Melissa Jester Spohn

Brandon Joseph is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Brandon, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brandon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Podvin Jr. is a partner in the firm with more than 25 years of regulatory agency, law firm, and corporate experience. He is based in Dallas, Texas, where he works nationally with the firm’s clients. His practice areas include banking and financial services, litigation, corporate governance, finance, financial crisis advisory and litigation, financial regulatory, government relations strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. As outside counsel, Mr. Podvin works closely with the firm&r...

Hugh Connor is a partner in the Litigation Section at Kelly Hart, where he excels in representing a diverse clientele that includes individuals, corporations, and other institutions. He specializes in a broad spectrum of intricate commercial litigation cases, ranging from intellectual property disputes and professional malpractice to oil and gas conflicts, contract disputes, insurance claims, defamation cases, construction claims, probate litigation, and marital disputes. Mr. Connor’s e...

Elliot Strader is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Elliot, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elliot is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

W. Brent Shellhorse is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. W. Brent, who practices law in Fort Worth, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. Brent is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Hage is an attorney in Peckar & Abramson’s Dallas office. A highly adept litigator, Hage has over 35 years of experience representing clients in complex, high-stakes construction and commercial litigation matters. Over the course of his career, he has handled matters in numerous jurisdictions across Texas, as well as throughout the U.S. and internationally. Jeff represents clients in the construction, real estate, energy and banking/finance industries, and focuses his practice ...

Christopher R.J. Pace is a partner in Weil Gotshal's Litigation Department and a member of the firm's Complex Commercial Litigation and Appellate practice groups. Mr. Pace has litigated cases in federal and state courts throughout the country as well as in foreign jurisdictions. He represents clients in large class action lawsuits (including those alleging securities fraud and unfair competition), criminal/grand jury matters, regulatory agency investigations, electronic media/copyright/defama...

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...

Charlene Koonce is a seasoned trial and appellate attorney who prosecutes and defends commercial disputes on behalf of large and small clients. Ms. Koonce has obtained favorable results through bench and jury trials, summary judgment, and settlement in cases involving complex contract disputes, unfair business practices, and securities fraud. Additionally, she has secured success in matters regarding professional liability and fiduciary duties, breach of warranty, the TCPA, fraud, and fraudul...

James B. Harris is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. James B., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 1989. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.