Melissa S. Hayward

Eric Madden is a partner in the Dallas office of Reid Collins & Tsai LLP. His practice is focused on complex business and insolvency-related litigation. He has represented trustees, receivers, creditor and bondholder committees, and defrauded investors in a number of major cases throughout the country. These cases often involve Ponzi schemes, financial fraud, and/or significant fraudulent transfers. His work has earned the recognition and respect of his peers, including: – Named to ...

Jose Luzarraga is a member of the Products, Catastrophic and Industrial Litigation team. He focuses his practice on Automotive, Transportation and Commercial Litigation. He has advised clients through all aspects of litigation from claim response, discovery, experts, and representation in trial courts, arbitrations, and courts of appeal. Jose works with clients to assess, evaluate, and manage risk to find solutions that achieve the client’s strategic goals.

When business owners, boards of directors and investment bankers are tasked with buying or selling a sophisticated business enterprise, they call David Washburn. And should a controversy arise following closing, clients seek David out to fully understand their options, mitigate losses and plan their next steps. Having been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2015 and as head of Katten's Corporate practice in Dallas, David is a true legal strategist who brings a passion for ...

Chad A. Key’s legal experience includes all aspects of real estate, with an emphasis on acquisitions and dispositions of real property, development of real property, financing, and commercial leasing transactions. He represents a variety of publicly traded and privately held corporate clients, real estate funds, and individuals in all types of complex real estate matters, including industrial, office, hotel, retail, ranch land, and multi-family projects. Mr. Key also has experience in t...

Clients appreciate Don Hammett’s service-oriented and practical approach as he delivers results on all their REIT and real estate fund matters. Don is co-leader of Alston & Bird’s REITs & Real Estate Funds Team. He has over 25 years of experience advising public and private clients on corporate and tax/structure issues related to the formation and financing of REITs, partnerships, funds, and other pooled capital vehicles. He also counsels clients on mergers and acquisition...

For nearly thirty years, Terry R. Landry has represented real estate investors, lenders, developers, managers, and financial institutions in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. Terry started his legal career at what are now two of the largest law firms in the U.S., Locke Lord, LLP and Squire Patton Boggs, and that Big Law experience helped him acquire the top-notch training and legal discipline that has served his clients well for the last three decades. He also has a unique b...

Bill Neal handles the most complex family law cases but his approach is very simple: protect the client at every turn. Sometimes that means delicate settlement negotiations; other times it’s fighting a court battle. In every situation, Bill is aggressive and thorough and he represents every client with the same unwavering dedication. Bill specializes in divorce cases involving large estates, family-owned businesses and complicated custody arrangements. He takes special interest in prote...

Rafael A. Alvarado is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Banking and Finance Law. Rafael A. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Rafael A. Alvarado since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rafael A. Alvarado is held by other lawyers.

Mark Johansen's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. He also regularly represents clients in arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Mark has handled litigation and arbitrations involving mergers and acquisitions, contract disputes, business torts, labor/employment, trade secrets, securities/shareholder litiga...

Sam Acker is a business litigator. Sam represents clients in state and federal courts in matters involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, partnership and corporate governance disputes, and other business torts. His experience spans several industries and market segments, including real estate, life sciences, oil and gas, construction, and products liability. A substantial portion of Sam’s practice has also been dedicated to representing broker-dealers and registere...