M. Douglas Adkins

Elizabeth Y. Ryan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Elizabeth Y., 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 Elizabeth Y. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Turner Thornton is a highly-regarded Fort Worth family law attorney who leads Varghese Summersett’s Family Law Division. A skilled negotiator and experienced litigator, Turner has successfully guided hundreds of individuals and families through the most tumultuous time of their lives. Divorce, child custody disputes, and property division are among the most contentious and complex cases in the legal system. Turner understands the intricacies and complexities involved in family law and w...

Steven E. Bartz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Steven E., 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 Steven E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A fourth generation attorney, Debbie Dudley Branson is a key member of The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, one of the most respected trial firms in the Southwest. Her work focuses on high-level litigation strategy in a broad array of cases, from catastrophic personal injury claims to complex commercial litigation. Holding an advanced degree in psychology, Ms. Branson also directs focus groups, attitudinal surveys, voir dire, witness preparation, argument, and jury debriefing. Additionally, B...

Al Ellis, Of Counsel, is known in legal circles for his leadership and integrity in the practice of law, as well as his service to the community. At Sommerman, McCaffity, Quesada & Geisler, L.L.P., he focuses his practice on personal injury, products liability, dram shop, medical malpractice litigation and mediation/arbitration. Al vigorously advocates for his clients, having tried more than 175 jury trials. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board o...

Tom Jacks is the managing partner of SBSB’s Dallas office. A veteran trial attorney with experience representing corporations in high-exposure litigation, he boasts expertise in areas ranging from wrongful death and catastrophic injury to large property damage, construction defect disputes and product liability recalls. He possesses a keen strategic acumen that extends beyond the courtroom, as he actively engages in arbitrations for construction defect disputes. Additionally, he has man...

Kurt maintains a robust national trial practice defending high-exposure product liability cases in Texas and beyond. He routinely works with international and U.S. in-house decision makers, corporate representatives, and engineers to develop comprehensive litigation and case management approaches that result in the most favorable outcome possible for his clients.

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&...

Benjamin “Ben” Halpern represents clients in a wide range of business transactions, including matters involving business enterprises, mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate, and commercial finance. He works with startups, mid-sized privately held companies, and individuals on transactional and business planning matters. Ben regularly advises clients on the formation, structure, and operation of business entities, including entity selection, corporate compliance, business...

Kyle helps clients in the financial services industry navigate risk and solve problems. He advises banks, lenders, loan servicers, and securities firms regarding their legal obligations, and then he advocates for their interests when disputes arise. Because of his keen judgment and informed perspective, clients trust Kyle for the real-world advice they need to solve their problems. Kyle’s versatility allows him to perform a wide range of different roles and tasks effectively. From disti...