Matthew Thomas "Matt" Deffebach

Michael Childs is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He received his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law, with a focus on civil litigation. Mr. Childs first came to the firm in 1996 as a law clerk and became an associate in November 1996. He has over fourteen years of extensive experience with complex family matters. As a litigator, his representation has included divorce, disputed property valuations and divisions of pro...

“My clients know their business; I know the law. It’s my job to give them legal perspectives on their issues and advocate for them in any dispute. I like being the voice for my clients.”— Carolyn Carollo Carolyn Carollo represents clients in commercial litigation both in state and federal court, as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums such as mediation and arbitration proceedings. Carolyn has litigated cases from inception to trial and has served as a first...

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.

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

Katherine Odom Sermas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Katherine Odom, 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 Katherine Odom is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sheryl Tatar Dacso is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Sheryl Tatar, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sheryl Tatar is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Teresa Valderrama is a partner in the firm's Houston office. She has more than 25 years of experience representing employers in all aspects of workplace law, including corporate investigations and compliance, wage & hour collective action defense, and defense of all manner of discrimination, workplace harassment and other work-related claims. This includes advice and counsel regarding trade secrets/business-asset protection, defense of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) and other whistleb...

M&A attorney with 49+ years of experience counseling clients in buying, selling, merging and dividing businesses, business taxation, and business planning. Practice includes structuring, negotiating, managing and documenting all types of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, family business planning, tax-free reorganizations, corporate divisions, acquisitions and dispositions involving ESOPs, private equity transactions, partnership and limited liabil...

Sean T. Wheeler is a corporate partner who represents public and private companies, including private equity firms, in their most complex transactions. Sean’s experience spans the entire range of M&A activity, including strategic mergers, joint ventures, take-privates and cross-border transactions. He also has an active securities law practice, having led more than 40 IPOs and numerous debt and follow-on equity offerings. He has counseled clients across numerous industries, includin...

D. Ferguson McNiel III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Construction. D. Ferguson, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which D. Ferguson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.