Michael Y. Saunders

Shawn O’Brien is nationally recognized by his peers and clients as a leading tax practitioner with a focus on tax disputes and controversies involving state, federal and international tax authorities. Drawing on his 25 years of experience, Shawn represents clients in tax examinations and administrative appeals and, when necessary, serves as a forceful advocate in litigation before the US Tax Court, US district courts, the US Court of Federal Claims, state courts and federal appellate co...

Christopher has experience centered around probate, trust and fiduciary litigation matters. He is sensitive to the intricacies involved in probate matters and the impact they have on clients. A strong competitive spirit drives Christopher to advocate for his clients and to see the best results possible, both inside and outside the courtroom. He has significant trial and courtroom experience and has participated in all phases of pre-trial and trial proceedings. In addition, Christopher is also...

Joseph Y. Ahmad, a founding partner in the Houston law firm of AZA, is a lawyer for executives and has been recognized nationally as one of the best lawyers in his field. He represents executives in a variety of matters, including breach of contract, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, breach of fiduciary duty and other matters. He was elected to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates, an elite group of the country’s leading judges and civil trial lawyers. He has been se...

Rhett A. van Syoc is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Rhett A., 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 Rhett A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly D. Brown has practiced environmental, health, and safety (EHS) law since 1991, and is a shareholder in the firm’s EHS Section. Kelly’s legal practice is a broad-based one as he handles EHS-related litigation, transactional matters, remediation projects, and compliance counseling. Kelly defends corporate clients in various personal injury and toxic tort lawsuits and administrative proceedings brought by governmental agencies including the Texas Commission on Environmental Qua...

Ralph (Skip) McBride serves as Of Counsel for The Lanier Law Firm in the Houston office. During his more than 40 years in legal practice Mr. McBride has focused his practice on the representation of banks, energy companies and insurance companies in commercial and contract disputes. As a member of The Lanier Law Firm team, Mr. McBride continues to represent commercial clients and individuals in real estate disputes, products liability lawsuits, oil and gas disputes, personal injury cases, con...

Stephanie Jeane is an executive compensation partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Stephanie’s practice focuses on executive compensation and benefits matters in connection with mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs and divestitures and public offerings. Stephanie also advises clients on a wide range of compensation and associated tax, securities and corporate governance matters, including the design, disclosure and implementation of equity and cash incentive programs...

David C. Groff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David C., 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 David C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Samuel S. Baskin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Samuel S., 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 Samuel S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob MacIntyre is a seasoned litigation attorney who represents clients in a broad range of trust, estate, and guardianship matters. Based in Houston, Texas, Bob practices with Kean Miller and focuses his work on Litigation – Trusts and Estates . He represents individuals, families, fiduciaries, trust companies, creditors, and nonprofit and charitable organizations in contested estate and trust matters, both in and out of court. His practice centers on resolving complex disputes while pr...