Joseph Sampson

Kate Smith earned her J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and later earned her LL.M. from Pepperdine University School of Law. She is skilled in representing a variety of complex legal issues, including planning and zoning, family law, contract disputes, corporate formation, and more. Kate has also received several honors and has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyer Fort Worth Texas Magazine since 2007. In 2014 and 2015, Kate was also nominated as a Texas Super Lawyer &l...

Christy Jack is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney with more than three decades of experience and over 200 jury trials to her credit. Her practice encompasses some of the most serious and complex criminal matters, including capital murder, murder, and sexual assault cases. Her courtroom experience and legal insight have also made her a sought-after commentator on criminal justice, with appearances on programs including 48 Hours , Dateline , Investigation Discovery , Cold Case ,...

Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters. Thomas has broad experience across many industries, but in particular, he has focused his practice representing clients in t...

Peter Kraus is a nationally respected trial lawyer, known for his advocacy on behalf of individuals injured by asbestos exposure, toxic contamination and other negligent and harmful corporate practices. Over the course of his career, he has earned significant verdicts and settlements for workers, their family members and others, holding corporations and powerful business interests accountable when they place profits over people. As co-founder and managing partner of Dallas-based Waters Kraus ...

In an era with few, true business trial lawyers, Eric Wood has tried dozens of cases in both state and federal court and argued appeals in Texas and U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. He is a tireless and creative litigator who has represented clients in all kinds of business disputes for more than 20 years, including cases involving breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, enforcement of non-competition agreements, deceptive trade practices (DTPA), fraud, breach of fiduciary duty,...

Dave is a trial lawyer and business counselor that protects and pursues his clients’ interests. Dave’s diverse litigation practice focuses on complex commercial, employment and intellectual property litigation in state and federal courts, and administrative forums in Texas and across the country. Dave's clients include individuals and businesses of all types and sizes, mostly based in Texas or with operations in our state, including Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, do...

Chris Wilmoth is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Chris practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Chris Wilmoth since 2026. 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 Chris Wilmoth is held by other lawyers.

Michelle Robberson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Michelle practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Michelle Robberson since 2027. 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 Michelle Robberson is held by other lawyers.

John DeGroote is a former global company general counsel who has mediated and arbitrated complex and significant commercial and business disputes nationwide since 2013. Having served as outside counsel, chief litigation counsel, general counsel, company president, and corporate director, he understands the legal, business, and practical decisions that often determine whether a case settles or not. As a mediator, John has been named the Lawyer of the Year for Mediation in Dallas/Fort Worth by ...

Gavin Martinson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Gavin practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Gavin Martinson since 2025. 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 Gavin Martinson is held by other lawyers.