John Scott Black

Boris A. Hidalgo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Boris A., 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 Boris A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrea “AJ” Johnson, a director at the Firm, has been practicing in employment law and employment/commercial litigation for more than 30 years. She represents clients all over the nation, provides day-to-day advice on critical, time-sensitive business and employment matters, has tried numerous cases to successful verdict and/or to dispositive adjudication, and has arbitrated and enforced mandatory arbitration programs in several states. AJ has a straight-forward approach. She seek...

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...

Brenda Granderson Hicks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Brenda Granderson, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brenda Granderson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cameron Pope is a seasoned appellate specialist and Partner at Hicks Thomas LLP. After beginning his legal career as a federal law clerk, he spent over two decades in the appellate litigation group of a global law firm before joining Hicks Thomas in 2024. Mr. Pope represents clients in high-stakes appeals across a wide array of industries, including healthcare, energy, employment benefits, and toxic torts. His appellate experience is both broad and deep, and he has consistently secured favora...

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...

Katherine Odom Sermas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Katherine Odom, 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 Katherine Odom is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Morton concentrates her legal practice on the representation of employers in issues related to labor and employment law, and is the managing partner of FordHarrison's Houston office. Sarah Morton defends management clients in individual and multi-plaintiff actions alleging violations of federal, state, and local discrimination, harassment, and leave and accommodation laws, and in class and collective actions arising under the FLSA and related state wage and hour laws. Sarah is an accomp...

Angela Connor, a Partner in Peckar & Abramson’s Houston office, is board certified in construction law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and focuses her practice on business litigation, dispute resolution, and contract negotiation. Known for her sound and practical legal advice, she routinely finds creative solutions to meet her clients’ business needs. Angela represents a wide range of construction industry clients, including general contractors, owners, subcontracto...

David R. Eastlake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. David R., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.