Mahalia S. Doughty

John Jakuback represents businesses and institutions in complex commercial and personal injury litigation, including matters involving Fortune 500 companies, regional enterprises, municipalities, and other organizational clients. His practice focuses on the defense of high-exposure claims, including large-scale and multi-party disputes across Texas, Louisiana, and other jurisdictions. Based in Houston, Texas, John is a shareholder at Kean Miller and brings decades of litigation experience to ...

Matthew P. Whitley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Matthew, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Over his more than 20 years of practicing law, Matthew has ge...

Cynthia has been focused on real estate and lending law since 1985, when clients at her first law firm needed assistance with real estate matters. She is now a Shareholder at Wilson Cribbs + Goren, and is board-certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Cynthia’s practice primarily involves the representation of lenders and borrowers in connection with the financing of commercial real estate projects. She also maintains a significant affordable housi...

Charley Davidson leads the firm’s criminal defense practice, where he offers passionate, responsive counsel to guide clients facing state and federal charges in the areas of white collar and blue collar crime. Prior to joining Hanszen Laporte, he was a partner at a large international firm specializing in white collar defense, as well as a partner at a Houston-based criminal defense law firm. Charley also spent three years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Offic...

Mr. West is the Managing partner, of West Mermis PLLC. He is in his 30th year of practice handling cases all over the State of Texas. His practice includes complex commercial litigation, construction defect litigation, business litigation and worksite accidents. He is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating in legal ability & ethical standards. This year he was again named both as a Super Lawyer and one of Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers. He was also named as a Best Law...

Judith Sadler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Judith, 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 Judith is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John D. Surma is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. John D., 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 John D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jimmy Ardoin is an attorney with Jimmy Ardoin & Associates PLLC in Bellaire, Texas. His practice focuses on Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar matters. He represents individuals and businesses facing a wide range of criminal allegations, providing careful legal analysis and strategic defense at every stage of the process. Jimmy has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 for his work in Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Co...

Bradley J. Benoit is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) and Litigation - Securities. Bradley J., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bradley J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Russell Post is a board-certified appellate specialist. For the last 18 years, following his clerkship with the Hon. Jerry Smith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, he has dedicated his practice to civil appeals. He has acted as lead counsel in approximately 100 appeals and has participated in countless others, preparing briefs and presenting oral arguments to the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas appellate courts, and the Fifth Circuit. Russell represents both plaintiff...