Scott M. Francis

Sarah Clinton Jones is a partner in SBSB Eastham’s Houston office and boasts more than 20 years of courtroom experience as a trial attorney. With clients ranging from locally owned private businesses to Fortune 100 and 500 corporations with a national presence, her book is vast and diverse. As first chair or solo trial counsel, she has tried numerous lawsuits to verdict in state and federal court, with cases ranging from catastrophic injury to employment disputes. Sarah joined SBSB East...

Russell W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Russell W., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Russell W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jessica Guobadia is a litigation attorney and mediator with Kean Miller in Houston, Texas, representing individuals and families in matters involving Elder Law, Trusts and Estates, and Litigation related to trusts and estates. Her practice focuses on guardianship, probate, and mental health commitment proceedings, where she works closely with clients to protect individual rights while helping families and caregivers navigate emotionally complex legal processes. Jessica regularly handles proba...

I am a native Texan, born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I grew up in North Dallas and attended schools in Plano, Texas. After a brief stint at UT Austin, I transferred to Purdue University, where I received my B.S. in economics. I attended law school at Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas and graduated in February 2014. I passed the bar in May 2014. I started my law career in Houston, Texas at a boutique litigation defense firm. I was fortunate to first-chair a jury trial, take and defend deposit...

Ryan aggressively seeks justice and accountability for people and institutions that have been harmed. He has 20 years’ experience successfully litigating complex disputes from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast. Ryan represents both plaintiffs and defendants in matters including breach of contract, partnership disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, antitrust, RICO, civil theft, theft of trade secrets, fraud, fraudulent transfer claims and securities, and antitrust class actions. His clients ...

Stephen M. Gill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Stephen M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom Ajamie is the founder of Ajamie LLP. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration. His work includes groundbreaking securities and financial cases, cross-border litigation, business contract disputes and employment issues. His cases have been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The American Lawyer. He established The Ajamie Foundation, which provides scholarships to university students. He is co-author of the book Fina...

Jon Paul helps construction and energy companies solve problems as efficiently as possible. Jon Paul is often called to serve as a trusted legal advisor to his clients, providing a 360-degree approach to risk management, litigation and general business issues. His practice focuses on advising clients in the construction, energy, and oil and gas industries. He often represents general contractors, subcontractors, oil field service companies, product and equipment manufacturers, as well as prop...

Co-founder of Houston-based Heim, Payne & Chorush, Les has helped build a nationally respected team of lawyers and has led litigation resulting in numerous 8- and 9- figure verdicts and settlements. As patent law has evolved with inter partes review validity challenges at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Les has become particularly effective representing both patent owners and accused infringers in this rapidly changing landscape. Heim, Payne & Chorush staffs its litigation for...

Dan Cogdell is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the corporate compliance and white collar defense team. He defends corporations and individuals in high-profile white collar criminal defense jury trials and related disputes. Dan has nearly 40 years of experience representing individuals and corporations in a broad range of high-profile, bet-the-company white collar and criminal defense matters. Dan is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-on...