Melissa J. Willms

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

Matt Pacey is a partner in Kirkland's Houston office. His practice concentrates on capital markets transactions, corporate governance and compliance. He regularly represents private equity-backed companies in connection with initial public offerings, particularly in the upstream, midstream and oil field service sectors. He has extensive knowledge of master limited partnership matters and has represented issuers or underwriters in numerous MLP financing transactions, including initial public o...

Alton C. Todd has more than fifty years of experience fighting for the citizens of Galveston and Friendswood, Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University in 1968 before going on to get his juris doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1971. He spent the first part of his career working for an insurance defense firm, which gave him a unique insight into how these companies structure their arguments and strategies. This allows him to build a...

Nancy Hamren is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Nancy, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nancy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Russell W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Russell W., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Russell W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Francis R. Bradley III has a wide-ranging transactional practice that counsels clients primarily engaged in banking and finance (oil and gas, merger and acquisition, construction, international, structured and project), energy, oil and gas, natural resources, and corporate transactions. Frank was recognized by Chambers USA 2007-2018 for being "practical and commercially reasonable" and "is always careful to maintain the highest level of accuracy." Frank advises both commercial lenders and cor...

Over the course of his career, Tom Ganucheau has earned the trust and respect of his peers. He has regularly represented lawyers and law firms in sensitive legal malpractice matters, and is often engaged to protect the intellectual property and trade secrets of his clients. In short, Tom has made a career out of preserving his clients’ most valuable assets: their reputations, their ideas, and their brands. Tom has been recognized in Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Texas magazine and as on...

Ivan M. Rodriguez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law and Insurance Law. Ivan M., 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 Ivan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason G. Cohen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Jason G., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

No stranger to a construction site, John Grayson worked his way through college as a laborer, equipment operator and pouring concrete in the Houston area. While a student, he pumped gas and fixed flats at a service station and worked in the History Dept at Texas A&M University. Grayson is a Principal in Cokinos | Young and represents major contractors, EPC contractors, subcontractors, pipeline contractors and owners, mechanical contractors and owners in complex construction matters across...