Paul D. Moak

Melanie R. Cheairs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Melanie R., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melanie R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas C. Atnipp is the Texas Co-Regional Managing Shareholder, Co-Managing Shareholder of the Houston office and Co-Chair of the firm's national Energy and Natural Resources Practice. Doug has more than 25 years of experience representing clients engaged in all facets of the energy business. He is involved in a wide range of energy-related transactions including energy finance, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and acquisitions and dispositions of energy-related assets. In addition to...

Heather Peterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Heather, 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 Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher Tramonte is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Christopher, 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 Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A shareholder in the Firm’s Houston office, Mr. Mitchell's practice focuses primarily on employment-related litigation in federal and state court and representing clients before the various federal and state agencies charged with the enforcement of employment and labor laws. Mr. Mitchell also advises clients regarding various issues related to employee rights and benefits and employer obligations and policies. His practice also includes both creation and review of employment policies an...

Pete T. Patterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Banking and Finance. Pete T., 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 Pete T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

“My clients know their business; I know the law. It’s my job to give them legal perspectives on their issues and advocate for them in any dispute. I like being the voice for my clients.”— Carolyn Carollo Carolyn Carollo represents clients in commercial litigation both in state and federal court, as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums such as mediation and arbitration proceedings. Carolyn has litigated cases from inception to trial and has served as a first...

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...

Nicole Voyles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Nicole, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Fernelius successfully handles high-profile and complex litigation, especially matters that come under intense public scrutiny. He has a sophisticated understanding of how cases affect his clients’ business, and he does everything he can to resolve his clients’ problems. His work for clients includes representing an international oil and gas company in three separate trials from 2005 to 2009 involving a catastrophic explosion at one of its oil refineries, which ultimately re...