Taylor Appling

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.

Carlyn Burton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Carlyn, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carlyn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Serving as Office Managing Partner of Akerman’s Houston office, Scott Marrs is a formidable trial lawyer litigating high profile matters in state and federal courts as well as arbitrations in the United States, South America, the Middle East, and Europe. Scott focuses on legal issues in virtually all aspects of the energy sector, including oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, storage, power, chemical, petrochemical, energy marketing, and well service. He also litigates i...

Adam H. Laughton guides health care providers and other parties through the complexities of health care transactions, including inevitable regulatory questions, licensing, payor enrollment and many other issues. Adam has handled transactions involving a wide variety of providers and facilities, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, behavioral health providers and freestanding emergency rooms, as well as physician practices and other entrepreneurs in the health care space. These tra...

Cindy Matherne Muller is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group and head of the firm’s Houston office. She represents a broad range of companies, from large multinational EPC contractors to private equity portfolio companies, doing business in the energy, maritime, and construction industries, on capital projects and commercial and restructuring transactions, and compliance functions. Cindy participates in the Construction, Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources, and Maritime i...

Sumit K. Arora is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Sumit K., 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 Sumit K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eileen is a former state trial judge who tries and appeals cases in state and federal courts for both plaintiffs and defendants. She brings a unique perspective to litigation problem-solving, having served during her career as an advocate, judge, arbitrator and mediator. Eileen also has the benefit of having sustained both substantial trial and appellate practices for 30 years. As a result, she not only knows how to try a case to win, but does so with an informed view of how to keep (or rever...

Shawn Bates has more than 22 years of practice in commercial litigation in the energy industry and across numerous other industries. He is a seasoned first-chair trial lawyer, handling cases worth tens of millions. He has conducted hundreds of depositions and supervised trial teams on matters of varying size. He focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration of complex disputes for clients in the energy sector (oil and gas companies, oilfield supply and support companies, pipeline builder...

Having tried more than 60 cases, Todd Mensing is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction reserved for Texas trial lawyers with a high degree of trial experience and expertise. During the last ten years, an average of fewer than five attorneys per year statewide has earned the distinction. Todd is recognized among the top lawyers in the nation for commercial litigation and construction litigation in The Best Lawyers in America. Todd is also ...

Mr. Klawetter is a partner in the firm and has a litigation practice specializing in the defense of major casualty, personal injury and wrongful death cases. He has dozens of jury and non-jury trials to his credit over 40 years of law practice, as well as numerous appellate arguments. He is a Proctor member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and a frequent lecturer on maritime law in both the United States and abroad. Mr. Klawetter has been named both a Texas Super Lawyer in...