Paul R. Bessette

Justin Bernstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Justin, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew Weber, who previously served as Texas First Assistant Attorney General under now-Governor Greg Abbott, is currently a partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP. At the firm, he heads the Austin office and Co-Chairs the Public Law practice group, which provides legal guidance to clients on matters at the intersection of law, policy, and politics before state agencies and the Legislature. Governor Abbott, when he was the Texas Attorney General, appointed Mr. Weber as his First Assistant in...

Frank N. Ikard, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Frank N., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 1983. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frank N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charles F. Bowes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Charles F., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matt Wood handles complex litigation and high-stakes appeals. Combining careful analysis with crystal-clear advocacy, he’s achieved an impressive track record of wins for those he represents. Mr. Wood maintains a diverse practice with a focus on business disputes. He regularly handles issues related to corporate control, real estate, employment matters, intellectual property, and various business contracts. His clients range from individuals, startups, and small businesses to Fortune 50...

Elana S. Einhorn is a board-certified civil appellate lawyer with extensive experience working with judges in chambers and in using her deep understanding of Texas appellate courts on behalf of her clients. She knows what judges look for, the kinds of arguments they find most persuasive, and how to organize and frame legal issues for maximum impact. Elana has taught appellate advocacy to students at the University of Texas School of Law and appellate opinion writing to new Texas judges. With ...

Jay A. Thompson has considerable experience in both regulatory and legislative issues involving the business of insurance. He regularly participates in regulatory proceedings involving contested case hearings, contested rate hearings, policy form approvals, rulemaking, licensing, mergers, acquisition and dissolution of insurance companies and other regulatory matters before the Texas Department of Insurance. As a registered lobbyist, Jay has represented both the property/casualty and life, ac...

Mark Stratton has broad experience in the areas of commercial, partnership, oil and gas, real estate, transportation, securities, construction, products liability, professional liability and personal injury litigation. Mark is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has tried more than 50 cases to verdict in both state and federal courts, including some of the most challenging jurisdictions in the country. He has also argued cases before the Supreme C...

For over a decade before joining ADJ Rachel Ekery served as staff attorney for Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson at the Supreme Court of Texas. Previously, Ekery was an associate at Baker Botts LLP in Dallas and a shareholder at Scott Hulse PC in El Paso, Texas, where she focused on business litigation and appellate matters. She earned her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Duke University and her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was an editor of ...

Eric Nichols practices both civil trial and criminal law, and joined the Austin office of Butler Snow in 2019. His background includes not only many years representing companies and individuals in private practice but also experience in both Texas state government and the federal government, having served as Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice for the Office of the Texas Attorney General, as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, and a law clerk to a ...