Lee Whitesell

Robert Vining is a partner in SBSB’s Houston office. A seasoned attorney with expertise spanning more than a dozen practice areas, he is a respected figure in his field who is admitted to the State Bar of Texas, the Louisiana State Bar Association, The Mississippi Bar and in nine U.S. District Courts across the Gulf Coast. Mr. Vining arrived to SBSB in February 2018 and has overseen a prolific law career of more than 28 years. He primarily splits his practice between litigation and tran...

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

Ashley V. Tomlinson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Ashley V., 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 Ashley V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adam H. Laughton guides health care providers and other parties through the complexities of health care transactions, including inevitable regulatory questions, licensing, payor enrollment and many other issues. Adam has handled transactions involving a wide variety of providers and facilities, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, behavioral health providers and freestanding emergency rooms, as well as physician practices and other entrepreneurs in the health care space. These tra...

Clinton Wolbert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Clinton, 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 Clinton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shawn Bates has more than 22 years of practice in commercial litigation in the energy industry and across numerous other industries. He is a seasoned first-chair trial lawyer, handling cases worth tens of millions. He has conducted hundreds of depositions and supervised trial teams on matters of varying size. He focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration of complex disputes for clients in the energy sector (oil and gas companies, oilfield supply and support companies, pipeline builder...

Caj Boatright has made a habit of winning exceptional verdicts and settlements for his clients. In fact, in the last couple of years, it would be difficult to find another trial lawyer who has tried more cases to verdict and obtained more multimillion-dollar settlements even though Mr. Boatright has spent only five years of his 15-year legal career representing plaintiffs. His winning formula rests on his strong sense of justice and a belief that the American jury system is the best way to he...

Taylor V. Cooksey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Taylor V., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Taylor V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John D. Pitts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. John D., 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 John D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

José R. Pérez, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. José R., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which José R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.