Katie McEvilly

Dara Hegar is the Managing Attorney of The Lanier Law Firm. She represents clients in each of the firm’s practice areas with a focus on trial coordination in complex litigation matters. While Mrs. Hegar’s proficiency spans across all of the firm’s practice areas, her specialty is providing specific insight that has resulted in many significant verdicts and settlements. She played a key role in the firm’s courtroom victories for years, including the $253 million verdict...

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...

Renesha N. Fountain is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Renesha N., 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 Renesha N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom has extensive trial and appellate experience in business cases, including oil and gas, breach of contract, and fiduciary litigation for plaintiffs and defendants. He has significant involvement in probate litigation, representing executors, beneficiaries of estates, and guardians in cases that also involve complex business transactions. Mr. Wright has argued cases in the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits, and most of the fourteen int...

Richard A. Crow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Richard A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Travis L. Huehlefeld is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Travis 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 Travis L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

W. Cleland Dade is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. W. Cleland, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. Cleland is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rick is a Director in the Real Estate section of Coats Rose, and also serves as Managing Director and President of the Firm. He has represented numerous real estate developers in the development of all types of commercial and residential projects in Texas and other states. Rick has particular expertise in the development of master-planned residential communities and, among other projects, has been involved with the Coles Crossing, Silverlake, Sienna Plantation, First Colony, Fall Creek, Cross...

Steve D. Kesten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Steve D., 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 Steve D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wanda Fowler was a Justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals for almost 14 years before joining Wright Close & Barger, LLP as a partner. While on the Court she authored approximately 1900 opinions and decided approximately 3,800 more cases. In 2001, the other members of the Court elected her Acting Chief Justice for five months pending an appointment of a new chief justice and, in 2003, the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists voted her Appell...