Shannon N. Smith

With over 20 years of litigation experience, David Jones leads the firm's Class Action/Multidistrict Litigation and Insurance Coverage practices. Handling cases for both plaintiffs and defendants, David views each dispute from every angle. Whether it is high stakes litigation for a Fortune 500 company or a claim involving individuals, David identifies the key issues and presents them in a simple story for the court or jury. His practice includes experience as lead counsel in cases involving c...

Kelly Beaudry is Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She started her career working in public relations in New York and Austin. Kelly received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Texas and went to law school at the University of Houston Law Center, where she concentrated her studies on real estate, corporate and probate law. After law school, she practiced law at Brackett & Ellis, P.C., in Fort Worth, Texas, where she continue...

James K. Longhofer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. James K., 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 James K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen M. Loftin is a founding member of Hicks Thomas LLP who began his legal career in a large, international law firm. Over the last 32 years, Mr. Loftin’s practice has focused on a wide range of business litigation and personal injury litigation, both on the plaintiff and defense side of the bar. This broad range of experience allows Mr. Loftin to bring a unique perspective to clients no matter on which side of the dispute they may find themselves. Mr. Loftin has extensive experienc...

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

Ashley V. Tomlinson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Ashley V., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ashley V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew Calder is a partner in the Houston and Austin offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP where he also serves as a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate and securities law, and corporate governance, with a particular focus on the energy sector. Andrew is recognized in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) 2015–2022, Corporate/M&A 2016–...

Caj Boatright has made a habit of winning exceptional verdicts and settlements for his clients. In fact, in the last couple of years, it would be difficult to find another trial lawyer who has tried more cases to verdict and obtained more multimillion-dollar settlements even though Mr. Boatright has spent only five years of his 15-year legal career representing plaintiffs. His winning formula rests on his strong sense of justice and a belief that the American jury system is the best way to he...

Tony Buzbee is a former Recon Marine officer. His mettle has been tested time and again through some of the most demanding training in the armed services and due to his involvement in some of the most intense Marine operations in various countries. Buzbee didn’t just survive or endure as a Marine officer, he excelled. In the Marine Corps, officers are taught to lead from the front, to do more with less, to work smart, to hit fast and exploit weaknesses, and to be creative. Tony Buzbee, ...

Roger Aksamit serves as the Firm’s Houston Office Leader. In addition, he is a member of the Firm’s Strategic Lateral Hiring Committee and is involved with the Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion initiative. Roger specializes in energy and private equity taxation and counsels public, private equity, and closely held clients in mergers and acquisitions, financing, and joint venture transactions, as well as all other aspects of transactional tax matters and planning. He is Board ...