Paul E. Coggins

An accomplished trial lawyer, Darren Nicholson has been trying cases in state and federal courts for more than twenty years. After beginning his career at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington D.C., one of the country’s premier law firms, he returned to Dallas in 2008 and became a partner at the nationally-recognized trial boutique Sayles Werbner PC. Darren joined Burns Charest LLP in 2019 with one goal in mind – to help build one of the premier trial firms in the country. Darren&...

Cindy Tisdale is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Cindy, who practices law in Granbury, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cindy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

P. Keith Staubus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. P. Keith, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which P. Keith is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Baum is a seasoned trial lawyer and respected courtroom advocate specializing in employment and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on disputes involving non‐competition and employment agreements, theft of trade secrets, tortious interference with contracts, and breach of fiduciary duties. Mr. Baum is frequently consulted by employers and executives on a wide range of matters, including employee discipline, employment investigations, and strategic employment decisions. H...

Mark W. Moran is a partner in the complex litigation/dispute resolution group and he chairs the firm’s large loss property subrogation practice. Mark has over 30 years of litigation experience. His unique subrogation practice is exclusively focused on contingency-fee-based, large property loss recovery. Mark and his team have successfully litigated and tried to verdict dozens of property damage and construction defect cases throughout the country, several of which required jury trials a...

James E. Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions. James E., who practices law in Plano, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan practices family law out of a commitment to achieving fair and equitable outcomes while also preserving as much financial stability for clients and their children as possible. Emphasizing planning and preparation, he ensures that clients are ready for any scenario so they can confidently and successfully resolve their family law matters. Ryan is a skilled litigator and strong negotiator; he regularly obtains favorable settlements without ever stepping foot in the courthouse. Ryan works w...

John Slates is Board Certified in Construction Law and focuses his practice on representing general contractors, owners, and developers. John is an accomplished trial lawyer who has first-chaired numerous cases to verdicts, including cases that have been recognized by the National Law Journal’s " Top 100 Verdicts" and Verdict Search’s "Top Texas Verdicts." He has also successfully argued before the Texas Supreme Court in Lennar Corporation v. Markel American Insurance Company . Jo...

Austin R. Wyker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Real Estate Law and Tax Law. Austin R., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Austin R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joe Coleman, a founding director of the Firm, chairs the Insolvency, Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights Section, which focuses on corporate and business reorganization and debt restructuring work throughout the nation. He has substantial experience representing unsecured creditors’ committees, lenders, debtors, equity holders, suppliers, trade associations, financial institutions, real estate companies, trustees and examiners in a wide array of pre-bankruptcy workouts and restructurings, ...