Vernon C. Howerton Jr.

The first time I ever stood up in front of a jury, I knew that it was where I belonged. I’ve been told that, in front of a jury, I seem to have the opposite of stage fright, and I suppose that’s true. It’s where I feel most comfortable: advocating for my clients, arguing their cases. As a trial lawyer, the courtroom is my second home. I try cases because I enjoy helping people, whether they’re ordinary people who’ve been wronged by a product, company, or a busine...

“ The Best Lawyers in Dallas ” – Since 2005, Chad Ruback has consistently been named one of “The Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine. This is true of only four other appellate lawyers. “ The Best Lawyers in America ” – Chad is included in the “Appellate Practice” section of The Best Lawyers in America. “ Texas Super Lawyers ” – Chad is included in the Thomson Reuters “Texas Super Lawyers” list, which i...

Jose Luzarraga is a member of the Products, Catastrophic and Industrial Litigation team. He focuses his practice on Automotive, Transportation and Commercial Litigation. He has advised clients through all aspects of litigation from claim response, discovery, experts, and representation in trial courts, arbitrations, and courts of appeal. Jose works with clients to assess, evaluate, and manage risk to find solutions that achieve the client’s strategic goals.

Sean R. McKenna is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Health Care Law and Litigation - Health Care. Sean R., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rachel Feist is a family law attorney at Goranson Bain Ausley in Dallas. With over 8 years practicing exclusively in family law, Rachel has been named to Best Lawyers in America (2024–2026) and as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star (2024–2025). She is a member of the Annette Stewart American Inn of Court and Collaborative Divorce Texas. Her practice focuses on negotiated divorce, complex property division, and contested divorce. She is trained in both litigation and collaborative p...

Chris Panatier is a shareholder of Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC. Mr. Panatier was admitted to practice law in Texas after graduating from The University of Texas School of Law in 2001. His practice is focused entirely upon the representation of victims of toxic exposures at trial. Chris has obtained verdicts throughout the country exceeding $950,000,000.00. His verdicts have been named as top verdicts in both Texas and California. Together with his fellow shareholder David Greenstone, Chris ...

Robert E. Goodman Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Robert E., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brad Whitlock focuses his practice on representing a wide variety of business clients. He has experience in a broad scope of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity securities financings, complex company formation, contracts, employment matters, corporate governance issues and numerous other legal arrangements and agreements. In many instances, Mr. Whitlock serves as an outside general counsel for his clients, helping them with both business and legal issues...

Richard is the Head of the Dallas Litigation Practice Group. He is an experienced trial lawyer who has first-chaired dozens of complex cases in state and federal courts, arbitrations and other proceedings—many of which he joined as trial counsel at the 11th hour. His extensive courtroom experience includes cases involving product and environmental liability, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, insurance coverage, False Claims Act allegations, partnership disputes and other business...

Member, UT Harry Ransom Center Advisory Council