LeAnn Chen

Hugh Connor is a partner in the Litigation Section at Kelly Hart, where he excels in representing a diverse clientele that includes individuals, corporations, and other institutions. He specializes in a broad spectrum of intricate commercial litigation cases, ranging from intellectual property disputes and professional malpractice to oil and gas conflicts, contract disputes, insurance claims, defamation cases, construction claims, probate litigation, and marital disputes. Mr. Connor’s e...

Charles E. Soechting, Jr. is a shareholder and trial lawyer with Simon Greenstone Panatier, P.C. In his role as the head of the catastrophic injury department Mr. Soechting focuses on serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. He has first-chaired many injury and death trials in multiple states including California, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas, in state and federal courts. In addition to the matters that have gone to trial, Charles has personally handled hundreds of cases of...

Grant Liser focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury, products liability, aviation litigation, medical malpractice, insurance and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience in the trial of jury cases from verdict through appeal. Mr. Liser has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 1997 and in Texas Monthly Magazines's Super Lawyers since 2003. Mr. Liser has been admitted to practice in Texas, Louisiana, U. S. District Courts for the Northern District of Texas, the Fi...

Kevin Vela is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law. Kevin, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly Hartmann focuses on resolving client issues through innovative, cost-effective strategies that align with business goals—balancing aggressive litigation with practical resolution. He represents energy, maritime, and construction firms, their underwriters, and insurers, and handles complex litigation including wrongful death, Jones Act, drilling operations, health care, and trucking liability cases. Kelly also advises clients on contracts and commercial documents, including master ...

Stephen A. Melendi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Stephen A., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James Grice focuses his practice on general commercial real estate, primarily representing investors, developers, operators, and users in the data center and digital infrastructure realm. Jim has distinguished himself in the data center and renewable energy sector where he utilizes his intimate understanding of project finance and experience with tax incentives to help clients structure deals to their best advantage. Jim regularly works with clients on standalone data center asset purchases a...

Bruce W. Steckler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Bruce W., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bruce W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal pra...

Carla M. Calabrese is the founding and managing partner of Calabrese BudnerLLP , a Dallas-based boutique family law firm focused on complex divorce and custody matters. With more than 35 years of experience, she practices in FamilyLaw , Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law Mediation, and Family Law Arbitration. Carla is a pioneer of Emotionally Intelligent Divorce®, guiding clients through high-stakes family matters with clarity, strategy, and a focus on long-term outcomes. A Master ...

An accomplished trial lawyer, Darren Nicholson has been trying cases in state and federal courts for more than twenty years. After beginning his career at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington D.C., one of the country’s premier law firms, he returned to Dallas in 2008 and became a partner at the nationally-recognized trial boutique Sayles Werbner PC. Darren joined Burns Charest LLP in 2019 with one goal in mind – to help build one of the premier trial firms in the country. Darren&...