Michele E. Taylor

Shawn Bates has more than 22 years of practice in commercial litigation in the energy industry and across numerous other industries. He is a seasoned first-chair trial lawyer, handling cases worth tens of millions. He has conducted hundreds of depositions and supervised trial teams on matters of varying size. He focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration of complex disputes for clients in the energy sector (oil and gas companies, oilfield supply and support companies, pipeline builder...

Joe Gagnon is a partner in the Houston office. He is an experienced trial attorney who represents employers in litigation and arbitration filed in every region of Texas. Joe's broad experience includes the defense of a wide variety of discrimination and discharge claims brought under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and whistleblower statutes. He routinely defends state law claims including workers' comp retaliation, breach of contract, fr...

Bob Collie serves as bond, disclosure, and underwriters’ counsel in tax-exempt bond transactions for clients including cities, counties, school districts, and special authorities throughout Texas. He has also worked on education, transportation, utility, aviation, port, convention center, and sports facility financings. Bob draws on his experience as City Attorney of Houston to represent local governments as special counsel in joint public/private development, election, redistricting, a...

Scott C. Krist is a personal injury and maritime accident lawyer in Houston, TX. He is the owner and lead trial lawyer at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. With 32 years of experience, Scott Krist has handled an array of cases - from wrongful death to personal injury cases involving maritime, aviation, commercial trucking, products liability, car accidents, brain injuries, and other serious injuries. He uses his strong sense of hard work, dedication to his clients, and passion in each and every case. ...

As a real estate attorney, Tania Hovel’s practice focuses primarily on commercial transactions. She regularly handles complex matters related to retail, office and industrial leasing, finance, sales and development, acquisitions, and general corporate matters. Over the years she has provided counsel and representation for franchises, developers, family-owned businesses, high-net worth individuals, and private firms and investors in the preparation and negotiation of various types of agr...

Mike Chernekoff is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on environmental law, related areas of environmental litigation and toxic tort defense, and commercial and energy litigation. Mike’s practice centers principally on matters and businesses located in Louisiana and Texas. As a litigator, he develops and pursues effective dispute-resolution strategies in the context of investigations, trials, and settlement negotiations; as a counselor, he regularly helps clients ide...

Joseph E. Bain 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. Joseph E., 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 Joseph E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Hall is a trial lawyer at Kean Miller based in Houston, Texas, representing businesses and organizations in complex civil litigation. He has experience appearing before state and federal trial courts, the United States Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Clients regularly seek his counsel for strategic guidance in high-stakes matters that require careful case management and a practical approach to dispute resolution. Jim serves as national litigation counsel for compan...

Kent A. Schaffer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Kent A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kent A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William A. Wood III 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. William A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.