Michael J. Collins

Richard is the Head of the Dallas Litigation Practice Group. He is an experienced trial lawyer who has first-chaired dozens of complex cases in state and federal courts, arbitrations and other proceedings—many of which he joined as trial counsel at the 11th hour. His extensive courtroom experience includes cases involving product and environmental liability, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, insurance coverage, False Claims Act allegations, partnership disputes and other business...

Cassidy Pearson is a Partner at Goranson Bain Ausley and a Fort Worth-based family law attorney who has exclusively practiced in this field for more than 15 years. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, she represents clients in complex and high-stakes divorce and custody matters throughout Tarrant County and surrounding areas. Her practice includes contested divorce, high-conflict custody disputes, high-asset property division, business valuation issues, pr...

Sawyer Neely is a Dallas trial lawyer. His practice is primarily focused on business and commercial litigation, but he also helps individuals to resolve significant personal disputes. Sawyer has tried cases in state and federal courts, and he has extensive experience in matters involving complex business disputes, employee and physician non-compete agreements, wrongful termination, breach of contract, fraudulent transfer, misappropriation of trade secrets, the False Claims Act, breach of fidu...

David M. Bennett 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. David M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Member, UT Harry Ransom Center Advisory Council

Beth's practice is concentrated on insurance coverage and appellate matters. Beth has represented primary and excess insurers, agents, and reinsurers in a variety of coverage-related litigation, including declaratory judgment actions, primary/excess disputes, bad faith cases and appeals. In addition, she regularly advises insurers on coverage issues under general and professional liability policies, commercial auto and trucking policies, commercial property policies and homeowners' policies. ...

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...

Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters. Thomas has broad experience across many industries, but in particular, he has focused his practice representing clients in t...

Matthew T. Taplett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Matthew T., who practices law in Fort Worth, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.