W. Kyle Gooch

Maeghan E. Whitehead is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Maeghan E., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Maeghan E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters. Thomas has broad experience across many industries, but in particular, he has focused his practice representing clients in t...

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

Michael Considine represents clients in connection with significant corporate events, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, carve-out divestitures/acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. He has extensive experience in a variety of industries, including consumer products, energy, manufacturing, professional sports teams, real estate, and software and technology. Michael is a founding partner of the Firm’s Dallas office, which opened in July of 2018. Michael has been re...

Russell W. Budd, a mainstay of the plaintiff’s bar with more than forty-five years’ experience representing victims of corporate wrongdoing, has been a trailblazer for the entirety of his career. Serving as a Baron & Budd shareholder since 1985 and president and managing shareholder since 2002, Mr. Budd presides over one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ firms. Founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has nearly 200 full-time employees and is headquartered in Dallas, Te...

Andrew Payne graduated at the top of his class in law school and started his career working for a prestigious international firm representing large insurers and corporations. But it did not take long for Andy to realize that he wanted to help people who had suffered harm through no fault of their own, not protect negligent corporations whose actions harmed people. Andy’s passion for handling significant personal injury cases stems from this desire to help people who truly need justice. ...

Christian S. Kelso is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Christian S., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christian S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas E. Brannen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Thomas E., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew B. Derman is a Partner and head of International Energy Practice Group for Thompson & Knight LLP and Chairman of Thompson & Knight Global Energy Services. He represents public and private companies and host governments in their strategic design, commercial execution, negotiations, contract preparation, and legal interpretation. Recent experience includes: acquisition and divestment efforts in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia; international finan...

Peter Kraus is a nationally respected trial lawyer, known for his advocacy on behalf of individuals injured by asbestos exposure, toxic contamination and other negligent and harmful corporate practices. Over the course of his career, he has earned significant verdicts and settlements for workers, their family members and others, holding corporations and powerful business interests accountable when they place profits over people. As co-founder and managing partner of Dallas-based Waters Kraus ...