Paula C. Duprat

Jim Smith is a founding partner of Smith Hurst, PLC. Jim’s practice experience is extensive and spans the full range of business advisory and transactional law. He routinely counsels companies across diverse industries in a myriad of business matters including capital raising, advising Boards of Directors, senior management, executives and controlling shareholders regarding governance and fiduciary duty matters, compliance with regulatory obligations, ordinary course of business contrac...

Allison has advocated extensively for clients in government contracts litigation before the Boards of Contract Appeals (BCA) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, as well as in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In these processes, she places clients in the best position for successful outcomes by covering all bases and ensuring she’s diligently safeguarding their rights under specific contract clauses. Outside of dispute resolution, Allison also advises gov...

Mark A. McGinnis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law and Water Law. Mark A. practices law in Phoenix, Arizona Best Lawyers has recognized Mark A. McGinnis since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Mark A. McGinnis is held by other lawyers.

Roy P. Zachariah is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Patent Law. Roy P. practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Roy P. Zachariah since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Roy P. Zachariah is held by other lawyers.

Joleen Youngers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joleen practices law in Santa Fe, New Mexico Best Lawyers has recognized Joleen Youngers since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joleen Youngers is held by other lawyers.

Larry Bard is a highly regarded business attorney whose clients depend on his guidance in corporate finance and securities law matters, including public and private offerings, venture capital transactions and other financing transactions. He advises companies on issues of corporate governance, business planning, securities law compliance, executive compensation, commercial contracts and complex joint ventures. Larry has completed several initial public offerings for companies in the mid-Atlan...

Brian Kilpatrick is a Shareholder of Wilson Cribbs + Goren who assists clients with real estate, business, and bankruptcy litigation. He is currently the head of the firm’s litigation practice, as a seasoned litigator who handles a myriad of high-stakes real estate and business disputes. Brian’s background in real estate goes back much farther than his time with the firm. Both his father and brother are in the real estate business, and he worked as a commercial real estate broker ...

Meredith Causey’s practice focuses on electronic discovery and information governance, including the identification, preservation, collection, review, and production of electronically stored information. Ms. Causey also provides counsel to clients on a variety of technology-related issues, including software licensing agreements, cloud computing, and website privacy policies. Before joining the firm, Ms. Causey founded an electronic discovery company, where she counseled clients on elec...

Nicole Schmidt is a partner and Certified Family Law Specialist at Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara. Nicole Schmidt focuses on divorce and family law matters in Newport Beach and San Diego. Ms. Schmidt has experience in a plethora of issues arising in the general area of family law, including prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child custody and visitation, spousal support, child support, divorce, and complex asset and debt division. She specializes in cases involving non-traditiona...

Aaron M. Bruggeman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Energy Regulatory Law. Aaron M. practices law in Dayton, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Aaron M. Bruggeman since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Aaron M. Bruggeman is held by other lawyers.