Pekka Puhakka

Area of Emphasis Marc Felezzola is a shareholder in Babst Calland’s Litigation and Environmental groups. Mr. Felezzola’s practice focuses on complex construction-related and environmental matters. On the construction side of his practice, Mr. Felezzola serves as outside general counsel for owners, developers, design professionals, and construction companies, and frequently represents them in a variety of commercial and construction-related disputes including construction bid prote...

Allan Kirk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Allan, 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 Allan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Todd Kale , a shareholder in the Dallas offices of Baron & Budd, has dedicated his career to fighting the companies that knowingly exposed people to the deadly carcinogen known as asbestos. He enjoys partnering with patients and families to help them navigate the legal process during the most difficult time in their lives. Mr. Kale works on the front lines with the firm’s Asbestos Litigation Team. He meets with mesothelioma patients and their families across the country to gather...

Holly Rampy Baird believes that each client and each client’s needs are unique. With that as a starting point, she takes an individual approach to every case she handles. She has dedicated her practice to providing efficient and effective counsel on issues involving divorce, property division, modification and enforcement actions, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and child custody matters. She is experienced in helping resolve even the most complex client cases, whether that’s in...

Shareholder Perry Browder is head of the Asbestos Department at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He has worked for more than 30 years helping numerous families resolve hundreds of million dollar-plus cases. He started at the firm in 2001 and played a key role in helping the firm develop a national reputation. Within a few years, he had successfully secured one of the largest asbestos verdicts in the country, a $250 million verdict against U.S. Steel. Today, Perry manages the firm’s more than 50 as...

Will Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Will, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Will is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John M. Hamrick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John M., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter Schroeder is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration, Insurance Law, Litigation - Construction, Mediation and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Peter, who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As anyone who has ever argued with a spouse or small child knows, there is a difference between hearing and listening, between being able to repeat what was said and actually taking it in and thinking about it. With Jody Brant, there is never any question that he is both hearing and listening. In a world of loud talkers, it is Jody's ability to listen, to thoughtfully consider the input of others before speaking, that sets him apart as a lawyer and as a leader. For Jody’s estate and wea...

Gerald A. Sumida is a partner in Carlsmith Ball LLP's Honolulu office and Chair of the firm's Corporate & Business Practice Group. He concentrates on business structuring and operations, including corporate, limited liability company, joint venture and partnership matters; business acquisitions; sales and mergers; securities law; start-up company and venture capital financing; administrative and public utilities law; energy law, including energy project development and project finance; an...