Joseph "Joe" Lawlor

Bill Benitez is a partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, recapitalizations, joint ventures and corporate governance, with a particular emphasis on the energy and infrastructure sector. Clients have described Bill as a “great practitioner” who provides “incredible client service” in connection with his recognition in various industry publications, including Chambers Global, The Wor...

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

Charles is a board-certified civil trial lawyer and primarily represents property owners in securing just compensation when government takes private property for public use. While his experience has included takings projects for highway expansion, pipelines, electric transmission lines, and flood control, Charles’s principal practice is focused on highway and roadway widening projects impacting retail, commercial, and industrial uses. Charles has obtained successful special commissioner...

Tony L. Visage is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Securities. Tony L., 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 Tony L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Heim, Payne & Chorush co-founder Michael Heim specializes exclusively in intellectual property litigation and antitrust lawsuits involving intellectual property. Mr. Heim represents plaintiffs and defendants throughout the United States in patent litigation in a wide range of technologies including microprocessors, computer architecture, memory control systems, cellular telephone systems, data transmission systems, on-line gaming systems, database caching software, logging-while-drilling ...

Christopher has experience centered around probate, trust and fiduciary litigation matters. He is sensitive to the intricacies involved in probate matters and the impact they have on clients. A strong competitive spirit drives Christopher to advocate for his clients and to see the best results possible, both inside and outside the courtroom. He has significant trial and courtroom experience and has participated in all phases of pre-trial and trial proceedings. In addition, Christopher is also...

Nicholas Earles is a partner in SBSB’s Houston office and has been a knowledgeable resource in the maritime space for more than 20 years. While his practice focuses in admiralty, his experience also extends to general and premises liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation and transportation. Additionally, he has navigated difficult cases for energy companies and overseas defense contractors covered by the Defense Base Act. A member of SBSB’s original roster in February 2...

Cory Itkin has established a reputation as one of the most aggressive and prepared trial lawyers in the country. His experience includes maritime accidents, trucking accidents, plant explosions, and other high-stakes personal injury cases. Mr. Itkin has won verdicts and settlements for clients in more than two dozen states. He also obtained favorable results in the high-profile litigation involving families who lost loved ones or workers who were injured in the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion ...

Heather Peterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Heather, 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 Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kerry E. Notestine represents employers in all aspects of employment matters, including litigation under federal, state, and local anti-discrimination statutes, as well as the common law; administrative proceedings before various federal and state government agencies; and counseling employers regarding employment issues, particularly leaves and reductions-in-force. Kerry’s book, Employment Law Trials: A Practical Guide, published in 2005 by LexisNexis Publishing, is a leading work on th...