Michael S. "Mike" Hays

Acclaimed Texas trial lawyer Rusty Hardin is the founder and name partner of Houston’s Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP , accomplished in both complex civil matters and significant criminal cases. Mr. Hardin has more than 40 years of litigation experience, beginning his career as an assistant prosecutor in Houston’s Harris County in 1975. Since entering private practice in 1991, Mr. Hardin has tried over 70 jury trials, fairly evenly split between civil and criminal cases. His c...

Brittany Cooperrider’s practice focuses on construction law, litigation, alternative dispute resolution and labor and employment matters. She represents general contractors, subcontractors, and small and mid-sized companies in a variety of construction and employment related disputes and also provides guidance in their labor and employment needs. Prior to joining the firm, Brittany worked for a civil litigation boutique, the Attorney General of Texas, and The Office of the Attorney Gene...

Stephen Jacobson is an executive compensation partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He advises public and private companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a wide range of employment, executive compensation and employee benefit matters, including in connection with mergers, acquisitions, sales, private equity investments, initial public offerings and restructurings. Stephen regularly advises clients on structuring and implementing equity and cash-ba...

Jim D. Aycock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Jim D., 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 Jim D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin Dubose has a BA in English from Rice University, and a JD from the University of Texas Law School. He began his career in a small litigation firm, primarily doing insurance defense work, and tried about 25 jury trial in his first 6 years of practice. He began specializing in appellate advocacy in 1985, first in a solo practice, then as the appellate specialist for a prominent plaintiff's personal injury practice. Since 1994 he has practiced in an appellate boutique environment. Kevin ha...

Darren S. Skyles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Darren S., 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 Darren S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John B. Thomas is the co-founder of Houston-based commercial litigation boutique Hicks Thomas LLP. Known for his deep experience in handling complex commercial litigation, Mr. Thomas and the firm’s lawyers represent both defendants and plaintiffs in lawsuits involving oil and gas, securities, environmental matters, banking, transportation, intellectual property and health care. Mr. Thomas has been named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America and Lawdragon’s 500 Leadin...

Julie Barry is Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and practices extensively in the area of transaction law, focusing primarily on the representation of small and midsized enterprises. Her practice includes representation of purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of businesses and real estate, lenders and borrowers in connection with commercial and real estate loans, and landlords and tenants in connection with leasing matters.

Jason S. McManis is a partner at AZA and the head of AZA’s intellectual property group. He is a skilled trial lawyer with extensive experience in front of the jury in courtrooms across the United States. IAM Patent 1000 ranks Mr. McManis as a leading patent litigator and highlights that he “is often brought in to take over cases from previous counsel” while commending his ability to “adapt to changing circumstances with alacrity.” Mr. McManis represents both plai...

Edward “Ed” Blizzard is a skilled litigator with more than 40 years of experience. Mr. Blizzard has been recognized by his peers and national organizations for his resounding legal successes for many years and he continues to bring the highest level of legal excellence to clients. Mr. Blizzard has been at the center of some of the largest pharmaceutical injury verdicts and settlements in the country and has successfully taken on some of the world’s largest corporations, incl...