John L. Stavinoha III

Joe Gagnon is a partner in the Houston office. He is an experienced trial attorney who represents employers in litigation and arbitration filed in every region of Texas. Joe's broad experience includes the defense of a wide variety of discrimination and discharge claims brought under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and whistleblower statutes. He routinely defends state law claims including workers' comp retaliation, breach of contract, fr...

Marc Matthews practices in the areas of admiralty and tort litigation with a special emphasis in defending vessel owners and operators from claims arising under the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as well as from claims arising from vessel collisions and cargo damage. He has extensive experience in the arrest and seizure of vessels in the federal courts, both from the standpoint of arresting vessels and from the s...

Tesha Peeples is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Tesha, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tesha is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Abe Goren is a leading Texas real estate attorney, having been named “Top Rated Real Estate Attorney in Houston, TX” by Super Lawyers® (Thomson Reuters) since 2003. He is one of the cofounders of the firm. He was one of the first attorneys to become board-certified in commercial real estate law by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Texas. A masterful negotiator and a decisive leader, Abe applies his many years of real estate experience to developing and impl...

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 ...

With nearly 30 years of experience, Terry D. Kernell assists clients in complex commercial litigation, although he often lends his experience and expertise in probate litigation and personal injury matters. Mr. Kernell has handled cases in federal and state courts as well as domestic and international arbitrations. His experience includes business contracts and torts, trade secrets, antitrust, and qui tam claims under the federal False Claims Act. He has served as lead counsel for individuals...

Charles is a board-certified civil trial lawyer and primarily represents property owners in securing just compensation when government takes private property for public use. While his experience has included takings projects for highway expansion, pipelines, electric transmission lines, and flood control, Charles’s principal practice is focused on highway and roadway widening projects impacting retail, commercial, and industrial uses. Charles has obtained successful special commissioner...

John S. Moody, Jr., is Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has extensive experience in real estate development, leasing, acquisitions, sales and financing. He represents developers, owners, families, financial institutions, investors, retailers and private equity funds in acquisitions, sales, development, leasing, financing and construction of all types of real estate.

Hugh M. Ray III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Hugh M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hugh M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...