John Scott Black

Serving as Office Managing Partner of Akerman’s Houston office, Scott Marrs is a formidable trial lawyer litigating high profile matters in state and federal courts as well as arbitrations in the United States, South America, the Middle East, and Europe. Scott focuses on legal issues in virtually all aspects of the energy sector, including oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, storage, power, chemical, petrochemical, energy marketing, and well service. He also litigates i...

Kelly M. Haas is a partner in the Houston office. Her practice is focused on the areas of admiralty and maritime law and energy-related litigation matters in both state and federal courts. Her practice consists of defending vessel owners and operators, as well as offshore companies, from claims arising from collisions, property damage, personal injury, maritime pollution, environmental issues, cargo matters and contract disputes, and it regularly includes matters involving the Jones Act, the ...

William K. Luyties is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Insurance. William K., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Travis focuses his practice on commercial real estate, representing developers, investors, landlords, and tenants in the acquisition, disposition, development, leasing, and financing of a broad range of real estate assets, including industrial, retail, multifamily, office, and master planned community projects throughout Texas. He also advises clients on zoning, platting, vested rights, property owners’ associations, restrictive covenants, easements, entity formation, and corporate gove...

Tyrone C. Moncriffe is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and Board Certified in criminal law in the state of Texas. Currently he is a faculty member of the Criminal Law Institute. Attorney Moncriffe handles serious cases and always strives for excellence in the courtroom. He graduated from Texas Southern University Magna Cum Laude and received his Juris Doctorate from Thrugood Marshall School of Law in 1982. He was voted as Texas Super Lawyers in Texas M...

Elaine Howard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Elaine, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elaine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Edward Murphy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Edward, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dustin J. Edwards is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Dustin J., 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 Dustin J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Hall is a trial lawyer at Kean Miller based in Houston, Texas, representing businesses and organizations in complex civil litigation. He has experience appearing before state and federal trial courts, the United States Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Clients regularly seek his counsel for strategic guidance in high-stakes matters that require careful case management and a practical approach to dispute resolution. Jim serves as national litigation counsel for compan...

Howard is a trial lawyer. He has tried and arbitrated complex personal injury, commercial and intellectual property cases all over the state. From patent and trade secret litigation in northeast Texas to multiple death and burn cases along the Texas-Mexico border, to massive coverage cases in Beaumont, he and his trial team have handled the difficult assignments. He has tried state and national class actions, medical device, oil & gas, nursing home, insurance coverage and intellectual pro...