Vanessa Watanabe

Mildred M. Morris was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1984. Her experience spans litigation, medical malpractice defense, health care and drug and medical device defense. Some cases of note include Warren v. Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp., 783 So.2d 735 (Miss. App. 2000) (American Law Journal Top 10 Defense Verdicts of the Year); Lindley v. Hamilton, 883 F.2d 360 (5th Cir. 1989); Herrington v. Spell, 692 So.2d 93 (Miss. 1997). She has tried cases to verdict by jury in numerous state and fede...

Ernie Teitell's career is defined not just by verdicts and settlements, but by the lasting change his work has brought about. When he represented the family of a 6-year-old boy who drowned after becoming entrapped in a swimming pool drain, the family dedicated the proceeds to pool safety, leading to significant changes in state regulations for pools and equipment. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, Ernie volunteered his legal services to Connecticut families of victims. And his advocacy...

Senior partner and Best Lawyers® honoree Lisa Reilly Payton focuses her law practice on estate planning, tax planning, and federal and state tax controversy. Lisa is a popular speaker and has appeared multiple times on the Emmy Award-winning talk show The List. Lisa's estate planning experience includes helping individuals, couples, and business owners identify their planning options and tailoring their choices to their unique situations and goals. In guiding her clients through the plann...

Christopher S. Houston is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Christopher S. practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher S. Houston since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christopher S. Houston is held by other lawyers.

Dan Cogdell is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers . His Chambers rating is “Band 1” in White Collar Crime and Government Investigations. Cogdell has been trial counsel in more than 300 jury trials in over sixteen different States. His experience includes verdicts of “Not Guilty” in the Branch Davidian matter, the only acquittal in any Enron related matter, and the successful representation of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton-both as a member of Paxton&r...

Todd A. Brooks is a Swift Currie partner who focuses his practice on workers’ compensation matters. His clients include national manufacturers, “mom-and-pop” businesses and school systems, as well as city and county governments. In addition to handling client matters, he provides advice to organizations on how they can minimize exposure, mitigate legal risk and better position their businesses to reduce liability. Todd has handled more than 20 jury trials and over 250 bench ...

John J. Kennedy, Jr. is the founding partner of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, LLC. In 1988, John formed Kennedy & Johnson, along with David Johnson. John is an accomplished trial attorney, spending most of his 35 years practicing in Connecticut, representing injured clients before juries. After more than three decades practicing law, John still finds trying cases to juries in automobile accident, premises liability, medical malpractice and product liability cases his passion. In...

David M. McCullough is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Energy Law. David M. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized David M. McCullough since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David M. McCullough is held by other lawyers.

Brian D. Israel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Brian D. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Brian D. Israel since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Brian D. Israel is held by other lawyers.

Kristina Badalian is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Kristina practices law in Rockville, Maryland Best Lawyers has recognized Kristina Badalian since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kristina Badalian is held by other lawyers.