L. James "Jim" Ashmore

Joe Cleveland has practiced in the area of commercial and intellectual property litigation for over 30 years. He has extensive trial and appellate experience representing entrepreneurs, inventors, and private and publicly-traded companies. His practice includes a broad range of complex commercial litigation involving patent, copyright, trademark, trade secrets, antitrust, contracts, employment, oil and gas, securities, and other commercial matters. He has tried cases in both state and federal...

Elizabeth La Rocca is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Elizabeth, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

“Divorce is a complex and emotional process; I realize that clients need a strong advocate with a level head who will listen attentively and allow them to vent, process and heal.” — Esther R. Donald Esther Donald is an excellent resource in all areas of family law and particularly accomplished in cases where children are involved. A parent and stepparent herself, she mixes her life experiences with logic, patience and persuasion to move even the most emotional cases toward a...

Michael Baum is a seasoned trial lawyer and respected courtroom advocate specializing in employment and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on disputes involving non‐competition and employment agreements, theft of trade secrets, tortious interference with contracts, and breach of fiduciary duties. Mr. Baum is frequently consulted by employers and executives on a wide range of matters, including employee discipline, employment investigations, and strategic employment decisions. H...

Phillip W. McCrury is the chair of the firm’s Estate, Trust, Probate, and Asset Protection section. He assists individuals, families, and family offices with all varieties of estate planning, generational wealth transfer strategies, trusts, life insurance strategies, and asset protection planning. In addition, he is involved in probate matters throughout Texas, including contested probate matters. Mr. McCrury is an active member of a number of bar sections involving estate and probate m...

Mark Ticer is recognized as one of the state’s preeminent attorneys in matters involving insurance claims and coverage disputes on behalf of businesses and individuals. While primarily representing policyholders, his experience includes working with insurers, claims representatives, agents and agencies. He also represents clients in claims involving health insurance, life insurance, and disability benefits. In every case, Mark seeks to empower his clients with knowledge and information ...

John B. Brown is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. John B., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charles Siegel leads the appellate and qui tam whistleblower practices at Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel. A veteran litigator, he has argued appeals in nine of the federal circuits, seven state supreme courts, and in numerous intermediate appellate courts around the country. In addition, he has appeared in state or federal trial courts in more than 30 states and in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. An authority on asbestos exposure and qui tam whistleblower litigation and appellate issues...

Gordon Russell, a founding Director of the Firm, is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and of the Business and Corporate Transactional Practice Group. Gordon has concentrated his practice on banking and financial institutions, business and corporate, real estate and resolution of distressed assets. He has extensive experience in commercial lending, real estate development and finance, and business transactions. Gordon also maintains a regular general business practice, includin...

Neely Pauley Munnerlyn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Neely Pauley, 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 Neely Pauley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.