Susan Wheat Ballard

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...

John C. Cain is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trade Secrets Law and Trademark Law. John C., 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 John C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ethel J. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Ethel J., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ethel J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly D. Brown is a Houston-based shareholder in the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) section at Crain Caton & James. Kelly concentrates on EHS-related civil litigation, corporate transactions, regulatory compliance counseling, and environmental remediation projects. Kelly defends corporate clients in toxic tort and personal injury lawsuits, as well as administrative enforcement proceedings. Kelly routinely navigates regulatory matters before the Environmental Protection Agency (EP...

The first and foremost objective of Lee’s practice is to provide innovative and value-driven solutions to the litigation-related problems facing clients. This objective has been successfully achieved through direct and open communication with the client, early and immediate assessment of the issues, strategic evaluation of the problem and its solution, aggressive representation, and reliance upon Lee’s trial experience. A significant focus of Lee’s practice relates to the re...

Justo A. Mendez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Justo A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justo A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly M. Haas is a partner in the Houston office. Her practice is focused on the areas of admiralty and maritime law and energy-related litigation matters in both state and federal courts. Her practice consists of defending vessel owners and operators, as well as offshore companies, from claims arising from collisions, property damage, personal injury, maritime pollution, environmental issues, cargo matters and contract disputes, and it regularly includes matters involving the Jones Act, the ...

Joe Roden grew up in Liberty, Texas and attended the University of Texas as an undergraduate, where he graduated in 1988. He then went into the U.S. Marine Corps. Joe attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was a decorated officer in the Marine Corps during Desert Storm, the first Gulf War. After leaving the Marine Corps, he graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with honors and then clerked for Justice Murry Cohen on the First Court of Appeals. After clerking for the Court of Ap...

Mark R. “Tiger” Pharr III has represented clients for more than 35 years in a wide range of matters, including construction defect, premises liability, insurance defense, personal injury, professional liability, and trucking. Tiger’s litigation practice includes jury trials, bench trials, mediations, and arbitrations, and he has handled appeals before state and federal courts. His experience also includes acting as a mediator and arbitrator in civil cases. Explore Tiger&rsqu...

D. Ferguson McNiel III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Construction. D. Ferguson, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which D. Ferguson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.