Madison Torry

During more than four decades of experience in both state and federal courts, I have taken more than 150 cases to trial. This experience includes representing plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes commercial litigation, including cases involving corporate director and officer liability, securities claims, product liability and patent infringement lawsuits. I believe now, more than ever, companies and individuals need lawyers who are effective in the courtroom and can help them solve the mo...

R. Brent Cooper focuses his practice on commercial litigation, insurance litigation, and appellate practice. He has had significant experience in the representation of clients before federal and state trial and appellate courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings. He has tried numerous cases covering areas of business litigation, construction litigation, catastrophic personal injuries, complex litigation, intellectual property, constitutional and business tort cases. In his 35 years of pra...

Barry L. Hardin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Barry L., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Barry L. 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 ...

J. Karl Viehman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. J. Karl, who practices law in Plano, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Karl is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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&...

Chris Panatier is a shareholder of Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC. Mr. Panatier was admitted to practice law in Texas after graduating from The University of Texas School of Law in 2001. His practice is focused entirely upon the representation of victims of toxic exposures at trial. Chris has obtained verdicts throughout the country exceeding $950,000,000.00. His verdicts have been named as top verdicts in both Texas and California. Together with his fellow shareholder David Greenstone, Chris ...

Emily Stout is an employment law specialist who is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She litigates all aspects of employment, labor, business, and commercial cases in federal and state courts, arbitration tribunals, appellate courts, and administrative agencies, including the EEOC, and DOL, on behalf of corporate and individual clients. She advises clients on employment policies, practices, training, and employee benefits. Ms. Stout conduc...

Joe Coleman, a founding director of the Firm, chairs the Insolvency, Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights Section, which focuses on corporate and business reorganization and debt restructuring work throughout the nation. He has substantial experience representing unsecured creditors’ committees, lenders, debtors, equity holders, suppliers, trade associations, financial institutions, real estate companies, trustees and examiners in a wide array of pre-bankruptcy workouts and restructurings, ...

Gary L. Nickelson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Gary L., who practices law in Fort Worth, Texas, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.