices in Winston & Strawn LLP's Dallas office. Her clients describe her as a litigator who “provides time-critical business and strategic counsel that can make all the difference in high-stakes litigation.” With significant experience in a wide range of disputes—including complex commercial, oil and gas, antitrust, patent and copyright infringement, non-competes, theft of trade secrets, class actions, and even the seiz...

Gregg Davis counsels clients in the areas of real estate, capital markets, finance, business transactions, and environmental transactions. His experience includes: acquisitions, sales, lending, leasing, and brokerage; capital markets (CMBS and CDO), distressed real estate receiverships, sales and management; and construction. Gregg adeptly deals with a broad range of commercial real estate issues including conservation easements, wetlands, LEED certification, transfer fees, platting, zoning a...

Chad A. Key’s legal experience includes all aspects of real estate, with an emphasis on acquisitions and dispositions of real property, development of real property, financing, and commercial leasing transactions. He represents a variety of publicly traded and privately held corporate clients, real estate funds, and individuals in all types of complex real estate matters, including industrial, office, hotel, retail, ranch land, and multi-family projects. Mr. Key also has experience in t...

Russell W. Budd, a mainstay of the plaintiff’s bar with more than forty-five years’ experience representing victims of corporate wrongdoing, has been a trailblazer for the entirety of his career. Serving as a Baron & Budd shareholder since 1985 and president and managing shareholder since 2002, Mr. Budd presides over one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ firms. Founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has nearly 200 full-time employees and is headquartered in Dallas, Te...

Richard B. Hankins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Richard B., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa A. Songy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Lisa A., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barry Brooks concentrates his practice on construction law, employment law, and general commercial litigation matters. He represents a broad range of commercial and construction clients in both heavy civil and vertical construction. His clients include general contractors, specialized subcontractors, and owners, based both in the U.S. and international corporations. Barry maintains a strong reputation for vigorously protecting and advancing his clients’ sensitive business interests. As ...