John R. Hays, Jr.

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

Steve Wingard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Steve, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steve is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Susannah A. Stinson has successfully handled and favorably resolved hundreds of family law disputes for a wide array of clients. Her decades of experience range from difficult divorces involving high net worth/complex property issues and emotionally-charged child custody matters, to paternity suits, modifications, protective orders, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements, to the many types of enforcement matters inherent in family law matters. In addition to being Board Certified by the Texas B...

Christopher M. Weimer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trademark Law. Christopher M., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ruth Ruggero Hughs, former Texas Secretary of State, is a partner at Kelly Hart’s Austin office and co-chair’s the firm’s Public Law group. Her practice is focused on Public Law, assisting businesses to manage the intersection of law, policy and government, including advising on international transactions and trade matters, government procurement, energy regulatory and policy matters, corporate governance and crisis counseling, federal and state regulatory matters, and publi...

Casey is a trial lawyer who represents both Plaintiffs and Defendants in a wide variety of commercial disputes. He has led teams of lawyers representing international and domestic clients in securities fraud and structured finance litigation. He represents owners of closely and family held businesses in disputes over ownership and control. Much of his litigation experience has been tied to various aspects of the commericial real estate industry. He has extensive experience in complex construc...

Michael Nored is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Insurance Law. Michael, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brenda L. Clayton practices environmental, energy, and appellate law. Her environmental practice includes regulatory matters involving waste and water such as those arising under the Resource Conservation and Recovery act (“RCRA”), the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), the Texas Water Code, the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act (“TSWDA”), and other statutes. She handles the defense or prosecution of private environmental litigation such as private suits under the Compr...

Kendyl T. Hanks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Kendyl T., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kendyl T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Darrell Windham is the managing member of the firm’s Austin office and has forty years of experience representing early stage companies, publicly traded and privately held clients, private equity funds and investors in complex mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategic joint ventures, capital markets and other domestic and global business transactions. Darrell has experience in a wide variety of industries, including life sciences, medical devices, technology, software and semi-condu...