William W. "Bill" Pugh

Robert Vining is a partner in SBSB Eastham’s Houston office. A seasoned attorney with expertise spanning more than a dozen practice areas, he is a respected figure in his field who is admitted to the State Bar of Texas, the Louisiana State Bar Association, The Mississippi Bar and in nine U.S. District Courts across the Gulf Coast. Mr. Vining arrived to SBSB Eastham in February 2018 and has overseen a prolific law career of more than 28 years. He primarily splits his practice between lit...

Erick Sandlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Erick, 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 Erick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kent Newsome serves as Chair of the firm's Houston Real Estate Practice. He has more than 25 years of experience that includes commercial real estate, real estate development, health care acquisitions and development, financing transactions, and general business law. Kent regularly represents owners and developers of commercial, retail and industrial properties in the acquisition, financing, development, leasing, management and sale of income producing properties, including office buildings, ...

C. Matthew Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. C. Matthew, 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 C. Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rick is a Director in the Real Estate section of Coats Rose, and also serves as Managing Director and President of the Firm. He has represented numerous real estate developers in the development of all types of commercial and residential projects in Texas and other states. Rick has particular expertise in the development of master-planned residential communities and, among other projects, has been involved with the Coles Crossing, Silverlake, Sienna Plantation, First Colony, Fall Creek, Cross...

Kelcy L. Palmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Kelcy L., 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 Kelcy L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

Christopher Tramonte is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Christopher, 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 Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kerry E. Notestine represents employers in all aspects of employment matters, including litigation under federal, state, and local anti-discrimination statutes, as well as the common law; administrative proceedings before various federal and state government agencies; and counseling employers regarding employment issues, particularly leaves and reductions-in-force. Kerry’s book, Employment Law Trials: A Practical Guide, published in 2005 by LexisNexis Publishing, is a leading work on th...