Victoria N. Argeroplos

Some cases are complex because of the mountains of ​evidence at issue; others because of the technical complexity of the industry involved. Either way, John Deis has a knack for distilling his cases down to the core issues and clearly presenting his client’s side to judges and juries. Mr. Deis once spent four days living aboard an oilrig offshore of Libya in order to understand how various equipment worked and the crew's performance. This was key to disproving his opponent’s conte...

Susan Noe Wilson is a partner in SBSB’s office. A member of the firm’s bench since September 2016, she boasts a legal career spanning more than 30 years and a dozen practice areas, ranging from construction and maritime to energy and insurance, trucking, business transactions and more. Ms. Noe Wilson has handled and tried Jones Act cases, 905(b) claims, coverage disputes, commercial matters and land-based and offshore drilling-related disputes in courts throughout the Gulf Coast r...

Allen H. Rustay is a partner at Hicks Thomas LLP and has over 20 years of experience in litigation in Texas State and Federal courts. He has extensive experience in commercial litigation including matters involving commercial disputes, energy, oil and gas, and maritime disputes on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. He has also litigated theft of trade secrets, breaches of fiduciary duty, and business torts. Formerly affiliated with a large international law firm, Mr. Rustay has been with Hi...

Troy Ford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Troy, 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 Troy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. For over twenty years, clients have relied on Troy to help them navigate complex business disputes. ...

Steve D. Kesten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Steve D., 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 Steve D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard is a trial lawyer. He has tried and arbitrated complex personal injury, commercial and intellectual property cases all over the state. From patent and trade secret litigation in northeast Texas to multiple death and burn cases along the Texas-Mexico border, to massive coverage cases in Beaumont, he and his trial team have handled the difficult assignments. He has tried state and national class actions, medical device, oil & gas, nursing home, insurance coverage and intellectual pro...

Nicholas Earles is a partner in SBSB’s Houston office and has been a knowledgeable resource in the maritime space for more than 20 years. While his practice focuses in admiralty, his experience also extends to general and premises liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation and transportation. Additionally, he has navigated difficult cases for energy companies and overseas defense contractors covered by the Defense Base Act. A member of SBSB’s original roster in February 2...

Darryl H. Levy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Darryl H., who practices law in Galveston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Darryl H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joy M. Eckelkamp’s practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, special needs planning, guardianship, probate, trust administration, and fiduciary representation. She is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) with the National Elder Law Foundation and has been recognized with the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer-Reviewed rating for excellence in legal practice. While attending South Texas College of Law Joy was awarded the Inaugural Lyndon B. Johnson Civil Rights Award. Joy is a ...

James Prappas has over 30 years’ experience representing businesses, families and individuals concerning employment-based immigration, family-based immigration and naturalization matters. He regularly assists corporate clients secure the best talent from around the globe to achieve business goals. As a Board-Certified specialist, James advises Fortune 500, middle market and emerging companies in U.S. immigration matters relating to the energy, manufacturing and service industries. Clien...