Jose L. Valera

Stephen Barrick began his career more than 20 years ago as a law clerk in Houston, Texas, where he worked at the federal district court. He later joined international firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he practiced trial and appellate law. Since 2008, Mr. Barrick has made his home at Hick Thomas LLP, where he focuses on business litigation and appeals. Mr. Barrick is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has earned selection to Texas...

C.J. Baker represents victims with serious injuries and he won’t let any corporation or insurance company stop his clients from getting complete justice. He has won millions of dollars for victims of 18-wheeler crashes, oilfield equipment failures, offshore platform explosions, and defective medical devices. “The courtroom is the only place where everyone—rich or poor, young or old—can get justice for their injuries,” C.J. says. “So I prepare every case to ...

Joshua Wyde is a patent attorney who focuses on Patent and Trademark Appeal Board post-grant proceedings (PGRs and IPRs), federal patent, trademark, and copyright litigation, patent portfolio analysis, formal infringement/invalidity legal opinions, and IP licensing. An electrical engineer and entrepreneur, Mr. Wyde relies on his software and hardware experience to represent plaintiffs and defendants. He handles cases from pre-complaint investigation to a jury verdict. Mr. Wyde spent years han...

No stranger to a construction site, John Grayson worked his way through college as a laborer, equipment operator and pouring concrete in the Houston area. While a student, he pumped gas and fixed flats at a service station and worked in the History Dept at Texas A&M University. Grayson is a Principal in Cokinos | Young and represents major contractors, EPC contractors, subcontractors, pipeline contractors and owners, mechanical contractors and owners in complex construction matters across...

Jimmy Ardoin is an attorney with Jimmy Ardoin & Associates PLLC in Bellaire, Texas. His practice focuses on Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar matters. He represents individuals and businesses facing a wide range of criminal allegations, providing careful legal analysis and strategic defense at every stage of the process. Jimmy has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 for his work in Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Co...

Amir Alavi handles complex commercial litigation throughout the world with a particular focus on intellectual property cases. IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals describes him as an “unflappable advocate that you can greenlight for a billion-dollar case with 100% confidence,” and a “judicious strategist” with an “acute sense of how to present a damages case.” He’s been recognized for his intellectual property work by...

Michael D. Warner is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Michael D. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Michael D. Warner since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael D. Warner is held by other lawyers.

Stephen Jacobson is an executive compensation partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He advises public and private companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a wide range of employment, executive compensation and employee benefit matters, including in connection with mergers, acquisitions, sales, private equity investments, initial public offerings and restructurings. Stephen regularly advises clients on structuring and implementing equity and cash-ba...

Sammy Ford IV has tried over 20 cases before judges, juries, and arbitrators in his career. He represents companies and individuals around the country in all manner of civil matters, including complex commercial litigation, business torts, securities class actions, and catastrophic personal injury cases. He is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Sammy’s favorite place is in the courtroom trying cases. In 2022, he successfully tried a ...

Geoff Gannaway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Health Care. Geoff, 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 Geoff is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Everything Geoff does is geared toward persuading a judge and jury. He works with each client to dev...