Thomas "Tom" Kirkendall

Mark Merrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Mark, 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 Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert Dubose graduated from Rice University magna cum laude in 1990 and Harvard Law School cum laude in 1993. He is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Appellate Law. He is a past-chair of the Appellate Section of the Houston Bar Association. Robert handles appeals, with particular emphasis on insurance coverage, corporate governance, and commercial and contract disputes. He also works with clients and other lawyers on legal strategy before and during trial, f...

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...

Wesley E. Wright is a native Houstonian, and has been practicing law in the Houston area since 1982. He is a graduate of the University of Houston and South Texas College of Law. Mr. Wright is a Board Certified attorney in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. His legal practice focuses exclusively in the areas of elder law, Medicaid planning, estate planning with an emphas...

David Cole is a tax partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. David focuses his practice on tax disputes with trial experience in both federal and state courts. The tax matters David has litigated include disputes with taxing authorities and between private parties. The clients David represents include large and small partnerships, public and private partnerships, corporations, and high net worth individuals. His clients operate across an array of industries, including privat...

Taylor Toombs Imel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Taylor Toombs, 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 Taylor Toombs is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wanda Fowler was a Justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals for almost 14 years before joining Wright Close & Barger, LLP as a partner. While on the Court she authored approximately 1900 opinions and decided approximately 3,800 more cases. In 2001, the other members of the Court elected her Acting Chief Justice for five months pending an appointment of a new chief justice and, in 2003, the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists voted her Appell...

Raffi has broad experience in both trial and appellate matters nationwide. He has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in federal and state courts of appeals around the United States. Raffi also maintains an active practice in the United States Supreme Court, including both merits and amicus briefs. In 2019, Raffi briefed and argued Fort Bend v. Davis , where his client prevailed in a 9-0 decision written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Firm later successfully represented Ms. Davis in her...

Jesse Pierce has more than fifty years of litigation experience and has tried many types of cases in state and federal courts of Texas and other states. He is licensed to practice in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He specializes in trials of complex energy and commercial cases. Mr. Pierce is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Pierce is a member of Litigation Counsel of America, a trial-lawyer honorary society composed of less...

William W. Ogden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - First Amendment. William W., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 1991. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.