S. Donean Surratt

Monica M. Jacobs has been practicing Texas water law for more than twenty years. She focuses her practice on strategic water supply planning and water asset management for both surface water and groundwater rights. Ms. Jacobs chairs Kelly Hart's Water Law practice group, and is a registered lobbyist. Her experience includes: Water Resources: water supply and water rights management for large landowners, industrial users and major Texas municipalities; surface water permitting at TCEQ; groundw...

Jon A. Baker is a founding member of the firm and his practice focuses on the leasing, acquisition, disposition, financing, and development of various commercial properties, including office buildings, multi-family projects, industrial properties, raw land, and retail projects. Jon also represents institutional lenders in connection with the financing of real estate projects. Jon was recently honored for his notable achievements in real estate law when he was named to Best Lawyers in America&...

Caleb Miller knew he wanted to fight for injured victims ever since clerking with a plaintiff’s personal injury firm while still in law school. It was there that he cultivated a passion for helping victims and their families navigate some of the most difficult times in their lives. After graduating law school, Mr. Miller dedicated his professional career to advocating on behalf of those who had been injured and wronged, using his experience and legal knowledge to protect their rights wh...

Brian Hail is one of the region’s most well-regarded trial attorneys, and he represents a multitude of clients in high-stakes business disputes, fiduciary and fraud claims, employment-related claims, and other complex commercial litigation. Brian is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has nearly three decades of courtroom experience handling complex commercial litigation. Brian’s trial record includes 25+ multi-million-dollar judgments...

Christy Jack is a nationally-recognized attorney who has tried more than 200 criminal cases before a jury. Her courtroom skills and expertise have led to appearances on 48 Hours , Dateline , Dr. Phil , Investigation Discovery , Cold Case , Forensic Files , Court TV, and Prosecuting Evil, among others. Nationwide, there are few attorneys who have her level of experience handling capital murder cases. In addition to death penalty litigation, Christy Jack has tried numerous high-profile murder a...

Steve Baron, a Baron & Budd shareholder, is an accomplished litigator known for his tenacity in pursuing justice for victims of corporate misconduct. He currently heads Baron & Budd’s mesothelioma and asbestos practice. As lead of one of the nation’s most aggressive litigation teams, Mr. Baron represents clients in cases that have resulted in some of the largest verdicts and settlements for people with mesothelioma and asbestos diseases, as well as clients who have been ha...

Timothy E. Hudson 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. Timothy E., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Fernelius successfully handles high-profile and complex litigation, especially matters that come under intense public scrutiny. He has a sophisticated understanding of how cases affect his clients’ business, and he does everything he can to resolve his clients’ problems. His work for clients includes representing an international oil and gas company in three separate trials from 2005 to 2009 involving a catastrophic explosion at one of its oil refineries, which ultimately re...

Beth E. Maultsby has dedicated much of her life to helping families by serving as a judge, lawyer and social worker. A partner at the firm since 2005, she practices all aspects of family law including complex property issues and child-related matters. As a skilled problem-solver, Ms. Maultsby guides families through challenging issues such as substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and child abuse. Utilizing her extensive experience in working with families, she provides clients w...

David R. Keyes represents companies and financial institutions with respect to loans and deposits, structured finance and securitization, project finance, sales of financial assets, energy transactions, check clearing and bank payments systems, letters of credit, bankers acceptances, loan workouts, lender liability, bank insolvencies and related acquisitions, reorganizations and conveyances, and in financial and commercial transactions in the energy, financial institutions, and technology ind...