Robert R. "Bob" Smith Jr.

Elliot Strader is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Elliot, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elliot is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Podvin Jr. is a partner in the firm with more than 25 years of regulatory agency, law firm, and corporate experience. He is based in Dallas, Texas, where he works nationally with the firm’s clients. His practice areas include banking and financial services, litigation, corporate governance, finance, financial crisis advisory and litigation, financial regulatory, government relations strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. As outside counsel, Mr. Podvin works closely with the firm&r...

Charles M. Persons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Charles M., 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 Charles M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James P. Whalen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James P., who practices law in Frisco, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Yoder is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Michael, 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 Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Manuel G. Berrelez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Manuel G., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Manuel G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Sloan focuses his practice primarily on various types of real estate lending transactions, real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and real estate development. He has represented lenders in virtually all types of real estate financings, including construction loans, interim bridge loans, permanent loans, mezzanine loans, conduit mortgage backed securities loans (CMBS loans), and revolving loan facilities, as well as preferred equity transactions. He has also represented various financial...

During more than four decades of experience in both state and federal courts, I have taken more than 150 cases to trial. This experience includes representing plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes commercial litigation, including cases involving corporate director and officer liability, securities claims, product liability and patent infringement lawsuits. I believe now, more than ever, companies and individuals need lawyers who are effective in the courtroom and can help them solve the mo...

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&...

For more than 20 years, Kelly Kubasta has focused his practice on helping clients develop, protect, leverage, and enforce intellectual property strategies that support their competitive position. He works with clients to identify the intellectual property assets that matter most to their business and to implement practical, efficient strategies for protecting and maximizing their value. Kelly advises clients across the full range of intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks,...