Steven G. "Steve" Spears

Kent Hanszen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Law. Kent, 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 Kent is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dick Wynne is a partner in Winston & Strawn’s Houston office whose practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities, and representing management groups. His clients have included boards of directors and their committees, investment banks, private equity firms and their portfolio investment companies, and companies operating in a variety of industries. Dick has handled hundreds of private company acquisitions and divestitures, with particular experience in the...

Jonathan P. Osha is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. Jonathan P., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William A. Wood III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. William A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shawn O’Brien is nationally recognized by his peers and clients as a leading tax practitioner with a focus on tax disputes and controversies involving state, federal and international tax authorities. Drawing on his 25 years of experience, Shawn represents clients in tax examinations and administrative appeals and, when necessary, serves as a forceful advocate in litigation before the US Tax Court, US district courts, the US Court of Federal Claims, state courts and federal appellate co...

Charley Davidson leads the firm’s criminal defense practice, where he offers passionate, responsive counsel to guide clients facing state and federal charges in the areas of white collar and blue collar crime. Prior to joining Hanszen Laporte, he was a partner at a large international firm specializing in white collar defense, as well as a partner at a Houston-based criminal defense law firm. Charley also spent three years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Offic...

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

David Sheinbein has a nationwide mergers and acquisitions practice in which he has closed over a billion dollars in business transactions. As a leading corporate transactional attorney, he is well-known for helping his clients find practical, value-oriented, and timely solutions. His clients include both private and public middle-market and large companies throughout the United States. David represents buyers and sellers of stock and business assets and borrowers and lenders in commercial fin...

Susan McLerran’s practice encompasses a broad array of family law matters, with a focus on complex divorce proceedings involving marital property characterization, valuation and division, business valuation, taxation, issues related to retirement assets, stock options, restricted stock and employee benefits, and conservatorship, visitation and child support matters, pre-marital and post-marital agreements, and suits regarding modification and enforcement of court orders. Susan’s e...

David Elder is a partner in the Corporate Department at Paul Hastings and is based in the Firm’s Houston office. Mr. Elder focuses on mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings, corporate governance and general corporate securities matters. He represents major corporate clients across the energy, oil and gas, sports and entertainment, and telecommunications sectors. He also advises issuers, underwriters and investment banking firms in public and private offerings....