Markus Kokko

After 15 years at two nationally-recognized law firms in Dallas and Louisville, a formative early role as a Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, over a decade leading his own award-winning commercial litigation and corporate law firm, and being recommended to the Governor for a state judgeship, Blaine is proud to return to his Texas roots as a Partner at Johnston Clem Gifford—a Chambers USA–ranked and U.S. News Tier 1–recognized firm for Commercial Litigation. With 30 ...

James is a first-chair trial lawyer with the insight from serving as an Arizona trial judge for more than seven years. He focuses his practice on trial and appellate representation in complex commercial litigation and elections disputes. He also serves as arbitrator, mediator, and special master. Before joining the firm, James served as a judge on the Arizona Superior Court, where he presided over hundreds of jury trials, bench trials, evidentiary hearings, and oral arguments. The civil trial...

James W. Cunningham is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. James W., who practices law in Syracuse, New York, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stuart A. McMillan is a partner in the Charleston office of Bowles Rice LLP and leader of the firm’s Mass & Toxic Torts Practice Group. His primary practice areas include civil trial and appellate litigation and he tries cases in both federal and state courts throughout West Virginia. He has tried numerous cases to verdict, including libel, defamation, trespass and bodily injury lawsuits. Mr. McMillan is experienced in and frequently lectures on issues pertaining to civil litigation...

James C. Fessenden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. James C., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Omar Leal is a member of the firm’s Estate Planning and Probate Group. His practice focuses on estate planning, asset protection planning, probate, guardianship and trust administration. He regularly assists and advises clients concerning wealth preservation issues, including estate and gift tax planning, asset protection, incapacity planning and business succession. His work includes substantive contested estate, trust, and guardianship matters, including community and separate propert...

Kortney’s practice focuses on commercial bankruptcy and business law. This includes contracts, transactions, litigation, and settlement resolution. She is also a skilled mediator and settlement advocate.

Gregory S. Rich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Gregory S., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A lifelong Delaware resident with more than 25 years of experience practicing family law, Carl W. Heckert is a respected and long-time practitioner of divorce litigation and mediation. His family law practice includes divorce, property division, custody, child support, alimony, protection from abuse, as well as grandparent and stepparent’s rights. He is also a Certified Family Law Mediator in Delaware following the state’s inaugural certification program by the Family Court of the...

Mr. Mahood is a principal in the Pittsburgh firm of Wilder Mahood McKinley & Oglesby. He has written and lectured for numerous continuing legal education programs sponsored by the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He is a Past Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section and former Chair of its Task Force on Adoption. He is a Member of the Advisory Committee to the Joint State Government Commission on Adoption and has al...