John W. Hughes

Jeff Whitfield represents businesses and individuals facing a wide variety of legal and policy challenges, including but not limited to contract disputes, election challenges, securities litigation, products and premises liability, international law issues, statutory construction, and questions of constitutionality. Prior to entering the legal profession, Mr. Whitfield attained the rank of Captain while serving as an active duty Air Force Officer. Following his military service, he worked his...

Chalk is a 1973 graduate of University of Texas School of Law (J.D.), with prior M.A. (1967) and B.S. (1962) degrees from Tennessee Tech University, and A.A. degree (1956) from Freed-Hardeman College. Prior to joining in 1986 Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC, Fort Worth, Texas, and its predecessors, Chalk was President of Dabney Capital, Dallas, Texas (1984-86) (real estate finance), General Counsel and Vice President of LaJet, Inc., Abilene, Texas (1978-84) (petroleum refining and ...

Michael Saks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Michael, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. 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.

A highly respected attorney who was named Lawyer of the Year in Family Law, Dallas/Ft. Worth by The Best Lawyers in America 2016, Diana S. Friedman has joined her family law practice with that of GoransonBain Ausley’s. Diana shares the core values of GoransonBain Ausley in helping clients make the difficult transition through family law problems in the best way possible. Diana recognizes that divorce and other family law issues are very personal experiences, so she strives to build comf...

After 15 years at two nationally-recognized law firms in Dallas and Louisville, a formative early role as a Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, over a decade leading his own award-winning commercial litigation and corporate law firm, and being recommended to the Governor for a state judgeship, Blaine is proud to return to his Texas roots as a Partner at Johnston Clem Gifford—a Chambers USA–ranked and U.S. News Tier 1–recognized firm for Commercial Litigation. With 30 ...

George Carlton is a founding member of Godwin Bowman PC, with more than 40 years of experience handling numerous trucking, oil field, construction accident cases, many involving death and serious injury. He also has extensive experience litigating numerous personal injury, property damage, toxic tort and product liability cases. Reflecting the standard of long-term excellence established in his legal practice, he has been selected among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, named to t...

Esther R. Donald is a family law attorney at Goranson Bain Ausley in Dallas. She has been admitted to the Texas Bar since 1988 and has practiced family law for 38 years. Esther is a Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional through Collaborative Divorce Texas and is admitted to practice in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Esther has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Family Law from 2017 through 2026 and for Collaborative Law: Family Law from 2024 throug...

Jeff is a highly experienced litigator, mediator, and collaborative law attorney. With such a versatile skill set, he is exceptionally equipped to advise clients on the best approach to resolve their family law matter, and achieve an outcome that is ultimately successful. Jeff manages the full range of family law issues, with special expertise in high net worth business and complex property cases. Time as a civil business litigator early in Jeff’s career honed his technical skills and b...

Stephen A. Melendi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Stephen A., 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 Stephen A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Hunter Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Hunter, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hunter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.