W. Dean Hester

Rachael Smiley brings more than 15 years of legal experience to FBFK Law and currently serves as Chair of the firm’s Restructuring practice. She advises clients throughout the Chapter 11 reorganization process, including asset sales, plan confirmation, and post-confirmation plan administration. Rachael also has experience litigating bankruptcy-related disputes, including contested matters, adversary proceedings, valuation disputes, claim objections, and avoidance actions. Before joining...

William Davidson's practice focuses on the litigation/arbitration aspects of construction law. He represents primarily private owners, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers on substantial construction projects, including power plants, chemical plants, gas processing plants, cryogenic plants, sports facilities, commercial properties, light rail, and the fabrication of production modules for the upstream oil and gas industry. His experience includes the prosecution and de...

Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Sam E. Taylor, II is the Managing Attorney of the asbestos litigation section in the Lanier Law Firm’s Houston office. Mr. Taylor has over 30 years of experience representing clients in state and federal courts. He has successfully tried to verdict over 50 civil jury trials in state district courts and federal district co...

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

Jo Allison Stasney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Jo Allison, who practices law in Plano, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jo Allison is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gary S. Kessler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Securities and Real Estate Law. Gary S., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alex Brauer is a sought-after trial attorney who helps clients resolve their business disputes. He has taken numerous matters through trial before both judges and juries and has an exceptional track record. Given his expertise, clients utilize Alex to handle disputes in state and federal courts in Texas and throughout the country. While Alex has assisted several clients with disputes involving the sales and purchases of businesses, clients call on Alex to resolve various disputes ranging from...

Francis D. McWilliams IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Francis D., 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 Francis D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ian has broad experience in real estate law, with a focus on commercial, industrial and residential construction law. Ian has extensive trial experience conducting jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations, from homeowner claims to multimillion- and multibillion-dollar commercial projects throughout Texas. He represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, homebuilders, homeowners, business owners and individuals in a variety of disputes, as well as in OSHA compliance and inv...

Julie Heath focuses her practice primarily in the area of employment litigation and counseling. In addition to litigation and arbitration defense, she counsels HR departments and businesses of every size on all aspects of employment law, from addressing day-to-day employment and personnel questions, to investigating internal employee claims, to defending governmental agency audits, to advising clients on steps for litigation avoidance. Ms. Heath is rated AV®-Preeminent™ by the peer-...