W. Creighton Smith
About W. Creighton Smith
W. Creighton Smith is a lawyer based in Houston, TX and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2022. W. Creighton Smith is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Houston, Texas
- Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Current Firm: Vinson & Elkins LLP
Education: The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 1997
Location: Houston, TX
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Mike represents a variety of clients in commercial, insurance coverage, tort, environmental, and Qui Tam/False Claims Act matters at the state and federal levels. He has tried numerous cases to verdict and represented clients in venues across Texas and throughout the United States. Mike’s accomplishments as a trial lawyer have been recognized by his peers, who elected him as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”). ABOTA is comprised of trial lawyers repr...
M. Imad Khan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration, International Arbitration - Commercial and International Arbitration - Governmental. M. Imad, 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 M. Imad is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Grady Reiff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Grady, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Grady is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rodolfo Rueda Ballesteros is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law. Rodolfo, 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 Rodolfo is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Will’s practice focuses on commercial lending and financial transactions. He represents private equity funds, hedge funds and mezzanine funds, as well as corporate borrowers and investors, in connection with a wide variety of complex transactions, with a primary emphasis on: acquisition financings, first and second lien syndicated lending transactions with intercreditor relationships, structured financings with equity participations, complex restructurings, and financings and investment...
Greg Bopp is the managing partner of Bracewell LLP. Greg maintains an active practice focused on tax structuring, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets transactions for midstream and upstream companies, including master limited partnerships (MLPs). Greg was named a Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer for his role in representing Kinder Morgan, Inc. in the $76 billion acquisition of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., Kinder Morgan Management, LLC, and El Paso...
Natalie Armour offers experience in trial and appellate matters involving mass torts, pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, and other types of products liability claims, personal injury matters and business litigation. A key member of the Issues and Appeals Section of The Lanier Law Firm in Houston, Ms. Armour has briefed appellate matters before the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Courts of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Eighth Circuit, and Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of Missouri. ...
Jim Collura has a nationwide energy and construction litigation practice in which he has handled hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. His experience includes trials in state and federal courts across the country. Jim has represented plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio and his home state of Texas. This experience includes complex litigation with an emphasis on matters ...
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.
John is a Director in the Real Estate Section. His practice involves the representation of clients in matters related to real estate development, banking, corporate/partnership matters and special purpose districts used to finance development, including municipal utility districts, levee improvement districts, and tax increment financing districts. He has also represented clients in connection with negotiating Chapter 380 and Chapter 381 development agreements with both cities and counties in...
Explore and Learn
The Family Law Loophole That Lets Sex Offenders Parent Kids
by Bryan Driscoll
Is the state's surrogacy framework putting children at risk?
Unenforceable HOA Rules: What Homeowners Can Do About Illegal HOA Actions
by Bryan Driscoll
Not every HOA rule is legal. Learn how to recognize and fight unenforceable HOA rules that overstep the law.
Best Lawyers 2026: Discover the Honorees in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain
by Jamilla Tabbara
A growing international network of recognized legal professionals.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Living Trust?
by Bryan Driscoll
A practical guide to wills, living trusts and how to choose the right plan for your estate.
New Texas Family Laws Transform Navigating Divorce, Custody
by Bryan Driscoll
Reforms are sweeping, philosophically distinct and designed to change the way families operate.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?
by Bryan Driscoll
Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.