Tanica M. Mann

J. Todd Kale , a shareholder in the Dallas offices of Baron & Budd, has dedicated his career to fighting the companies that knowingly exposed people to the deadly carcinogen known as asbestos. He enjoys partnering with patients and families to help them navigate the legal process during the most difficult time in their lives. Mr. Kale works on the front lines with the firm’s Asbestos Litigation Team. He meets with mesothelioma patients and their families across the country to gather...

Dustin is a founding member of Simon | Paschal PLLC, an employment and business law boutique law firm in Frisco, Texas. Prior to starting and managing his own firm, Dustin exclusively practiced employment law at another law firm. Dustin has a degree in Human Resource Management from Baylor University and a law degree from Baylor Law School. Dustin maintains an active advice and counsel practice in addition to his litigation work. Dustin’s practice focuses on the workplace and employment...

Chris Hamilton is one of the country’s leading high-stakes trial lawyers. He has won record-setting verdicts and settlements in catastrophic personal injury cases, wrongful death lawsuits, and complex business disputes. Chris chooses to work on cases where he knows he can make a game-changing difference by relying on his methodical preparation and truly extraordinary trial skills. He takes great pride when lawyers and clients trust him to handle the most important cases of their careers...

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

John Leininger joined Otteson Shapiro's Dallas office in January, 2016. Mr. Leininger is a key member of the firm’s Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights and Litigation practice areas. He focuses on core bankruptcy matters, bankruptcy litigation, and general civil litigation. He was named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. After graduating law school, Mr. Leininger served as a law clerk ...

Rachael Smiley brings more than 15 years of legal experience to FBFK Law and currently serves as Chair of the firm’s Restructuring practice. She advises clients throughout the Chapter 11 reorganization process, including asset sales, plan confirmation, and post-confirmation plan administration. Rachael also has experience litigating bankruptcy-related disputes, including contested matters, adversary proceedings, valuation disputes, claim objections, and avoidance actions. Before joining...

Kristin L. Bauer is a principal in the Dallas, Texas, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She represents management exclusively in workplace law and related litigation. In addition to handling an active employment litigation docket, Kristin counsels management on preventive strategies, including termination decisions, investigations, employment agreements, non-compete and non-solicitation issues, wage and hour laws, policies and handbooks, and other issues affecting the workplace. She also provides ...

Benson Varghese is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Family Law. Benson Varghese is the founder and managing partner of Varghese Summersett, a premier Texas law firm known for its elite attorneys and exceptional results in personal injury, family law, and criminal defense. In addition to overseeing the firm — which has offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston — Be...

Chalk is a 1973 graduate of University of Texas School of Law (J.D.), with prior M.A. (1967) and B.S. (1962) degrees from Tennessee Tech University, and A.A. degree (1956) from Freed-Hardeman College. Prior to joining in 1986 Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC, Fort Worth, Texas, and its predecessors, Chalk was President of Dabney Capital, Dallas, Texas (1984-86) (real estate finance), General Counsel and Vice President of LaJet, Inc., Abilene, Texas (1978-84) (petroleum refining and ...

Gregg Davis counsels clients in the areas of real estate, capital markets, finance, business transactions, and environmental transactions. His experience includes: acquisitions, sales, lending, leasing, and brokerage; capital markets (CMBS and CDO), distressed real estate receiverships, sales and management; and construction. Gregg adeptly deals with a broad range of commercial real estate issues including conservation easements, wetlands, LEED certification, transfer fees, platting, zoning a...